Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S marks Kyoto Animation’s long-awaited return to television following the devastating 2019 arson attack. With new director Tatsuya Ishihara stepping in for the late Yasuhiro Takemoto, the second season kicks off with a familiar mix of humor and heart. Episode 1, titled “New Dragon, Ilulu! (Please Be Nice to Her Again),” consists of two main storylines, with brief interludes featuring Lucoa and Fafnir.
The first half follows Tohru’s playful challenge to a maid café, where she briefly works to prove herself as the best maid. Her stint at the café showcases her magical prowess in cooking, charming customers with food imbued with literal enchantment. However, her true loyalty lies with Miss Kobayashi, leading to a humorous yet heartfelt conclusion as she quits to return to her original duty. The segment delivers strong animation and comedic beats that seamlessly reintroduce audiences to the series.
Ilulu’s Controversial Introduction Shakes Up the Series
The second half introduces Ilulu, a chaos dragon whose arrival has already sparked debate due to her exaggerated character design. While the series has always included fanservice, Ilulu’s tiny frame and disproportionately large breasts have drawn mixed reactions. Beyond appearances, her actions are equally provocative—her aggressive approach to chaos even positions her against fellow chaos dragon Tohru.
Ilulu’s introduction leans into absurdity, with moments that push the boundaries of humor and taste. Her battle with Tohru involves harnessing flames within her breasts, and she later attempts an inappropriate seduction of Kobayashi. When that fails, she takes an even more bizarre approach by magically altering Kobayashi’s body in an ill-conceived effort to gain affection. This sequence treads a fine line between ridiculous comedy and potential controversy, reflecting the show’s willingness to embrace the unexpected.
Balancing Humor, Action, and Potentially Problematic Elements
Despite the outrageous content, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid manages to remain endearing through its self-awareness. Rather than asking viewers to take its eccentricities seriously, the anime leans into its absurdity, inviting audiences to laugh with it rather than at it. While Ilulu’s antics and the gender-swapping plot could raise concerns about gender essentialism, the episode delivers strong humor, stunning animation, and action-packed sequences that reinforce why the series remains a fan favorite.
Though Ilulu is currently the least lovable of the dragons, her presence shakes up the status quo and adds a new layer of conflict to the series. By introducing a truly chaotic villain with immense power, Kyoto Animation seizes the opportunity to create visually spectacular fight scenes while raising the stakes for Kobayashi and Tohru’s unconventional family dynamic.
