Ai, Mai, and Mii have returned for another four episodes of heartwarming fanservice (doesn't that sound like an oxymoron). More adventures await our heroines, as they spread their own form of happiness through the world. Hearts will be touched and broken as the three sisters continue their journey in the second volume of Popotan.

The second volume of Popotan starts to pull the story closer to the foreground, as the girls continue their search for, well, Popotan. The nature of the sisters' mystical house, as well as the power of the Popotan are gradually revealed through the four episodes presented. Beginning with episode five (the first on the disc), the focus begins to shift more toward the girls and their trials, rather than the people around them. Despite the focus shift, though, the series retains its playful, humorous nature. The result is more of the bittersweet experience that made the first disc so endearing. The highlight of this volume is the Christmas special, aptly titled "Christmas." Rather than continue the storyline set in the previous episodes, the cast is placed into a stand-alone situation. The girls end up appearing on the grounds of a Shinto temple. Residing at the temple are Nono, a young shrine maiden who is thrilled by the idea of Christmas, and her grandfather that is fairly quick to condemnn it. It falls upon the shoulders of Ai, Mai, and Mii to help Nono and her grandfather celebrate a happy Christmas. The episode is truly heartwarming, and manages to capture the spirit of the holiday.

Keith is a dashing man of mystery, and a shoe-in for fangirl fodder.	Like most children, Nono loves everything about Christmas.

For this volume, it appears that Geneon opted for another light release. Like the first volume, this edition features a reversible cover. The cover girls this time around are Mai and Mea. The first cover features a shot of Mai as she poses in a field of popotan. The back of the cover features short descriptions of the episodes on the disc, from the characters' viewpoints. The second cover features two shots of Mea: one of her in normal clothes, and another shot of her wearing only her undergarments. The insert features a shot of Mai, who's trying her best for the "Anime Girls Gone Wild" series as she lifts her shirt for the camera. Inside the insert is a series of descriptions for the characters who make appearances on the disc. The only extras on the disc are a twelve-piece art gallery and a textless closing.

A story is finally coming into play, as the final four episodes loom ahead. The series' meandering pace could be its downfall, though, if the elements in play don't converge soon. This reviewer hopes for the best when the final volume comes around, but still cannot help but fear the worst.

Video Quality: A-
Audio Quality: A-
Presentation: B
Content: B+
Overall: A-