Giant Robots vs. Dragons

This is the second volume of six that make up Bandai's Region 1 release of Escaflowne. The first disc introduced a large cast of new characters and introduced several conflicts. This second volume begins to resolve a few of them, but also introduces more.

The first disc left off with Van fleeing pursuit from a number of Zaibach guymelefs, the term used for the mecha of this series. This disc contains four episodes, and picks up where the first left off. In the first episode, Van is captured and taken prisoner on board a Zaibach floating fortress, where he unexpectedly meets someone very important to him. This episode also deals with Allen and Hitomi coming to his rescue. The second episode takes us to Valas, the capitol of the kingdom of Austuria. There, Van and the Escaflowne are interned, and even forced to fight a sort of exhibition match against several other guymelefs in some sort of coliseum. The last two episodes see Van, Merl, and Hitomi escaping from Valas and taking on a Zaibach mining camp. Meanwhile, the rest of our heroes depary for a neighboring kingdom to warn it of an impending Zaibach attack.

These episodes really help to flesh out the world of Gaea. We discover that there are many different kingdoms, of which Fanelia and Zaibach are only two. Hitomi discovers that there is some evidence that there have been other visitors from Earth, which opens up a whole Pandora's Box of questions and possibilities. The characters are also given a lot of development. We learn several details about both Van's and Allen's pasts, and we are given a good look at the conflicting emotions in Hitomi's heart. Even the Mole Man gets to explain his side of the attack he made on Hitomi in the first volume. There are also several new characters that are introduced, the most notable of which is Princess Milerna. On the whole, these characters all seem very three-dimensional and add a great deal to the overall story.

Visually and aurally, this disc conforms to the high standards set by the first. The animation is sharp, crisp and colorful. The dubbing also continues to be very well done. So far, it is really tough to choose between the dub track and the original Japanese track when watching this series.

The extras on this disc are of a different format than the ones on the first volume. They consist of a candid interview with the key Japanese voice actors in a bar-like setting. Although this special, dubbed "Club Escaflowne," is a little campy at times, it none the less provides a fascinating glimpse at the experiences of the people who brought this series to life. However, just as the menu warns, there are a lot of spoilers in this special. I would recommend holding off until you have seen the entire series to watch this one.

(WARNING! Minor spoilers follow. Highlight the invisible text to read them.)

There is a lot going on in these four episodes.  They depict Hitomi developing feelings for Allan Schezar and competing with Milerna over him, and Van being reunited with his brother Folken, whom he thought was dead but is instead working for the same Zaibach Empire that destroyed Fanelia. These conflicts beg for resolution. The result is that while these episodes are entertaining, they leave the viewer wanting more. Also, the Escaflowne is definitely one mean machine! Part Giant Robot, part Dragon, all bad-ass. I bet that Van's line about bonding himself to it with a blood-pact will become very important down the road.

(End Spoilers)

Overall, this second disc is even better than the first one. The events in this story are really beginning to take on a life of their own. I can't wait to see what the third volume will bring!

By Andy Rucker