The Angel Brigade serves up another plate of gags, goofiness, and overall mayhem in the second volume of Galaxy Angel. Amidst the goofiness, the disc takes an unexpected turn into more melancholy, reflective territory. However, this is far from unwelcome, and helps to round out the otherwise sweet and syrupy portions that have been served thus far.

This second volume of Galaxy manages to deliver the same punch that the first did without killing itself in repetition. Six of the seven episodes have the same spastic pacing the first disc had as they carry the Angel Brigade through a series of new misadventures that range from exploring a ship made of the Lost Technology to playing a winner-takes-all baseball game against the Space Navy. However, amidst the zany antics of the Angel Brigade, a darker and more reflective piece awaits. The final episode on the disc, Downtown Soulfood Oden, tones down the wackiness in favor of character development. Instead of the usual wanton destruction, viewers are taken on a small sentimental journey as Forte helps a young girl in a troubled situation that was not unlike hers before she was helped by a kind soul in the military. The episode itself is a welcome break from the norm, and really puts Forte's otherwise one dimensional character into a new light.

Visually, this volume holds the same high standards as the first. With no signs of artifacting, cross-coloration, or other obvious visual defects, viewers can look forward to a nigh flawless transfer to DVD. The sound holds up just as well, with no signs of distortion or dropouts on either track.

Unfortunately for Ranpha and Forte, synchronized suicide isn't an Olympic event.	Some people clam up under pressure. Others clam up when they're about to unwillingly star in a bukkake film.

This second installment of Galaxy Angel appears to take the same "quality vs. quantity" approach that the first volume did. The packaging features Mint and Forte as they stand with weapons ready in front of a bunny background motif. The back of the packaging sees a return of the computer-styled design, and offers a similar arrangement of a summary of the disc's contents and a series of images. The menu is an almost direct copy of the menu presented in the first volume, but sports both a new color scheme and a different series of animation clips. As for extras, viewers will be happy to hear the ever-informative "Now I get it! GA Lectures," have returned. Also in this volume are a textless closing, as well as a second promotional trailer. The trailer is a stark contrast to the one presented on the first volume and paints the series in a light that's more on-key with the show's current bouncy tone.

Galaxy Angel appears to be keeping up with the high standards that the first volume has set with releative ease. The introduction of some much-welcomed character development only helps to ice this already delectable morsel of a series. Hopefully the third volume will be able to continue to run with the momentum that this volume and its predecessor have already generated.

Distributor: Bandai Entertainment
Creator: Broccoli / Madhouse
Released: 2001

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