Ep 1. Ai Hayasaka Wants to Stave Them Off / The Student Council Has Not Achieved Nirvana / Kaguya Wants to Get Married / Kaguya Wants to Celebrate

Kaguya-sama: Love is War is back with its second season, and the fans couldn't be more excited! The show centers around the romantic comedy genre and highlights the battle of wits between two high school students, Kaguya and Miyuki, who are the student council members of their school. The new season kicks off with a bang with episode 1, titled Ai Hayasaka Wants to Stave Them Off / The Student Council Has Not Achieved Nirvana / Kaguya Wants to Get Married / Kaguya Wants to Celebrate.

The first segment, "Ai Hayasaka Wants to Stave Them Off," introduces us to Ai Hayasaka, Kaguya's personal maid. She has decided to take it upon herself to prevent Kaguya from succumbing to her love for Miyuki. Ai is convinced that Miyuki is not the right match for Kaguya and makes it her mission to keep him away from her. However, she finds it difficult to keep up with the games the two students play with each other. As the episode progresses, we get to see some hilarious exchanges between Ai and Miyuki, with Kaguya being blissfully unaware of Ai's intentions.

In the second segment, "The Student Council Has Not Achieved Nirvana," we get to see the student council members aka the main characters of the show, struggling to achieve Nirvana while attempting to deal with their study and council duties. The episode takes a lighthearted approach, showcasing the members as they try to meditate and balance their chaotic school lives. However, in true Kaguya-sama style, things take a hilarious turn with the characters' antics and their inability to concentrate.

The third segment, "Kaguya Wants to Get Married," is focused on the love-hate relationship between Kaguya and Miyuki. The former is smitten by Miyuki but is too proud to confess her feelings. In this segment, we see her daydreaming about her wedding, the perfect gown, the perfect groom, and the perfect happily ever after. However, reality hits as she realizes that her dream wedding is nowhere near Miyuki, leading to some comical situations. This segment highlights the depth of Kaguya's feelings for Miyuki, and we get to see her more vulnerable side.

Finally, the last segment, "Kaguya Wants to Celebrate," portrays Kaguya's quest to celebrate her birthday with her loved ones. She is determined to get Miyuki to wish her first, but Miyuki is equally stubborn and determined to see her wish him first. This leads to some elaborate schemes and mind games from both sides, including a game of "hot potato." Eventually, Kaguya realizes that Miyuki genuinely cares for her and that winning this particular game of wits doesn't matter as much as the fact that they care for each other. This segment shows us the softer side of Kaguya and Miyuki's relationship and highlights their growing trust and affection for each other.

Overall, the first episode of Kaguya-sama: Love is War season 2 does an excellent job of establishing the tone of the new season. It's packed with hilarious exchanges, mind games, and a romantic storyline that fans of the show have grown to love. The animation is vibrant and adds to the comedy and emotional scenes, providing a super fun viewing experience. The episode ends with a cliffhanger, leaving the audience eagerly waiting for what's next in store for the student council!