We’ve reached the point in Shinigami Bocchan to Kuro Maid Season 2 where the story basically starts driving the car. There’s are still slice of life-y passages and it never stops being a romcom, but the stakes are raised and the recurring plot threads are basically in charge. And I think the series is better for it, truthfully. I like the romance (both main romances, actually), and the humor often works. But The Duke of Death and His Black Maid gets a little too pleased with itself at times when it’s in that mode. Desserts are desserts for a reason – they don’t offer much sustenance as a main dish.
One of the changes in the series is that it gets out of the Duke’s mansion a lot more – another positive development in my view. Here Bocchan and Alice head for town to speak to Zain. Bocchan is dressed in a sort of curse-proof armor and mask, but much caution is still the order of the day. They meet little Hugo on the street, and he guides them to Circus Gemini – which is a lot of the non-mansion action takes place. Zain is away, but the Zachou invites them to participate themselves, with an upcoming matinee show on the docket. He’s not too concerned with Bocchan’s curse (neither is Hugo for that matter). In fact the Ringmaster considers it a fine example of uniqueness, a trait he sees in all his performers.
Caph takes Alice under her wing on the trapeze, leaving Bocchan in Hugo’s hands. He has a little trouble concentrating for obvious reasons, but Bocchan is somebody who takes to new skills pretty naturally – he certainly did with painting and music. Zachou would rather have seen him come up with an act based on what makes him different (though the entertainment values doesn’t present itself easily), but at least Bocchan does become quite adept at juggling (though not so much with balancing).
It’s really Zain who’s the main focus here, though – Zain and Daleth, who’s obsessed with him and his time magic. Zain is already concerned for Caph’s safety when he’s around, for good reason. Back in witchy world Daleth is planning her next move, which involves her subordinate Keto (Yamazaki Haruka). Daleth intends to go the human world and take Zain back with her, and she recruits Keto – who has attributes ideally suited to the task to join her. Also coming along is Keto’s girlfriend Teto (Tanabe Rui). Keto gets a look at what’s in her boss’ box (a very young-looking Sharon), but not her face (which we now know was maimed by her sister Sade).
Daleth’s ultimate motives are still unclear here, but she tells Keto she liked Sharon very much and wants to “help” her – and that Zain is just the witch for the job. There’s no hard evidence to question Daleth’s motives here, but her methods are a problem irrespective of that. She uses a combo of threats, blackmail and seduction – and Zain does eventually agree to go back with her – but not for two days, so he can have a day to say his goodbyes). Daleth leaves without a confrontation, but she clearly doesn’t take Zain at his word here.
The matinee performance by Circus Gemini has a feel of last carefree fling before the storm hits, but Alice and Bocchan do indeed get their chance to perform (he even shows off his curse). It also gives the series a pretext for another insert song, which if memory serves may in fact have occurred in every episode this season (three out of four at the bare minimum). I don’t remember much in the way of insert songs in S1, much less every week – considering that the story is headed into somewhat darker climes, it’ll be interesting to see if that keeps up.
