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カゲロウデイズ [Kagerou Days] Light Novels #2
Kagerou Daze, Vol. 2: A Headphone Actor
Takane Enomoto has a secret.
Her life is pretty weird. She attends high school with only one other student in her class and has a teacher who takes "underachievement" to exciting new heights--and neither of the know the truth about her double life as a legendary gamer. Somehow, these three misfits are going to have to put on a show for the school festival. But how does that connect to Takane's secret? And more importantly, how does that secret connect to the Mekakushi-dan? And come to think of it, how did Shintaro and the rest of the Mekakushi-dan's trip to the amusement park finally play out? Find out as multimedia creator Jin's blockbuster novel series hurtles into its second volume!
Her life is pretty weird. She attends high school with only one other student in her class and has a teacher who takes "underachievement" to exciting new heights--and neither of the know the truth about her double life as a legendary gamer. Somehow, these three misfits are going to have to put on a show for the school festival. But how does that connect to Takane's secret? And more importantly, how does that secret connect to the Mekakushi-dan? And come to think of it, how did Shintaro and the rest of the Mekakushi-dan's trip to the amusement park finally play out? Find out as multimedia creator Jin's blockbuster novel series hurtles into its second volume!
184 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2012
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200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 8, 2015
Worth it.
September 29, 2015
The main story here is better than the first book, with some interesting character work going on. Unfortunately the main story is (a) only about a hundred pages long, and (b) not so much a story as a sketch that ends without any real resolution. Everything's banging along, some interesting mysteries are set up and then -- STOP! Whatever the big secret is behind the story, Jin is saving for some future volume. Which I could live with if we had some resolution elsewhere, but no, we're left hanging.
To make matters worse, after the main story concludes, the narrative switches back to the characters from the first book. They don't do anything other than hang around an amusement park for fifty pages. There are some wacky antics, but just like the wacky antics in the first book it's not very interesting. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say the characters aren't very interesting.
At least this volume shows signs that the story is going somewhere, but it'd be nice if it was going there a little faster.
To make matters worse, after the main story concludes, the narrative switches back to the characters from the first book. They don't do anything other than hang around an amusement park for fifty pages. There are some wacky antics, but just like the wacky antics in the first book it's not very interesting. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say the characters aren't very interesting.
At least this volume shows signs that the story is going somewhere, but it'd be nice if it was going there a little faster.
May 15, 2025
Favori karakterimin ve favori şarkılarımdan birinin hangisi olduğu kolay anlaşılsın diye 5 yıldızı verdim devam ediyorum.
November 2, 2015
This review may contain spoilers.
Turns out the cliffhanger from vol 1 won’t be answered in vol 2, instead Kagerou Daze vol 2 takes place years (?) before the events of the first book (aka it’s a prequel). In it Ene’s mysterious past and connection to Shintaro is revealed, plus there’s an extra chapter at the end that shows what Shintaro and the rest did when they went to the amusement park.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if it hadn’t been in Ene’s pov. She’s pretty young, socially and emotionally awkward, prone to violence when embarrassed, a coward, and in love. I don’t hate her, but I’d be okay if I didn’t have to read her pov again.
It’s weird, but most of the characters in Kagerou Daze aren’t the nicest people. They’re still obnoxious and endearing this vol, but unlike last vol I couldn’t find much to relate to Ene about. It was interesting to see how much friction Shintaro felt between himself and the other characters, less interesting was how much friction I felt with Ene.
Did I mention I didn’t enjoy Ene’s POV?
Moving on, I still have no idea where this story is going, and once again this came off as more of an introduction or interlude to the real story. I found the Headphone Actor chapters confusing, and still do actually. I can only assume knowing Ene’s back story is relevant for what’s happening next.
Two interesting things I got from this vol were mad scientist type character and the knowledge that Kagerou Daze does mean something in the story.
I feel like I shouldn’t base the series on this book since it focused just on Ene’s back story, but seriously next vol needs to either follow someone more interesting or advance/reveal the plot because right now it still feels random.
I know this series is based on a series of songs, maybe I should listen to them and see if it adds something to the novels.
Since I did this last time:
Headphone Actor I - Ene’s POV?
Yuukei Yesterday I - Takane’s POV
Headphone Actor II - Ene’s POV?
Yuukei Yesterday II - Takane’s POV
Headphone Actor III - Ene’s POV?
Yuukei Yesterday III - Takane’s POV
Headphone Actor IV - Ene’s POV?
Retrospect Forest - Shintaro’s POV
Final Thoughts: Quick easy short read with a protag I wasn’t interested in and a slice of life type plot I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t have as much fun as last vol, but Jin’s writing is still really enjoyable and there were hints of a plot (I think) sprinkled in. Still feels too soon to tell, so guess I’ll buy vol 3 before making a decision.
Turns out the cliffhanger from vol 1 won’t be answered in vol 2, instead Kagerou Daze vol 2 takes place years (?) before the events of the first book (aka it’s a prequel). In it Ene’s mysterious past and connection to Shintaro is revealed, plus there’s an extra chapter at the end that shows what Shintaro and the rest did when they went to the amusement park.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if it hadn’t been in Ene’s pov. She’s pretty young, socially and emotionally awkward, prone to violence when embarrassed, a coward, and in love. I don’t hate her, but I’d be okay if I didn’t have to read her pov again.
It’s weird, but most of the characters in Kagerou Daze aren’t the nicest people. They’re still obnoxious and endearing this vol, but unlike last vol I couldn’t find much to relate to Ene about. It was interesting to see how much friction Shintaro felt between himself and the other characters, less interesting was how much friction I felt with Ene.
Did I mention I didn’t enjoy Ene’s POV?
Moving on, I still have no idea where this story is going, and once again this came off as more of an introduction or interlude to the real story. I found the Headphone Actor chapters confusing, and still do actually. I can only assume knowing Ene’s back story is relevant for what’s happening next.
Two interesting things I got from this vol were mad scientist type character and the knowledge that Kagerou Daze does mean something in the story.
I feel like I shouldn’t base the series on this book since it focused just on Ene’s back story, but seriously next vol needs to either follow someone more interesting or advance/reveal the plot because right now it still feels random.
I know this series is based on a series of songs, maybe I should listen to them and see if it adds something to the novels.
Since I did this last time:
Headphone Actor I - Ene’s POV?
Yuukei Yesterday I - Takane’s POV
Headphone Actor II - Ene’s POV?
Yuukei Yesterday II - Takane’s POV
Headphone Actor III - Ene’s POV?
Yuukei Yesterday III - Takane’s POV
Headphone Actor IV - Ene’s POV?
Retrospect Forest - Shintaro’s POV
Final Thoughts: Quick easy short read with a protag I wasn’t interested in and a slice of life type plot I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t have as much fun as last vol, but Jin’s writing is still really enjoyable and there were hints of a plot (I think) sprinkled in. Still feels too soon to tell, so guess I’ll buy vol 3 before making a decision.
October 31, 2015
This second volume was great and introduced the character of Takane, the girl who becomes the digital girl Ene who terrorizes main character Shintaro. The characters were likable and the story engaging.
The only issue I have is the sadness. It's a tale of two teenagers in love, but unwilling to admit it yet and it ends tragically. I hope that it is resolved well by the end of the series to the benefit of these two kids.
It's not all sad stuff, though. There is humor in abundance, and after the sad parts, some humor comes in at the end to make it all more bearable.
Great story and character development as well, where I understood and could follow the thouoghts, feelings, motivations and changes in characters.
The only issue I have is the sadness. It's a tale of two teenagers in love, but unwilling to admit it yet and it ends tragically. I hope that it is resolved well by the end of the series to the benefit of these two kids.
It's not all sad stuff, though. There is humor in abundance, and after the sad parts, some humor comes in at the end to make it all more bearable.
Great story and character development as well, where I understood and could follow the thouoghts, feelings, motivations and changes in characters.
May 1, 2024
It seems like the novels cover roughly two volumes of manga per novel, though the mangas tell the story in a kind of wacko manner so it’s like this novel was manga 3, then the first half of 4, and then the second half of manga 2. At first glance that seems crazy, but I swear the novels telling the story in a more logical manner lol.
Since the only major difference between manga story and novel story so far is the end of manga 4 not happening in the novels, which is good cause that was cray cray, it’s pretty easy to compare them, and I’d say I like the manga more for this story since it’s mostly rom com stuff, but I appreciate the extra depth you get from the novels, and it helps to figure out the more confusing stuff at the end of the story.
(Also the song this story comes from was stuck in my head the whole time, I swear, it’s super catchy lol)
Since the only major difference between manga story and novel story so far is the end of manga 4 not happening in the novels, which is good cause that was cray cray, it’s pretty easy to compare them, and I’d say I like the manga more for this story since it’s mostly rom com stuff, but I appreciate the extra depth you get from the novels, and it helps to figure out the more confusing stuff at the end of the story.
(Also the song this story comes from was stuck in my head the whole time, I swear, it’s super catchy lol)
May 26, 2017
I'm currently reading Kagerou Daze IV: The Missing Children, and this is my favorite Kagerou Daze book so far. I only give it 4/5 because I can't give it 4.5/5.
The biggest problem of this book, and the only one to my taste, are the significant clichés. I don't need to mention them, they're just classic slice-of-life manga / anime clichés.
But aside from that, amazing book. Likable and relatable characters, some amazing plot-twists and a great amount of suspense.
Nothing else to say.
The biggest problem of this book, and the only one to my taste, are the significant clichés. I don't need to mention them, they're just classic slice-of-life manga / anime clichés.
But aside from that, amazing book. Likable and relatable characters, some amazing plot-twists and a great amount of suspense.
Nothing else to say.
January 15, 2025
A ver si este año leo toda la saga 🙏
Hay chistes que envejecieron mal, pero te perdono por todo, Jin; aún así es imposible no reírme aunque sea una vez leyendo estos volúmenes, especialmente cuando Shintaro es objeto de burlas (esto debería llamarse "Everybody Hates Shintaro").
Hablando de eso... creo que es el volumen que más me ha dolido hasta ahora :(
-P.D.: Seto y Mary son todo lo que está bien.
Hay chistes que envejecieron mal, pero te perdono por todo, Jin; aún así es imposible no reírme aunque sea una vez leyendo estos volúmenes, especialmente cuando Shintaro es objeto de burlas (esto debería llamarse "Everybody Hates Shintaro").
Hablando de eso... creo que es el volumen que más me ha dolido hasta ahora :(
-P.D.: Seto y Mary son todo lo que está bien.
August 27, 2019
I understand what's going on a little better now . . . but it's upsetting me more.
January 7, 2021
El poder entender y leer los pensamientos y razonamiento de los personajes realmente beneficia mucho
September 27, 2015
Kagerou Daze II -a headphone actor- is second light novel volume of the Kagerou Daze series written by Jin (Shizen no Teki-P) and illustrated by Sidu. This novel brings to life specifically the songs Headphone Actor and Yuukei Yesterday from the Kagerou Project series. Rest assured those skeptical if the second volume is better than the first, it is.
The second novel may start off confusing for readers unfamiliar to the "new" characters, however, learning who they are is well worth it. The Yuukei Yesterday storyline is something that goes from at first an interesting and softer piece of story, into a pretty emotionally gripping one. I would also like to note that the Headphone Actor mini chapters are meant to be symbolism for the kagerou daze itself for a certain character. The final chapter of this novel returns us to the Mekakushi-dan and let's us see how the amusement park played out. This part of the story is more of a comedic section in order to show off the Mekakushi-dan more and spread subtle hints to events to come.
In terms of characters in this novel, they're all done very well. We are introduced to Takane Enomoto, the protagonist for two-thirds of the novel, and she's written fantastically along with my personal favorite character, Haruka Kokonose. We also get to see more of what Kenjirou Tateyama does (he was Momo's teacher from the first novel) and it's entertaining as well as lays more layers to the story. Seto also gets his introduction in this novel. Most of the story gets set in the past, and you'll see some characters from the first novel as well as more introductions to key characters, but I will not spoil who they are.
I found the translation for this volume a bit better than the first. I'm glad Kenjirou's name was kept this spelling rather than the expected Kenjiro, and I am also glad Yuukei Yesterday's spelling was kept it's original way.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first volume, I highly recommend you check the second volume out. It's a amazing read as well as well written and builds on the Kagerou Project series.
The second novel may start off confusing for readers unfamiliar to the "new" characters, however, learning who they are is well worth it. The Yuukei Yesterday storyline is something that goes from at first an interesting and softer piece of story, into a pretty emotionally gripping one. I would also like to note that the Headphone Actor mini chapters are meant to be symbolism for the kagerou daze itself for a certain character. The final chapter of this novel returns us to the Mekakushi-dan and let's us see how the amusement park played out. This part of the story is more of a comedic section in order to show off the Mekakushi-dan more and spread subtle hints to events to come.
In terms of characters in this novel, they're all done very well. We are introduced to Takane Enomoto, the protagonist for two-thirds of the novel, and she's written fantastically along with my personal favorite character, Haruka Kokonose. We also get to see more of what Kenjirou Tateyama does (he was Momo's teacher from the first novel) and it's entertaining as well as lays more layers to the story. Seto also gets his introduction in this novel. Most of the story gets set in the past, and you'll see some characters from the first novel as well as more introductions to key characters, but I will not spoil who they are.
I found the translation for this volume a bit better than the first. I'm glad Kenjirou's name was kept this spelling rather than the expected Kenjiro, and I am also glad Yuukei Yesterday's spelling was kept it's original way.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first volume, I highly recommend you check the second volume out. It's a amazing read as well as well written and builds on the Kagerou Project series.
November 2, 2015
After a long trip through the halls of homework, I have finally been able to read the second volume of Kagerou Daze, which has been sitting on my Kindle for months now. The first three-fourths of the book, focusing on schoolgirl Takane Enemoto and her experiences at a school festival, are actually a lot better than I expected. The plot moves quickly and is exceptionally well-narrated, with a typical light novel conversational and slang filled style that doesn't undercut the emotion or personality of the story. The last part of the novel, however, is about the main group from the last book going to a theme park, and it is pointless nonsense that's totally disconnected from the rest of the book. It's entertaining enough, yes, but it doesn't fit with the rest of the book and feels like pointless padding. The reasons for this chapter should become clear soon enough, but for now, it's odd and really undercuts the rest of the book.
I probably would have given this volume of Kagerou Daze four stars, had the last chapter fit better with the rest of the book. As it is, however, I would still recommend this pretty strongly. I just got annoyed with the way that it fizzed out once Takane's story was complete.
I probably would have given this volume of Kagerou Daze four stars, had the last chapter fit better with the rest of the book. As it is, however, I would still recommend this pretty strongly. I just got annoyed with the way that it fizzed out once Takane's story was complete.
March 14, 2018
It was more balanced than part 1. The story does not immediately pick up at the end of volume 1. Instead, two new main characters are introduced and two side characters. The story switches between present day and the past. But the chapter titles are consistent so you know which is when. The last chapter ties back to volume 1 and sets the stage for volume 3.
Franchise wise this volume covers:
Songs: Headphone Actor & Yuukei Yesterday.
Anime: episode 6 and part of episode 7.
Manga: Volume 3 (Yuukei Yesterday I - IV and Headphone Actor II)
Volume 4 (Yuukei Yesterday V and Headphone Actor III - IV)
Franchise wise this volume covers:
Songs: Headphone Actor & Yuukei Yesterday.
Anime: episode 6 and part of episode 7.
Manga: Volume 3 (Yuukei Yesterday I - IV and Headphone Actor II)
Volume 4 (Yuukei Yesterday V and Headphone Actor III - IV)
June 18, 2014
Raro que haya terminado el segundo volumen antes que el primero xD pero a mi defensa puedo decir que hay capítulos de la primera novela que no pude encontrar en inglés (principalmente el de Momo). De todas formas, Headphone Actor narra hechos sucedidos 2 años que de inicio la historia principal, siendo los protagonistas Takane (Ene) y Haruka.
Hubo cientos de momentos que me encantaron. La relación de Takane y Haruka es de lo más linda, y eso que a Takane la veo como el personaje que menos me agrada del Mekakushi Dan.
Lectura muy recomendable y que te hace reír cada dos párrafos.
Hubo cientos de momentos que me encantaron. La relación de Takane y Haruka es de lo más linda, y eso que a Takane la veo como el personaje que menos me agrada del Mekakushi Dan.
Lectura muy recomendable y que te hace reír cada dos párrafos.
March 8, 2015
Friday, June 14, 2013: 2 hrs.
Want to read
January 31, 2022漂書已記錄。
August 10, 2016
I really like these books. Short quick reads but nicely written.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews