REVIEW: ‘TP Bon’ Season 2 Is Good But Redundant

TP Bon, also known as Time Patrol Bon, the sci-fi action-adventure anime, returns with Bon and his new partner, Yumiko, facing new challenges and time-traveling adventures. TP Bon is based on the same manga created by mangaka Hiroshi Fujimoto, also known as Fujiko F. Fujio, who was renowned for creating the beloved Doraemon series. Produced by Netflix and animated by Studio Bones, the voice cast features Akihisa Wakayama as Bon, Tomoyo Kurosawa as Yumiko, Mamoru Miyano as Buyoyon, and Atsumi Tanezaki as Ream.

TP Bon Season 2 picks up where the previous season left off. Bon is now a full-fledged Time Patrol Agent, but his promotion comes at the cost of losing his old mentor and friend Ream, as she is promoted and transferred to a different department. Thankfully, Bon is not alone for long and gets paired with a new partner, Yumiko, a girl from his class, to be his new assistant. Now, the two of them face new challenges and have to find solutions that will help maintain the course of time.

TP Bon Season 2 strives to balance the plot between standalone adventures and a larger overarching plot to keep viewers engaged. However, the self-contained adventures in each episode become a bit redundant after a while. Although the independent adventures for each episode can be entertaining in their own right, each one has the characters facing different challenges in various historical settings. The problem is we saw this episodic formula in Season 1. To enhance the storytelling and maintain engagement, a more cohesive narrative approach, connecting episodes and building upon previous plots could have significantly improved the season.

The season’s most exciting moments are the first and last two episodes. The storyline of the first episode truly hooks the audience as Bon confronts a serial killer, setting a gripping tone from the start. The final two episodes bring Ream’s storyline from last season full circle, with Bon and Yumiko playing pivotal roles. I had hoped that TP Bon Season 2 would have brought more of Ream’s storyline to the forefront of the season to continue the overarching plot. Instead, by leaving it until the last few episodes, the story’s execution feels rushed.

TP Bon does, however, excel at balancing the light-hearted and educational adventures with darker, more accurate themes inherent to the time travel genre. Just as in Season 1, Season 2 does not shy away from discussing themes of violence, murder, persecution, and even slavery, which are integral to many of their historical adventures. Despite these realistic moments, the show takes care to intersperse them with good comedic timing via humorous scenes, which helps to maintain a delicate balance without appearing tone-deaf.

TP Bon’s dedication to respectful and historical accuracy is commendable this season, especially regarding the depiction of nudity and avoiding common pitfalls of fan service. For example, when Bon and Yumiko travel to 2400 B.C. Mohenjo-Daro, many female characters are shown topless, reflecting the cultural norms of that era. This detail is portrayed naturally, free from the lewd or hypersexual gaze. It underscores the series’ commitment to authenticity and its effort to educate viewers about the historical contexts and customs of the times they visit.

The evolution of Bon’s character from novice agent to mentor is an exciting part of the series. As he transitions into a Time Patrol Agent role, Bon finds himself training Yumiko. Yumiko’s eagerness to save as many people in history as possible mirrors Bon’s initial ideas from Season 1. However, Bon is now more experienced and understands the harsh realities and choices an agent has to make to maintain the timestream. This highlights the characters’ ethical complexities this season, as they occasionally conflict with each other’s approaches.

Bon and Yumiko’s mentor-student dynamic enriches their character development and underscores the series’ exploration of moral dilemmas inherent to altering history. Watching Bon guide Yumiko through these challenges adds depth to their relationship and the show’s themes of responsibility, consequences, and ethics woven throughout the series.

As far as animation goes, in Season 2, Studio Bones continues to show off the nostalgic charm of the late Hiroshi Fujimoto’s work with modern animation. The studio blends classic 2D animation with computer graphics, which captures the essence of Fujimoto’s original style while enhancing the visual appeal of the series. These blend old and new, making the series appealing to a broad audience.

TP Bon Season 2 is an entertaining watch that captures the charm of its source material and roots. However, its episodic format is a bit redundant. The show excels at exploring history, ethics, and the complexities of time travel. The animation continues to deliver a mix of nostalgia and modernity in its execution. TP Bon impresses with its commitment to authenticity and thematic depth as it navigates various topics and furthers its character’s growth.

TP Bon Season 2 is available now on Netflix.