I wouldn’t exactly label myself as a Keion! fan, but I do enjoy the series and find it to be very well executed and produced. With that said, its sequel, Keion!!, has managed to take things to a new level.
It's a subtle change – one that has brought about both positive and negative reactions – but I think it’s a step in the right direction. Also, I can’t be sure if it’s an actual change in the show, or if my heart has simply softened over the past year. I’m going to assume it’s a change in the show, since other people have noted a marked change in direction as well. [Missed a great opportunity to link to those "other people" — Author]
But what is this change I’m talking about? Well, I think there’s certainly more thought and care being put into the production. Not like there wasn’t any of that put into the first series, but I feel that Keion!! is underscored by a strong sense of artistic proficiency in both the quality of the animation and the dynamism in its framing. They certainly have more money being thrown their way, and it shows.
Beyond that, the whole affair seems more deliberate. While episodes still very much revolve around cute girls doing nothing, it seems that more often than not episodes are guided by underlying themes unique to them. There is notably an extra edge to the direction that feels a bit more thoughtful and professional. [...]
This wasn't entirely unexpected, thanks to Pixy's comment earlier:
Kidding aside, I think K-On! is the shaping up as the best cute-girls-being-cute show since Azumanga Daioh. Season one was very good, and season two shows the promise of being even better.