The DVDs
Episodes 26 through 50 of "Animaniacs" are collected on five DVDs. The packaging remains the same as Volume One, with a well-designed, embossed "Steven Spielberg Presents"-branded slipcase, holding a four-panel digipak, with three trays and an episode breakdown. Four of the discs are overlapped, as has become something of a norm for multi-disc sets. The discs have static, anamorphic widescreen main menus, with options to play all episodes, select individual shows, view special features and adjust languages. Language choices include English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 tracks, along with French and Spanish subtitles, as well as closed captioning. Apparently the first volume didn't sell well in Brazil, as the Portuguese tracks and subtitles have been apparently dropped.

The Quality
The full-frame transfers on these episodes look a bit better than the first time around, though some of the trouble with dirt and damage can still be seen, especially in the intro animations that are reused again and again. The color is incredible bright and vivid, and considering the show's age, the set is surprisingly free of the pixilation that can crop up in traditional animation, making for a very solid image.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks created for this set are strong and clear, giving heft to the many musical numbers via surround speaker enhancement and a surprisingly heavy bass channel. There's nothing dynamic about the mixes, as there's no panning or directional effects, but the dialogue is clean and the music sounds great.

The Extras
There's just one real extra here, just like last time, and once again, Maurice LaMarche is involved, hosting "The Writers' Flipped, They Have No Script," a discussion of the show's writing. This half-hour featurette is a really nice supplement, putting a spotlight on some of the show's most important and least visible contributors. The participants, Paul Rugg, Sherri Stoner, John McCann, Peter Hastings, Charles Howell, Gordon Bressack, Earl Kress,Tom Minton, Randy Rogel, Nicholas Hollander, Tom Ruegger and Deanna Oliver, were separated into three groups sitting at tables, while LaMarche moderates. The content is very interesting for fans of the series, as it reveals a lot about how the show came together, including the origins of the characters. Though the extras are obvious slim, the featurette is made with a real interest in the show. This is not fluff in any way.

Annoyingly, each disc lists special feautres on the main menu, only to tell you they are found on another disc. At least this time, they tell you which disc, instead of sending you on a wild goose hunt. There are also a set of trailers on the final disc.

The Bottom Line
This set is more of the same, which is exactly what fans of the show want, as they couldn't come out with these sets fast enough to satisfy the hardcore. The second volume contains several classic shorts, including possibly the best Pink and the Brain show ever in "Bubba Bo Bob Brain," and the first appearance of (male) fan favorite Minerva Mink. The presentation remains rather high, with bright colors and new 5.1 soundtracks, and the only extra was made with the fans in mind. It's the rare series that can entertain adults and children to the same extent, which makes this a DVD collection for every household, with the exception of the utterly joyless household that doesn't have candy for Halloween. That's probably the home for people keeping us from having "Freakazoid" DVDs.

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*The Reviewer's Bias section is an attempt to help readers use the review to its best effect. By knowing where the reviewer's biases lie on the film's subject matter, one can read the review with the right mindset.