Animanga Nation

Review by: Sophie Stevens

Publisher: FUNimation Entertainment
MSRP: DVD: $59.98
Running Time: 625 minutes
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: TV PG
Release Date: Available Now

Where’s the Restart button?

Aside from our love for anime and manga, the people in our little office have another major crush and that’s games whether its on a console or on our PC. We love our role-playing games and we’re even more in love with MMORPGs like World of Warcraft as well as the impressive Ragnarok Online that has stole many an hour from our lives. So it came as a pleasant surprise that Ragnarok: The Animation, The Complete Series has found its way on my desk.

Now imagine my heartbreaking when the anime series just isn’t the exciting experience it should have been considering the fact that most of the elements from the game are present and the anime even pokes some good natured fun at some features from the game such as the guides in frilly maid outfits. You’ll even find familiar monsters as well. With all these elements, how did this anime go so wrong?

Well, for one thing, Ragnarok: The Animation doesn’t develop the one-dimensional characters and – besides their motivations – we don’t feel like we really know these characters enough to care about them. We meet a young budding swordsman named Roan and his close friend since childhood and acolyte named Yuna who embark on an adventure together. The pair are the clichéd couple that doesn’t admit to the other they have romantic feeling and so, for the most part, we watch Roan and Yuna awkwardly try to sidestep the fact that they like each another.

During the course of their travels they meet an attractive Mage named Takius who wears a blindfold for training purposes and decides to join the pair after they defeat a clock tower monster as well as a sewer filled with roaches together. In the same sewers they meet a spunky little girl named Maya (and her pet blob named Poi-Poi) whose actually a merchant that travels with them mainly for her own protection. The party grows again when they meet a sexy female archer named Judia and her traveling companion named Iruga who knows both Roan and Yuna.

Oh, and Yuna’s brother who she watched die in the hands of a dark knight is back but he’s no longer the kindhearted young man she remembers. Her brother is joined by an evil warrior named Zealotus who is half human and half monster as the main villains that keep showing up throughout the series. Why has Yuna’s brother turned evil and why does he continues to pursue them? Who is Zealotus and why are there whispers of the Dark Lord’s resurrection? These are questions that pop up often in this anime and are answered in the final five episodes of this 26-episode set.

In the meantime, we follow the band of adventurers as they travel to towns aiding those that need their help such as the time they help a young girl from the Thieves Guild clear an underground city of a curse and in another mission they head into Geffen Tower to clear it from powerful spirits. The band of heroes even makes it to a port town that just so happens to be where Maya is from and then travel into a desert where Takius is tested by her Master’s influence.

As I mentioned earlier, we really don’t get a true feel of what the characters are really like even though we do get a glimpse of their pasts such as how Judia met (and fell in love with) Iruga as well as a look into Maya’s tragic past. We know Roan’s motivation for protecting Yuna so it doesn’t come as a surprise that he leaves the group for a little while to train with a Crusader. Even Yuna takes a break from adventuring to study to being a Priest (which is the world of Midgard’s version of a religious magic-user). We just don’t care when they rejoin the party because their personalities are as wooden as the trees in the Labyrinth Forest.

To top it all off, the animation is generic and the animation is lazy when it comes to the action so we have to sit through the same spells being cast continuously during each fight. With boring battles and uninteresting character development, it becomes hard to want to sit through the whole experience. All isn’t bad, however, because the series does have some interesting moments scattered throughout (like the attack in the city of Comodo) and there are even genuinely comical moments (Iruga and Judia’s cosplay wedding). The final four episodes really pick up with a refreshing change of pace that includes characters hooking up, an evil French kiss and a number of deaths. Why wasn’t the whole series like the last episodes?

In the end, Ragnarok: The Animation fails to be an epic fantasy anime worthy of the game itself. With characters that are lifeless and uninteresting, it’s hard to find a reason to continue watching the 26-episode collection. Sure, there are some fun moments but they’re wasted on a production that is lacking in all the qualities we love about the fantasy genre.　

DVD REVIEW BREAKDOWN

MOVIE/EPISODES: D
A young swordsman and his childhood friend set out on an adventure in a world familiar to fans of the Korean MMORPG of the same name. Along the way they meet other fellow travelers that soon join their party and take part in an adventure that involves a Dark Lord, a crazed teacher of the magical arts and plenty of monsters.

VIDEO QUALITY: C-
The bland-looking characters and lazy fight sequences are just too noticeable to ignore although the backgrounds can be very pretty in certain episodes. Still, the animation could have looked better than what we see here.

AUDIO QUALITY: C+
The English dub voice cast does its best with the poorly scripted dialogue in the earlier episodes but it’s best to watch Ragnarok in its original Japanese. The music isn’t stellar but it does the job right and the opening and closing theme songs are simply Ok.

EXTRAS: D
There are only a small collection of trailers in the fourth disc so don’t expect very much in terms of extras.

OVERALL: D
The Complete Series of Ragnarok: The Animation is a disappointing fantasy anime that – sadly – is a forgettable experience with very little to offer even the most dedicated Ragnarok Online fans. While it takes time for the story to really take off, it becomes hard to really care about characters that just aren’t interesting. Sorry, Ragnarok fans, but you’re better off skipping this one.

Review by: Brenda Gregson

Publisher: FUNimation Entertainment
MSRP: $59.98 US
Running Time: 300 minutes
Genre: Supernatural/Action
Rating: TV MA
Release Date: Available Now

The last battle is always the sweetest.

Tokyo Majin is the kind of series that begins with a mystery and slowly – and awkwardly – peels away the layers to reveal what was concealed to us from the first episode. When we finally understand why five High school students with different backgrounds came together to fight a supernatural threat you better believe you’ll be hooked in like a stubborn bass that suddenly finds that shiny lure attached to a hook oh-so inviting. Part Two: Martial Fist Chapter of Tokyo Majin isn’t perfect but it still has enough appeal to make you want to see it through to the end.

After having met the five Magami High students who discovered a hidden power of the Stars of Fate within them, the five students have taken on dangerous supernatural foes as well as a major threat known as the Demonic Horde in Part One. Part Two of Tokyo Majin covers the final 12 episodes entitles the Martial Fist Chapter that takes place after the events of Part One. As things seemed to have calmed down, the students are attacked by a group of highly-trained warriors that claim to be the Twelve Generals of the Martial Fist.

The Martial Fist claim to fight to preserve the peace against demonic enemies but why are they attacking Tatsuma, Kyouichi, Daigo, Aoi and Sakurai? Each one faces off against a General but it’s Tatsuma, Kyouichi and Daigo who have trouble with their oppoents. Kyouichi is even violently defeated by his sword-wielding foe while Diago (and Sakurai) find themselves going up against an enemy named Renji who happens to know Daigo. When Renji manages to threaten Sakurai’s life, Daigo unleashes an even greater power that transforms the wrestler into a remarkable spirit beast. Startling even the likes of tough girl Sakurai, Diago does the unthinkable.

Having murdered guardians belonging to a group known as the 28 Constellations of Kanto, members of the Martial Fist begin to question their motives until the Director of the group reveals himself to Magami High’s guardians. It becomes clear that the Martial Fist was being manipulated and the reason shockes even Tatsuma.

Speaking of Tatsuma, after the Martial Fist story arc concludes, he becomes the center of attention in the rest of the episodes starting with an episode that has the quiet young man befriending Marie Claire – the powerful and wild little girl from Part One – and then experiencing tragedy by the hands of a puppet master-like villain calling himself Chaos.

As one of the five goes on a quest for revenge, the story takes a darker tone although it does manage to sneak in some lighthearted moments that come in the form of Anko (the journalist) and all the other characters that had but a minor role in Part One. The characters are fleshed out a bit more in this second chapter and when the final major threat is introduced it leads to an impressive battle that involves all of the characters that have become allies of the five. The result is a fight that literally tears Tokyo apart and yes a few familiar characters die.

The 2-disc set also includes two extra episodes, although their inclusion – while much appreciated – really doesn’t add a whole lot to the big picture or the ending. One story basically gives a peek into Kyouichi’s life after having become an orphan and how his life intersects with the others. In the second extra episode, the graduating class is putting on a play (a unique version of Romeo and Juliet). While it’s a fun little story, if definitely doesn’t add anything. Oh, and the ending of the main story just doesn’t  add much either, by the way. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered.

I would like to say that the fina chapter of Tokyo Majin, Part Two: Martial Fist Chapter is an excellent one but it is far from perfect. In the end, Tokyo Majin as a whole is an action-packed bloody good time that started off interestingly and ends with an impressive battle before the so-so finale ruins things. Part Two isn’t shy when it comes to the eye-catching violence and there are surprises aplenty but it’s hard to ignore the fact that the ending leaves much to be desired. Still, you’ll have a blast with Tokyo Majin.

DVD REVIEW BREAKDOWN

MOVIE/EPISODES: C+
The Martial Fist chapter is certainly one of the more action-packed story arcs of this series and it certainly is a more darker final chapter with an unimpressive finale. As the young students of Magami High go up against a group dedicated to bringing justice, a hidden threat will reunite all those touched by the Stars of Fate in a massive battle that could end up destroying Tokyo.

VIDEO QUALITY: A
Tokyo Majin is gruesomely violent and the gory animation simply doesn’t disappoint. The fight scenes look great as well so there’ a lot to like about the visuals.

SOUND QUALITY: A
A solid voice acting cast for both the English dub and Japanese versions but the advantage goes to the Japanese cast in my book. The closing theme song, “Hanafubuki,” by ACID is still great to hear and the new ACID opening song called “Prayer” is better than Part One’s awful opening tune.

EXTRAS: D
There are only a few trailers and there’s the textless opening and closing theme songs. The two extra episodes are the best extra features.

OVERALL: C+
Part Two of Tokyo Majin is darker if not slightly disjointed final chapter that still manages to be appealing despite its flaws. It’s good to see that the gory action is back and the characters are a tad more fleshed out this time around but – as far as the ending is concerned – the series doesn’t end as grand as it should have.

Review by: Clive Owen

Publisher: FUNimation Entertainment
MSRP: $29.98 US
Running Time: 165 minutes
Genre: Action
Rating: TV PG
Release Date: Available Now

It’s a Super Saiyan triple smackdown!

Grandpa Owen still mourns the loss of double features in the theaters but it’s Papa Owen who really mourns the passing of triple features much like they had in the 1970 grindhouses of old. Dad, the triple feature isn’t completely dead if you just so happen to be a Dragon Ball Z fan (he is!) thanks to FUNimation’s release of Dragon Ball Z movies 8, 9 and 10 featuring a powerful Super Saiyan foe named Broly. Dad and Grandpa are proud yet again.

BROLY: The Legendary Super Saiyan

The first movie in the triple feature begins with the sudden fall of the Southern Galaxy by the hands of a mysterious and yet unidentified Super Saiyan. King Kai worries that if nothing is done to stop this threat the Northern Galaxy and Earth will perish. Pulling Goku out of a school meeting, King Kai spells out it for him … as usual.

Meanwhile, an alien visitor interrupts a pleasant picnic that includes Vegeta and his family as well as Gohan, Kururin, Oolong and Master Roshi. The visitor is a man named Paragas who asks Vegeta to assume the role of King and help the planet of New Vegeta from the Super Saiyan threat. Vegeta accepts and Gohan and his friends sneak aboard to ship that carries them off.

On the planet, however, the evidence of destruction is visible and Paragas and his son Broly leads Vegeta on a wild goose chase that doesn’t lead anywhere. It isn’t until Goku arrives that he comes to realize something wrong about Paragas’ son. In fact, when Broly sees Goku, it awakens a rage in the young man to the point of triggering a violent reaction. Could it be that Broly is actually the famed Legendary Saiyan that attacked the Southern Galaxy? It’s safe to say that the answer is yes … well, seeing as the movies have Broly’s name in the titles.

Broly attacks Goku and proves to be one of the most powerful enemies he or Vegeta have ever have faced against. So powerful is this Super Saiyan that not even Goku’s most powerful attacks could even faze him. We also come to discover Broly’s reasons for hating Vegeta and wanting to kill Goku who he knows as his real name. It takes the combined powers of each Super Saiyan hero to bring Broly down.

BROLY: SECOND COMING

The Second Coming picks up a few years after the events of The Legendary Super Saiyan as Brody’s body has crash landed on a peaceful planet and remained there for years. Since time has passed and Goku out of the picture, we find Gohan, Videl and Trunks as the stars of the movie.

The young trio find themselves in Natade Village where a young girl is about to be offered as a sacrifice to a “Mountain Spirit.” Offering to help them put an end to this ritual, the three young heroes wait to unveil the identity of this spirit only to have Gohan’s cry awaken Broly from his slumber.

Broly, despite being badly injured and battered, fights the young fighters and is still able to give them quite a workout. The battle is quite spectacular and there are even appearances from some familiar faces that comes to their aid. When things look bad, another guest shows up to lend a hand in putting Broly in his place.

BIO BROLY

In the final movie, Mister Satan takes center stage as he is being blackmailed into participating in a battle tournament set up by an old rival named Jaguar. The man pits Mr. Satan against biologically engineered warriors. Thankfully, the big goof has Goten, Trunks, Andriod 18 and Kururin lending a hand.

During the battle, though, Jaguar releases his secret weapon … a bio-modified version of Broly. Oh, but much like the original, this Broly cannot be controlled and he turns on Jaguar and his staff to the point of killing a lot of people. Goten and Trunks find themselves battling Broly but how can you fight an enemy that is even harder to kill?

All three movies have no shortage of great action scenes and there are some impressive fights as well. The best of the movies is The Legendary Super Saiyan thanks to the fact that it is more dramatic and the fights really make quite an impact. Second Coming is the more comical of the three and it’s refreshing after the serious tone of the first film. Trunks peeing on Broly is damn funny. Meanwhile, Bio Broly is both serious and funny, although the big battle leaves much to be desired.

In the end, what we have is three of the most exciting of the Dragon Ball Z movies and a near perfect trio that Dragon Ball Z fans will truly appreciate. For my money, The Legendary Super Saiyan is well worth the price of admission but staying for the other two is definitely a Must, triple feature fans.

DVD REVIEW BREAKDOWN

MOVIE/EPISODES: B+
A deadly and uncontrollable Super Saiyan named Broly takes his rage out on Goku and later his children as the powerful enemy fights the good Super Saiyans standing in his way. The Legendary Super Saiyan has plenty of action while Second Coming and Bio Broly aren’t as serious.

VIDEO QUALITY: A-
The movies look great and FUNimation did a great job of making the animation look sharp and colorful.

AUDIO QUALITY: A-
There are plenty of options for those viewers who are picky and like the original Japanese voice cast but loves the English tunes. The English dub works well too so it’s a win-win deal here.

EXTRAS: C-
The real treat here is the fact that you can watch the three movies in their original Japanese voices and music. No, wait, the real treat is that there are two DVDs here (the second containing Movie 9 and 10. Oh, and the tin case is awesome.

OVERALL: B+
Dragon Ball Z Triple Feature brings us three top notch action movies that offer more bang for you buck than the last movie collection. Sure, the first film of the trio is the best but the two other movies are way too much fun to pass up.

Review by: Clive Owen

Publisher: Geneon Entertainment (FUNimation Entertainment)
MSRP: $49.98 US
Running Time: 300 minutes
Genre: Action
Rating: 16 and Up
Release Date: Available Now

Twice as much bullets means twice as much fun.

If you read our reviews of Rei Hiroe’s bullet-fueled action anime and manga, Black Lagoon, you know we have a fondness for this highly entertaining series. The first season’s box set was a genuine thrill ride but Black Lagoon, The Second Barrage Box Set, manages to outshine the first 12 episodes in every way.

Having made the transition between Japanese salaryman to crewmember of the Black Lagoon of the Lagoon Traders courier service in the ultra dangerous city of Roanpur, Rokuro “Rock” Okajima thought he has seen it all. Then again, Rock never imagined that the blood bath that claimed the lives of two soldiers of Hotel Moscow was caused by two unlikely assassins … and this is the first episode on the four disc box set!

In the wake of the massacre, for the first time the Chinese syndicate, the Colombian cartel, the Italian mafia and the Russian mob run by Balalaika work together to find the assassins with only one clue of their identity … they’re twins and they are children. Known as Hansel and Gretel, the two creepy kids dressed like Goth dolls have a healthy appetite for blood and torture. It doesn’t really matter to Balalaika, though, because she offers a hefty reward for anyone willing to take the twins down.

Of course, Revy is enticed by the reward money and she is joined by Edna, the “nun” from the so-called “Rip-off Church” that acts as the local arms dealer. In fact, assassins from all over the area start arriving in order to collect the bounty. Of course, none of them really realize how skillful these twins are as they not only turn on the people that hired them to take out Balalaika but they’re even able to give every skilled gun (like Mr. Chang, for instance) a real shootout.

Yet if there’s one thing we learn in The Second Barrage is that Balalaika is definitely not the type of woman you want to mess with because she sets up a trap that manages to take out one of the twins without a moment’s hesitation. She definitely has no reservation about taking out a child. Meanwhile, the other twin manages to get Eda to talk the Lagoon Traders to take her/him off Roanpur only to end up – to Rock’s horror – ending the story arc in tragedy.

As heartbreaking as the first few episodes of the set are it is the “Greenback Jane” episodes that kick up the action a couple of hundred notches. We meet Jane, a master counterfeiter and perfectionist that manages to piss off the impatient gangsters that hired her. Jane runs away with the gangsters giving chase only to confuse the “Rip-off Church” for a real church. Lucky for Jane, Eda and Revy are present as they defend Jane.

Sensing a profit, however, Eda talks Revy into keeping Jane nearby in order to get their hands on the printing plates Jane uses for her counterfeit bills. Unfortunately, the gangsters that are looking for her hire some of the deadliest professionals in the vicinity. This includes Shenhua (remember her from the first season?) as well as Sawyer the Cleaner and an assassin that favors a flamethrower.

The story takes a turn for the more interesting when these assassins make an assault on the offices of the Lagoon Traders that result in one of the most exciting battles that will give most action movies a run for their money. I won’t spoil it with details but those who have been waiting to see Revy go up against Shenhua will not be disappointed and even Rock gets into the action. We also learn a big secret about Eda aboard the Black Lagoon that is quite unexpected.

Finally, we find Rock and Revy in Japan with Balalaika who is looking to set up a home base in Tokyo among the Yakuza. Acting as an interpreter, Rock finds that he feels out of place in a world he once called home. When Revy suggests that Rock visit his family, Rock hesitates. Has he really become part of the underworld? A big part of him thinks so.

During their stay in Tokyo, Rock and Revy meet a high school girl named Yukio and her bodyguard named Genji who Revy says he “smells of blood.” It isn’t until Balalaika begins eliminating other Yakuza clans that Rock realizes that Yukio is the daughter of a dead clan member and thus one of Balalaika’s targets. Taking it up with Balalaika, Rock’s confrontation with her is surprising and violent. This is actually the first time we see Balalaika mistreat Rock. Their relationship had always seemed respectful until now.

Interestingly enough, Yukio takes her role as her father’s successor seriously to the point that those loyal to her father join her in attempting to restore honor to the clan. She suddenly gives Balalaika something to worry about when she lays a trap for her and the Russians. Meanwhile, Rock attempts to talk Yukio into stepping down to live a normal life. Much like him, Yukio feels she no longer belongs to the “real world.”

What results is one of the most impressive fights as a captured Yukio is rescued by Revy and the bodyguard named Ginji and then a final showdown that ends in a heartbreaking conclusion.

All is not grim in this second season set and this is what makes The Second Barrage an even more delightful season. With standout scenes like Jane showing her appreciation for a fellow tech geek as well as Revy playing with Japanese children, these episodes will not fail to put a smile on your face.

If the first season box set with like a thrilling rollercoaster, Black Lagoon, The Second Season Box Set is like a theme park filled with heart-stopping thrill rides. With some compelling storylines and hard-hitting action, The Second Barrage is anime at its most action-packed.

DVD REVIEW BREAKDOWN

MOVIE/EPISODES: A+
A pair of twins with a troubled past turns Roanpur into a warzone as they take on Hotel Moscow. Then we meet “Greenback” Jane who runs from her employers and forces the Lagoon Traders to take a bullet-filled stand against professional killers. Then, in Japan, Rock and Revy become involved in a fight for honor and survival.

VIDEO QUALITY: B+
The episodes look great on DVD just as they did in the first season box set. There’s still a lot of blood but this time it’s a bit more gruesome.

AUDIO QUALITY: A
The English sub and Japanese voices are straight-up awesome and the music will get you pumping. It’s good stuff, indeed.

EXTRAS: B+
Each disc comes with Geneon previews but the fourth disc is dedicated to the more impressive extras such as an interview with Director Sunao Katabuchi (interesting), textless opening and closing theme songs and small handful of promotional videos.

OVERALL: A+
The Second Barrage Box Set is Black Lagoon’s finest moment with episodes that raise the action level. Yes, the first season has a lot of memorable moments, but these episodes will stay with you for a very long time. Thank you, Black Lagoon, for make us addicted to your action all over again.

Reviewer: Sophie Stevens

Publisher: FUNimation Entertainment
MSRP: $29.98 US
Running Time: 100 minutes
Genre: Action/Fantasy
Rating: TV MA
Release Date: Available Now

There will be MORE blood.

Oh things are certainly getting stranger aboard the train known as the Flying Pussyfoot. The violent and strange Mexican standoff between thieves, terrorists and the motley crew of interesting characters attempting to survive the train ride. The first volume set up the intriguing events wonderfully enough but it’s Baccano!, Volume 2, that takes us deeper into what is becoming one seriously fun ride.

We met the seemingly cowardly Jacuzzi Splot in the first volume but in Volume 2 he manages to summon the courage to lead his friends through the slaughter carried out by the mysterious men in black and the violent gangsters that work for the vicious Ladd Russo. This is a young guy who cries when he’s nervous, like the time in 1930 when he encountered thugs looking to beat him up.

Meanwhile, the Senator’s wife is taken hostage by the men in black while the boy named Czeslaw hides her daughter in a janitor’s closet. What these men want and their real agenda isn’t clear yet but what is clear is that they mean to use the Senator’s wife to make their demands and there will be bloodshed if their demands aren’t met. Unfortunately, the Senator’s daughter is forced to protect herself when a man in black comes knocking.

On the the other end of the train, however, an entity is slaughtering thugs and the men in black. Could it be the work of the legendary Rail Tracer? It isn’t until Jacuzzi and his friends poke their heads out a windo that they come to realize there there is a Rail Tracer and it definitely isn’t human.

Like past episodes, we jump back in time when Firo becomes a Made Man in the Gammora crime family. During the the ceremony, Firo realizes that something isn’t quite normal when he is pitted against Maizo Avaro in a knife fight. How is it that Maizo’s knife wound suddenly disappears as if nothing happened. Could this have something to do with the events that involve the girl named Ennis and her alchemist master who still wonders what happened to the rest of his colleague’s valuable and mysterious concoction a group of thugs mistook for booze when they assaulted him.

We are also offered a glimpse of how this all started in Episode 7 where we witness the strange and fascinating events that occurred aboard the ship called the Avenna Avis in the year 1711. The episode follows a group of alchemists that summon the Dark Lord that tells them the secret of the Grand Panacea – an elixir that grants eternal life to whoever drinks it. The secret, however, proves to be too much for some of the passengers. Without spoiling the surprises, it becomes clear that the elixir does work because the one who holds the secret looks suspiciously like a gangster we meet in the first volume.

Finally, we get more of Isaac and Miria as the pair are hunted by FBI and the Chicago police force for stealing the inheritance of Eve and Dallas (who is still missing). The duo is just so kooky that we can’t help but love them. Interestingly enough, Eve likes them enough that she let them walk off with her parents’ money and even an emotionless homunculus like Ennis befriends them when the girl saves the pair when they’re attacked by gangsters. They even befriend Jacuzzi … who the two think was swallowed whole by the Rail Tracer.

Baccano! is really shaping up to be one of those rare anime gems that is hard not to like. Slowly, the pieces of this fascinating puzzle are coming together and we can’t wait to see the full picture. Volume 2 of Baccano! is like another helping of your new favorite dish and we cannot wait to sink our teeth into more of this fun series.

DVD REVIEW BREAKDOWN

MOVIE/EPISODES: A
The events aboard the Flying Pussyfoot takes a turn for the worst for the passengers. Jumping back in time, we are revealed the secret of the elixir of immortality. Isaac and Miria run into Eve and are later rescued by Ennis who becomes their friend.

VIDEO QUALITY: A+
The animation is gorgeous and does justice to the era. It’s also quite bloody and the visual effects are awesome.

SOUND QUALITY: A+
A solid English dub and original Japanese cast do a great job brining the characters to life. The original score by Makoto Yoshimori is excellent and we love the ending theme, “Calling” by Kaori Oda.

EXTRAS: C+
The audio commentary for Episode 7 is just Ok but well appreciated. The rest of the extras come in the form of the usual collection of trailers and clean opening and closing theme songs.

OVERALL: A
Volume 2 of Baccano! continues what is quickly becoming a deliciously surreal and completely entertaining anime series that is over-the-top fun. If you’re not a fan yet then you will be after this second volume.

Review by: Faith McAdams

Publisher: VIZ Media
MSRP: $69.97 US
Running Time: 392 minutes
Genre: Suspense
Rating: T+ (Older Teens)
Release Date: Available Now

The end is Near.

It’s been a tug-of-war of wits between Light Yagami and the genius detective that is L but seeing as both seem so evenly matched the investigation to catch Kira has hit a wall. Then again, another opportunity always comes up and the investigation – this time with Light offering his input – seems to be close to being cracked … or so we come to think in the opening of the Volume 2 Box Set of Death Note that reaches its astonishing conclusion.

With the Kira Task Force keeping a close eye on the Yotsuba Group rather than focusing its attention on Light – who, at the moment, has no memory of the Death Note or of Shinigami – L has found a way to infiltrate the corporation in search of the new Kira. In the opening episode of Volume 2, Light and L set up a trap for the group using Misa Amane to lure Kira out. It’s a plan that actually does work when Higuchi (who is the current Kira) falls for Misa and reveals to her that he has been carrying out murders as Kira. With the trap set, it is Misa’s Shinigami, Rem, that approaches her and tells her that she is the Second Kira and that Higuchi is an imposter that took over for Light.

With Misa finally aware of her role as Second Kira, a new trap is set by Light with the intention of finally getting rid of L. As the events unfold and Higuchi is captured, the Death Note finally reaches the hands of the task force as well as both L and Light. Their  reaction to seeing Rem is classic but all of Light’s memories flashing back into his brain is what really gets the ball running in these final 17 episodes of the series. With Misa and Light regaining their memories, the tables are turned on L.

I won’t get into too much detail of what happens to L in episode 25 but this episode is by far one of the most jaw-dropping, surreal (Misa sings a creepy song) and brilliant episodes that deserves to be recognized as a compelling work of art. Really, this episodes is handled so differently than the other episodes that you’ll wonder how the series will be able to top that one.

All I can say is that L and Rem are no longer a problem for Light and he takes over the Kira investigation while carrying out his mission to create a new world. What he doesn’t anticipate, however, is that L set up a sort of fail safe mechnism that if something were to happen to him that his successor would take his place.  We are introduced to The Wammy House where one of L’s young proteges named Near becomes the new L while the second one, Mellow, follows a more destructive path.

Despite being just a child that still plays with toys, Near’s investigative approach is similar to L’s only to a higher degree that makes him an even formidable opponent to Light. Somehow, watching Light and Near mentally spar just isn’t as fun as watching Light and L do it. Still, it’s hard to ignore some of the more things get a bit more convoluted when the notebooks are passed again but you can’t deny how satisfying it is when Near’s trap brings the case to its unforgettable close.

While the ending was nowhere near as gratifying as the ending in the manga, it personally worked for me. Our little office is somewhat split between having liked this second half of the series and those that didn’t think it had the impact as the first half. The truth is that there are moments in this second half of the series that held the suspense back but then again there were moments that reminded us why we like this series so much and why we are so invested in the outcome. I even love the juicy extras packed in the five disc box set.

With that said, Death Note, Volume 2 Box Set, is Required Viewing for anyone who likes a smart and mature anime that will keep your eyes glued to the screen. A lot happens in the final 17 episodes of this set and there are episodes that will have you thinking that anime this good should really be a crime to miss.

DVD REVIEW BREAKDOWN

MOVIE/EPISODES: A+
Light Yagami’s continued insistence on becoming the God of the “new world” takes him to a darker place now that he’s won a major victory over his biggest rival. Still, even with the driving force behind the investigation out of the way, a new face of justice emerges to put an end to this game.

VIDEO QUALITY: A
The series still sports some beautifully detailed animation whether it’s the character movements or the surroundings. Boy, this series really does look great on DVD.

AUDIO QUALITY: A+
With a number of really amazing performances in both the Japanese and English dub cast, Death Note’s cast deserves a big round of applause. The score is still intense but the new opening theme song “What’s Up People?” is like a dentist drill to the brain.

EXTRAS: A+
All four discs contain great audio commentary tracks and production art but the extra goodies don’t stop there. There’s a bonus fifth disc packed with a number of featurettes with promotional material including some very interesting (and occasionally funny) look into how the Japanese voice acting crew worked on this series.

OVERALL: A+
The Volume 2 Box Set of Death Note finishes up one of the most impressive and thoroughly riveting psychological cat and mouse games we’ve seen in a suspense anime in a long time. While the first half  of the series is clearly the better half, it’s hard to ignore the standout moments that will not only surprise but will have you picking up your jaw from off the ground. It’s not a bad way to end a great series like this one.