Title: 鋼鉄天使くるみ (Steel Angel Kurumi) Vol. 1
Artist/Author: 介錯 (Kaishaku)
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 172pp., w/o furigana
Volume: 1/11
Original Serialization: Monthly Shonen Ace, Ace Dash 1/97-5/98
First Printing: 10/1/98
Rating: 4/4

This is another series that I've seen the anime before reading (first season and OVA only though). I've had the first two books in my backlog for about a year and a half already. After the clearance sale at Nippon Books, I managed to snag most of the remaining books so might as well start it.

The anime from what I remember is very in line with the manga. The art-style in the manga could be better, but I like the way it's presented with fighting scenes and then some SD scenes for the humorous portions.

There's 4 color pages which includes character introductions and a mini-comic with the characters thanking the readers.

1. くるみ大地に立つ！！ (Kurumi Rises): There's a prologue where 綾小路 (Dr. Ayanokoji) is escaping in his car and drives off a cliff. He was followed by the army and 天城 (Dr. Amagi). 神維仲人 (Nakahito Kagura) doesn't live up the legacy of his family as a young Shinto priest. As he is being ruffled up by his peers, he falls into a secret laboratory where he sees Kurumi. An earthquake causes their lips to make contact. Just then Ayanokoji comes to in and sees Nakahito being abuducted by a huge military machine lead by Amagi. Kurumi comes alive and defeats the army to save Nakahito and the two of them with Ayanokoji escape. Amagi finds another Steel Angel, Saki in the now-abandoned laboratory.

2. サキ襲撃 (Saki Attacks): The army, with the help of a foreign scientist, Brando revive Saki and she performs exceptionally well in training. They send her out to defeat Kurumi. Nakahito and Kurumi are taking a bath when Saki comes. She attacks, but quickly faints into the hot springs. Nakahito tries to revive her with some mouth-to-mouth, but Kurumi would not allow it so she does it instead. Saki comes back to life with feelings for her sister, Kurumi, but has to attack her because Akagi commands her.

3. 愛の狭間で。。。 (In the Valley of Love...): At Nakahito's request, Kurumi doesn't fight. Saki continues to attack as she's ordered despite her feelings telling her not to. To resolve this contraction, she rips out her angel heart and deactivates. After the sisters stop fighting, Brando comes and kidnaps Ayanokoji.

4. 閑話休題 (Back to the Story): It's been a week and Ayanokoji is finally conscious. Brando reveals himself as Waltzki, a rival mad scientist who has created another Steel Angel with two angel hearts. Meanwhile, Kurumi and Saki get fixed by the army and are back up and running. They, along with Nakahito move into Amagi's place. Nakahito gets a visit from his brother there.

5. 参号機出撃す (The Third Machine Battles): Kurumi, Saki, and Nakahito get caught in the rain and take refuge. They encounter a boy named Mikhail who has been waiting for him. Mikhail gets a little too close for Kurumi's taste and Kurumi destroys his house. As the army is repairing it, Mikhail moves in with them at Akagi's. In the dead of night, Saki goes out to find out who Mikhail really is and is met by the third Steel Angel, Karinka, who gives her a nice beating.

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