Close Menu
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    One Piece But Why Tho 5

    Fathers of ‘One Piece’: Powerful Bonds, Legacy, and Found Family

    06/13/2025
    Elena Street Fighter 6 But Why Tho

    Elena Brings Style And Versatility To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    06/06/2025
    Lune and Sciel from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

    Lune, Sciel, And The Romance Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Fails To Realize

    06/05/2025
    Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro

    Everything To Know About Eve Macarro In ‘Ballerina’

    06/05/2025
    Marvel Rivals Ultron

    Ultron Brings Aggression To ‘Marvel Rivals’ Support Class

    05/31/2025
  • Star Wars
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys,’ Episode 2 – “Shine On! Keepsake katana”

REVIEW: ‘Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys,’ Episode 2 – “Shine On! Keepsake katana”

Charles HartfordBy Charles Hartford07/16/20223 Mins Read
Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2 - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Shine On Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2 - But Why Tho

Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys is produced by Geno Studio. With the new Shinsengumi formed, it’s time for the group to get to work. Their first mission is to escort a notable intellectual on his journey to a nearby naval academy. But while on their way, their employer thinks he recognizes Sakuya from somewhere, prompting a glimpse into the killer’s past in Shine On Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

With its cast assembled and the broad strokes of its plot in place, this episode focuses the bulk of its efforts on fleshing out the members of the Shinsengumi. While much of this effort is focused on Sakuya, the show does a great job of giving the entire team moments large or small to highlight character traits and small foibles. I like how the cast is coming together in Shine On Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2. There are a lot of fun interactions between the team members. Not only that, but the show does a good job of blending more serious moments into its narrative among the more lighthearted aspects without either getting in the way of the other. This allows the show to avoid any jarring tonal changes as the episode flows from serious to jovial and back.

But while Shine On Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2 gives each character their due, its central focus is on Sakuya. What we see of this killer’s past is handled well, if not in a particularly original way. While this episode doesn’t deliver a complete picture of the Shinsengumi’s coldest member, it presents a classic framework viewers will be all too familiar with.

This episode also spends some time establishing where the series takes place in Japan’s history. As the group arrives at their destination, American navy steam ships are seen drilling with their cannon. Discussions are had about how Japan should deal with foreign powers, implying the border has not yet been fully opened.

The presence of the cannons also prompts some discussion about the fate of swordsmanship in the growing gunpowder era. It feels like the failing place of the sword in society may become a recurring theme in this show’s narrative, like many others that take place during this transitory era of history. This glimpse into their nation’s future further prompts character revelations as each has their feelings about where their world is headed.

The visuals do a solid job of delivering the story’s various beats. With most of the narrative comprising the group’s fairly calm trip, there isn’t a lot to show off in the style department. While there is some heavier emotion to Sakuya’s backstory exploration, the visuals handle these moments in a way that falls into the good category. It never hurts the emotional narrative but doesn’t manage to augment it either. Rather it delivers Sakuya’s tale in a clear, but uninspired fashion.

When all is said and done, Shine On Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2 does a fine job developing its story and cast. While it is still struggling to stand out, the series continues to deliver a competent and fun adventure.

Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

  • 7/10
    Rating - 7/10
7/10

TL;DR

Shine On! Bakumatsu Bad Boys Episode 2 does a fine job developing its story and cast. While it is still struggling to stand out, the series continues to deliver a competent and fun adventure.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous Article5 Reasons To Watch ‘The Gray Man’
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Komi Can’t Communicate,’ Episode 24
Charles Hartford
  • X (Twitter)

Lifelong geek who enjoys comics, video games, movies, reading and board games . Over the past year I’ve taken a more active interest in artistic pursuits including digital painting, and now writing. I look forward to growing as a writer and bettering my craft in my time here!

Related Posts

Juggernaut in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 11 But Why Tho
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Fire Force’ Season 3 Episode 11 — “The Great Kaiju Battlefront”

06/13/2025
Challia in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 10
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX’ Episode 10 — “Yomagn’tho Blockade”

06/11/2025
Sho in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 10
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Fire Force’ Season 3 Episode 10 — “Advent”

06/07/2025
The ship being discovered in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 9
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX’ Episode 9 — “The Rose of Sharon”

06/04/2025
Arthur in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 9
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Fire Force’ Season 3 Episode 9 — “Holy Sword, Resurrected”

05/30/2025
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 8
8.0

REVIEW ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX’ Episode 8 — “Falling on the Moon”

05/28/2025
TRENDING POSTS
Yoo Su-bin, Kim Shin-rok, Go Min-si, and Kang Ha-neul in Tastefully Yours
6.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘Tastefully Yours’ Is A Half-Baked Romantic Venture

By Sarah Musnicky06/11/2025

For all its emphasis on flavor, execution, and satisfying a customer, Tastefully Yours ultimately proves to be underwhelming.

Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night with the Duke Episodes 1-2
8.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 1-2

By Sarah Musnicky06/12/2025

The bar is set pretty high with The First Night With The Duke Episodes 1-2. While exposition-heavy, it is a delightfully silly watch.

Y'shtola in the FFXIV Commander Deck - Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy Interviews

Magic Designer Explains The Challenge Of Picking A Face For The FFXIV Commander Deck

By Kate Sánchez06/11/2025Updated:06/11/2025

FFXIV Commander Deck pulls highlights core characters and mechanics, with Y’shtola as its Commander. But building the deck, wasn’t easy.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here