The series takes place in an authoritarian future, where omnipresent public sensors continuously scan the Psycho-Pass of every citizen in range.
The sensors measure mental state, personality, and the probability that the citizen will commit crimes, alerting authorities when someone exceeds accepted norms.
The story once again follows the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division, led by Inspector Akane Tsunemori, as they are caught up in another mysterious case.
Additionally, the new character who works as an Inspector, Mika Shimotsuki, was given the traits of the newcomer similar to Tsunemori, but different in a way Shiotani could not explain during development as a result of the series still premiering.
[9] Since the first series was focused on Shinya Kogami and Shogo Makishima's rivalry, this time Kirito Kamui was written to be the rival of Tsunemori as a result of being her alone.
Nevertheless, the staff felt that Kamui was a weaker antagonist than Makishima to the point Kogami would have easily solved the case had he been in the series.
Dan Rhodes from UK Anime Network noted that Psycho-Pass 2, while entertaining, lacked the twists of the first season and appeal of Gen Urobuchi's writing.
While also praising the differences between Tsunemori and the new Inspector, Mika Shimotsuki, Eisenbeis criticized the new antagonist and how much gorier the series was in contrast to the first one.
[1] Anime News Network found her to be different from her original Psycho-Pass traits, citing her mistreatment of Enforcers such as Nobuchika Ginoza, and also speculated that the character might have a crush on Yayoi Kunizuka, as Shimotsuki tends to favor her instead.
[29] UK Anime Network said that, while Shimotsuki did not come across as likable, she is made more sympathetic by the difficulties she faces as a result of Togane and Sybil's manipulations.
[32] Comic Book Resources also panned it, calling it one of the biggest disappointments within anime as it failed to live up to the first series' popularity, lacking the cast that made it interesting, and the poor handling of Kirito Kamui's traps to the Sybil System.