The second volume of Fancy Lala doesn't really take the story very far, but somehow that doesn't matter a whole lot. The self-contained stories of the filler episodes carry the same charm as the overall story, so watching them is nearly as touching as the regular plot episodes, and every bit as fun.

Volume 2 begins on a serious note, with Lala starting to feel the pressure of the glamour industry bearing down on her. It's all work and no play, and on top of it all, Miho's friends are starting to wonder where she goes all the time. Miho meets the big star Miki Yumeno through a common acquaintance, and the two get along really well. Lala gets a cold shoulder from Miki, though, as would any other girl just joining the 'biz'. Switching gears, the show goes into filler mode with a ghost hunt. Miho's friends see Lala running through the school and think she is a spook. Filler #2 is a story about what Lala should and should not create with her magic pen. Which side does her cute little blue kitten fall on? I'll let you decide when you watch it. The next episode is a big chance for Lala - the opportunity to sing in front of her dream beau, Hiroya Aikawa (also a singer). The one problem: Miho had just discovered that morning that her voice sounds very different on tape. Things are looking up in the next episode though, with a chance to promote her first single. But how will she get all the way to Shizuoka for the promotion?

Eep! Did she see my Rayearth lunch box?	Warning: the drinks depicted in this episode of Fancy Lala are very hot. Please don't sue us.

The fact that not much happens in this volume is both a hindrance and a help. It was a great five episodes to watch with a group of people, but for solitary viewing it may seem like a bit of a drag. The good news is that Fancy Lala continues to be quite interesting in the area of character behaviors, especially between Miki and Miho/Lala. Lala has to be much more assertive to not get the cold shoulder from Miki, whereas Miho can just be herself. A few sort-of discoveries are made in this volume about Miho's friend Taro. I say 'sort-of' because they're nearly as surprising as 'discovering' that birds lay eggs. No really, they do! Nevertheless, plot progression is a necessary evil, so I won't attack the series for being formulaic in this regard. Much.

There was no visible or audible change in quality from the last Fancy Lala release. As with the last volume, the packaging turned out very nicely. Volume 2 has a picture of Lala in front of a studio microphone, on the cover. The insert has mostly spoilerless synopses of each episode on the disc, like the previous volume. The extras on the disc consist of a text interview of creator Akemi Takada, and a clean ending sequence. Both were pretty nice extras, and make up a little bit for the short number.

In summary: If you like this show so far, keep watching it! What novelty there was has worn off a bit in this volume, but not altogether. Miki's inclusion has shaken things up a bit, not to mention Hiroya's announcement that he and Lala are rivals. I look forward to more of that magical girl thrill coupled with that unique charm in future episodes. Just don't make me hear Taro sing again, please.

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