What do you think?
Rate this book
Gunslinger Girl #2
Gunslinger Girl, Vol. 2
In Italy, select teenage girls have been transformed into cyborgs and subjected to a brainwashing process known as "Conditioning." These girls are then paired with fully human supervisors, called Handlers, and are made to carry out assassinations on behalf of a shadowy government agency. The girls are fiercely loyal to their Handlers and would do anything to protect them.
186 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
5 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Kiyohiko Azuma
59 books592 followersKiyohiko Azuma (東清彦 or あずまきよひこ Azuma Kiyohiko) is a Japanese manga author and artist. His most well-known work is Azumanga Daioh. His current series is Yotsuba&!, which is serialized monthly in Dengeki Daioh magazine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 8, 2023
[Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars]
Jan 30, 2023
Volume 2
Chapters 6-11
This volume is a bit slower than I expected but it introduced us to another two more of the cyborgs. Claes, the 'guinea pig' cyborg and Angelica, the first experimental cyborg.
Claes, unlike any other cyborgs, doesn't have her own Handler anymore. She used to have Captain Raballo as her Handler but he was suddenly died/killed. After his death, Claes was supposed to be useless as a cyborg as her conditioning was programmed especifically to match her with her own handler and it would not be easy to assign new handler for her, but the higher ups decided to use her as a guinea pig. All new parts or developments would be tested on her first.
Claes: Perhaps most importantly, I understand the simple pleasure of spending time in idleness. That is something I learned a long time ago. My father was the one who taught it to me...I think.
That line was what she got from Captain Raballo. Her memories were deliberately erased so she doesn't remember anything about Captain Raballo, but her love for books sure stayed with her, which she adopted from him, along with some of his beliefs he imparted with her.
On the other hand, Angelica was shown having signs of memory loss. Some of the side effects of conditioning are having a shorter lifespan and memory loss. As the agency's prototype, she was the first one suffering from the side effect.
She and her handler, Marco, is the very first fratello in the agency. But now that Angelica's condition is deteriorating, it's not advisable for her to do missions. Marco is quite cold towards her now but it was shown that they used to have a very close relationship back then. I think he was trying to put some distance between them for some reason that is not yet revealed. All I know is that it was painful for Marco to see Angelica forgetting things that are both important to them, and he doesn't know how to handle her that way.
I think this series is deliberately going for a slower start to better build up both the characters and the plot. I don't mind slow-paced plot. This volume might be slow but it provided more important character points and was actually very informative. It also sets up some details for deeper plot events as few potential enemies were also introduced.
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 1
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 3
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 4
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 5
[ 2019-2020 READING SPREADSHEETS ]
[ NEW READING SPREADSHEETS ]
Jan 30, 2023
Volume 2
Chapters 6-11
This volume is a bit slower than I expected but it introduced us to another two more of the cyborgs. Claes, the 'guinea pig' cyborg and Angelica, the first experimental cyborg.
Claes, unlike any other cyborgs, doesn't have her own Handler anymore. She used to have Captain Raballo as her Handler but he was suddenly died/killed. After his death, Claes was supposed to be useless as a cyborg as her conditioning was programmed especifically to match her with her own handler and it would not be easy to assign new handler for her, but the higher ups decided to use her as a guinea pig. All new parts or developments would be tested on her first.
Claes: Perhaps most importantly, I understand the simple pleasure of spending time in idleness. That is something I learned a long time ago. My father was the one who taught it to me...I think.
That line was what she got from Captain Raballo. Her memories were deliberately erased so she doesn't remember anything about Captain Raballo, but her love for books sure stayed with her, which she adopted from him, along with some of his beliefs he imparted with her.
On the other hand, Angelica was shown having signs of memory loss. Some of the side effects of conditioning are having a shorter lifespan and memory loss. As the agency's prototype, she was the first one suffering from the side effect.
She and her handler, Marco, is the very first fratello in the agency. But now that Angelica's condition is deteriorating, it's not advisable for her to do missions. Marco is quite cold towards her now but it was shown that they used to have a very close relationship back then. I think he was trying to put some distance between them for some reason that is not yet revealed. All I know is that it was painful for Marco to see Angelica forgetting things that are both important to them, and he doesn't know how to handle her that way.
I think this series is deliberately going for a slower start to better build up both the characters and the plot. I don't mind slow-paced plot. This volume might be slow but it provided more important character points and was actually very informative. It also sets up some details for deeper plot events as few potential enemies were also introduced.
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 1
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 3
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 4
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 5
[ 2019-2020 READING SPREADSHEETS ]
[ NEW READING SPREADSHEETS ]
June 20, 2022
That last chapter was heartbreaking
January 7, 2019
It seems we are learning more about the girls and each handler, and more about the history of the organization. I feel as if the second volume wasn't as easily entertaining as the first. It felt a bit more disconnected overall. But it is still a good read and I will continue the series.
February 15, 2022
La nascita dell’Ente Pubblico per i Benessere Sociale e la storia di Angelica, prima di molte bambine di essere dotate di un corpo cibernetico. Tra sperimentazione, effetti collaterali e fiabe sulla pasta.
Anche questo secondo volume si mantiene su un buon livello.
Anche questo secondo volume si mantiene su un buon livello.
March 29, 2026
The only thing the anime does better is the meteor shower. Obviously, having the visuals of the shooting stars and the music playing makes it a lot more beautiful. Still great, and the other stories are still so bittersweet.
February 16, 2020
4.5 stars. Very intrigued to continue this series.
May 10, 2022
05-10-22: :( :(
September 17, 2022
比那個扮家家酒JK殺手莉可莉絲感情深厚得多~
January 16, 2026
angelica 3
April 23, 2020
Title/Author/Artist: Gunslinger Girl vol. 2 by Yu Aida
Series/Standalone: vol. 2
Genre/sub-genre: Manga/Graphic Novel/Crime
Book Format: Paperback
Length: 186 pages
Violence: YES, while it is rated “T” for Teen, there is a lot of graphic violence here, and mentions of past violence and abuse toward the young girls who star in this series.
Well written/Editor Needed: well written!
Art/Illustrations: The artwork is great!
Would I Recommend?: YES!
Personal thoughts: I'd forgotten about some of the characters! This is a great refresher for me. I enjoyed the scenes of tough military types making up the story about the Prince of Pasta and the Princess of Pizza. Too bad that picture book doesn't actually exist or I would totally read it! While the plot moves forward here and terrorist organizations plot and plan, we also get more backstory on some of the girls and their handlers. The stories are not pleasant at all, but they help to show how they all ended up at the Social Welfare Agency. Again, the artwork is great and the plot pacing is good. It's a fast read that keeps you on your toes. There's nothing boring about this one.
Series/Standalone: vol. 2
Genre/sub-genre: Manga/Graphic Novel/Crime
Book Format: Paperback
Length: 186 pages
Violence: YES, while it is rated “T” for Teen, there is a lot of graphic violence here, and mentions of past violence and abuse toward the young girls who star in this series.
Well written/Editor Needed: well written!
Art/Illustrations: The artwork is great!
Would I Recommend?: YES!
Personal thoughts: I'd forgotten about some of the characters! This is a great refresher for me. I enjoyed the scenes of tough military types making up the story about the Prince of Pasta and the Princess of Pizza. Too bad that picture book doesn't actually exist or I would totally read it! While the plot moves forward here and terrorist organizations plot and plan, we also get more backstory on some of the girls and their handlers. The stories are not pleasant at all, but they help to show how they all ended up at the Social Welfare Agency. Again, the artwork is great and the plot pacing is good. It's a fast read that keeps you on your toes. There's nothing boring about this one.
April 5, 2024
Solitude of Claes
Claes, now alone, reflects on her past partnership with a handler as she navigates the complexities of her current situation within the secret Italian intelligence agency.
Counterterrorism Operation
The Five Republics Faction's plot to bomb the Piazza di Spagna in Rome is thwarted by the swift response of the SWA, highlighting the agency's relentless efforts to combat terrorism and protect innocent lives.
Unraveling Mysteries
Jean and Rico venture to Florence on a mission to save an accountant with crucial information, delving deeper into the intricate web of intrigue surrounding the billionaire financier of the terrorist faction. Meanwhile, the enigmatic backstory of the first cyborg, Angelica, is revealed, shedding light on the origins of the SWA's cyborg program.
Claes, now alone, reflects on her past partnership with a handler as she navigates the complexities of her current situation within the secret Italian intelligence agency.
Counterterrorism Operation
The Five Republics Faction's plot to bomb the Piazza di Spagna in Rome is thwarted by the swift response of the SWA, highlighting the agency's relentless efforts to combat terrorism and protect innocent lives.
Unraveling Mysteries
Jean and Rico venture to Florence on a mission to save an accountant with crucial information, delving deeper into the intricate web of intrigue surrounding the billionaire financier of the terrorist faction. Meanwhile, the enigmatic backstory of the first cyborg, Angelica, is revealed, shedding light on the origins of the SWA's cyborg program.
September 13, 2007
Re-read. In this second volume, we are given more in-depth looks at Claes and Angelica and their handlers. There is also some forward motion in the fight with Padania and the introduction of Franco and Franca, enemy bomb experts, who will prove to be important later. The stories of Claes and Angelica both have tragic undertones and the melancholy feeling continues in this volume. Previously read September 1, 2007.
March 9, 2012
Close to the concept of Hitman, where a mysterious italian organization takes unwanted and broken children and turns them into assassins for the government.
Oddly tasteful, not a lot of fanservice, but still somewhat uncomfortable (why only little girls and not little boys too?). The whole Lolita vibe is amazingly strong, and I could swallow it if boys were recruited too.
Still, oddly tasteful for such a topic and the characters' personal stories make you care for these broken dolls.
Oddly tasteful, not a lot of fanservice, but still somewhat uncomfortable (why only little girls and not little boys too?). The whole Lolita vibe is amazingly strong, and I could swallow it if boys were recruited too.
Still, oddly tasteful for such a topic and the characters' personal stories make you care for these broken dolls.
July 27, 2012
In this book we learn and meet the Agency first cyborg. The first girl cyborg is Angelia and she was on a errand run and she accidentally got ran over by a car. And from there the Agency took and repaired her injuries, and use her for the Agency purposes.
I can't wait to read book 3 and see what else happens to the girls and especially Henrietta.
I can't wait to read book 3 and see what else happens to the girls and especially Henrietta.
July 4, 2013
Series keeps getting better
Read
April 11, 2014i did not read
June 20, 2014
I like that they showed more of the past background in this one.
February 2, 2016
See my review for Vol. 1, it's the same as what I would say about this volume.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews