ADV Films presents
Najica Blitz Tactics: Vol. 2 (2001)

"Ladies don't act like that."
- Najica Hiiragi (Yumi Touma)

Review By: Jeff Ulmer   
Published: October 21, 2003

Stars: Yumi Touma, Juri Ihata, Kira Vincent-Davis, Monica Rial
Other Stars: Iemasa Kayumi, Unsyou Ishizuka, Asako Momo, Sanae Kobayashi, Natsuko Kuwatani, Andy McAlvin, Mike Kleinhenz, Mandy Clark, Melissa Williams, Kim Prause
Director: Katsuhiko Nishijima

MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (17+ for nudity)
Run Time: 01h:32m:55s
Release Date: September 30, 2003
UPC: 702727054525
Genre: anime

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
A	B+	A	A	C+

DVD Review

The second of three volumes brings another four installments in the panty-laden spy adventure Najica series. Secret agent Najica Hiiragi and her android sidekick, Lila, continue to battle the bad guys in a flurry of bullets and high cut skirts.

First on the agenda is thwarting the plans of a maniacal terrorist who has secured an intercontinental ballistic missile, and is planning to use it to blow up a country he wants to take over. Sailor suits abound as the girls penetrate his submarine hideaway before the clock runs out. The pair are then faced with a rogue Humaritt who is accidentally activated without a master after being stolen, a situation that has never happened before, making their opponent extremely unpredictable and lethal. With Lila out of commission, Najica must return to working solo as she has to rescue a defecting child prodigy from the government agents bent on her retrieval. Finally, the girls are hired to provide security at an international air show exhibition, where the latest in fighter technology is being unveiled, all the while knowing that a Humaritt agent is on her way to steal one of the main attractions.

The series continues in a fairly episodic fashion, but does tie together in linearly as well. There is plenty of action, with a very James Bond feel to the stories, and each one offers new challenges that keep things interesting. Lila's character continues to play straight man to Najica, with her innocent and ignorant behavior providing laughs at just the right moment. Their interaction works well, as Najica warms to the idea of the young girl, and Lila keeps trying to act human, while not quite succeeding. There still isn't much in the way of background for the Humaritts, aside from a few hints along the way, but their origin continues to be a point of intrigue, as is their deployment. The characters are strong, and the plots for each episode well written, without much dead air, and once adjusted to the panty-heavy direction, the cinematography is actually quite well executed. For fans of shows with girls, guns, and underwear, Najica is sure to please.

Rating for Style: A
Rating for Substance: B+

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Review: The 4:3 "Pantyvision" image looks great, with bright, vivid colors, and solid black levels. There is a modest bit of aliasing, and a few interlace artifacts, but otherwise this is a very solid transfer.

Image Transfer Grade: A

 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	Japanese	yes
Dolby Digital 5.1	English	no

Audio Transfer Review: Audio is again available in both Japanese 2.0 and English 5.1 tracks. The Japanese audio is solid, with a decently directional and dynamic soundstage. Dialogue is clear, and free of any distortion. The 5.1 track is, as expected, more enveloping, and louder. Neither track evidenced any technical deficiencies.

Audio Transfer Grade: A

 

Disc Extras

Full Motion menu with music
Scene Access with 20 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
6 Other Trailer(s) featuring Angelic Layer, Steam Detectives, Super GALS!, Original Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy, Neo Ranga, Zaion.
2 TV Spots/Teasers
1 Feature/Episode commentary by Andy McAvin, Mike Kleinhenz
Packaging: Amaray
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual

Extra Extras:

1. Clean opening and closing credits
2. Production sketches
3. Lila's On Call Mission Announcement

Extras Review: Extras are consistent with the first volume, with clean opening and closing credits, a selection of production sketches set to the soundtrack, a pair of Japanese TV spots, and a "mission announcement."

Commentary on the last episode is provided by Andy McAvin and Mike Kleinhenz, who voice the characters of Gento and Majima. If the commentary on the last volume was risqué, this one is downright perverted, as the men waste no time pouring adulation over the prolific panty shots. Definitely not for the kiddies.

Trailers include Angelic Layer, Steam Detectives, Super GALS!, Original Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy, Neo Ranga, and Zaion.

Extras Grade: C+

 

Final Comments

The second volume follows its predecessor in an action- (and panty-) packed series of episodes. While the novelty of the underwear fest has faded, the show still manages to provide a solid amount of entertainment value. Whether the concluding volume can provide a payoff to the underlying plot will determine whether we have a winner here or just some decent adventure with copious eye candy.

 

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