Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage | |
|
| |
Studio : Geneon Entertainment, Inc.
Also involved: Madhouse Studios
Licenced by : Geneon Entertainment (USA)
Length : 12 Episodes
Year : 2006
Genre : Action - Adventure - Drama
Synopsis :
Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage continues the adventures of Rock and his newfound life in the Lagoon company. Rokuro Okajima (nicknamed Rock), Revy, Benny and Dutch of the Lagoon company find the going tougher than ever as they battle some of the toughest and meanest assasins and killers and become further embroiled in the fragile but deadly underworld struggles of Roanapur.
This part of the series is the continuation of the first series, the Black Lagoon.
Additional Notes: This series ranked #17 in Anime-Source's Best of 2006 poll.
Added : 2006-10-05
Synopsis by : Shinji87
Last update : 2008-02-22
Last update details : Modify info
Score : 7.78
Number of reviews : 9
Song(s) :
Opening #1 : MELL - Red Fraction
Ending #1 : EDISON - Don't Look Behind
Ending #2 : Minako Obata - The World of Midnight
Ending #3 : Breath Frequency - Peach Headz Addiction
Release(s) :
2007-04-07 -- Episode(s) 7 by Bakakozou & Conclave. BT Link
2007-01-21 -- Episode(s) 6 by Bakakozou & Conclave. BT Link
2007-01-03 -- Episode(s) 5 by Bakakozou & Conclave. BT Link
Found 16 releases. Click here to [ Find them! ]
Hits : 17789
[ Go Back to Main Page - Go Back - Post review ]
| |
Spot a mistake ? Want to send fresh information ?
[ Message an admin ]
Got a synopsis?
[ Send a synopsis ]
Found the latest episode?
[ Submit a new release ]
|
Posted by : crazy3jackal08 
Posted on : 2010-07-19 
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this series. It left me wanting more in an irritating manner. The thing is, I needed closure to several things in the series.
The story itself revolves around numerous story arcs that revolve around the cast's line of work. At times, I wonder if closure is truly needed. Maybe the makers wanted to leave it up to the audience's imagination.
The cast is like water and oil, trying to collide different worlds together. Each story arc compliments well with each cast member. It gives them the opportunity to share their thoughts and beliefs on a given situation, which is a clever way in building a strong foundation for character development.
There are also numerous references regarding celebrities, well-known locations, and historical events, which is a nice educational element. Only problem is, if you don't recognize them when they appear, then you'll probably be confused with the jokes.
Overall: Black Lagoon was worth the time given the fact I actually finished it within 3 days. Normally it takes me weeks, months sometimes, or just never getting to it at all. It's a nice ride from start to finish. Just be prepared to yank on your hair because you might end up wanting more.
Posted by : kevinchaosvs
Posted on : 2008-08-15 
Second Barrage returns with the same graphics quality and also the same OST, but does it mean that it is as good as season1? One plus point for season 2 is the variation in the animation for the ED. Since the praise for season 1 is generally the same as that for season 2, I’ll just cut short on it and get to the negative aspects of season 2 because, yes, season 1 is better.
Season 2 is much darker. Not that it is a bad thing; it is just that somehow, it lacked the vibe of season 1: while season 1 was dark in a badass manner, season2 was dark…but in a gloomy way. In short, Second Barrage lacked the "craziness" that made season 1 so enjoyable.
As though trying to make the scenes realistic, they had the characters speak English between the confrontations with characters from other countries. Unfortunately, the seiyuu themselves clearly do not speak English well. Apart from, ironically, making the scenes more fake, the situations were just so ridiculously ludicrous. The Engrish-ness of it was just so… …weird. The biggest irony is from Rock: he showed displeasure (more complains as compared to season1) about the lawless lifestyle, yet still chooses to stick with the Lagoon Gang!?
Considerably disappointing but still watchable. Besides, the story did follow the manga, so this is more of the manga's fault, rather than the anime's failure. In fact the anime is better than the manga, just that these parts of the story are the not-so-good ones.
Posted by : Molenir
Posted on : 2008-04-24
After watching the first 12 episodes of Black Lagoon, I was hoping to see more of the same fun rockin series, continued with no morals or preaching, just kick butt action. However I while there was certainly a lot of action, the story developed much differently then the first season did. Instead of being a lot of fun, it became very dark and depressing, as every other arc, including the final one were just horror.
I won't get into details, but to put it simply, if the story had ended with the first season, after watching the second season, I wouldn't have been disappointed. After watching this though, its left a rather sour taste in my mouth. Like eating something that tastes good initially, but leaves a horrible aftertaste. Thats what this series is like.
The visuals and action as I mentioned are just as good as they were in the first season. The music, somehow despite being the same seemed even more intense. One of the obvious problems that I noticed was in the 3rd Arc, which takes place in Japan. Rock is there to translate for Balalaika who supposedly speaks English, Revy tags along with him. So here you have 2 people who supposedly speak English, but instead what comes out is very bad Engrish. I suppose the Seiyuus did their best, but it really was bad. Figuring out what they were saying in English was more difficult then if they had just stuck to Japanese.
Overall, I don't recommend the Second Barrage. It takes what was a fun series, and turns it dark and tragic. While different from Cowboy Bebop in the respect that Rock and Revy survive, its not all that different otherwise. The second Barrage has 3 arcs, of them, I would rate only the second one as being worth watching. The other two just aren't fun to watch, like the first series was. Unless you feel like you absolutely have to finish, I'd recommend you just watch the first 12 episodes, and then quit there. Give the rest of this a pass. If ever a 3rd Barrage comes out, I'd like to see a bit more development between Rock and Revy, and I'd like them to go back to what worked so well in the first season. Otherwise, it probably wouldn't be worth the trouble.
Posted by : Terentius
Posted on : 2008-03-14
After watching the first half of Black Lagoon, I expected much more of the same.
Story and characters
It definitely has a randomness about it, but as a fan, all I'm concerned about was the action and in this regard it delivers. It doesn't really deliver all that much regarding individual story originality, but Black Lagoon isn't renowned for that. Again, character development took a bit of a surprise turn. I was expecting something to really develop between the uber-aggressive Revy and Rock, but alas all that that amounted to was a generally warming to Rock from Revy. She was less of a hot-head this time round. The rest of the cast didn't change...much.
Animation
I didn't notice much of a change really. It was the same quality as the earlier season, which was pretty decent.
Sound
It was annoying at times to hear the Japanese VA's very noble attempts at conversing in English. I watched a fansub but when I finally get my hands on Geneon's version, I'm certain this will be cleared up. The opening and ending were good, but the score was 'muted' at best.
Summary
It carried on where the first left off. I expected more regarding character development, but for what we had, I was content. Pretty much the same as the first. I would have awarded 4.5 stars like it's predecessor, but rather than building on what what was a promising start, it just remained almost 'stagnant'. Solid and decent stuff.
Posted by : sssl0202
Posted on : 2008-01-12
Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage is seinen anime following the first season.
The second season does have its twists. Unlike first season, it is less about the individual characters of Lagoon, specifically Rock and Levy. The story tends to revolves around more event focused than character focused.
It is slightly disappointing to now being able to see more growth of Rock and the grow of relationship between Rock and Levy, but interesting plots makes up for it.
In very typical seinen anime fashion, the actions are brutal and bloody. The plot has some messed up situations and you get that "man that was ****ed up!" moments.
To be brutally honest, it's nothing special. It's fairly common thing in seinen materials.
Of course there is one thing that changes it all. Which is once again Levy.
However, this time around, she is much more tamed. She still has that beast-like aggression, but at times she shows some softer side. In second season, you actually get to see her wearing a skirt.
The fans of the first season would most likely be fond of second season. Some might be disappointed with lack of development between Rock and Levy, but it's not disappointing enough to be an issue. Some fans might be more disappointed about Levy losing that fierce crazy look. That could be an issue, but not big enough issue for you to be unable to enjoy rest of the anime.
If you like gun action, messed up story, really really really horribly spoken English (if you watch it in Japanese), and hottest anime babe of all time (hottest, most certainly not cutest) then I recommend this anime. Black Lagoon will provide you with solid, not epic, but solid entertainment.
Posted by : du5k
Posted on : 2007-12-08
Plot-wise
In the first season, the plot is a more about the development of the Revy and Rock, at least that’s the only thing that’s “progressing". However in the second season, it’s more about the jobs they took and how they went on to finish it. Each story (job) is good, but I was hoping for a main plot to go with.
Story-wise
The randomness is pretty cool and badass, since the show is mainly about the action. Although if it become more realistic, the action would be nicer, as these guy seem to be able to dodge bullets. If you’re looking for development you see in the first season, you might be disappointed. And sadly, most of these stories (jobs) end up in a sad conclusion, which isn’t very satisfying for me.
Quality
I realize Japanese schools teach students to speak “Engrish" to began with, so it’s not really their fault, but I can barely understand when they start talking English. It’s particularly frustrating as I can’t get subs for those dialogs either.
The animation is as detailed and smooth as ever, and the action gets even more intense, probably to the role of girl from the Church of Violence. The music is just the same; cool, not but really worth listening to.
Overall
If you like the first season, this is worth watching. I’ll say that this is enjoyable, but not very satisfying. 4 for quality and 3.5 for enjoyment, giving this a 8.
Posted by : MrSentimental
Posted on : 2007-09-19
I really enjoyed the first 12 episodes of Black Lagoon, which made me look forward to the Second Barrage. This had the same very good artwork, cool opening theme song, and interesting characters. I can't say that I really liked the storyline/direction of the Second Barrage though.
Again, the storyline isn't really the big draw with this series, but I found the direction here to perhaps make the characters LESS appealing. I think I was hoping for more info or plot that told more about why the main characters ended up the ways that they did, or that the relationships between the main characters would develop in certain stronger ways. But this did not seem to happen here.
Instead, I didn't find anything any more virtuous about Revy's killing sprees, which were making her less likeable. And Rock's angst over leading the gangster-life vs. the "normal" life was getting confusing and wasn't all that entertaining.
So, it's worth a see if you enjoy the first 12 episodes, but I didn't find it as satisfying as I would have hoped. Maybe there'll be a Third Barrage that gives us more character development. Otherwise, I was finding the gangster/military lifestyle here to be only so-so. 7 out of 10 Rating. 3 1/2 STARS.
Posted by : kovich87
Posted on : 2007-03-06
This is a good second season to a anime. Usually I don't like second or third season anime but I thought this one was done pretty well.
Plot: 9/10
Starts out amazing. I was drawn into it even more then with the first season. Ending wasn't as good. I thought that it just ended as if there could've been more.
Characters: 10/10
The same characters that I fell in love with from the first season and some new ones that are really likable. Still some characters could've had more of a role and they could've gone more in depth with them.
Sound: 9/10
Music and voices were great. I do have to agree that was a lot of English and it did get complicated at times to follow.
Animation: 10/10
Looks great. The fight scenes were magnificent.
Overall: 9/10
A good second season. Once again recommended to anyone especially those who love shounen anime.
Posted by : Melancoholic
Posted on : 2007-02-19
The second season of Black Lagoon is both better and worse than the first. It's better in that the mood is darker, the stories are more uncompromising, the characters more complex, the action more visceral (by far)... and it's worse in that, towards the latter half of the series, there's a lot of Engrish. And I mean a LOT. It may be better Engrish than most other series would ever be able to manage, but it's still Engrish and after a while it starts to hurt my head. And not just the Engrish itself, but also the weird situations that spring up because of the use of Engrish. For example, when you have a Japanese person playing a Russian speaking in English which is then translated back into Japanese but then subbed in English, things become just a little confusing. Likewise, when a Japanese person playing an American talking partly in Engrish and partly in Japanese to a Japanese person supposedly speaking English (but which is really subbed Japanese) and a Japanese person who doesn't understand the Japanese which is supposed to be English meaning the two don't understand each other, even though really they're speaking the same language... Well, like I say, it makes my head hurt. Perhaps I'm just thinking to deeply about it, though.
Engrish aside, Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage is excellently written. The deep philosophical exploration that borders all of the violence is as good as it was in the first season, and the style with which the action takes place is at once brutal and beautiful. Of course this wouldn't be Black Lagoon without a bit of silliness as well, which, in this season, comes in the form of a guy that can chop flying bullets in half with his sword. Fortunately that doesn't get too much in the way of the realistic grit and grime that I've come to love in this series. Even when added to the Engrish, of which I think I mentioned there's a lot.
So then, to the score. Normally at this point, I'd give Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage marks on all its different aspects, but having reviewed the first season, I don't think I have to. Suffice to say, The Second Barrage does everything that the first season does, but marginally better. Because of that, where I gave the first season an 8/10, this one probably deserves a 9/10 for consistently being just that little bit better. The Engrish may be a bit of a downer, but fortunately the series is easily strong enough to make up for that one flaw.
|
|
|
|
|
There are currently, 235 guest(s) and 4 member(s) that are online.
You are Anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking here
|
|
|
|
|
