As the second in the Inukami! manga series, this volume carries on with the story and lovely art and everything that the first volume had. Like the first one, it has five chapters, some of which were similar to (but not quite like) episodes from the anime of the same name.

This volume introduces more characters, in the form of nine inukami that belong to Keita's cousin Kaoru, in addition to Nadeshiko, who appeared in the first volume.

The chapters are as follows:
Steps 6 and 7: Enter Nadeshiko, parts 2 and 3 -- these continue the story began in part 5 in the previous volume, which parallel episode 4 in the anime
Steps 8 and 9: Tomohane Strikes Back, parts 1 and 2 -- the youngest of Kaoru's inukami decides to get revenge on Yoko after what happened in "Enter Nadeshiko," but things don't go quite as planned; this matches part of the plot of episode 6
Step 10: Yoko's Missing Object -- what happens when Yoko loses the sign of her contract with Keita

Step 10, "Yoko's Missing Object," is my favorite of the stories in this volume. It's so sweet, but also quite funny, and the facial expressions are just perfect. Of the five chapters, this one focuses the most on Keita and Yoko, and it has a whole heaping of character development as a result. Well, a whole heaping relative to some of the other stories. "Tomohane Strikes Back" is more about the humor than anything else, I suppose, though it does introduce us to two characters and shows more of Keita.

Since the first story in this volume continues from the first, I'd have to say that it shouldn't be read without reading volume one first. It's also very firmly in the 16+ category, as indicated on the cover, but I think there is slightly less nudity in this volume.

Like volume one, I really love this one, and I'm very glad I treated myself to it for my birthday. I'm looking forward to an excuse to order the next volumes in the series! ( )