Carried by the Wind - Tsukikage Ran - Shocking Secrets (Vol. 2)
The second volume of this picaresque transvestite series veers betweenSlayers-like silliness and a succession of sword fights that suggest a  watered-downRurouni Kenshin. Lady Meow of the Iron Fist, the childish  half of the roving duo, is flattered when an artist wants to paint her  portrait in episode 5, and she falls for a handsome scientist in episode 7. Ran  remains aloof and uninvolved; even when she's drunk on sake, her deadly  accuracy with her sword never falters. Director Akitaro Daichi somehow misses  when he attempts to recapture the appeal of his previousJubei-chan the  Ninja Girl. The silliness isn't quite silly enough and the feats of  derring-do lack panache. Also, there's no sense of affection or respect between  the recurring characters, and the viewer is left wondering why they continue  to put up with each other. (Rated 13 and older: violence, profanity, alcohol and  tobacco use)--Charles Solomon