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Before it ever hit Prime Video, The Silent Service: Season 2 was originally released in Japan as a 2025 political thriller movie called The Silent Service: Great Battle of the Arctic Ocean. While Season 1 was split up into eight episodes, this second season is essentially just a single 2-hour-long movie that picks up where the previous season left off. A recap up top helps viewers recall how a secret Japan-U.S. joint naval venture spiraled out of control as the high-tech vessel’s captain (Takao Ohsawa) went rogue and declared the submarine an independent state called Yamato, inadvertently making an enemy of the US military. Yamato wants world peace, but will they spark nuclear warfare to achieve it? Keep reading to find out more about The Silent Service: Season 2.
THE SILENT SERVICE SEASON 2: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
Opening Shot: Deep below the surface of a frozen seascape, the Seabat submarine ventures on. Inside, Commanding Officer Shiro Kaieda (Takao Ohsawa) is doing pushups in his cabin when he receives news that they’ll soon reach the Bering Strait. Pausing his activity, he prepares to get to work.
The Gist: Since reclaiming the highly advanced nuclear submarine, Seabat, as the newfound Independent Nation of Yamato, commanding officer Shiro Kaieda (Takao Ohsawa) sets a course for New York City. There, he hopes to attend the UN General Assembly to convince U.S. President Nicholas J. Bennett (Rick Amsbury) and other world nations to merge into one multinational entity. However, Yamato‘s possession of nuclear missiles unsettles other nations, and though they secure an alliance with Japan’s Prime Minister, Toshio Takegami (Takashi Sasano), the U.S. breaks ties with Japan and launches its own submarines to sink Yamato in the icy Arctic Ocean.
Back on land in Japan, Takegami faces unrest and a divided public opinion after his firm alignment with Yamato to establish a supranational military force to enforce a lasting peace for all humankind. In response, he dissolves the House of Representatives and calls for an immediate election for Prime Minister to prove that the Yamato proposal is backed by the public, rather than a single influential politician. As he forms his own New Democratic Liberal Party, a fierce campaign begins, featuring top competitors in the Secretary General of the Democratic Liberal Party, Machiko Kaito (Jun Fubuki), and the Secretary General of the Kyosuikai Faction, Jun Otaki (Kenjiro Tsuda). While Kaito would rather align with the U.S. and stop Yamato, Otaki runs on an ambitious (and seemingly naive) plan to work with Yamato to permanently eliminate all weapons worldwide.
Through it all, journalist Hiromi Ichiya (Aya Ueto) works doggedly to pursue the truth behind Yamato‘s intentions and capabilities until the very end. After losing her job at a network for careless reporting about Yamato‘s nuclear weapon situation, she now works freelance alongside cameraman Kensuke Moriyama (Keisuke Watanabe) to properly finish the work she started and avoid bringing shame on her family.
Photo: YouTube (Far East Films)What Shows Will It Remind You Of? The Silent Service: Season 2 might call to mind other, better submarine-centric shows and movies like Last Resort, The Enemy Below, and Run Silent, Run Deep.
Our Take: When Kaiji Kawaguchi’s original manga The Silent Service came out in the late 20-th century, it was groundbreaking and thought-provoking in Japan for its commentary on military power, technological advancements, and international relations in the ’80s and ’90s. As such, it was very much of its time, and this current adaptation doesn’t feel updated enough to hit the same way in today’s world. With that in mind, the series needs strong storytelling, characters, and action to still make the title feel worth watching, but it fails to fully deliver in any of those categories.
While Season 2 consists of just a single episode, its pace drags enough to make you wish it had been split into multiple episodes like Season 1. Part of what makes this title feel even longer than its 2+ hour runtime is that there are way too many characters doing way too many things, resulting in everything being spread too thin to hold any consistent attention or legitimate emotional weight. The political, nautical, and journalistic plotlines all felt so disjointed that there wasn’t much satisfaction or believable payoff in the few moments they all seemed to coincide. And oh man, for a movie revolving around a supposedly revolutionary submarine, the scenes featuring the vessels were some of the least engaging of all.
Although there were positive points in a few cool underwater scenes and overall good performances from the Japanese actors, the two-dimensional characters, insistence on telling rather than showing, near-comical moments of melodrama, and wooden acting from the American actors all result in a finished product that felt generally boring and unaffecting. Maybe if you’re super into people pointing at radars, dialogues between politicians and military personnel, or The Silent Service‘s manga, this will be entertaining, but otherwise, this extra-long episode is unlikely to resonate or impress.
Photo: YouTube (Far East Films)Performance Worth Watching: Although her character’s storyline this season felt a bit unnecessary, or at least underbaked, Aya Ueto still delivers a grounded and honest performance as reporter Hiromi Ichiya.
Sex And Skin: None.
Parting Shot: Japan’s submarine fleet commander orders JS Tatsunami commanding officer Hiroshi Fukamachi (Hiroshi Tamaki) to go to New York, where Kaieda has specifically requested to meet with him, very much giving “to be continued” energy.
Sleeper Star: Kenjiro Tsuda as the eccentric, idealistic, and sincere Secretary General of Kyosuikai Faction, Jun Otaki. From his distinctive, dulcet tones (which some viewers may recognize from his voice acting work in anime like Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, Chainsaw Man, and Fire Force) to his emotional commitment, Tsuda gives perhaps the most memorable performance of the entire episode.
Most Pilot-y Line: “America always brings the bad guys to justice,” a character inexplicably named Norman Bates (you know, like the fictional murderous motel owner) says after attempting to sink Yamato with torpedoes. Just like a good guy would do.
Our Call: Unless you really love The Silent Service: Season 1, Japanese political drama, or submarines, odds are The Silent Service: Season 2 is unlikely to hold your interest from start to finish. Despite the subject matter, the title’s characters and story lack depth, culminating in an ultimately underwhelming viewing experience. SKIP IT.
How To Watch The Silent Service: Season 2
If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.
All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six years and get all the perks.
Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian who covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.
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