Last time, I talked about the episodal nature of Witch Hunter Robin working out well because of carefully placed plot elements. The second volume of Witch Hunter Robin follows along in the same vein, but the number of interesting plot points has dwindled. Or rather, the points have become a little too disjointed and the big picture is being lost. Luckily, the episode stories themselves offer up several good ideas about the virtues and consequences of power, so enjoyment can still be had there.

The second volume leaves a plot thread from the first hanging, so unfortunately we have to make a few assumptions there. This is one of my few issues with the series. What it does begin with is pretty haunting though, and helps us to forget this transgression. Robin is helped by a stranger when her vespa breaks down on the highway, and Robin is shocked when she later finds out that the woman died in a car crash that night. She wants to investigate it as if a witch was responsible, when it seems like it was just a normal car accident. The next episode follows a witch that seems to like crushing large metal objects like they were cans. The witch's situation ends up being more horrifying than his crimes, though. The ninth episode follows a similar vein, with a witch starting a killing spree for revenge.

Scaffolding is hazardous to your health.	Touko's goal for this conversation with Amon is to get more words out of him than she can count on one hand.

The eighth and tenth episodes are (to me) the best in this volume, because they hit closer to home with the main cast. One is about a doctor who performs "miracles" to save patients, though the means are a bit shady. It is valuable to the story because it has a lesson for Robin herself, who is beginning to have doubts after the events of previous episodes. The other reveals ties between a few of the characters, as well as a premonition of things to come. The tenth episode is perhaps a bit late for foreshadowing, but that's almost always favorable to getting it too early.

The cover of volume 2 is a shot of Amon with his normal (never changing) expression. The reverse side of the cover sports a picture of Harry (owner of "Harry's" restaurant), and Robin dressed as a waitress. The case insert contains a blurb about Amon, from Robin's perspective. On the disc, there's a gallery of equipment that the STN-J uses to hunt witches, and another edition of the "Maelifica Compendium" liner notes. Like with the previous volume, the liner notes are very interesting.

Most will probably find volume 2 a little boring or even frustrating. It's fine to pick up if you're enjoying the episode stories, but for those more interested in the big picture I would recommend waiting a short while and picking up the second and third volumes together for better story continuity. The episode stories in this volume are definitely top-notch, but later on is where Witch Hunter Robin will really shine.

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