Princess Principal: Crown Handler - Chapter 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Princess Principal: Crown Handler - Chapter 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 continues the exciting action-adventure mayhem of the fan-favorite anime. The series comes from executive producers Kazumi Kawashiro (Galaxy Angel Z, Harlock Saga), Tomonori Furusako (Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory, Magical Sempai), Toshiyasu Hayashi (Flip Flappers), and Yoshikuni Murata (Carole & Tuesday, Love and Lies). Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 delivers audiences more of the exciting action-packed fun fans have come to expect from the hit series. Featuring animation produced by acclaimed studio Actas (Mermaid Melody: Pichi Pichi Pitch, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars), Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 continues the saga with some new and thrilling escapades.

Princess (Akira Sekine) and Ange (Aoi Koga) are in more trouble than ever expected. The stakes of the game are higher than ever before. An attempt at assassinating Prince Richard fails to succeed. Yet even as the immediate assassination attempt is unsuccessful, the chance for another assassination attempt is in the background of every moment.

The royalty could become the key target of more assassination attempts. The question remains: can the bullets stop to fly? With ammunition cheap and aplenty, it seems death by bullet is a curious possibility. Bombs are also being smuggled in and danger looms. Princess is on a new mission. The clock is ticking. What will happen next in a world of assassins?

The characters continue to be one of the most fun and charming elements of the series.  Princess is a compelling central character with a unique character design. From the original character design by Kouhaku Kuroboshi, Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 features character designs by Kimitake Nishio (Kowarekake no Orgel, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars) and Yukie Akiya (Healer Girl, Celestial Method). The designs fit Princess and the supporting cast of characters well (helping to exemplify personalities).

The animation is outstanding. If there is one area of Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 that is enormously pleasing on every arena, it’s the quality of animation. The animators involved on the film delivered a top-notch effort. The art direction by Miho Sugiura (Princess Principal, Buddy Complex) is superb and so is the chief animation direction of Kimitake Nishio (Princess Principal, Yutori-chan). The animators help to showcase the vivid world of these characters and the often fantastical environment which surrounds them.

The mecha design by Fumihiro Katagai (Black Fox, Sakura Wars the Animation) make an impression, too. The mecha element allows for the series to have a more ambitious sense of scale and scope. The end results are certainly effective. Mecha fans will appreciate the art build present during Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2.

The cinematography by Yū Wakabayashi (Kuromukuro, Yuyushiki) shines bright and makes a solid impression as well. The visual element of Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 continues impressing with quality visuals. Cinematographer Wakabayashi highlights both the light and dark elements of the production with equal voracity. The results are certainly impressive.

The score composed by Yuki Kajiura (Sword Art Online, The Garden of Sinners) is arguably the highlight of the entire feature. Kajiura is a gifted composer with a knack for storytelling. The score helps tell the story. The score builds on the animation and the production merits to make the entire experience an even more ambitious and captivating experience. A wonderful effort by Kajiura.

Written by Noboru Kimura (Alice & Zoroku, Kokkoku), Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 is perhaps a bit less effective in the script department when compared to Chapter 1. The second part certainly lacks as much storytelling excitement or character-development but it does have a good emphasis on the action beats. A solid if uneven effort by Kimura.

Directed by Masaki Tachibana (Blue Thermal, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0), Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 excels at providing fans of the franchise with action-packed excitement. These elements succeed and showcase the directorial skills of Tachibana. While Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 isn’t a perfect continuation, it’s a solid entry and the film provides some entertaining escapades. Fans won’t want to miss the installment.

Princess Principal: Crown Handler - Chapter 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation looks lovely in high definition. The native high-definition presentation provides the animation with the right ingredients to look mesmerizing. Color depth is excellent and clarity is exceptional. The action scenes are well encoded and are free from egregious compression woes (such as one might find on streaming). The Blu-ray release offers a healthy encode from Sentai Filmworks.

Princess Principal: Crown Handler - Chapter 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of audio options: Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound (with English subtitles) and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The lossless audio is a wonderful component of the presentation. The surround sound mixing on the release is top- notch. Active surround activity enhances the production and makes the filmmaking come alive with more enveloping energy during the action sequences. The score is enveloping and sounds crisp during the presentation.

Princess Principal: Crown Handler - Chapter 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:47)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 2:43)

Japanese Promos (HD, 3:59)

Theatrical Trailers (HD, 3:27)

Princess Principal Preview (HD, 1:35)

"Revealing Reviews" Short (HD, 7:23)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: Girls und Panzer das Finale – Part 3 (HD, 00:34), Kinmoza! The Movie – Thank You!! (HD, 00:31), Chaika: The Coffin Princess (HD, 1:31), and Revue Starlight: The Movie (HD, 1:19).

Princess Principal: Crown Handler - Chapter 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Princess Principal Crown Handler Chapter 2 is an entertaining and action-packed entry in the popular anime franchise. The second chapter of the saga is highlighted by outstanding animation, top-notch action, and incredible energy. The production merits are first rate. While the outing isn't perfect it's certainly hugely entertaining. The Blu-ray release has solid video and audio alongside a selection of bonus features (including a bonus short). Fans will want to pick up the release. It is another exciting installment. Recommended.