Continuing from where the first 12 episodes ended, the 2nd season of Logh retains the context-based approach, intensifying it even more, since the spaceship battles have now given even more space to the inner politics of the two opposing sides, the Galactic Empire (Reinhard von Lohengramm) and the Free Planets (Yang Wen-li).
The path the two states take during the second season mirrors the personas of the two adversaries, with Reinhard essentially having the upper hand, although not with any losses. In that fashion, while Reinhard is preparing a coup that eventually leads him to civil war against the aristocracy, although with the help of some of its members, he also tasks a prisoner to prepare a coup in the Free Planets, something he actually achieves, even involving Frederica's father, in a concept that adds even more drama to Yang's arc. At the same time, a massacre between the citizens and the army that takes place in a stadium, makes Yang realize that, even though he does not want to, he needs to take a step forward.
As Reinhard emerges as the main protagonist here, a second feud begins to shape, between Oberstein, a cruel genius of a man who cares for no casualties in the face of achieving his goal, and Sigfried, who wants his best friend to achieve his goal, retaining, though, his compassion and honor. As the events become more and more dire, Reinhard's decisions essentially become the battlefield of the two, with the winner at the end of the season being highlighted in the most dramatic and shocking fashion. At the same time, Reinhard's perfection eventually crumbles, with him presenting a face he had not before, as he seems not to be able to handle provocation in particular ways, in an event that does not pass unnoticed by his subordinates.
On the other hand, that the ruling class of both planets is presented in a way that makes them look like imbeciles in the face of the two geniuses, emerges as the main reason for their progress, even if the terms of the two are radically different. As such, as the portrait of the two characters becomes more thorough, their differences become more apparent, with the particular season essentially serving as the base for the intense fight that is bound to happen in the third. On the other hand, Tada also presents a third power in the face of Dominion of Phezzan and a number of war mongers who seem to have profit as their only goal, as much as a cult of sorts, that will probably play some key role moving forward. This element also allows for a potential ending where the two protagonists actually fight on the same side, although how the story will lead is still quite difficult to see.
At the same time, the action, if somewhat toned down, still exhibits the same quality of the first season, both in the animation by Studio IG and the overall drawing. Particularly the scene where Reinhard's fleet descends into the capital of the Empire, is a true wonder to watch, even if there is no direct action, in one of the most memorable scenes of the season.
“Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Second” is very much a preparatory season for the intense action that is bound to happen in the third, but at the same time, the sociopolitical aspect, the exploration of the main characters and the drama are so intense, that results in a part is at least as interesting as the first.
