After I struggled to find anything likeable about the first movie, I wasn't sure if I'd want to continue watching this odd series. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the second movie.

Unlike in the first movie, the characters in the second chapter are interesting and even likeable, and the story progresses nicely. It still is a very odd movie that doesn't explain much and raises many questions, but I didn't feel half as lost as I did in the first installment. Even though this second chapter is set three years before the first one, it manages to tie in with the first one somewhat well, though it still doesn't answer most of the questions raised in the first chapter either. Maybe the third movie (which is set shortly before the first one) will explain a bit more... From a technical standpoint, this movie is excellent. The visuals are gorgeous, by far surpassing the already impressive first movie. The soundtrack is fairly nice, though perhaps lacking some memorable motifs. The cinematography is very good as well, with perhaps a few odd choices (like the 'shakycam' approach to the training session).

After the first movie made me doubt quite a lot if I'd want to continue watching this series, the second one helped me much more. 'The Garden of Sinners' still remains one of the most confusing series I've ever watched, though; I'd prefer if it followed the more traditional approaches of storytelling. Oh, well...

The Kara no kyôkai series transmits dark and gloomy atmosphere, with a twisted beauty and a macabre aestetic. Is a dicotomy between gruesome and beauty, sadness and enjoyfullness...love and dead, that compels to think obout the life's matices.

This, the second instalment in the 'The Garden on Sinners' series is set three years prior to the events of the first story. It shows how Mikiya Kokutou meets, and later befriends, Shiki when they are at school. She is a mysterious girl; it is almost as if she belongs in another time as she wears a kimono and lives in a traditional house. There is also something sinister about her as illustrated in a rather disturbing early scene where she comes across the aftermath of traffic accident. That isn't the only violence; an unknown attacker has been killing people in the city. Mikiya learns details about the case from his cousin, who is a detective on the case, and starts to worry that Shiki could be involved somehow.

I really enjoyed the opening film but thought this managed to be even better. We learn much more about the characters of Mikiya and Shiki as the story moves on in ways I didn't expect. These details serve to raise many questions about Shiki that should keep one wondering about her character for some time. Once again the animation is stunning; especially during the scenes in a bamboo forest. It is quite violent at times and the descriptions of what the killer does means that it will disturb some viewers. Overall a great second instalment which fans of the series should really enjoy.