Well, we’re still a few weeks away from the premiere of the second season of Maria-sama ga Miteru, but since I’m totally addicted to the continuing non-adventures of these girls, I keep feeding my habit with non-anime outlets.

This month, along with my regular dose of Margaret, for the chapter du mon, I splurged and purchased the second Drama CD for the series. This second CD completes the first arc of the anime, ending with Yumi becoming Sachiko’s petite soeur.

To be honest, nothing in this CD stands out as distinct from either the anime or the manga. On the whole, I liked the manga version of the end of this arc best, but the Drama CD was pretty much exactly like the anime – nothing taken away or added. If you’re audially fixated like I am, and want to be able to hear the voices anywhere you go, then definitely buy the CDs. If you’re happy with the anime, then the CDs will add nothing to your pleasure.

The manga still differs a little, and I think it’s a little closer to the novels in the fact that the characters more openly express their feelings, at least to themselves. You’ll never hear Rei say that she loves Yoshino in the anime, but you can read it in the manga or novel. I’m interested to get the Yellow Rose Revolution arc CDs and see if she says it there.

As for extras, there’s still no bonus track with the seiyuu, which disappointed me – I would have liked something similar to the Koi Shimai CD bonus tracks, but instead one gets fun stand-up plastic dolls of, this time, Yoshino and Shimako. I can only assume that if I purchase all of the upcoming CDs, then I’ll have the whole cast. (I suppose I can then make my own little scenarios…but I was never any good at playing with dolls that weren’t carrying guns. lol)

So, the ratings for the second CD are the same as the first, no change. Because I cannot bring my computer everywhere I go, it’s nice to have the option of hearing Yumi, Sachiko, Sei and the rest, whenever I want them. Like, now, at work. ^_^

In the meantime, I will wait with baited breath for the “Forest of Thorns” arc in the manga and Drama CD, so we can once again wallow in a young Sei’s lesbian angst. ^_^