Overall: 7.5
Stylized with a noir tone, "Batman" look and campy, mecha flare, "Big O" entertains by sheer gall.
Story/Character Development: 7.0
The most development happens with Dorothy, who continuously achieves elements of humanity. Roger Smith remains a freedom-fighting superman with a lecherous edge and a big heart. And the individual stories do little to advance the overall arc of the series, but they do thrill in that pulp fiction type way.
Art/Animation: 9.0
Dark, detailed and delicious. "Big O's" art fills in for what the stories lack.
Acting/Translation: 8.0
Both the actors and the ADR development team ease off on the overt jokes, letting subtlety and nuance do its job.
MPAA Equivalent: PG
Veiled sexuality and Smith's predatory instincts race up the banter. And some violence may scare younger children, as might some images of ghosts.
Format: 8.0
A continuation of the text interview series started in the first volume features the writing team rapping about their experience on the show. Again, the rest of the disc is easily navigatable.
X-Factors
The Louse That Roared Factor: 10.0
In the review I wrote for the first "Big O" volume I received numerous verbal assaults on my use of the word "lecherous" to describe Roger Smith. Obviously I was mistaken, as stated by Angel and confirmed by Roger Smith himself in episode 7, he is a "louse." My apologies to all the lecherous people out there I might have offended.
Play That Funky Music, Robot: 10.0
After Dorothy masters the masters on the piano, her musical interests will hopefully age into an appreciation for some soul grabbing, booty slapping, hip swaying body shaking P-Funk licks.
