Story
The following day after Sanosuke and Kenshin's first battle, Sanosuke once again challenges Kenshin to a final dual. During the fight, Sanosuke reveals his past and the reasoning behind his hatred for the Imperialists. When the battle ends, Sanosuke discovers Kenshin's new way of living and decides to follow him around to be certain that Kenshin will never kill again.

With this battle over, everyone rests easy again, returning to their peaceful life styles. However, the Police Chief who tried to arrest Kenshin in the first volume returns to ask for Kenshin's assistance in dealing with an serial killer who has been slaying Imperialists for ten years. Kenshin agrees and discovers that the serial killer is a former Hitokiri from the revolution as well. However, this assassin still desires the smell and sight of blood. In order to defeat this Hitokiri, Kenshin may have to revert back to who he once was during the revolution and kill once more. Episodes 5 - 8. 

Packaging
Still retaining the same flower-type background genre as the first volume, the main images are of Sanosuke, Kurogasa, and Kenshin for this volume. The title appears at the top in a nice sized font and the DVD title is once again at the bottom. 

The back cover as well is laid out similar to the first volume, containing a daizenshyu quality image at the top followed by screen captures and a short description of the episodes contained followed by episode titles and a summary of the story behind each one appears to the right of the screen captures. Below these two is production information and a "Special Features Include" image discussing what extras are on the disc.

Extras within the DVD casing include a feedback slip as well as episode listings. The episode listings slip is laid out with the same cover as the DVD as the background with the episode listings as they appear in the "scene selection" menu. To the left of this are four screen captures.

Menus
The menu is an exact replica of the first volume, minus the music. Since I wasn't too thrilled about how the first volume's menu layout was, not having the music to accompany the screen this time made the menu horrible. Further, the "scene access" icon is not included on the main page, but rather in the extras menu. You also cannot move freely through the menu using the arrow keys, you have to use a certain one of the "up, down, left, right" buttons in order to get to a certain point when at another, you can't use any of them. (Does that make sense?) 

English
Once again the dialogue remains fairly close to the original, only changing in order to fit with the mouth movements. The voices are fairly well chosen, some of the very minor characters were extremely annoying. The main villain in this DVD, Jinei Udou, had a Voice Actor who tried to sound maniacal and insane, but didn't quite pull this off due to some scenes where he sounds like a normal guy. The surprise in this DVD was the Voice Actor for Kenshin pulling off the Hitokiri form very well. I was surprised by how well Kenshin's VA sounded during his battle with Jinei; he sounded very angry and you even got a sense of Kenshin's killing instincts. When I first heard Kenshin's American VA, I didn't think he would be able to pull off Kenshin in his true form.

Japanese
Subtitles in this version are white with a black border; the words are very easy to see and read. The subtitles themselves seem to have improved, the translations are done very well. 

The Japanese voice actor for Udou Jinei was dead on with the persona meant for the character. He sounded completely mental and out of his mind, desiring nothing more than blood.

Though I said that the American VA gave a great performance as Kenshin in the episodes contained on this DVD, the original VA, Suzukaze Mayo, was still much better in performance. However, those unaccustomed to the Japanese version may prefer the American VA in some episodes. 

Extras
Six extras appear on this DVD that vary in quality. Some of the extras are an improvement over the first volume, yet others are a step back. The first extra listed is "scene access" which really should have remained on the title menu. The scenes are arranged by saga or episode if you prefer, however you can only access the beginning or middle of the episodes, instead of the opening, beginning, middle, ending, and preview as it should have been. The next extra is an art gallery, containing twenty-one images of mostly screen captures. This is followed by character profiles, containing the profile for two characters, Aoshi Shinomori and Megumi Takani. After this extra comes a textless closing song, which does not need an explanantion. The next to last extra is liner notes, which in this volume is actually interesting and informative, explaining the meanings behind attacks, sword styles, and names used. Finally comes out-takes; an extra which shows some scenes in which the American VAs screwed up their lines. The character VAs included on this are for Yahiko, Sanosuke, and Kaoru. The one thing that bothered me (which doesn't usually) is the amount of swearing that Sanosuke's VA does whenever he messes up. It isn't that big of a deal to go saying "F*&^" whenever something goes wrong.

Final Thoughts
Despite the lack of time put into making a quality menu for this DVD, the excitement contained within each episode makes up for this. Much more of Kenshin's past is revealed as well as the origin of the name "Battousai" and you are shown a glimpse Kenshin's Hitokiri form. For any fan of the Rurouni Kenshin series, this is a must have DVD. Later minna!

© Eric.