Witchblade Vol. 2

Licensed By: MVM
Genre: Sci-Fi
Episodes: 5-8

Here I am with volume two of my flagship review title! I have been looking forward to this for some time, so assuming you are up to speed let’s get to it.

Basically, Witchblade Vol. 2 picks up from where Vol. 1 left off and we learn a lot about the Witchblade and the effect it has on its bearer. We are also given information regarding the Cloneblades, the NSWF and the backgrounds of Reiji, Reina and Yusuke. There are even allusions to little Rihoko’s parentage, which may explain why she seems pretty advanced for her tender age.

In addition, this volume boasts quite a few confrontations, though this is where the budget really seems to show itself, as there are a lot of shortcuts sprinkled throughout. Thus, those looking forward to epic battles will be sorely disappointed; there is a lot of trash-talking and teeth-baring, but not a lot of ass-kicking.

On the upside, the animation still maintains the standard that was established in the first volume. However, as mentioned, there are shortcuts in some places, such as distant shots and off-screen talking during somewhat lengthy conversations. Also voice acting is still decent in regards to both languages, though there are points where the Japanese is out of synch and it feels like both actors are trying just a little too hard for certain scenes.

Included with the DVD extras are a guide on comic development the Top Cow way, interviews with the Japanese cast and the standard textless songs and trailers.

Despite the shortfalls, the volume does a decent job of story and character development, and raises new questions that should be answered in due course. Thus I am very much looking forward to what’s coming up next, especially in regards to the weird circumstances of the confrontation in episode 8.