▪	RELEASED BY:		ADV FILMS
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCEEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DD 5.0 / JAPANESE DD 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		100
		▪	RATING:		TV 14
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		01/15/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		12/31/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Despite the ongoing secret war with the Viruses, Sumire struggles to have an ordinary life. When a new group emerges, tearing the fragments – human souls – from people and turning them into monsters, Sumire’s dream of a normal life might meet with tragic results when her friends are targeted. The true nightmare begins for Lucia and Sumire in the second and penultimate volume of Venus Versus Virus.

Being only a three disc series, the second volume catapults the anime into a higher level of intrigue and action to get ready for the climatic finale coming up. Already a stand out dark Goth Lolita series filled with action and angst, it reaches a new plateau here when Lucia’s past is revealed. Tragedy doesn’t even begin to cover her origins and they feed directly into the present when the one who murdered her other may be behind everything: the Viruses, the fragments, her mother’s death, her golden eye, even Sumire. And the ties that Sumire is hinted strongly at having in this labyrinth of sorrow and violence is probably the biggest secret of all unveiled in these episodes. It explains so much, yet drives both girls into a confrontation they are not prepared for against enemies stronger than any Virus.

This is a well done tightly written series. It keeps up just the right level of intrigue and dramatic developments to compel the viewer without overwhelming them. The Goth-Lolli look combined with a darker, serious story is a winning combination in this short anime series. The evolution of the relationship between Lucia and Sumire is well paced, not feeling rushed or too slow, a feat considering the time constraints a brief 12 episode series represents. The introduction of the new villains is smoothly done, adding danger with mystery for a heady combination to leave viewers on the edge of their seats to see what will happen next.

EXTRAS:
Bonus features include ADV preview, and clean opening and closing animation. The second volume is offered not only as a regular disc edition but also with an art box to collect the whole series in.

IN SUMMARY:
Dark, compelling and addictive. Venus Versus Virus combines the best facets of Goth-Lolita designs with dramatic action for a hypnotic anime series.