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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to ADV Films for sending a copy for a review for this site. I always think that this wonderful series will never end, but I guess wrong! The famous strange computer, Kaname & Sousuke, are back for another round of explodoing fun! Here we are, another season of Full Metal Panic, Fumoffu! However, you won't see any battle in a foreign country or out to save the world, the battleground is right in the school ground! This time, it's back to the normal life on a student for Sousuke, or is it? Who says being a civilian is easy? Sousuke's duty is always there. He thinks the world is off to get him. First off, Sousuke got himself his first love letter, which ends up getting Kaname kidnapped! Next up, with all the choas that Sousuke is causing up, a teacher is out to seek revenge. There is one thing that Sousuke has learn, never get Kaname's upset! Off to a race of a lifetime. Finally, a trip to the beach, sunny day with a relaxing day, right? Not with Sousuke around.
Video:
ADV Films did a very great job. I found no problem, the image are clear & the color looks perfect. Though, they did translated the Japanese credits to English in the introduction & ending, but they left the Japanese texts intact in the episodes. The episodes are on a different track, so there will be a small loading time when you move on to the next episode. Each episodes are separated into 5 parts: introduction, part A, part B, ending & the preview for the next episode, except for the first episode, since you got prologue! I do note that you can skip all those warnings & logos when you first load the DVD by just pressing the "Menu" button on your remote control.
Dubbing: English:
The dubbing is really great. The cast returns once again to their roles. I'm not sure, but I feel that their character's voice have improved since the first season release, but that's my thinking. It's about 85% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 5.1:
Unable to test it, since I don't have a 5.1 surround system, I can't really say much.
Audio XX: English 2.0:
Just letting you know, there isn't an English 2.0 audio track on this DVD. This is artificially made from the 5.1 audio track, that's why I noted it as "XX". I found no problem with the audio, but I bet it would be alot more interesting with the 5.1.
Audio 02: Japanese 2.0:
No problem found.
Subtitle:
ADV Films have selected a great font, very easy to read. They use yellow for the introduction, ending themes & the Japanese dialogue & white for Japanese signs & text. There are two tracks of subtitling. One track is for the sign subtitling & the other one is for the Japanese dialogue. I might note that every odd numbered episodes, the intro & ending subtitles are in English, while the even numbered episodes are in Japanese on this volume.
Menu Option:
The menu have kept the same design as the first season, except, since the second season has a more fun love comedy theme, it's more of a light blue this time, along with a Chibi version of Sousuke & Kaname walking along the side. It's like you're moving in a high-tech machine. There isn't a "Play All" nor a "Screen Access" features, just a selection of one of the 3 episodes, "Set Up" & "Extras", along with a preview of Volume 02. Any selections you will make the menu move mechanically as it changes & if you look closely, you can see Kaname's teddy bear. The background music is the preview music from the first season. The extra section same music as the menu, but the the others are just sound effects.
DVD Extras:
There isn't much extras on it, just a non-credit opening & ending. There is also a character artwork section, showing off the character deisngs from the episodes of this volume. They also have the original Japanese TV trailers. Last, there is a note about the series, explaining why this DVD release is different then the original release in Japan (it was censored in Japan due to social issues).
Packaging:
Here we are, a totally different, but colorful design then the first season. It's a little more sexier. On the cover, you get to see Kaname & her best friend Kyoto in their hot sexy swimsuit! In the back, there is lots of screenshots from the episodes in this volume. There isn't really an insert, but a very cool board game based on the series. It's pretty cool to try it out. On the DVD disc itself, keeping the same colorful, you get to see Kaname holding a bazooka!
PC Viewing:
Watching it on the PC is the same as watching it on the TV. Very clean, no problem at all, very little pixel (little squares popping in & out), both normal mode & full screen mode. The sound is just great. Since the episodes are on different tracks, it will take time to load when you move on to the next episode. Like on your regular DVD player, you can skip the warnings & logos when you load the disc, just use the "menu" option to go to the menu screen.
Overall DVD Rating:
Once again, you just can't enough of this series! I really do suggest to check out the first season to get to know the characters. At times, I feel I miss the battle, but it got enough fun to make up for it. This series started off with a bang, along with lots hilarious moments that will keep you hooked!
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