Akame Ga Kill!: Collection 2 (2014/Sentai Blu-ray Set)

Picture: A Sound: B+ Extras: B Episodes: A-

As Akame Ga Kill!: Collection 2 (2014) begins, the Night Raid begins, as Night Raid is being hunted down by the Imperial Guards plans the rebellion against the Empire begins. Tatsumi once came to the Empire dreaming of a bright future, only to discover it was corrupted to the core. He ends up joining instead Night Raid, originally set by assassins to hunt those who destroy the peace of the Empire, ironically now they hunt the government themselves.

Tatsumi once believe that the Imperial City was a place where people could live in happiness and there was fairness and justice for all who lived there, but in truth he couldn't be more wrong; the capital was nothing more than den of wolves in sheep's clothing. The powerful and corrupt rule through fear by using 'Imperial Arms', legendary weapons with incredible powers. However, Night Raid also collects and uses the Imperial Arms against them. As the Imperial Arms battle against one another who will stand, who will fall? Will Night Raid be able to defeat Esdeath, her Jaegers, and the Imperial army? They know the corrupt Minister won't go down without fight, but does he have one last hidden ace up his sleeve?

This is a bloodbath filled anime where the main characters are assassins ...and they aren't afraid to kill off the characters. It creates a world where the government is absolute evil and everything is justified by survival of the fittest. While there was some comic relief, romance and even fan service, viewers should be aware of it's mature content, violence and dismemberment.

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is amazing-looking throughout and yet more top notch performance from Sentai; among their best yet. The Japanese DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Stereo mix has nice Pro Logic-like surrounds and all the episodes sound great, but we also get an English DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 mix that makes one wish both were 5.1, yet does not match the flow of the Japanese track. Extras include AkaKill! Theater, Japanese promos, clean opening and closing animations, and trailers.

Episodes this time out include...

Kill the Hindrance - A new type of Danger Beast appears, both Night Raid and Jaegers hunt and fight this new threat.

Kill the Giant Dangerous Beast - Tatsumi and Esdeath get trapped on a island together.

Kill the Religion - The uprising against the Empire begins.

Kill the Dolls - Night Raid battles the minion puppets of Kurome.

Kill the Curse - Chelsea goes after Kurome alone and manages to deliver a fatal blow to Kurome ...but.

Kill the Demons - Night Raid enters the city of Kyoroch and faces the Four Demons of Kyoroch.

Kill Fate - Mine and Tatsumi faces Seryu and manages to defeat her, but Mine becomes too exhausted to escape when Seryu self destructs. Tatsumi saves Mine at the last second.

Kill Pandemonium - Lubb and Tatsumi battles Syura and General Budo. Lubb manages to defeat Syura but at the cost of his life. Tatsumi gets captured by Budo.

Kill Despair - The remaining members of Night Raid attempts to save Tatsumi, Najenda battles Esdeath as Mine fights Budo. Mine manages destroy Budo in one final shot, but become mortally wounded and confesses to Tatsumi with her last breath. Sussano sacrifices himself to help the others escape.

Kill the Little Sister - As the revolution begins, an uprising in the city begins, Akame and Kurome faces off with one another. The Minister tells the Emperor to activate his ultimate Imperial Arms.

Kill the Emperor - As Night Raid begin their final mission to kill the Prime Minister, the Emperor continues to destroy everything in full public view. Tatsumi and Wave work together to defeat the Emperor's Imperial Arms. Tatsumi... (you'll have to see the rest for yourself).

Akame ga Kill! - The final showdowns wrap up the season here.

- Ricky Chiang