“Steel Angel Kurumi” vol. 2, aptly enough, picks up close to where the first volume ended with young priest-in-training Nakahito, his ever-willing android servant Kurumi, HER ever-willing android servant Saki, and the intelligent “motherly-type” Dr. Amagi all grouped together on a journey to get to a laboratory to, well, I’m not quite sure. I suppose it’s to investigate Kurumi, but really this installation never truly cares about the destination, but instead focuses entirely on the journey and the developing relations of the cast. This could be either good or bad, depending on how much you care about the plot. Each of the six mini-episodes here essentially wander around trying to simultaneously entertain us and flesh out their characters, mostly Saki and Kurumi. And really, I myself was much more interested in the exploits of the former, entirely for one reason: She’s the one character in the anime who loves someone she cannot have. That’s not to say Kurumi does not love her in return, but she can’t return the complete devotion, and it is exciting to watch Saki learn this.

Speaking of the characters, I should note that volume two has improved on the previous episodes’ cliché-ridden cast to some extent, but still leaves me with a feeling that they could have done more. Again Dr. Amagi has proved herself to be the MVP of the series, keeping all of the other characters as rooted in reality as she possibly can while also subtly revealing her own personality to the viewer. Kurumi’s unquestioning devotion issue was toned down as well, so that earns the show some bonus points. The endless bombardment of new steel angels come off as a pretty pointless way to use the extra character designs they had lying around, though, and I definitely could have done without (except the last, which we all knew existed since the beginning from the opening credits). However, the biggest qualm I have with the characters now is the introduction (or really just fleshing out) of the two investigators sent to follow the gang around secretly, both of whom have a certain “liking” for a different member of Group Kurumi each. Yes, I get it. The writers like to use unusual sexual attraction as comedy. But. It’s. Not. Funny.

In-keeping with the first volume, one of the show’s greatest strengths comes in its visual/audio competency. The animation continues to be smooth and colorful, and each new angel is nicely designed and very individualized (though according to the DVD liner notes, three of the angels introduced were actually designed by fans). And also the OP, though being no more than bubbly pop, has fully caught on with me. I dare you to watch the first two volumes and not be humming it the next morning.

And props to ADV for releasing another sleekly produced disk. They continued with the great semi-nudes of the angels against a background of gears, this time with Saki. And maybe it’s because of the fact that Saki has brown hair while Kurumi has pink, but I found this one to be even more graceful than the previous. The extras are very similar to the ones on vol. 2, which basically add up to all the regulars, liner notes, and a video clip with the dub cast. However, this clip is not an interview like before, but instead someone just got a handheld camera and taped a photo shoot with the actresses and then had the director and photographer voice over commentary. I don’t think I have to tell you it is incredibly boring. There is nothing of interest in the thing at all pertaining to the series, unless of course you have a yearning to see/hear the both-creepy-and-annoying director again. Needless to say, I didn’t. But still, you can’t be mad at them (too much) for at least including something out of the call of duty, even if it was a total waste of time. Though please, ADV, stop it with the corny “angel” jokes now.

Overall, I am happy to say I was a pleased with the proceedings in this volume, and though the show definitely still has a few things that need vast improvement, it does seem the directors are getting the hang of the rhythm show. And the scenes with Saki and Steel Angel No. 3, Karinka, in the last episode on the disk actually wielded some surprises. And sure, it still has the unfortunate predictability factor, but we aren’t look for some wonderful cinema here. It’s cute, light, simple, dumb, and sweet, and thus deserves to be graded on that level.

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