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AKA: N/A
Genre: Sci-fi / action
Length: OAV, 40 minutes
Distributor: R1 DVD from ADV Films
Content Rating: 12+ (mild violence, fan service)
Related Series: Sol Bianca, Sol Bianca: The Legacy
Also Recommended: Sol Bianca, Sol Bianca: The Legacy, Crest of the Stars, Banner of the Stars, Stellvia of the Universe, Robotech, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star
Notes:
Rating:

Sol Bianca 2

Synopsis

The plot thickens as the crew of the Sol Bianca encounters some pirates with a grudge and is hit by a missile containing a virus. This has the unfortunate effect of making the pilot, June, ill. And, since she's not human, she can't be cured through conventional means.


Review

And anyone who thinks this sounds exciting and suspenseful would be right. Unfortunately, outside of Sol Bianca: The Legacy -- which is, as I understand, a prequel anyway -- that would also be ALL you get. And that is a BIG shame.

The art and animation quality in Sol Bianca 2 is pretty much the equal of the first OAV episode. Nothing more and nothing less. The crew looks the same, though you DO get to see them in more casual wear, and -- much to my surprise -- even running around in their underwear in the beginning.

The VAs are, like in the prequel, doing their job admirably. And the music was just as forgettable -- literally -- as in the prequel.

The biggest problem this OAV has, is that it builds up on the story and characterisations and then leaves people hanging. Yes, this is the last story element in the saga. And seeing as it was released around ten years ago (give or take a few years) I seriously doubt you will ever see the conclusion to it. But, unlike the prequel, you can't just watch this and come out of it with a conclusive ending. Sol Bianca just set off too many plot elements and didn't finish one of them. As such, it borders on pure torture having seen it.

You see, THIS is where things started turning really interesting. Some hints are dropped, like June's apparent non-humanity and connection with the Sol Bianca, solidified even further with the appearance of a mysterious VIP, who had his own "June." And it's quite apparent that this OAV series was SUPPOSED to be continued. Why it wasn't? I can't say.

But it's because of this that I can't really recommend you watching this unless you don't mind being left hanging for eternity. Sol Bianca: the Legacy MIGHT answer some of these questions, though I won't know before I see it myself. From what I hear, it doesn't. You can watch the first OAV episode and get away with it since it doesn't really leave any loose ends you would be desperate to know more about. This one doesn't, however, and should therefore be left alone.

It's a good OAV, but it leaves too much unanswered.Stig Høgset

Recommended Audience: The violence level of this one is just about the same, perhaps a little lower, than in Sol Bianca. However, there is some fan service in the form of underwear shots in this one. Oddly enough, the VHS copy I have is rated 12+. Compared to the first one, which was rated 15+, I guess we can conclude that onscreen violence is a bigger issue than panty shots.



Version(s) Viewed: UK VHS, Japanese with English subtitles (Kiseki)
Review Status: Full (1/1)
Sol Bianca 2 © 1991 NEC / Avenue
 
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