The three Paper Sisters are sent out on another assignment by the Dokusensha to retrieve another lost book, then talk Nenene into taking them to a writers’ awards ceremony. Meanwhile, it is decided that Nenene’s safety is assured now that several months have gone by without any other attempts on her life: could the three sisters’ assignment in Japan finally be over?

While the first two volumes of the series were mainly made up of stand-alone ‘assignment’ episodes with only hints of a bigger picture, the third disc is offering a lot more background information, and those who have seen the OVA (you’re missing a treat if you haven’t!) will be pleased to see a familiar face that ties this storyline to the original somewhat. A rather jarring and gruesome scene in the opening episode (reflected in the certificate increasing from a 12 to a 15) shows a more serious side to the series, but there are still plenty of light and amusing moments elsewhere that lighten the atmosphere.

The main story is now beginning to become apparent, and we are learning a little more about the characters: again, knowledge of the Read or Die OVA is not essential but it will offer a little more insight what is shown on screen this time around. There are the beginnings of a conspiracy-type subplot, which suggests that the loyalties of certain people are not what they at first appeared to be.

For a show that sells itself so heavily on a fast paced action, there is a surprisingly large amount of attention paid to the characters, which gives it a lot more depth and the show in general is all the richer for it. When the sisters begin their preparations to leave Japan, it is the usually irrepressible Anita who ends up being the most emotional: the farewells from her friends at school are as touching as in any high school drama series. The episode that explains how the three of them met is also directed with great care without slipping into melodramatic sentimentality, and as a result the viewer feels much more for them when the situations become more tense and dangerous.

Speaking of tense situations, these episodes show off the paper master skills more fully than ever before; the disc concludes on what is probably the most visually impressive action scene of the series so far, ending with a suitably ominous cliff-hanger. Overall R.O.D.: the TV shows every sign of being a good series that is getting better and better.

In Summary

As the series reaches it midway point these four episodes make the third disc of the series the most dramatic, interesting and entertaining so far. There are some details that fans of the original OVA will appreciate, and the main storyline really shifts up a gear. In addition to the superb action scenes, enough attention is paid to characterisation and background details to make it well balanced and consistently enjoyable.