>>212701039
Book 2 is the best IMO. It turns every loose plot thread from the first one (the overwritten tape warning, the smallpox, the hermaphrodite thing, Asakawa being a journalist, Takayama being a creep) upside down and the apocalyptic ending is awesome. The movie is cool too.
Book 3 tries to do the same but it falls flat on its face with the Matrix stuff.
Book 4 and beyond are a return to form. But Book 1 and 2 remain the GOAT.