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There are some really intelligent anime series out there, series where deep philosophical questions are pondered and the animation itself is taken to new heights of emotion and drama. And then there's Ikki Tousen (aka. Battle Vixens), which focuses on challenging Najica Blitz Tactics to the title of most panty shots per episode. Intellectual it's not. Anyone who has watched either of the previous volumes, or read the manga, will know exactly what to expect - fighting, breasts, schoolgirls, more breasts, mystical beads, panty shots, yet more breasts, Chinese history and breasts. Yep, pure sophistication. Continuing on where the last volume left off we have Hakufu Sonsaku and Ryomou Shimei facing overwhelming odds in the big interschool fighting tournament. That's the least of their worries though, the psychotic Totaku is on the move and fate seems to be catching up with both Ryomou and Hakufu in the form of their historical nemeses. Things are also getting more difficult for Ryofu, who in a desperate attempt to make her own fate has left Totaku's service. However, fate isn't so easy to avoid - is she just sowing the seeds of her own destruction? And with all this going on is there time for the obligatory hot springs episode? Well, what do you think? After the darker tone the last volume took there signs were good for a return to good old fashioned titillation this time round. The tournament that took up most of the last volume is concluded quite quickly, allowing the characters to spend time at the aforementioned hot spring and also a swimming pool! Yes, there's even less clothes than ever and even full-on toplessness to feast your eyes on, but such harmless nudity can't last and once again the series plumbs depth that cause the BBFC to slap an 18 certificate on it. It's a shame that once again a rather nasty rape scene is included, and although the act itself isn't shown enough of the before and after is to leave a thoroughly bad taste in the mouth. The plot - such as it is - does move forward and begins to become interesting, there are a few twists in this volume and things are really coming to a head with Ryomou and Ryofu questioning their destinies, and Totaku trying to manipulate his own. We learn a bit about Hakufu's past and also the fate that history has lad out for her, something that is brought home by the arrival of the mysterious fighter Ukitsu. Even though the Chinese names and their historical importance do pass you by until the narrator helpfully explains them at the end of each episode, you do find yourself trying to keep up with it all and it's hard to see whether the series will go for the happy ending or the fated one. With one final volume to come it is inevitable that the plot would start to thicken, but at the end of the day there will be few following this series that is doing so for the story. Even more than the previous volumes this one is packed with a huge amount of 'fanservice' nudity and even goes the extra (and unusual) step of full-on topless shots, which will please those who have stuck with the series in the hope it would. Unfortunately it goes beyond harmless titillation once again and steps into darker areas that are both unnecessary and unpleasant. If it didn't do this I would recommend Ikki Tousen vol 3 as a source of harmless pervy fun, however, it isn't really one for a female audience and with some scenes making uncomfortable viewing, I instead find myself advising caution. Extras Art galleries, trailers and 'outtakes', in which the English voice cast change dialogue for comic effect. These can be hit or miss, but are often quite funny. Overall though it's a pretty average selection. Ratings Feature:
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