Man, I hate the anime for cutting all these good interaction and events
In defense of the anime, they had just 25 episodes in the second season. As they wanted season 1 to focus on Makoto solo, his fight with Sofia on the plains was the perfect climax. As a result, needing 2 episodes to introduce the other heroes at a minimum, they had to pick and choose the events key enough to flow smoothly until they reach the next major and climatic event, the Rotsgard Academy Tournament and the events immediately following it. To cover this or some other parts would have added 2-3 episodes, which they probably lacked funds for.
So, while it is sad we don't see more Toa and her party, Komoe and Rinon's friendship, the bits on the school and students during summer break with how devoted Jin and the sisters are to Makoto by this point, or Bor's story, the anime had a smooth flowing storyline that didn't leave too many jarring things popping up with little set up.
I think the most jarring part is Bor after the tournament as we never see Makoto meet Bor, but Makoto helping the demi-humans in the slums is perfectly in character in the anime, especially after Bright's organization kidnapped them, and so some relationship can be inferred by him choosing Bor.