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Yasuhiro Takemoto, the director of Season 1, perished in the 2019 arson attack. He was the soul of the franchise. Tatsuya Ishihara did a masterful job with Season 2, but "Az-Animex" would serve as the definitive closing of a trilogy—a chance for the studio to fully reclaim the property as a symbol of resilience. It would be the "KyoAni restoration arc" made manifest.
This is a series that understands that the most fantastical settings are useless if you don't have a warm meal to come home to. It understands that love—whether between a human and a dragon, a child and her surrogate parents, or a goddess and a mage—is the only magic that can bridge any rift. -Az-Animex- Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S ...
By the end of Season 2, Ilulu has settled down with Takei. But Takei is a child, and Ilulu is a dragon. The "Az-Animex" time skip (even a six-month skip) could show Takei entering high school, and Ilulu struggling with the fact that her "partner" is growing up while she remains static. Yasuhiro Takemoto, the director of Season 1, perished
Beyond the fictional narrative, there is a real-world urgency for a project like "Az-Animex." It would be the "KyoAni restoration arc" made manifest
When Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S (often abbreviated as Dragon Maid S ) aired in July 2021, it was nothing short of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Following the tragic arson attack on Kyoto Animation in July 2019, the return of Tohru, Kanna, and Elma was a moment of profound emotional catharsis for the anime community. Directed by Tatsuya Ishihara (stepping in for the late Yasuhiro Takemoto), Dragon Maid S delivered stunning animation, heartfelt comedy, and surprisingly deep philosophical musings on belonging.