After the events of the previous volume the Paper Sisters and their companions are separated as the British Library’s plan, headed by Mr Carpenter, enters its next phase. There are only three episodes on offer here but even so there is more than enough going on to keep most viewers interested.

Being the penultimate volume there are a lot of revelations and explanations that set the series up for the final instalment. Anita receives some more attention as she finds herself back at the school that she had left earlier on in the series, with a stark choice that will decide where her loyalties truly lie. There isn’t much I can say here that won’t spoil things really — we have a hostage situation, paper fights and enough double crosses to do any action series proud.

For all the classic plot devices and themes that go with the conspiracy-thriller type of show there are a number of aspects that make R.O.D. stand out from the crowd. The world domination thing has been done countless times ever since the first Bond film hit our screens but when was the last time you saw it done through mass-produced library buildings and secret agents who use pieces of paper as weapons? Although this series requires some suspension of disbelief at times, inside the R.O.D. universe everything works together and little seems out-of-place. The reasons behind the various motives behind the main characters are gradually explained; just at the right pace to be neither boring nor confusing.

Fitting the epic scale of the story into its running time was the main criticism that could be levelled at the original OAV but in the case of the made-for-TV sequel the episode count is being fully used to its advantage in adding more bluff, double bluffs, conflicting interests and cliff hangers. In addition to this there is even adequate time for looking into the hearts and minds of the characters, heightening the human aspect: Anita, Maggie, Nenene and Junior are all examined in close detail here, unearthing past experiences and driving the complex ways in which they interact.

As much as I could complain about the running time, a deceptively large amount happens in this instalment and the shocking truth behind the British Library, the Dokusensha and even the Paper Sisters themselves ought to lessen any feelings of being short-changed.

In Summary

With the low episode count my only significant complaint here, this disc is an explosive rollercoaster ride that still finds time to pause for thought and pay attention to the people that are involved. R.O.D. scores highly as both an edge-of-your-seat action show and an effective drama; it also proves to be well-balanced and thoughtfully written as it nears what promises to be a nail-biting conclusion.