The second Sakura Wars OVA series is a decent improvement
over the first series. The first three episodes are still a tad weak though. In
episode one we have Maria facing an old adversary; in episode two Iris escapes
the pressures of performing; and in episode three the gang faces the ghost of
an actress. Neither really funny or dramatic, these feel average, though seeing
the characters being their usual (predictable) selves is a treat. Things get more
interesting in the last 3 episodes though. Episode four is a riot when the gang
plays out the Red Lad characters while saving a neighbourhood from some hoodlums.
Episodes five and six are a tad more serious when Sakura goes back to her hometown
for a wedding. They provide a nice backstory on Sakura, Yoneda, and Sakura's father.
The emotions expressed here are worth watching.
The
art is quite nice, and the character designs still resemble Kosuke Fujishima's
(Oh My Goddess, You're Under Arrest, Ex-Driver) attractive
original designs. Things are marred a bit by the jarringly smooth digital panning
and the obnoxious CG effects. The all-star seiyuu cast and the traditional Sakura
Wars opening "Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan" still work great.
This is an uneven, but ultimately entertaining show,
but I've got to wonder - where are the Koubu? There's not a single one in sight
in the show itself even though the opening animation shows plenty of Koubu action.
(3.5)
