The nine-girl cast stops being a lineup and becomes nine separate people you actually care about. Season two knows it already has you, so it spends thirteen episodes proving it earned you. Every song lands because you've watched these girls fail at rehearsal first, you've seen them doubt themselves, you've heard them argue about who gets the solo. The soundtrack doesn't just accompany the story. It becomes the story. By the finale, you're not rooting for μ's to win a competition. You're rooting for Honoka to keep her promise to the eight people she loves.

Otonokizaka High has been rescued from closure thanks to the popularity of μ's, and the students settle back into ordinary campus life, though only briefly. A second Love Live! is announced on a bigger stage than the first, and after having to pull out last time, the nine members of μ's reunite for another shot at winning. They face other idol groups in regional competition, but graduation is coming for the third years. While chasing the top spot, the group has to decide whether μ's carries on without its seniors or disbands. Music and slice-of-life moments mix as the girls laugh, cry, sing and dance through what may be their final chance to compete as nine.