Ao no Miburo: Serizawa Ansatsu-hen [Season 2 Episodes 1-4]

Title: Ao no Miburo Season 2: A Slow Burn of Rage and Redemption

Let’s cut to the chase: Ao no Miburo: Serizawa Ansatsu-hen (Season 2, Episodes 1–4) isn’t here to spoon-feed you action. It’s a slow burn—like a match held to dry kindling, waiting for the flame to catch. And honestly? That’s exactly what makes it work.

Set in the chaotic Bakumatsu era, this season dives headfirst into the Shinsengumi’s internal turmoil, with Serizawa Kamo (the fiery, sword-wielding enforcer) at its center. If you binged the first season, you know Serizawa is a ticking time bomb—equal parts charisma and unbridled rage. Episodes 1–4 don’t defuse that bomb; they just let the fuse burn longer. Remember that scene where he’s seconds away from tearing into those sumo wrestlers? Isami swoops in like a calm breeze, but you can feel Serizawa’s fury simmering under the surface. Fans on MyAnimeList nailed it: “Serizawa has toned down its behavior but slowly all that rage has to come out in some way.”

And let’s talk about that magistrate—Hikojiro Uchiyama. Dude’s a walking cliché: corrupt, sneering, and about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. One viewer called him “weak, EARLY Disney level of Villain writing,” and… yeah, fair. But here’s the twist: his cartoonish evil highlights the real villain of the story—the system. The Bakumatsu wasn’t just samurais and sword fights; it was a world where power players like Uchiyama could get away with murder (literally) while the good guys scrambled to play by the rules. When Kondo steps up to intimidate him? Chef’s kiss. That’s the Shinsengumi we signed up for—brutal, unapologetic, and ready to burn the rulebook if it means justice.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the pacing. Some fans are dragging their feet (“I had to FORCE myself through the first season”), and yeah, this season doesn’t hit the gas right away. But that’s intentional. Serizawa’s descent isn’t a sprint—it’s a slow, painful crawl. Every quiet moment, every tense conversation, every glance between him and his comrades is building to something. As one commenter put it: “Serizawa’s descent into hell seems to be the main focus of this arc. A man of will and action how and why will he fall? I can see this will be another slow burn but that’s ok with me.”

Then there’s Nio—our brainy, gutsy underdog. He’s the guy who thinks he can fix the Shinsengumi by recruiting new members. Smart move? Maybe. But as another fan pointed out: “Nio has brain and guts but lacks physical power.” The Miburo’s “self-regulation” is basically just drinking together—hardly a recipe for success. Still, you can’t help but root for him. When he starts scouting new recruits, you’re left wondering: Who’s gonna join? A hot-headed swordsman? A sneaky spy? Someone who’ll either save the squad or sink it?

Let’s not forget the action, though. When it hits, it hits hard. That split-second scene where Isami stops Serizawa from tearing apart those sumo wrestlers? Chills. The fight choreography is tight, the animation (from Maho Film) is crisp, and you can feel every swing of the sword. But here’s the thing: the show doesn’t rely on action to keep you hooked. It relies on tension. The cracks in the Miburo are showing—infighting, corruption, Serizawa’s ticking rage—and you’re just waiting for the whole thing to explode.

Sure, there are flaws. That magistrate is laughably one-note, and some subplots feel like they’re treading water. But for every misstep, there’s a moment that makes you lean in. Like when Kondo intimidates a room full of corrupt officials with just a glare. Or when Serizawa’s rage simmers just below the surface, waiting to boil over. This isn’t a show for people who want non-stop fights—it’s for people who want to feel the story.

So, should you watch it? If you loved the first season’s mix of history, drama, and swordplay, absolutely. If you’re new? Maybe start with Season 1 (but fair warning: it’s a slow burn too). Either way, Ao no Miburo Season 2 is a show that rewards patience. It’s not perfect, but it’s real—a raw, unflinching look at honor, rage, and what it means to fight for a cause that might already be lost.

As one fan put it: “I only like to support lost causes.” And honestly? That’s exactly what this show is—a lost cause worth fighting for.

Final Verdict: 7/10. A slow burn with enough heart (and sword fights) to keep you coming back. Just don’t expect it to light up the screen right away.

Ao no Miburo: Serizawa Ansatsu-hen is streaming now. Grab some popcorn, settle in, and wait for the flame to catch. You won’t regret it.