The second volume of Texhnolyze continues with the intricate plot and multi-layered storyline that marked the first episodes.  The story grows more complicated and at the same time some elements become more clear.  This show becomes more intriguing as it goes along, with each episode drawing the viewer deeper into this unique world.

This volume advances the plot of all four major characters.  As the fifth episode starts, Ichise is struggling through the city on his newly Texhnolyzed limbs.  His robotic limbs are difficult to master, and climbing a flight of stairs is almost as difficult as when he was missing his leg.  Ran, as quiet and inscrutable as ever, seems to be drawn to the scruffy outcast, and ends up following him around, tacitly agreeing with what he does.  Why she watches him is a mystery.  Is it because of something she sees happening in the future?

Onishi is having the hard time as head of the Organo.  The truce he set up with the Union is very fragile, and war could break out at any time.  The low level street troops on both sides want to attack, and the two leaders are having a hard time keeping them in line.

Meanwhile the mysterious traveler Yoshii continues wandering through Lukuss gathering information and questioning people.  He seems to know very little about the way the city runs, but at the same time he seems to know all about some people.  His motives start seeming a little sinister, but why he has made the treacherous journey to Lukuss is still unknown, though hints are being dropped.

For each question this series answers, another pops up, making this world seem more mysterious.  This series does manage to revel just enough to keep you watching.  It's not a series that tries to be obtuse just for the sake of being mysterious.  You can feel that there is a definite method to the madness.   It will just take some time for the program to revel everything.  I for one, and willing to let them take their time.
 
There is a lot that this show has going for it.  There is an excellent music soundtrack.  The techno/industrial music, a genre I usually don't care for, works exceedingly well in this show.  It enhances the emotion of some scenes, while building the tension in others.  The music fits in very well with the city and is very appropriate.

The program also has amazing visuals.  The streets and the marketplace have an authentic look to them, with lots of detail giving the show a very realistic feel.  But there are also interesting scenes, like when the prostitute takes off her clothes and reveals a body cris-crossed with scars.  Powerful stuff.

Audio:

This DVD gives you a choice of a Japanese or English audio track, both in stereo, with optional English subtitles. I listened to half of the disc in each language. While I preferred the sound of the Japanese voice actors, I thought the English talent did a very good job. They made sure that the dialog matched the lip movements, and didn't try to go for any fake accents to make the characters sound unique.

The sound quality was very good, though I was hoping for a 5.1 mix for this show. There was some use made of the front soundstage at appropriate moments, and the dialog was clear and easy to hear. There wasn't any unwanted noise or hisses in the soundtrack, and the subtle sounds that were used throughout made this a nice sounding DVD.

Video:

The anamorphic widescreen video looked pretty good. The lines were a little soft, being slightly blurred, but this seemed to fit with the the transfer was very good. There were very few instances of compression artifacts. The colors were usually darker earth tones that reproduced well, and the contrast was very good. The image quality on this DVD goes well with the intricate and densely populated visuals.

Extras:

This disc contains a textless opening, and three minutes of outtakes.  The latter were pretty funny, made even more so by the serious aspect of the show itself.  Well worth a view.

There are also trailers for Gungrave, Demon Lord Dante and Heat Guy J.

Final Thoughts:

This series continues to entice and mystify.  Though it does move at a slow and deliberate pace, the program is not boring or plodding.  The mysterious aspect of the show keeps your attention riveted to the screen for clues.  Things are reveled as the show progresses, but not necessarily in a orderly fashion.  For though of you who are tired of anime shows where you can guess the ultimate outcome five minutes into the first episode, this series is for you.   Definitely Recommended.