Gunslinger Girl II: Il Teatrino

Synopsis:

The girls that bring death to your doorstep are back for a second season. Bullets fly, knives cut, and the blood still flows... somewhat, but this time... we get to see the young ladies outlook on life on a more personal level.


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 13


Review:

Short synopsis eh? But really, there isn't much more to it than that from season one as all this anime does is expand upon season one on a more personal level this time around. We still have our group of under-aged assassins but for the second season the girls have something extra added to thier character... personality. You're either going to like or just not accept the new attitudes as it almost doesn't fit but the thing is that was one of my main gripes with the first season as everyone had about as much enthusiasim as a cardboard box. This time the girls will giggle, laugh, smile, get angry, cry, even show a little jealousy. But it's not just our loli assassins either, the handlers (or fratello in this season which means brother) are actually showing some compassion towards their little cyborg killer this time around. Hell, even other members within their government agency even support the idea that of instead of hiding emotions to let it be known that the fratellos actually care for or love their deadly sidekick. Now this... this was a complete opposite from the first season where the agency wanted emotions bottled up so as not to let the girls soften and become sidetracked.

So, does the new angle of characterization work for Gunslinger Girl II? In a word, no... This entire season is about as boring as the first and any real progress is only made in the last two episodes. Watching Guise get closer with Henrietta, seeing Triela's softer side and her fratello Hilshire responding to it, even Marco's regret from season one with him coming back as a more supportive somewhat likable person is all rushed development in the last couple episodes. If this had been mixed in with the lame terrorist plot and strung along the entire season things could have been more interesting but as it is all of it was done out of order and never really gets your attention until it's almost over.

I will commend the new animation style that gives you a more welcoming presentation rather than the cold look of disparity the first season had. But, the only real reason to watch this is if you've seen the first season and now you want to see how the girls spend their leisure time and that even though they are cyborgs they also have emotions. Less action, less bloodshed, weak ass main plot, but more characterization still makes for a boring series that holds about the same amount of interest it's first venture.

Gunslinger Girl II (opening)

Recommendation: |Below Average|