Shinryaku!? Ika Musume

侵略見なイカ? The invader that comes from the bottom of the sea returns! Although it was not on my watch list when it originally aired last year, picked up the “Shinryaku! Ika Musume” series in the course of its first televised run and loved this hilarious comedy right away.

Adapted from the gag manga “侵略!イカ娘” by Masahiro Anbe, the story centres on the oddball ‘ika musume’ (literally: squid girl) and her ill attempted invasion of mankind which turns awry, causing her to live and work at a beach house.

As the first season never failed to make me laugh every single episode, was thrilled to hear the show would return and am glad to now see this second season, which starts off great.

Having done a good job on the first series, studio Diomedea is in charge of this sequel as well, resulting in the animation style being exactly the same, making for a seamless transition between both seasons.

The animation style of “Shinryaku!? Ika Musume” itself is actually fairly unimpressive, but a normal, cute style which fits the theme and characters perfectly, providing enough detail when necessary without looking overly simplistic.

Having a uniform look between different seasons when the animation style fits the show well is definitely a positive element, as I can only too vividly recall the jarring differences in style between the various “Minami-ke” seasons.

Sounds like most voice talents are reprising their roles with Kanemoto Hisako again voicing Ika Musume, she also voiced Kanata in “So-Ra-No-Wo-To”. Tanaka Rie voices kind but lethal Chizuru, she is known for roles like Minna in “Strike Witches”, Maria in “Hayate No Gotoku” and Lacus in “Gundam Seed”.

Also voicing Sena in “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai” this season, Itou Kanae is again taking on the role of Sanae, she previously voiced Saten in “To Aru Kagakau No Railgun”, Asuna in “Softenni” or Ohana in “Hanasaku Iroha”.

Eiko is again voiced by Fujimura Ayumi who previously tackled roles like Misaki in “Kaichou ha Maid-sama” or Cecily in “Seiken no Blacksmith”.

Already looking forward to next week’s episode! If you’re looking for a hilarious comedy to watch this fall season, I definitely recommend you give “Shinryaku!? Ika Musume” a try!