Search - Steel Angel Kurumi 2 - Earth's Guardian Angels (Vol. 2) on DVD

Lovable, but missing something

Chase Marshall | Ft. Collins, CO USA | 10/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first review I've ever not had at 5 stars. And sadly it's on a Kurumi DVD. This ends the Kurumi saga, and it was disappointing. I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't seen it though. I mean, it's a funny disc, and I enjoyed it, but the plot was weaker than the first. Still if you're a fan of Kurumi get it."

Disappointing but Still Good

Michael B. Morrison | Burbank, CA United States | 10/09/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"These 6 episodes wrap up the 2nd season of Steel Angel Kurumi. The first season was a wonderful 28-part anime, but the 2nd season is a letdown in almost every category: weak storyline, weak secondary characters, and even the animation is not as good. I guess they had a lower budget for the 2nd season, which only runs 12 episodes. The animation is OK but not as good as the first season. There are a couple of good fight scenes, but due to the lack of any serious villain most of the fighting is between Kurumi and Karinka.If you already like Kurumi you'll enjoy the 2nd season but don't get your expectations too high. If you're new to the series, by all means get the first season instead, it's way way way better.I hope they do another serial but I heard this is the last one, if so that's too bad."

I think the series could've been longer, but it's still a gr

Nancy Malone | DFW, TX | 01/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ultimately, this disc is still great, but I don't think the episodes on it are "quite" as good plot-wise as those on the first. Plus, the ending disappointed me just a bit... Compared to the ending of the first season, along with that of "Steel Angel Kurumi: Zero", which has yet to be released anywhere but Japan. (I'm still confused about that, since I'd really like to own the actual dvd.)

One thing many SAK fans are wondering is why Kurumi doesn't remember her first master, Nakahito, but according to what I've read from the official Kurumi sites, along with the official "Steel Angel Kurumi 1, 2/Shiki, and Zero" book, it's because all three of the steel angels are NOT the same ones from the first season - they're supposed to be "newer", upgraded models that are duplicates of the originals, all with Mark II hearts this time. I'd been wondering why both Saki and Karinka were saying that they had Mark II hearts the first time I watched season two, when in the first season, only Kurumi did, so I suppose that explains it. So, those of you wondering why Kurumi doesn't remember her first life, it's supposed to be because it's, in fact, not the same Kurumi... Yep, it is unusual, since I agree with many that it's sad the way neither Kurumi, nor the other main trio, remember the life they had after their first awakening. I think it would've made the storylines much more elaborate. What I'm wondering is what, in fact, happened to the original models...

Another disappointment is the fact that unlike "Steel Angel Kurumi" and "Steel Angel Kurumi: Zero", the anime artist is not Yurika Chiba, who did other animes such as Figure 17. She is truly an outstanding anime artist. Still, I love "Steel Angel Kurumi 2/Shiki" due to its great humour and cute shoujo-ai moments.


In the first episode of the second disc, Karinka makes her first appearance of the second season, and kicks things off much like she did in the first season during her initial appearance; basically holding Saki captive, until fighting with Kurumi. Karinka has been sent by one-hundred practitioners (the head one being Nako's grandfather) to retrieve Kurumi & Saki since the practitioners fear for the Earth's future and feel the remaining steel angels can help put a stop to the world's slowly corrupting state.

However, Karinka falls for the same self-trap that she did in the first season; seeing the way Kurumi's heart is powered to colossally magnificent levels by the love of her master, and feels that if she kisses Nako, she'll have the same maximum power as Kurumi. Still, what Karinka DIDN'T expect was that she would eventually develop feelings for Kagura Nako, just like she did for Kagura Nakahito in the first season, and just like in the first season, these feelings help to change her initial personality in many ways as time progresses.

Uruka is still pining over Nako until her jealously reaches what seem to be insane levels; especially after she spots a commercial on television announcing that the winner of Nako's cello contest will have the prime opportunity to "study abroad." The episodes of SAK2 following Uruka's find-out tend to depict the main characters' feelings regarding this possibility, though I don't understand why none of the steel angels, nor Uruka, decided to just straight-out ask Nako about it as opposed to waiting until the last minute after tons of fighting only to hear that Nako is too young to take the trip to Europe. Also, Nako confesses that even if she could, she'd never want to leave her home, nor her friends & loved-ones. Throughout the second disc, Saki, my favourite character from the series, also continues to play pretty much the same role she did in the first season - watching the one, or in this case ones, she loves, in love with someone else. Even though I think the series could've had more episodes since it seemed a bit too short stopping at twelve compared to the first season's twenty-four, plus Encore, I think if Saki keeps working on Uruka, she could eventually get past her colder exterior.

The ending of season two leaves some cliffhangers, since unlike the first season that has much more of a true "ending" feeling, you expect more to come after watching season two's final episode - wondering things like "What'll happen now? Are there still other steel angels out there apart from the main trio? Will Uruka ever admit her real feelings for Nako?" and so on. But, I think the last episode of all animes leave you asking at least a few questions.

All-in-all, I still think season two or "shiki" of "Steel Angel Kurumi" turned out fairly nice, even if it seems a bit short (especially if you watch all twelve episodes straight-through). Still, it's a great anime, in my opinion! It has a light-hearted, sweet feeling to it. I still don't think it's quite as good as the first disc in a few ways plot-wise, but still a nice addition to your Kurumi collection! :) I sincerely hope my review helped those who read it.
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