Having survived their encounter with the forbidden magic practitioners led by Enchu, Muhyo and Roji return to their jobs at their Bureau of Supernatural Investigation – a business that uses the laws of magic to exorcise spirits. However, the two are no longer the only magical law practitioners in town, and are quickly confronted by Enforcer Goryo and Judge Ebisu. Goryo and Ebisu are seeking to expand their own Bureau of Supernatural Investigation conglomerate – and they have their sights set on Muhyo and Roji’s office. While the team try to save their Bureau from the extortionate Goryo and Ebisu, Roji’s continued doubts about his magical law abilities begin to cause friction between himself and Muhyo.
Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 2 continues where its predecessor left off with Muhyo, Roji and friends recovering after their encounter with Enchu and the betrayal of their friend Rio (if you haven’t already, check out my review of Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation – Season 1). The episodes waste no time letting the boys rest from their ordeal, immediately setting up an ongoing problem for Muhyo and Roji in the form of the arrogant Enforcer Goryo and his assistant Judge Ebisu announcing their intention to take over the Muhyo Bureau of Supernatural Investigation and turn it into the newest area office for the Goryo Bureau of Supernatural Investigation.
This is a solid set up that eases the viewer back into the series and provides for some interesting challenges for our main cast. In my review of the first season, I noted that Muhyo’s powerful magical law abilities often made the series feel repetitive and low stakes because he could handle any danger thrown his way, and that the less competent Roji was a good foil to this because hislack of experience created drama. Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 2 builds on this by having Goryo and Ebisu essentially act as character foils for Muhyo and Roji, building upon the character traits established in the first season, and adding pressure. Goryo is conceited and feigns kindness to his clients while extorting them for his services and showing very little care for the wellbeing of his clients or the spirits. In comparison, Muhyo continues to be a sassy gremlin who feigns disinterest in the wellbeing of his clients and the spirits, but ultimately helps those in need and tailors magical law punishments to consider what is appropriate for the spirit in question. The kind-hearted Roji and the unpleasant but accomplished Ebisu are also excellent foils because Ebisu’s abilities and direct antagonism cause Roji to further doubt his magical law abilities and whether he can be a good partner for Muhyo.
The pressure that Goryo and Ebisu’s competence places on Roji sets many of the events of Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 2 into motion, with Roji’s uncertainty impacting multiple exorcism jobs and creating tension between Muhyo and Roji. This season’s episodes take a deeper look into Muhyo and Roji’s relationship, how the two met, how Roji became Muhyo’s assistant, and perhaps most importantly, why the accomplished Muhyo chose Roji as a partner despite him being an amateur. The addition of new characters to act as pressure points for previously explored character arcs creates interesting character drama and development, and makes easing back into Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 2 interesting and easy.
Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 2 is a solid next entry into the series. Although the mechanics of the series in regards to magical law are not explored in a particularly deep way, there is a sense of depth to the characters and their relationships with each other that is entertaining and engaging. If you enjoyed Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 1 then there is plenty of ghostly and often visceral horror ambience to love and solid character arcs built across the series’ seasons to enjoy with its successor. This season also continues the previously established good sense of pacing, with its episodes building to a multiple episode finale across four episodes, giving the finale and its stakes and characters room to breathe.
There is a genuinely good build up for the next chapter in the story of Muhyo and Roji, and the series ends with all of the characters seemingly moving forward or preparing to make their next big move in the following tranche of episodes in the series. Which would be great, if there was any indication that there was going to be a third season of Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. Currently there does not seem be any indication of the series getting another season – which means that Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation may join many other anime in the category of “anime series with a soft ending to push people towards the manga to continue the story”. While it would be a shame for the series to end its anime stint on such a promising note, I definitely enjoyed the time I had with it and will continue to keep an ear out for any future announcements of a third season.
Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 2 is a solid follow-up to the series that uses character drama established in earlier escapades to devise a path towards future adventures. The magical law enforcers are a neat gimmick, the ghostly ambience is spooky, and the narrative makes for a fun time. If you’re looking for something supernatural chock full of ambience and heart, then Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation is the series for you.
© Yoshiyuki Nishi/SHUEISHA, “Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation” Production Committee. All Rights Reserved.
A review copy was provided by Madman Entertainment to the author for the purpose of this review.
