Brigadoon is a series that combines schoolgirl hi-jinks and manga-robot action, and actually makes it an interesting and satisfying combo. This is the second volume of Brigadoon from the folks at Tokyopop, so if you're unfamiliar with our cast, go read the review of Brigadoon Volume 1 to catch up, and then head back here for more fun with Marin and Melen Blue!

Episode 6
A mysterious gray being, similar to Melen, drops to Earth from Brigadoon, destroying an Air Force plane that intercepts him. Meanwhile, the cops surround Marin at her tenement. The residents move to help her, but the police quickly subdue them. Marin calls forth Melen, who is promptly shot by the jerk detective. Marin tells Melen to return to his ampoule to heal, and as long as the cops agree to leave everyone else alone, she'll go to the Police HQ with the detectives. Once at the station, Detective "Jerk-O" harasses Marin about what she knows, and beats her! Tossed in a cell, Marin is visited by Lolo, who warns her to leave. Fortunately, Midori is also at the police station for some unnamed offense, and picks the lock on Marin's cell. As the girls search for Melen's bottle (taken away as "evidence"), the gray creature - Pion Silver - arrives to get Marin and trashes any cop in his way. Will Marin find Melen before Pion finds her?

Episode 7
Marin and Midori use a fire hose and cause Pion's killing blow to miss Melen. Melen manages to slow down Pion using a live electrical line, but with police reinforcements arriving, Pion makes good his escape. The tenement family arrives and scoot Marin, Melen and Midori away as well. They all agree they will fight to the death to protect Marin. The detectives show up at the tenement all apologetic over their abuse of Marin; they've finally realize they need her help to solve the mystery of Brigadoon. A slab crushes the detective's new car - a calling card from Pion challenging Melen to a "final" battle. Marin makes Melen promise to come back to her. Melen does so, and heads off to his fate with Pion. You know a nice big fight ensues, but you'll have to watch to see how it all shakes out.

Episode 8
Mike repairs Melen's sword as Dr. Sho explains how Brigadoon is scooping up pieces of the Earth into itself. Marion decides to show Melen how to 'play' - an unknown concept to him. Melen suggests they include Moe, but her bitchy mother refuses to allow Marin to see Moe. Melen flies with Marin to Moe's window, where the girls agree to have Melen take them to the ocean that night. Of course, something falls from Brigadoon into the sea...That night, the girls and Melen go to a secluded cove on the coast, where they enjoy a bonfire and fireworks. Melen senses something amiss, and goes to investigate. Yep, it's another Monomachia in the ocean, heading towards the cove. Lolo appears and leads Marin and Moe into a cave, where the girls find another ampoule. In a lighthouse observing Melen, our boy of mystery, Makoto, comments the worlds are 'mutually collapsing', forcing Monomachia to our planet. Can Melen defeat the newest menace to Marin? And what's in that bottle?

Episode 9
The President is disturbed by the proliferation of Monomachia, and that chunks of Earth are being pulled to Brigadoon. At the tenement, Melen helps prepare dinner, Marin and Grandma discuss poetry, Dr. Sho thinks the Monomachia are attracted to Marin by radio waves, and Jun's boyfriend calls and asks her to move away with him. A torn Jun takes Marin and Moe to a public bathhouse. Moe is embarrassed by the nudity - it's her first time in a public bathhouse. Both girls are jealous of Jun's breasts, but when they find out they'll soon have their own, they break into song. One of the boys in the adjacent rooms spy on the girls, until stopped by Makoto. A pink female Monomachia glides into the men's room, cocooning an old geezer who objects. Marin tells Jun she needs to do what will make her happy, even if it's leaving the tenement. The pink Monomachia forms bubbles that lift the bathhouse, and Marin, towards Brigadoon. Lolo pops in and reminds Marin she has brought Poincoon's ampoule with her. Can the little turtle stop the pink threat and save Marin?

Episode 10
After winning at trip to the Expo, Marin and Grandma spend the day going on rides and seeing the sights. Moe arrives back at the tenement and wonders why Marin didn't take her. Grandma sends Marin off on her own so she can get some rest, but actually she's looking for something else at the Expo. Marin runs into Lolo, who leads her into one of the exhibition halls. There is yet another ampoule in one of the displays! Suddenly, the Expo buildings become alive and start to destroy everything else! Marin summons Melen to fight the monsters, and Pioncoon to protect Grandma. Oh no! A sucker-monster swallows both Melen and Marin! But our plucky gal has released a new Monomachia - the lion-like Kositon. Can this new ally stop the monster, free Melen and Marin, and keep Grandma safe, or will that be biting off more than she can chew?

The second volume of Brigadoon is very entertaining; however, the main story plot is barely moved along. There are still loads of questions about why Marin is so necessary to Brigadoon, and why Melen must protect her. Pion and Melen, who were once comrades, argue about Marin, but nothing is resolved and after Pion leaves, nothing more is said. The last three episodes focus mainly on Marin and her interaction with her family and friends, but the mysteries of Brigadoon take a back seat. I hope the creators are setting up for a rip-roaring finale, with the addition of the new Monomachia to aid Melen, because these episodes (8,9, & 10) leave one feeling the main story's been put on pause. The episodes are still very good, and I'm sure when taken in context of the entire series they'll fit in just fine. The characterizations continue to be the series' strongest point, and the viewer really cares for what happens to not only Marin, but also the entire tenement family and Marin's friends. The ending of Episode 10 is a truly moving moment.

The animation continues to be a mix of fluid "cartoon-y" style and the more technical "robot" style, but they work together very well. The picture quality is suburb, as well as the clear sound. The music is very nice too - a type of Celtic/Japanese hybrid. The release DVD will include dual-language options, "motion" menus, a "behind-the-scenes" feature (which I would have liked to see), cultural notes and outtakes.

While not moving the main plot along much, Brigadoon Volume 2 continues to be an interesting and entertaining series, with good characters and fine animation. I can hardly wait for the next DVD to see what kind of trouble Marin gets into, and how Melen will get her out.

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