▪	RELEASED BY:		ADV FILMS
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		4:3 FULL SCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		100 MIN
		▪	RATING:		TV 14
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		12/11/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		11/30/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		SCOTT CAMPBELL

Pumpkin Scissors? When you first hear a title like that, you really don’t know what to expect. Right off the bat, we can almost assure you that this new anime from ADV Films has nothing to do with Halloween. Pumpkin Scissors takes place in a war ravaged world much like our own, but set in a period that looks like a mix of Victorian times and the WWII era. Two factions, the Empire and the Republic, have fought a long war against each other for reasons unknown to us at the moment - but then decided to sign a cease-fire agreement since both sides had suffered so much. Pumpkin Scissors mainly takes place in a time three years after this cease-fire had been made. Despite the cease-fire between the two factions, the world is a desolate and violent place. The bloody war between the Empire and the Republic left a deep wound throughout the Empire. In the time after the cease-fire, now known as the “Thin Ice Treaty,” the Empire is still plagued with starvation and disease, while bandits of former soldiers terrorize the populace. The Empire is now fighting another battle to repair the destruction of war. That’s where a special army unit comes in: Imperial Army Intelligence Section III, also know as “Pumpkin Scissors.” The Pumpkin Scissors work together to give war relief to the many people still suffering from the after affects. Many ex-soldiers are now bandits that threaten villages and the people that live there. There are also many tyrannical dictators and nobles within the land that use their power to cause suffering. Beyond those threats from other individuals and groups, the people also suffer from low moral and a sense of hopelessness. The Pumpkin Scissors, vigorously led by the easily excitable 2nd Lieutenant  Alice L. Marvin, are a guiding light to the people of their country, and so the story revolves around this military group’s engagements and trials to help keep peace and hope alive in a world in need of some positive action.

Pumpkin Scissors volume two continues the story of Section III with a variety of missions for the people trying to get by after the war. The general mood and direction of the series seems to be delving into some more “personal” issues – those of a very human nature. First off, the group starts to be more and more accepting of their new comrade, the tank destroying big guy straight from the infamous 9th battalion. He’s actually a really nice guy, despite the dark secrets of his past that will surely surface sometime in the near future of this series. He’s hurt badly enough from the last sortie with a tank that he needs to be hospitalized, and Section III members go to visit him everyday. The man in the bed next to him becomes his friend as they have many hours to talk about life in general. The man is sick and unfortunately has to miss work for a week – his boss actually comes into the hospital to tell him he has to be fired because they can’t keep on a man that has to be kept from work that long. The man is devastated, and goes missing the next day. Section III realize he may be in trouble and search the hospital. He’s up on the roof, planning to jump off to commit suicide, but in a very suspense filled discussion with him, they finally talk him down – just in time for a blast of wind that almost sends him backwards off the building. He’s caught just in the nick of time, and Section III manages to save another life – a good accomplishment, even if it’s just one man. We also get to see some of Alice’s home life, which is really quite funny. She comes from an incredibly wealthy family with noble status, though you’d never think it. Her sisters are too funny! And the guys that want to court her are the most ridiculous people – she can’t stand them for many obvious reasons. Section III also races through a snowy mountainous region to bring medication to a remote town in need of help. They’re thwarted by bloodthirsty bandits all the way to their mission objective, almost not making it in time. It’s a funny coincidence that the town is actually the hometown of the bandit leader and most of his cronies – he didn’t realize the good that Section III was trying to do for his hometown. It almost says to you as a viewer: “Sometimes conflict is only born out of misunderstanding.” It’s a good lesson!

All in all, Pumpkin Scissors is a series with an intriguingly evolving story line and some hair-raising action sequences that really allow this anime to shine. The characters are getting more and more interesting as we get to know them better – the humorous run in with Alice’s family really shed some light on what makes her so interested in helping those that are not as well off as she. It’s a well thought out show with good animation and a story that makes you want to see the next episode right away – you really can’t ask for more than that!

EXTRAS:
Clean Opening Animation, Clean Closing Animation, ADV Credits, and ADV Previews.

IN SUMMARY:
Pumpkin Scissors continues to impress, adding new depth and intrigue as it moves along through this second volume. A well balanced piece of entertainment – both comedic and action packed, with a heartfelt set of characters, just for good measure!