The second volume of Herlock explores the topic of loyalty as the Arcadia and crew continually get drawn into encounters with the Noo. Since the dead researchers rose and started wreaking havoc aboard their badly aged research vessel, there have been incidents all over the ""Sol" System (Solar System) of people turning on each other and creating a mess. As if that's not enough, Satanist cults are growing in number, proclaiming that God is dead... and Captain Herlock really couldn't care less.

In fact, the Arcadia herself seems to care about the latest goings-on more than her Captain, and takes the crew all over the place. The first place they go is toward Pluto, where the Noo have made a mess of the Space Police Armada. Then the crew head to the Moon and get a lecture about the Noo and the beginnings of the Universe. Finally, the motley group head to a Noo-cursed planet where Maji (the ship's Chief Engineer) is trying to save a mine worker.

The Noo sure look like an exciting bunch.	Make me a sandwich!

In each place they go, the crew has to combat fear itself in order to keep moving. While the majority of people are giving in to the Noo and fighting each other, the crew of the Arcadia stick together. As Herlock puts it, the ship is a vessel of hopes and dreams, and nobody who boards her is susceptible to fear. I need not mention the irony of there being more loyalty on a pirate ship than in the Police Armada. Or need I?

Geneon continues to give Herlock star treatment, with full surround tracks in both English and Japanese, and crystal clear video. The packaging features three characters: Herlock, a Noo, and Daiba. There is again only one extra on the disc: a textless version of the opening. (Since the opening rocks, this extra is not too shabby.) All in all, the product quality is just as good as it was in the first volume.

The show's ability to draw me in has only increased with the release of the second volume. There have been a couple points so far where I wanted to jump up and yell, "Captain, sign me up sir!" The style, the music, and the story have all been stellar up to this point. I highly recommended taking a ride on this ship.

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