Yama no Susume Second Season

Absolutely adored the first season of “Yamano Susume”, the anime adaptation of the “ヤマノススメ” manga by Shiro, so was eagerly awaiting the start of the second season. Also titled “Encouragement of Climb”, this type of light-hearted slice-of-life series is easily my favorite genre and the style of anime that I most enjoy.

Am delighted this second season not only features episodes that are over ten minutes long, which is well over the first season’s brief three minute episode length, but that it will be a two cour show scheduled to run for 24 episodes.

The first episode was lovely, it was great to see Aoi, Hinata, Kaede & Kokona again and watch these endearing girl friends have fun mountaineering and engage in leisurely talk.

Personally prefer when sequels are handled by the same studio and feature the same cast of voice talents because this benefits continuity. Luckily, studio 8-Bit is once again in charge and the staff features the same director and character designer as for the first season, which leads to an identical look and atmosphere.

There really is no discernible difference when watching the first episode of this second season compared to episodes of the first season. A real delight to have such continuity in terms of visual style and atmosphere, especially considering there was no real reproach to make on the quality, style and directing of the first season.

Energetic Hinata is once more voiced by Asumi Kana who also voiced Nyaruko in “Haiyore! Nyaruko-san”, Marika in “Nisekoi”, Komari in “Non Non Biyori” and Kaoru in “Tamayura”. Iguchi Yuka voices Aoi, she’s tackled roles like Norie in “Tamayura”, Yuu in “Sakura Trick” and Mako in “Girls und Panzer”.

Kaede is voiced by Hikasa Youko, she previously voiced Shino in “Seitokai Yakuindomo”, Houki in “IS: Infinite Stratos” and Mio in “K-ON!”. Ogura Yui voices Kokona again, she also voices Tsukiko in “Hentai Ouji To Warawanai Neko” and Alice in “Kami-sama no Memo-chou”.

Horie Yui joins the voice cast as Yuuka, she’s tackled many roles like Millhiore in “Dog Days”, Hanekawa in “Bakemonogatari”, Minori in “Toradora!” and this season also voices Nana in “Rail Wars!”.

Other new characters that have yet to appear are Honoka and Hikari. Touyama Nao voices Honoka, she also voiced Suzu in “Inugami-san to Nekoyama-san”, Yune in “Ikoku Meiro no Croisée” and Karen in “Kiniro Mosaic”. Gibu Yuko who voices Hikari previously voiced Maon in “Tamayura and and Nozomi in “Senkyo to Koi to Chocolate”.

“Yama no Susume Second Season” is likely to become my favorite anime of the season along with “Hanayamata”, which also seems to be an enchanting slice-of-life show.