Animation Runner Kuromi 2 continues the Kuromi saga with multiple series, multiple deadlines, and more drama. Plus better animation!
Story:
So in the first Animation Runner Kuromi, it seemed like everything ended fine. At the beginning of Kuromi 2, we find out that Studio Petit is stuck with three anime to produce at once! Plus Shihonmatsu just quit smoking, so she’s going through all kinds of withdrawal.
A new character, Takashimadaira (try saying that five times fast), is hired to get the staff back on schedule. He’s basically the villain of the story, cutting corners and intimidating the animators into becoming robots. Can Kuromi keep the morale of the staff from becoming completely destroyed AND get the final product out?
Analysis:
The story of Animation Runner Kuromi 2 is much more dramatic and darker than its predecessor. In the first OVA, the only real enemy that the characters faced was the deadline (which is evil enough already). This time around, Takashimadaira gets things done, but tramples over everyone and everything to do it. The video of Luis Monde III without direction was hilarious. Compared to the one with direction, it looked like Crayon Shin-chan.
Speaking of animation, the quality of Kuromi 2 was like infinity times better than the first one. They used a lot of computer effects, like blur. It looked really good, which is sorta appropriate considering that this is an anime about anime production.
Kuromi looks a lot cuter in this DVD than the previous one. I dunno why. Maybe because she spends a little less time being emo? All I know is that Kuromi would make a heck of a mascot for the Japanese animator’s union or something like that.
One last thing. In the director interview, Akitaro Daichi said he originally wanted the Kuromi 2 to be a love story. I sensed a small amount (perhaps imagined?) of yuri tension between Kuromi and Shihonmatsu. Is this what he meant!? If so, I demand an Animation Runner Kuromi 3 with some yuri action!!!
The DVD and Extras:
The first Animation Runner Kuromi was a treasure trove of extras. Kuromi 2 doesn’t have quite as many. There’s the alternate angle with storyboards again, an art gallery, a sketch gallery, and some trailers. There’s also an interview with Akitaro Daichi and a short “A Day in the life of Kuromi” feature where we follow the voice actress for Kuromi around while she collects stuff from artists (just like the real Kuromi!).
Like I said before, the animation looks really good. The DVD menus were flipping out on my computer, but it might just be because of my player. I used VLC.
Conclusion:
Animation Runner Kuromi 2 is another solid OVA. I’m not sure if this is what being an animator is like, but if it is, I feel really bad for them! At least they can claim to have drawing skills (which I sorely lack). Now, if they ever come up with a yuri-laced Kuromi 3, it would make the ultimate trilogy!
Many thanks to Central Park Media for sending me a review copy of Animation Runner Kuromi 2!