After enjoying and being thoroughly impressed by the first season of Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary, the sequel became my most anticipated anime of the spring season. I’ve already set the bar high prior to its release and this review, but somehow, Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2 not only met expectations, it surpassed them in nearly every way because it’s not just a continuation but rather a refinement of its quiet masterclass in slow-burn mystery storytelling.
Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2 Keeps the Essence
One of the most remarkable things about Season 2 is that it retains the very essence that made the first season so special. It thrives in its deliberate pacing, its subtle buildup of tension, and its detailed exploration of seemingly mundane mysteries. The show continues to ask you to pay attention and not only to the case at hand, but even to the way characters speak, move, and interact.
Season 1 already set the tone with its quiet insistence that every detail matters. It has already trained us to stay alert to everything. Season 2 not only builds on that groundwork, but it elevates it further as the mysteries become more intricate, the character dynamics richer, and the emotional stakes deeper. Every moment feels intentional and meaningful; nothing is clearly wasted, and everything makes sense in the long run.
The Two Cases
Season 2 is centered around two cases, and each offered a different flavor. The first case opens with a tease of Osanai being the arsonist. However, this isn’t a simple misdirect, as this is where the brilliance of the series lies in how it places viewers in a constant state of uncertainty—are we being led astray by this tease, or is the most obvious answer quietly sitting right in front of us?
This kind of psychological gymnastics is where the show thrives, and Season 2 executes it beautifully. That ambiguity is what keeps you fully absorbed, and this season embodies that strength to its fullest.
What also sets this case apart is the way Osanai and Kobato approach the case independently for most of its run. As someone who loves watching their dynamic, I was hoping to see them team up earlier—or maybe even compete in solving the mystery.
There was a flicker of that rivalry toward the end, but the two ultimately converged in their own subtle, complementary ways. Even when apart, they remain two sides of the same coin: two extraordinary citizens.
Then comes the second case, and this is Shoshimin at its absolute peak. The storytelling is tighter and more exceptional. The emotional undertones are deeper, and there’s a beautiful interplay between past and present, and the parallels are handled with a chef’s kiss.
It’s in this case where the series stops feeling like just a great anime and starts feeling like something timeless. Every scene is laced with meaning, every decision feels deliberate, and the payoff at the end is poetic. When the pieces finally fall into place, there’s a satisfying sense of closure in the mystery.
Seeing how Osanai and Kobato first met, and how far they’ve come since then, adds more depth to their characters and seems to be perfect for the final case. While Osanai’s signature love for sweets remains, I’ve seen her become more vulnerable towards Kobato. Watching her genuinely tear up over Kobato’s safety was a beautiful moment of quiet growth. Sure, she still has that cunning and sinister aura, but she’s “maturing” in a way, even as she continues to cling to the illusion of “normalcy.”
A Not So Ordinary Season
While there’s still no official announcement for Shoshimin Season 3, the setup for it, if ever, is undeniably enticing. A university arc being hinted at in the finale opens the door to so much potential. Kobato searching for Osanai in Kyoto? That will be absolutely insane as it will be a showdown between two people who understand each other too well and still pretend to be ordinary in a world that won’t let them be.
If Lapin Track continues to be at the helm of production, we’re in for something truly special. They’ve proven already that the mundane, when handled with care, can be just as gripping and cinematic as the other genres.
Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2 isn’t just a follow-up or a continuation of Osanai and Kobato solving small-town mysteries—it’s a different kind of experience altogether. With its sharp writing, masterful storytelling, and cinematic tone, it elevates the seemingly mundane into something truly memorable. The series doesn’t rely on dramatic flair or loud twists. Instead, it leans into subtlety, letting its quiet tension and emotional undercurrents speak volumes.
What may appear ordinary on the surface gradually reveals itself to be rich, layered, and deeply compelling. It’s proof that even the most unassuming mysteries can feel thrilling when told this well.
Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2 screenshots for this review were taken via Ani-One Asia
© Honobu Yonezawa/Tokyo Sogensha/Shoshimin Series Production Committee
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