Striking an appropriate balance between action and character drama, "Crest of the Stars 2" makes excellent use of the back-story laid out in the first volume.

The actual narrative is given so much density by how well the animators and art directors crafted the science fiction world that erupts around it. Both the characters and the world possess great depth, make "Crest's" environ virtually tangible.

Vibrant and colorful, and filled with sophisticated nuance. Especially appreciated are the holographic fish that float through Baron Febdash's reception hall which lend elegance and mystery to the setting.

Sluf Febdash's plight tosses another ring of uncertainty around Jinto Lin's fate, prompting the question, will Jinto himself ever find a place for himself in the Abh nobility?

The English voices are wooden and don't mesh well with the animation. Best stick to the Japanese version with English subtitles. The translations themselves are competent. Some words without English equivalents are left in Japanese.

Kudos to the crisp picture and sound, though the arrangement of the disc is unusual. Many of the menu options are written with an alien alphabet, which, while providing character, makes it a little awkward to navigate. The brief extras include the closing sequence stripped of credits, and stills explaining the back-story of the Humankind Empire Abh.

Some bloodless violence, brief nudity of an asexual type.

Baron Febdash's reception hall is home to the most exotic of pets, the rarely seen ethereal ghost fish that float through the air as a normal fish would through water. Jinto is naturally terrified when one such fish floats right through him, until he realizes they're just holographic.

Klowal Febdash is administrator of a small outpost trying to avoid notice by powerful Imperial forces by handing over a Princess. Sound a bit familiar? Luckily, it's not as bad as it initially seems because unlike the Colt 45 guzzling scoundrel Lando, Baron Febdash is not going to reevaluate his loyalties and become a hero.

It's better than "Cats!" But what isn't better than "Cats."

Love it? Hate it? Buy it.