This review was originally written for the website ListerX.com, which is now defunct. It can also be found on my blog, The Graphic Librarian.

Cover
Artistically, this cover is immediately eye-catching. Although a bit more subdued than V.01, the same color combination of various shades of red, black, and white works just as well. However, because the image itself is a bit more active, the cover's text makes things almost too busy. Fortunately, the gorgeous image of Izumi is likely to keep wandering eyes from focusing on the text for too long. There's also an annoyingly orange parental advisory label in the lower left hand corner, but it doesn't take up too much room and is probably a necessary addition for less observant parents. Although I don't see why a sticker wouldn't have worked just as well. One of the things I like best about Dr. Master's covers is the lack of clutter in regards to things like barcodes, logos, advisories, etc. They do an excellent job of keeping the manga's cover simple and the art as visible as possible.

Artwork
Being a big fan of manga-ka who put a lot of detail into their work, I still can't make myself completely enjoy Sakurako's illustrations. Stylistically, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. The characters are excellently drawn with body proportions slightly enhanced to please the eye and the action sequences are fast-paced and easy to follow. Facial expressions for all the characters are subtle when they need to be and fully expressive exactly where expected. Sakurako really knows how to make a character look utterly evil. Another thing that really stuck out in this volume were the costume designs. A handful of new characters are added in this volume, each with their own unique outfits. What really grabs me about them is that they have the same simplified style as the rest of the artwork, and yet they still somehow manage to look intricate and well-designed. So, while I'm not personally a fan of the art in this series, the artist nevertheless knows her stuff. In technique and design she's definitely skilled, but stylistically the illustrations just aren't to my tastes.

Plot
**Possible Spoilers Warning**
At first I was worried that this was going to be yet another volume of episodic chapters with very little actually connection between them. However, I was pleasantly surprised. While things start out with an unrelated story, they quickly turn into a full-scale plot. In addition to the continuous plot line the reader is also introduced to a variety of new characters. In fact, while reading this volume, V.01 began to seem more like a prequel to V.02 rather than a companion. Asagi and his agents have discovered a Freak that can create living dolls, dolls which can be used (or abused) in any way the owner desires. They've been on the hunt for her for quite awhile, but it's not until some of her creations gain sentience and start "taking back" their "brothers and sisters" that things get serious. Not only are they absorbing the dolls, they're killing their owners - and anyone else who happens to be around at the time. Meanwhile Asagi finds himself at odds with their creator and despite his considerable powers, he's finding it difficult to stop her. The Freak becomes obsessed with destroying him and will do so by any means necessary, even if it has to take out all of Asagi's friends along the way. Throughout all of this the dolls continue to be collected until finally there's only one left. Asagi plans to destroy this last creation himself, seeing it as nothing more than another Freak. However, when he learns of the situation behind the doll's creation, he has a change of heart. But will Asagi and his team be enough to stop the doll's siblings from consuming their "brother"? And how far will he be willing to go to stop the crazed trio? Would he truly be willing to sacrifice his pact to never shed blood again?

Content Warnings
Language = I've been told I'm desensitized to this sort of thing. However, as far as I can tell, there really is very little foul language used.

Violence = Yes - dismembered body parts and exploding heads abound - not for the weak of heart (or stomach.)

Nudity = Yes - Full frontal female nudity. And on that note, a warning - several of the nude characters are dolls, many of which have the appearance of prepubescent girls.

Sexual Situations = Yes - most prominent is a lesbian scene between a woman and her doll, but there are some het scenes, as well.

Ratings
Cover - 7.5/10 - While not quite as attractive as V.01, this cover definitely catches and holds the eye, just as any good cover should.

Artwork - 6/10 - The simplistic style still isn't to my liking, but the manga-ka obviously knows her stuff.

Plot - 7/10 - Ah Ha! The emergence of an actual continuous story line - definitely worth reading to find out more.

Overall - 7/10 - Things are definitely getting more interesting, and I love the relationships between the various characters. ( )