Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful is a television series that ran from September 27, 2002 until January 16, 2003 on Japanese TV and is a direct continuation of the Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden series. Something More Beautiful was followed up by the Summer Special.

Mahoromatic is based on a Manga of the same name, available in the US translated into English from Tokyo Pop.

Only the 14 episodes of Something More Beautiful are covered in this review

Names appear in Japanese order, family name first.

Short Synopsis:

Continuing on from where the Automatic Maiden series ended, Mahoro's functioning days are slowly dwindling to nothing, while Suguru remains blissfully ignorant of this development.

The beginning of this series sees an addition to the Misato household, Minawa. Minawa is a combat android created by a third secret organization not seen in the first series, Management. As the name implies, Management is a secret organization that has controlled the flow of human history through the ages, bending the world into the shape they desire. Minawa has escaped from Management's clutches and seeks refuge with Mahoro and Suguru. Since she is also a combat android, she masks her identity by becoming Mahoro's little sister, and assistant maid.

Minawa has a dark secret that haunts her every day life, along with a deep desire to obtain a human heart for herself.

The series retains all of the

light hearted humor of the first season with each episode given the somber back drop of the death counter as it slowly dips dangerously low.

Video:

Another faultless series from Pioneer/Geneon authored by SpeeDVD. There are no compression blocking, rainbows or any other flaw that can appear in Anime titles. Extremely well done.

The release is wide screen animorphic for those with capable displays.

The animation quality is of the highest quality, which is expected when Gainax has control of a release. The movement is smooth and the colors vibrant.

Audio:

You have a couple of options with this series. You can watch in English or Japanese dialog with two sets of subtitle streams, one giving signs only, the other a full translation of the spoken Japanese dialog.

Audio is crisp and clear with no dropouts to be found.

All of the Japanese voice actors so clearly fit their characters and do a tremendous job portraying the emotion of their characters in a spot on manner.

The English vocal cast is the same as the previous Pioneer/Geneon release, so if you enjoyed the first English dub you will emjoy this one.

One nice bonus is that Kawasumi Ayako (voice of Mahoro) sings the opening theme, with the ending theme being sung again by Triomatic (Rin, Chizu and Miyuki), with a special appearance with Minawa speaking at times. This fits the style

of the show nicely and is a nice display of the Japanese voice actresses' abilities.

Extras:

There are no pack in bonuses for this series. The video extras include Pioneer/Geneon trailers, art galleries, commercial spots and a special promotional clip. Not the greates set of extras, but what are there are well done and worth while.

Packaging:

The packaging style of the original series is retained here, with the females in the show taking the cover spotlight with the name of the show and the disc title on the cover. The back cover has several screen captures, technical listings and bonus listings. The interior insert has the same artwork as the DVD cover without the logos. On the back is the chapter stop listings and when you fold the insert apart you are given a mini-poster, and again, the female characters in the show take the spotlight for these posters. The covers are reversible for all the discs in this series, with a more ‘naughty' insert being the alternate cover.

Final Analysis:

This show is nothing short of amazing. It has everything a person could be looking for, action, drama, love and a good story. This show is a masterpiece crafted by the geniuses of Gainax (Evangelion, Last Exile, Full Metal Panic, Vandread). There is a lot of meaning to be read into the show, as little

or as much as you like; it's crafted so a person can sit an enjoy the show for the over all story, or analyze it from every imaginable angle. The series explores deeper into what it means to be human, what it means to live for the sake of someone else and the self deception people build up around this premise and ultimately, how people perceive death.

I have a word of warning, however. The series starts off in the typical silly, not so serious style prevalent through the first series, but the last episode on disc 2 spins the show down a darker, depressing path that is only occasionally lifted from this atmosphere in the episodes that follow. What happens to Mahoro is painful to watch for anyone who can watches the show and really feels for the character. That Gainax manages to add a depth of feeling not available in many other maid shows just goes to display their talent for animation, storytelling and character development.

The series ultimately ends on a happier note, but things definitely change.

I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for top quality storytelling, action, drama, romance and beautiful animation. If none of the above appeals to you, then steer away. I have a feeling most people will be quite happy watching this series.

Score: 10