Reviews (373)

Pure enjoyment for the open minded...
This review is directed to those who, like myself, are not avid anime fans. I own three anime DVDs: Ghost in the Shell, Akira, and Ninja Scroll, and I enjoy all three. However, Ninja Scroll is far the most enjoyable to watch. But this review is not a comparison of the three.

I would like to praise the writer/director of Ninja Scroll for creating such an exciting and artistic work while at the same time retelling the ancient tale of the reluctant hero. The plot was sufficient enough to withstand the weight of the amazing action sequences and fun sexual content. The character development was superb. Jubei (the hero) is not portrayed an all-powerful superhero. Instead, we just see a gifted fighter with an immense will to survive.

The action scenes are among the best I have ever seen, with battle choreography that is comparable to that of the best filmakers. The villians are imaginitive and original, not to mention devious. The plot is extremely imaginitive, touching on topics that are not common to the "super robots and cute little girls" world of Japanese Anime: love triangles, rape, greed, self esteem, and homosexuality. This film was enjoyable from beginning to end, and if you are searching to expand your collection into something new, pick up this DVD. Its pure enjoyment.

Breaking the Samurai Code
One tradition of Japanese manga and anime is based on the legends of Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi, who was a very real swordsman serving the Tokugawa Shogunate at the beginning of the 17th century. Jubei was known for wandering Japan, sometimes as a spy for the Shogun, and righting injustices with displays of his extraordinary swordsmanship. Kind of a Japanese Knight of the Roundtable.

In 'Ninja Scroll', this part is played by Jubei Kibagami, an itinerant ninja. He is drawn into clan politics when he comes to the aid of Kagero, a female ninja in service to the Yamashiro clan. To save Kagero, Jubei must successfully challenge Tessai, an evil ninja (one of the Eight Devils of Kimon) with the ability to turn his skin into stone, and the strength to chop walls down. Jubei succeeds, but Tessai swears vengeance, leaving Jubei deeply entangled in a struggle with the Shogun of the Dark.

The third player in this contest is Dakuan, the Shoguns spy. He is a deadly old man who recruits Jubei by giving him a poison that will kill him in a day and a night. Dakuan informs Jubei that Himuro Gemma, an old enemy that Jubei was sure was dead, was still alive, and, in the company of the Devils, was at the center of the plotting. Jubei, Dakuan, and Kagero must defeat the evil ninjas and discover the purpose behind the killing of an entire village.

Kagero is a poison taster, and, as a result, is permeated with deadly toxins. She can never take a lover, because even her kiss would kill. At this point in Japanese history such a woman was an outcaste, having little value in the eyes of her society. Jubei shatters her world when he insists on treating her as an honorable human being, creating a strong emotional tension that plays against the simple samurai action of the main plot.

Production qualities of the film are beautiful, echoing traditional Japanese art forms with a fine sensibility. Line and color are strong. Violence, of course, is present, but is tightly controlled, not dwelt upon. This is one of the best and most representative films of the more conservative Japanese traditions of anime. Worth seeing for its historical status as well as for its outstanding artistic values.

Even good with overdubs
The thing that bothers me the most with Anime from Asia is the sometimes horrible overdubs in English that sound flat and unimaginative. Ninja Scroll (and Princess Mononoke) is an exception.

The drawings are as always superb and the story line is as well. This story is about Ninjas in 16th century Japan, but with supernatural powers. REally interesting.

It is very graphic and the language is sometimes very coarse, does make it more 'real' in some strange way or another.

Really good movie, watch it twice, once in Japanese, once in English and be surprised

One of my favorite Anime flicks
Ninja Scroll is about a masterless ninja named Jubei who basically wanders around Japan looking to work for anyone worthy of his service. he eventually gets caught up in a change of events that force him to fight the Seven Devils of Kimoen who are trying to take over Japan and rule it by force. this movie contains a number of cool characters and very innovative villians with unic powers. there is lots of sex and voilence in this movie so i would recommend waiting until your at least 13 before veiwing this. i(being the Anime obsessed Otaku that i am) enjoyed every bit of this and i recommend that any fan of Anime should check this out.

10/10

Mehh....
I don't want to piss the NS fans out there but I don't see how good this is? I mean I have to agree with one reviewer, this is one of the coolest animes but I didn't think it was a masterpiece.
The story was alright but not big!
The animation was great but not excellent.
The action was great.
Over all it was an alright Ninja flick. Though I think this film is a little overhyped.

Also I have a problem of people saying "OH THERES A RAPE SCENE! OH!
Gimmi a freaking break its not like you see what going on! Even though you have the sence of whats going on it's still stupid how people make a big deal that you see like a 2 minute rape scene which you barley see anything but a nipple shot. Jeez.

Now I must say the violence is over the top. Especially when one guy gets both his arms ripped right off. EEWWWW thats gotta hurt.

Over all I thought this was an alright flick I guess.
Check it out for yourself and give your opinion on it. ... Read more

Description

The story begins with the everyday life of Youko Nakajima. Upon being confronted by a mysterious blond stranger, Youko is told of her destiny and pulled away into another world. Along with two of her classmates, Sugimoto and Asano, she is abandoned on foreign shores. This begins Youko's perilous journey to the Kingdom of Kei on an epic road of espionage, terror, and betrayal. The mystic world of The Twelve Kingdoms assails her with one savage challenge after another. Will Youko embrace her destiny? ... Read more

Reviews (373)

Ninja Scroll (4.4 stars)
Every once in a while I find myself drawn to a film, that for some odd reason, I like! "Ninja Scroll" is a prime example. When it comes to Anime, I'm almost as critical as film itself. I look for a good story, good animation, good directing, good dialogue, and even good violence! Such films as "Perfect Blue" and "Ghost in the Shell" blend all of these things together and form classic Anime. However "Ninja Scroll" neatly fits in with these films, but may not have all the attributes I prefer. The film has unbelievable action sequences, but for the most part that's it. Yet I'm drawn to this film, as if it had a good, detailed story, and good dialogue. The animation is top of the line, and the films runs smooth. The story is viable, but the main character, Jubei, is relentless when it comes to his foes, not including his just a plain bad (...)! The film contains explicit sexual situations, which I could do without, but it doesn't take anything away from the film itself. Overall "Ninja Scroll" may not have had the makings for a classic Anime film when it started production, but the finished product is the "Die Hard" of Anime films. Just good old (...) kicking entertainment.

Ninja Scroll
When I first saw Ninja Scroll, it was on digital cable. The animation was actually pretty good for its time. Anyways, this Manga is about a guy named Jubei. He meets this girl(whose name I forgot) and they team up.
She is a ninja whose body is poisoned, therefore she can't have any sexual contact without killing somebody. Jubei is a ninja who appears to be a very excellent and determined fighter. Together, it seems like NOTHING can stop them.
I would not reccomend this movie for anyone under 13, due to sex and violence. If you can get past that, this is a really excellent Manga. My favorite things about it were the characters, the plotline, and the animation.

one of the better ones
Though a few years old, NINJA SCROLL still stands up as one of the better anime imports. A mixture of ninjas and the super-natural, NS uses a healthy dose of bloody violence, sexual tension, innuendo, and sexual content to keep this horror story moving.

The animation is pretty good and the dub is respectable. It's not as visually enticing as PRINCESS MONONOKE, but the story is more linear and direct.

I'd recommend it to any anime fan over the age of 16.

Visually Stunning
The gorgeous animation of this movie is what really makes it worthwhile.
The plot is fun, if a little thin, and the scripting nothing special.
But the animation makes up for all of the those deficiencies and then some. Very well-drawn and concieved characters and superbly choreographed action scenes that leave the viewer mesmerized.
Worthwhile to enjoy the anime, if nothing else.

Gets better every time
This is by far the best ever. The animation is great. The story is even better. Viewers will pick up new things everytime they watch. A must have! ... Read more

Amazon.com

My Name Is Modesty is a sleek but hardy entertainment based on cartoonist Peter O'Donnell's story about an orphaned girl who survives wars, deserts, and sundry hardships to become the tough manager of a Tangiers casino. Alexandra Staden (Vanity Fair) is the second actress to play Modesty Blaise in a feature film (Monica Vitti took the role in 1966), and her beautiful cool and enigmatic poise are perfect for the mysterious yet likeable heroine. My Name Is Modesty cleverly introduces Modesty's background and wiles in a thriller set during an armed takeover of the casino. Deflecting demands by a terrorist leader (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) while also creatively keeping hostages alive, Modesty agrees to a game of roulette with the strongman. She plays for lives; he plays to hear chapters from her unknown life, reluctantly told. Directed by actor-director Scott Spiegel and presented by Quentin Tarantino (among the DVD's special features is a conversation between the two), the film is a noble, engaging genre piece. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Description

When the Curse Breaks the Seal of a Rampaging Ancient God, the Mightiest Onmyoji Returns! Mysterious and bloody incidents ensue after a solar eclipse in the capital of Heian (794-1185 AD). Devils rampage through the capital at night and attack members of the nobility, each of whom has a body part is bitten off.Abe no Seimei (Mansai Nomura), the mightiest onmyoji, suspects that something will happen when the eighth victim is killed and the seal breaks off of a legendary sword.However secrets behind the incident reveal the bottomless darkness which even Seimei cannot foresee!When he faces an astonishing fact relating to the Imperial Court and the Izumo tribe, he has to risk his own life to save the capital and fight a man who had sold his soul to a rampaging god to avenge his people. Following the success of the original release, Onmyoji II enchants viewers with its dark yet spellbinding and mystical visual story! 'DVD BONUS: Apprx. 50 minutes of Extras including "Making of Onmyoji II", Trailers & TV spots, filmographies ... Read more

Description

Youko survives an assassination plot by her court advisors, but the young ruler is left shaken and questioning her leadership abilities.Hoping to learn more about the kingdom, Youko leaves the palace to be among her subjects.Meanwhile, the former princess of Ho is now a servant in the court of Kyou. Unable to bear her change in station, she escapes. Suzu still yearns to meet with new ruler of Kei, but fate leads her instead to Youko's lost friend Asano. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The third Tenchi feature has a less playful tone than the popular television and OAV series. Annoyed by the endless bickering between Ayeka and Ryoko, Tenchi goes for a walk in the hills above the Masami family shrine--and vanishes. His extraterrestrial friends organize a search: Wasshu dispatches Galactic Police Agents Mihoshi and Kiyoni to hack the gargantuan computer at the Science Academy; Sasami does research on Jurai; Ayeka and Ryoko get jobs as waitresses while they search Tokyo for clues. Haruna, a mysterious girl linked to an ancient camellia bush, has taken Tenchi to a parallel world, where he lives a seemingly normal life as an art student. But he's troubled by headaches and the images of Ryoko that turn up in his work. Tenchi grows a bit older there, which allows director Hiroshi Negishi to depict some very mild cartoon sex between his hero and the eerily beautiful Haruna. The animation is a little more fluid than the television episodes, and there's a welter of computer-animated effects when Wasshu works her high-tech devices and the characters travel between dimensions. But Tenchi fans will miss the endearing silliness that gives the shorter adventures much of their appeal. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (136)

Worst of the 3 movies
Someone here left a review claiming that this was the best of the Tenchi movies with a revealing conclusion to Tenchi/Aeka/Ryoko saga. A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!

It didn't give you the same feeling you get from the OAV/OVA series or the first two movies. The graphics are worse. It lacked the upbeat atmosphere from those familiar silliness. (Sorry, Washu-chan didn't even crack a single joke!) It lacked the feel of romance to help carry the excitement throughout the whole movie. What can I say? I just barely kept my eyes open to see that grand finale only to find out that it wasn't much of a conclusion to the Tenchi/Aeka/Ryoko saga. If you really loved the second movie, Daughter of the Darkness/Manatsu no Eve, don't expect to watch this movie over and over again. You are better off reading the No Need For Tenchi! comic books, which continue the OAV series.

Tenchi and sex don't mix
Tenchi Forever is a great ending to the series. (if it is the end) But the nudidity and the sex don't mix with the Tenchi style. I was also there wasn't any action scenes. But the character interaction was amazing. Plus the background music helped set the mood. Along with great animation, great dubbing, finding out who Tenchi really loves and Ryo-oh-ki's meowing makes this video a great addition to the Tenchi series. (But If you haven't seen the first, GO SEE THAT ONE INSTEAD!)

This is great!
Sure, it may not have the epic battles seen in the series, but that's just not what Tenchi Muyo! is all about. It's about character development, and they did it beautifully once again. Watching Ryoko and Ayeka agonize first over Tenchi's disappearance, then over the fact that he cannot see them, and they cannot touch him... this time, they may have lost him forever. You'll need to see it for yourself, if you can get it.

BTW: If you want to see who finally gets Tenchi, you'll have to see the ending.

Good Ending To A Excelent Series!
Although when I picked this up I was expecting a comedy like all the other Tenchi stuff I saw, and didn't get any here. I was still impressed with the movie. A nice plot, good voice acting, nice animation (Although Ryoko looked kinda choppy), alot of emotion, and a ending theme that will always make us remember the times we shared with Tenchi and the gang! I will not be showing this to my kids because of the nudity but when they're 15 or 16 then I'll let them see the ending to the show they (And I) loved! Bravo! This is bound to be an anime classic.

Beautiful Movie
This Tenchi Movie lacks the humor and action that we come to expect from watching the series and other movies, but I still think this movie is great. Animation of course is among the best ever--shaded and toned just right, nothing seems rushed--not yellowish like some other Pioneer animes. The musical score is superb, especially the piano piece near the end. The bittersweet melodies stay longer with me than any score I hear in a live drama. I also love the ending theme song. The pace is slow. After watching quick silly animes all week like I do, it's good to relax to such a movie. I'm an Ayeka fan and I don't find a problem with Ryoko ending up being the closer one to Tenchi. Ayeka is shown to have made the greater sacrifice. Plotwise I kinda like the seductress in a parallel dimension theme. It's definitely more appealing to me than having another powerful masked bad guy like in Movie I or having the hellish imagery of Movie II. I'd take this movie over the other two anyday. ... Read more

Description

Based on the popular 1960s Japanese comic book and animation hero 8 Man After, this feature-length compilation of the science fiction series follows the original robo-cop's legacy in the ultimate hi-tech crime-fighting adventure! With the recent disappearance of cyborg hero 8 Man, murderous drug-crazed gangs known as "cyber-junkies"--part man, part machine--are terrorizing the streets of the modern metropolis. After being brutally murdered, a private investigator's corpse is transformed into 8 Man After--the only super-android vigilante who can bring the lawless to justice and return order to a city consumed by corruption and violence. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

There's a reason why it's a cliche...
Yes, this movie does follow the "male/female with an identity crisis, get's killed and brought back/sacrifices human body for greater good, in a slightly futuristic Tokyo setting, which then leads to much blood shed and moral issues, brought about by death of a loved one/job as a cop" setting, but there is a reason why this is such a cliche. It works. Alot of the "must see" Anime follows this storyline. The difference between the mediocre Anime that uses this setting, and the really great anime that uses this setting, is that the good Anime's usually don't try to do all of these parts of the setting perfect, rather make one of the parts come through so blindingly strong that you can't help but like it, for the way it just reaches out and grabs you. In 8 Man After, it's the identity crisis and moral issues that are this strong, and i'd have to say that I can't think of any Anime Movies, and maybe two or three Anime Series, that rival it in just how well this is done. supporting this is the nice artistry, and of course, the sheer coolness of how 8 Man's powers work. this is not a movie you "kinda" like. this is one of those movies that you love, or hate.

Great anime
This has to be a good dvd since the whole oav series (which I saw on the sci fi channel lots of years back when I was 10) introduced me to anime (and since it was up really late got my mom mad at me for staying up) but its a good movie so it should be a great dvd. :)

If u are a true fan of anime, then watch this movie
I was introduced to this anime more than 11 years ago on the sci-fi channel and all i could think about was getting this movie in my DVD collection. There is no way i can explain how cool this movie is without ruining it for u. All i can is watch it, 8man After gives u the bang for your buck. Yeah i know that was cheesy but still...watch this movie.

My all time favorite
This is a biased review, but so what? It was my first favorite anime, and still kicks ass to this very day. 8 Man is just awesome. Period. End of discussion.

The best anime you'll ever come across
8 Man After really doesn't seem like the type of anime that one would be interested in. Let's face it, the story is fairly typical. Man becomes cyborg, cyborg becomes crimefighter. Wow, that's original. Even more to the point is the fact that the story is the exact same story as Robocop. However, what most don't realize is that Robocop actually rips this off. Granted the 8 Man movie and this were made after, but the original manga was made long before. So, it's not fair to call the story cliched.

The story starts out with a private detective names Hazama trying to get information on a man named Eddy Schmidt. Eddy stole valuable medical secrets from a company, and has begun to revolutionize the crime industry by using robotics to replace limbs and create a generation of powerful cyborg criminals. Hazama is nearly killed by a powerful cyborg named Tony Gleck, a person Hazama had previously "killed". On the verge of death the police give the authorization to put Hazama into a special suit, thus turning him into the 8 Man.

What makes the movie so good is how well-done it is, even though it is very low-budget. It revolutionized the anime world with very popular camera techniques such as the single dot to represent someone moving really quickly, or the camera angle where a person catches some bullets then slowly drops them. The story always stays well paced, and never seems to fizzle out. And, if you've seen him, you will agree that 8 Man can make one hell of an entrance. Despite being quite gory, it managed to resist the urge to have the typical anime nudity (although it came quite close). Overall, it remains my favorite anime and one of the best out there, if not the best. ... Read more

Description

Youko’s legend continues as she journeys deep into the world of the Twelve Kingdoms. Will she be able to remain true to herself once she learns the terrible secret of her destiny? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Despite its title, this theatrical feature has little to do with themecha adventures and ensemble comedy of the popular broadcast seriesMobile Police Patlabor. Inspector Shin'ichiro Hata of the Tokyo Policeis assigned to investigate an unexplained series of violent and grislydeaths. Instead of the rogue mecha the Patlabor team fight, thekiller is a weird, amphibious monster, the product of yet another biotechexperiment gone wrong. Hata meets the beautiful scientist who created themonster--using cells from the cancer that killed her daughter. The familiarcharacters Noa Izumi, Isao Ota, and Captain Goto appear in brief cameos whenthey dispatch the mutant monster in a half-ruined stadium. Director FumihikoTakayama tries to emulate the look and tone of Hiroyuki Okiura'sJin-Roh, but fails to generate the ominous tension that distinguishedThe Wolf Brigade. (Rated R: violence, grotesque imagery,profanity, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Patlabor in Name, Brilliance in Execution..
For years, "Akira" was the Gold Standard, the movie that you showed to your non-anime fans to turn them into true believers. With "Patlabor WXIII: The Movie", "Akira" is dethroned.
This movie, is, without a doubt the new feature movie anime that all others will be measured against.
It's a movie that takes it's time, in a poetic way, to tell the story of two detectives who are trying to solve a series of brutal murders. Like the best episode of "Homicide: LOTS" or "NYPD Blue" the story gradually unfolds involving bioengineering, death of loved ones due to cancer, a tragic failed attempt at romance by the younger detective, and the realization of age and decay by the older.
Each frame is breathtakingly beautiful, the music is hypnotic and the director makes full use of the Surround Sound 5.1 in the effects.
The Special Forces Unit 2, our regular stable of Patlabor characters are a small but important part at the end of the movie, but their absence is not important. What is important is the story and how it unfolds.
This is the movie to rent, then own, to show others what anime is all about.

Rent it first!!!
I picked up this title during my vacation in Japan as a second hand item. Good thing too because it certainly didn't worth the full price. Story is so-so and slow paced... Unlike the movie: Patlabor II, this time, the story is much easier to follow as it has almost no reference to Japanese politics. As for the mystery of who made the monster and why, one could figure this out pretty early (about 30 minutes from the start)...

Similar to the previous two Patlabour movies, there is never enough action in this series but the art work is great but nothing is new.

After watching the movie for the first time, I don't really want to see it again.

Unless you life mission is to buy all Japanese animation on DVD, I would suggest something else.

Superbly Animated
This edition to the Patlabor saga adds a well-crafted, visually striking, and throught-provoking look at two detective's case on a biogenetically constructed monster who is on the loose and is destroying submarines and airplanes left and right. The movie is very slow-paced, and will leave some viewers shaking their heads at the lack of action and violence, however it must be noted that this edition of the Patlabor saga is not for the hardcore fan of nonstop action which previous episodes may have accustomed them to seeing. The action, though not nonexistant, is sparse and often short in its duration. However, to fully appreciate the beauty of this masterpiece one must break out of the need to have action and look at the deeper aspects of the movie.

The psychological problems that a mother of a recently deceased daughter and husband endures propels her to use some of child's cancer cells in order to "revive" her daughter into the form of a monster capable of regenerating its body parts. One of the lead detectives investigating the monster's rampage has trouble believing this paradox at first, but soon realizes that her isolation has pushed her to the brink of insanity towards the end of the movie. This, in turn, leads to the cataclysmic ending in which we see some startling revelations as well as the final confrontation between the monster and the police who're trying to stop it.

Throughout its entirety, the movie is extremely realistic. I was pleased to see that the characters actually resemble Japanese people with a darker skin tone rather than a bleach white color. The fact that the movie most completely revolves around the investigation makes it a little boring, however this only adds to its climax and can fully be appreciated and recognized as a mature anime. In sum, this edition to the Patlabor saga ultimately has to be the finest of them all. The caliber of its animation and the way in which the director was able to keep the storyline realistic while using a bit of fiction with the monster really helped to deveop a top-notch plot. For those looking for a great anime minus the forced humor via sexual puns and overly exaggerated emotions, then by all means check this out.

Marginal Patlabor, but intriguing
Like other reviewers, I agree that this anime is only marginally Patlabor, but that is not to say that it is not intriguing. A typical concept about the evils of genetic engineering is given a spin. A mother's love for her dead daughter leads to the creation of a horrifying genetically engineered creature, with the added angst of a young police detective who is attracted to the woman but has to finally confront the unavoidable fact that his object of attraction is responsible for a scourge of death and horror.
Design wise, this film can take its place with some of the best of modern anime. Camera angles, movements once again, make one forget that this is animation. One of my hallmarks of good anime is that the story, design, animation and music draws one into the STORY. Those of you who like me, love the Special Vehicles Group, might be disappointed that they dont make an appearance until the climax, but give this anime a chance. One more note, the music score can take its place with the first two films, some really beautiful cues are simply heartbreaking make this another winner. As I only have the import DVD, i cannot say who does this score, but its sounds mighty like Mr Kawai, who also did the first two films score. If you are the cautious type, by all means, rent this before buying.

Maybe not even worth a rental...
I'm usually open to anime but this movie just plain, for lack of a better word, [stinks]. I will admit that before this movie I have never watched the Patlabor series or movies before. I thought there would be a lot of mecha action but there was just about 5-10 mins of it. It was so boring in the beginning but I gave it a chance because that's how Gasaraki started and I loved that series after watching it past the first few boring chapters. I can dare say that this movie isn't even for die hard Patlabor fans. ... Read more

Description

On holiday, Kenshin and his companions come across a massive European mansion owned by the wealthy Tsukayama family.There, the young master Yutarou learns swordsmanship from his surrogate father, Raijuuta Isurugi. This teacher turns out to be a Manslayer, and he plans to use the Tsukayama fortune to fund a new revolution! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Kyoto at its best
Personally, the Kyoto storyline has always been my favorite out of all associated with Rurouni Kenshin, and these episodes are one of those periods where you just have to sit back and enjoy what's before you, rather than over-analyze what it may have or lack. One of my younger sisters in particular loves the episode concerning Yahiko and the disappearence of the reverse-blade sword. A good DVD to have if you're in the mood for a less intense, but still enjoyable Kenshin experience.

The only things that will make us immortal are our swords...
Immensely popular in Japan, "Ruroui Kenshin" is an anime series about the intrepid journeys of a masterless roving samurai named Himura Kenshin, an idealist whose Reverse-Blade sword is only sharpened on the backside so that it cannot kill anyone. But the fates repeatedly tempt him to go back into full Battousai ("man-slayer") mode. This is the standard motif for these episodes, in which Kenshin is helped by his friends, Karou Kamiya, the idealistic, passionate and fiery Assistant Master of the Kamiya School, Yahiko Myolin, an orphaned pickpocket from a samurai family, and Sanosuke Sagara, a former opponent who has given up his hatred of all things Imperial.

Volume 5 contains five episodes (Episodes 18-22), including a three-part tale. Episode 18 "Run, Yahiko: Get back the Reverse-Blade Sword Back!" finds the youthful ambition of young Yahiko causing him to actually turn over Kenshin's reverse-blade sword to a bad guy because of empty promises. This sets up the three-part story in which Kenshin and his friends come across a country mansion owned by the wealthy Tsukayama family and where they find that the young master of the house, Yutarou, is looking for someone to teach him swordsmanship. However, it is not Kenshin, but a vengeful samurai named Raijuta who becomes the young boy's mentor and second father.

Episode 19, "Raijuta's Ambition: Dream of a Forbidden Kingdom" sets up the conflict, specifically in terms of Raijuta trying to turn the clock back on the Meiji Restoration and have things return to the good old days of swords rather than guns. Episode 20, "Revival of the Shinko Style: The Technique Which Heralds a Storm" finds Yutarou and Yahiko repeatedly butting heads over not only their skill as "swordsmen," but also the reasons for learning such skills in the first place. Meanwhile, Raijuta has brought together the best warriors in the land to bring about his kingdom and restore their pride, and the authorities are out to stop him. Episode 21, "The Dissolution of a Nightmare: Rajitua's Ambition Concludes" has Rajitua and Kenshin finally drawing swords, and Yutarou literally getting in the middle of the fight and learning a few brutal lessons.

This three-parter covers a lot of the fundamental themes of "Rurouni Kenshin," in terms of the new world created by the Meiji Restoration, Kenshin's vow not to take a life, and the reasons for studying the sword. Although there are some new wrinkles, such as Rajitua's Izuna ("vacuum") stroke, we have covered this ground before. If anything, this trilogy represents a variation on the original Yahiko storyline.

The final offering, Episode 22, "First Train Ride: Danger on a Runaway Locomotive!" is basically a comic relief episode in comparison to the rest of this DVD's dramatic action. Karou insists the gang enjoy the extravagance of the new steam engine and take a train ride to Yokohama. This becomes an anime version of "The Great Train Robbery" because there is a good shipment on board and some pirates are after it and have to be dissuaded by Kenshin and the gang. There are lots of comic fights in this one (those annoying scenes where the pupils of the characters disappear and their faces become all distorted), but after the relative seriousness of the previous episodes this sort of makes sense.

Volume 5 of "Rurouni Kenshin" does not offer any classic episodes of the popular anime, but these five are certainly representative of the strengths of the series. The extras on the DVD include an on-going glossary of Japanese terms that the series uses, taking pains to explain in simple language so that younger viewers will understand the meaning and significance of these concepts. It is that serious tone to the series overall that makes up for the periodically intrusive comic interludes.

Really 3.5--at least it's better than the previous DVD...|g|
This volume contains another five episodes ('eps'), 18-22. The distinctive arc-eps for this DVD (eps 19-21, concerning Raijuuta) probably count as critical eps; but they don't have much impact the underlying story. (They do circumstantially set up one of the better 3rd season arcs; and are at least referred back to once by a future canonical ep.) Eps 18 and 22 are not critical eps and, unlike the Raijuuta arc, don't seem to come from the original manga series.

After the significant drop of DVD #4, the threat-level comes back up somewhat: there is a good (although short) fight scene bridging eps 19 and 20, where Kenshin actually has to resort briefly to Battousai mode; and Raijuuta is dangerous (and ruthless) enough that Kenshin almost slips into Battousai mode again at the climax of the arc. Still, Raijuuta's main tactic is (as the manga explicitly points out) very much the same in principle as Sano's was; and his defeat entails merely dodging long enough to get (unlike Sano) one good blow against him.

One of the interesting things about the Raijuuta arc, is that in some ways it is expanded and yet in some ways condensed from the original manga issues: the first time in the anime series where this happens. In my opinion, the rather major changes from the original story (like most of the minor ones) are actually for the better. (Although I did miss my favorite line from the manga: Sano tells the arrogant Raijuuta, who is mocking Kenshin's--temporary--departure, "You don't have a single clue, do you? You just pissed off the most terrible man in the world..." |g|)

I found the first ep of this DVD (ep 18) to be somewhat implausible in its central concept: it asks us to believe, that at this point in the story, Yahiko could be goaded into _stealing_ Kenshin's reverse-blade sword! But once the plot-element is in place, the ep does a good job of fleshing out the implications of the theft (including the reasons why Yahiko did it). The threat level is a little higher than usual for filler eps, and the villains a little more colorful.

The final ep of the DVD (ep 22) is another semi-comedy ep, involving Kenshin & Co's first ride on a steam locomotive (one of the first such in Japan). The train is also carrying British gold, and so becomes the target of a train-robbery; and some fun is had with this concept. The ep does a fair job hampering Kenshin, thus keeping the relative level of threat at an interesting level. This ep features some coastal pirates (the train typically runs on a dike along the coast, out of a prudent local fear that coals from the smokestack will set towns on fire) who do not seem to be the same group featured later near the end of season one. Sano and Kaoru's debate about what exactly is making the locomotive run (steam or ghosts!) was very amusing. I recommend watching this ep right before the theatrical feature (see my review of it for further reasons.)

The annoying opening title music ('Freckles') is still in place, as well as the inferior of the two first-season end-title credit sequences (although there is a clever segue between the music at the end of ep 22, where Kenshin and Co. have their photograph taken, and the end-title music). There is no outtake collection (possibly for the last time in the AnimeWorks DVD release, if my memory serves correctly). The dubbing remains at its usual high quality, and all the main vocal actors are still on board.

More Excellence From Rurouni Kenshin
In this DVD Kenshin and the gang first have to get the reverse blade sword back from Gohei Hiruma, who tricked Yahiko into stealing it, then they have to protect a young European rich kid from a swordsman whose special technique is to slice things without his sword touching them(the kid thinks this guy wil lteach him swordsmanship when all he relly wants is to use his estate to build an empire, there is a very comedic scene in this small little 3-episode saga when Kenshin forgets NOT to go rushing into the woman's bath without wearing any pants.....

lastly, Kenshin and the rest of the gang go on a train ride(though Sanosuke had to be practicly held on there by Kaoru) to Yokohama, and the train ends up getting robbed

Overall this is a wonderful DVD continuing in the high-quality Rurouni Kenshin standard

Another good buy
The series move on and Kenshin faces another challenge. I will keep this review short so I won't bored the readers with junk. 2 words MUST BUY. ... Read more

Description

Charmed by his peaceful life in Tokyo, Kenshin's thoughts linger on the past. A former member of the Shinsen-gumi, Saitou Hajime was more than a match for the Battosai during the days of the Revolu-tion. Now, Saitou's plot requires the help of a full-strength Kenshin. Therefore, he will attack Kenshin and his loved ones until the violent killer within resurfaces. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Ultimate Manslayer Intensity!
Contained in this DVD is arguably the most spectacular fight scene of the Rurouni Kenshin series. Although some might claim that the Battosai's later battles rival this one between Saitou and Kenshin, I do not share this opinion. Finally viewers get a glimpse of the real manslayer, not only through flashbacks to his revolution exploits, but more importantly with the masterful use of color, contrast, and motion in this, Kenshin's ultimate battle.
I am almost afraid to say too much, and spoil the surprise for you.
The fight begins in Episode 29 and is concluded in Episode 30.
I really cannot express in words how much I love the contract of color used in the fighting.
The shadowing affect obtained with the employment of various shades of brown and duskier, duller colors not only emphasizes the seriousness of this clash and the emotionless stances of both fighters, but it gives incredible contrast to the bright scarlet blood, shining blades, and the hues used to paint the other characters aside from Himura and Saitou.
I urge you, if you want a taste of true anime greatest, no other DVD could be better to introduce you to this awesome world of Japanese animation.
If I was to buy only one Kenshin DVD, this would definitely be it. A true masterpiece of modern media, you will really be missing out on something great if you pass this up. Indulge a little and treat yourself to a great product.

Himura Kenshin takes his sword and wanders the Earth again
Every time I watch the opening credits for "Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai" in addition to trying to sing along with the original Japanese version of "Freckles" I note the irony that Himura Kenshin has not exactly been doing a lot of wandering in these episodes. So when I suddenly noticed that the title of the series is now "Rurouni Kenshin: Legend of Kyoto" and ironically our hero might be returning to his wandering ways:

Episode 28, "Prelude to the Impending Fight: The Shadow of the Wolf Draws Near" begins with a scene from Kenshin's past, showing the Battousai earning his title of man-slayer. One of the recurring elements of the series has been people from Kenshin's past showing up to pick a fight. This time the visitor from the past is Saitou Hajime, A former member of the Shinsengumi and his most formidable opponent form the days of the Revolution. In his first effort to get the Battosai to resurface, Saitou attacks Sanosuke and wounds him the Gatotsu, Saitoh's signature attack. From this calling card Kenshin knows that Saitoh has returned and the question is whether our hero still has the skills to defend himself and his friends. This was actually the final episode of the first season, and since 28 is divisible by 4 you have to appreciate that they did not leave this as a cliffhanger ending to volume 7.

Episode 29, "Strongest Opponent From the Past: Merciless Fangs Strike!" has Saito biding his time before he faces Kenshin, allowing another assassin, the bully Akamatsu, to take his turn. Meanwhile Kenshin's friends are catching on that someone is after him. Akamatsu is not really a match for Kenshin, which means it is time for him to come face to face with Saito and for the battle to begin.

Episode 30, "The Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio's Plot" continues the fight between Kenshin and Saito, while Kaoru worries she will lose Kenshin to the Battousai. But at the height of the battle a new character arrives and changes everything as "Rurouni Kenshin" takes a dramatic turn towards an even larger story arc.

Episode 31, "A Wish Unrequited: Kenshin Departs" is where everything changes as an assassination attempt forces Kenshin to make a fateful decision.

The episode ends with a bit of text that had me panicing because I thought that I had reached the end of the series (I watched the end of "Cowboy Bebop" last week, so I would not have been suprised). However, this is only the start of the second season of "Rurouni Kenshin" and the Kyoto story arc. "Shadow of the Wolf" is actually the prelude for this epic story. If you thought "Rurouni Kenshin" was good before, and that should be a given since you have made it to Volume 7, you should be impressed with how they have upped the ante again for Season 2.

Greatest fight sequence so far...
This is absolutely, positively, no-doubt-about-it incredible! Saito is creepy and mean, but there is honor there, and a small bit of kindness. A former Shinsengumi leader, he is now a police officer, and uses his position (both of them) to his advantage. Of the "bad guys" Kenshin's faced so far, Saito is tied with Aoshi for number one on my list of favorites. I can't say I'd ever like to meet Saito in person, but as a character he is great!

Now, for the fight scene. I'm not kidding when I saw that this is the coolest fight so far. I'm not going to give anything away, but just let me say that this fight alone is worth the money for the dvd. I was blown away by it, and I think you will be too.

Voice acting is normal for this series. The subbed version is awesome, and the dubbed version needs to be destroyed as soon as possible. The English acting sounds stilted and the voices are wrong, especially Kenshin's. My God, I hate the dubbed version!

The art is gorgeous! I love how they did the fights. The animators did a terrific job with the Saito-Kenshin fight, considering that it was taking place at dusk and both characters move incredibly fast.

So, to sum it up--WATCH THIS! If nothing else, you at least need to see the Saito-Kenshin fight! I also loved the scene where Kenshin leaves. Now go WATCH IT!

The Best Episodes
I LOVE this DVD. Anyone who is a Rurouni Kenshin fan or just a Hajime Saitou fan like I am will love these episodes. It's the first appearance of Saitou, former member of the Shinsengumi. This DVD rules cause it includes the greatest battle in Rurouni Kenshin history. Never will you ever see a better duel. And Saitou doesn't see much action during the rest of the Kyoto arc, so this is his biggest battle. Any Ruroken fan should get this DVD right away! It's worth it!

Starts With a BANG
The Kyoto Arc of the Rurouni Kenshin series is arguably where manga artist/author Watsuki Nobuhiro reached his peak. We get more details about Kenshin's past than ever before, some beautiful artwork, incredible new characters, and some of the best fight scenes ever to be illustrated.

And luckily for the fans, the anime series brought the Kyoto Arc to life with style and substance to spare. The First volume, Shadow of the Wolf, starts the second season out with a bang, introducing both Kenshin's old rival, Hajime Saito, and his replacement-turned-renegade, Makoto Shishio, to name but two.

However, the real draw of this DVD is not the story, nor the character development (thought both are pulled off wonderfully by their japanese and english performers) but the deathmatch between Kenshin and Saito that stretched over two episodes. This is most likely the single best duel ever put to celuloid, bar none, and features not only insane acrobatics, but great detail, and a peek at the legendary Hitokiri Battousai.

The extras on this disk are fairly standard fare, but the main draw is the anime itself, and it doesn't dissappoint. A must own for any RK fan. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

How could something so funny.....
....leave such a deep emotional scar?

Just like the third disk of the first season, we get hit with the revelations of battle, the "last date" with Suguru. And the commemcement. Again, filled with flashbacks and introspective moments, this last set of episodes make for an intense experience. As the viewer, many scenes reminded me of moments that occured over the couse of both seasons. After "living" with Mahoro, Suguru, and friends with such enjoyable memories, it all comes down to keeping Suguru away from danger. We get a deja-vu moment of "the picnic that never happened" from the first series. And we are left to our own imagination to decipher what we just saw.

Saying much more than that would be too revealing of the plot. Way too many people have spoiled this story in their reviews, here and on other sites. For better or worse, I think it takes a work of genious to seed such strong emotions in an audience. Mahoromatic is that work. To quote another opinion on this series, "Mahoromatic betrays the atmosphere, and
more importantly the carefully constructed character personalities developed throughout the series." That betrayal is the finishing touch on a true work of art that breaks the rules right when everybody expects the norm. The end result being a solid polarization of the audience containing both good and bad reatcions.

This series has been over the top in every way. From the beginning, it was aparrent that this story would come out no-holds-barred. Perverse, funny, corny, sweet, and upsetting. This series is an experience that I'm glad I subjected myself to.

(Vague Spoiler Warning)

To debunk any Television Economics Naysayers. I have seen a scan of the final page of the manga. The story wasn't butchered for the sake of television. In fact, I would conclude that Gainax merely sprinkled a little sugar on it.

An Emotional Roller Coaster Ride!
Holy Mackerel! I'm still in a state of shock the day after viewing the final two episodes. I've thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. You're totally drawn in as you get to know each of the characters and begin to care and feel for them, particularly Mahoro and Suguru. When I first started watching it I was just expecting a typical light-hearted comedy along the lines of the Love Hina series. But late in the first season and especially at the end of the second, you see a much darker and sinister side to it and you become totally engulfed in the events that are to transpire. Without giving anything away, the writers could have taken the easy way out as the series wound to a close. But their final solution was, shall we say, unique but definitely original; so you've got to give them credit for that. I had to watch the final two episodes each a second time just to try and take it all in and to confirm and reassure myself that what I had just witnessed had actully happened. Basically the series runs the enitire gamut of emotions. It's got it all: comedy, drama, romance, suspense and even a slight aura of mystery about it. Yes, the ending is sad and somewhat depressing, but certainly plausable and as I said before, unique and original. I've certainly never seen anything like it before. It definitely makes you think. For it to be able to have such an emotional impact and still have you talking about it the next day, how could it not succeed?

VERY GOOD
It was more than an anime, it got something else something, this perpective, it was more than it, the ending was explendid, when they way part of your life is maravillous talk, and all, and make you think, have your life been as wonderful, and also make me think when i grow up, isn't betaiful.

Time to clear up the ending
I really enjoyed this whole series, regardless of all the sexual referances and lot of nudity. I read alot of reviews that said the ending is incrediblely sad. it is sad but not as bad as a lot of the endings I seen. Don't read on if you haven't seen the ending. In the end that girly looking cyborg from managment is sent to kill Suguru. Mahoro and Suguru run away to try and escape while Slash and Suguru's grandfather kill all of Managment. The girly cyborg find Mahoro and Suguru but Mahoro self destructs to kill him and save Suguru. With Managment dead peace is made between Humans and Saint but Suguru is thrown into a depression because everyone he has ever loved has died. He moves to a neutral colony and becomes a half human half machine Managment cyborg hunter who greatly resembles Gene Starwind from Outlaw Star. Saint reserects Mahoro to finally make Suguru happy and he moves back to earth to see all his friends again. This is a somewhat good ending but i would love another season where everyone is an adult.

very disappointing
I have to say that I fell in love with this anime from the first episode. It's definitely one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the two most critical episodes (the last two) really sucked.
Don't read further if you are worried about spoilers. The series just fell apart leaving me confused and depressed. While Mahoromatic did at times focus on serious subject matter, for the most part it was a light-hearted comedy. Why they decided to ruin this by turning it into a tragedy is beyond me. The creators really betrayed the fans on this one. They have forever tainted the enjoyment I received from the rest of the series. While the art, music and acting are as amazing as always, the story really ran out of gas. The wrap-up was poorly conceived and rushed, leaving more questions than answers. It does not even feel like part of the same series. And they denied us the ending we all deserved. Isn't there enough sadness in life already? ... Read more

Amazon.com

This rollicking comedy-adventure concludes as the characters finally reach the mysterious world known as the Galactic Leyline. After searching for clues about it in the cyclopean ruins of "Grave of the Dragons," Gene Starwind poses as a prisoner to free the man who knows its coordinates. The expedition to the enigmatic planet turns into a four-way race that pits Gene and his crew against Hazanko and the Kei Pirates, the MacDougal Brothers and Professor Gwen Kahn, and a Ctarl-Ctarl battle cruiser. At the Leyline, Gene, Melfina, and Suzuka confront the pasts that shaped their identities. Suzuka duels with the Pirate who murdered her family--and copied her face (a new twist on identity theft). Gene remembers his life as an orphan after his father sacrificed his life to save his son during a pirate attack. Melfina, who wants to know her true origins, receives a surprising answer. Katsuhiko Chiba's screenplay sometimes staggers, like Gene the morning after a heavy night. Episode 23 is a long digression set in a hot spring with lots of slapstick comedy and jiggle shots, but very little story development. However, the filmmakers do a noteworthy job of preserving the tone of the series and the personalities of the characters while raising the stakes. Gene demonstrates his untapped potential when he engineers an interplanetary jailbreak and battles the maniacal Hazanko, but he remains a devil-may-care rogue: he doesn't turn into a smarmy Good Guy. All the major characters survive the climactic fights, including the evil MacDougal Brothers, which leaves open the possibility of sequels. Gene, Melfina, and Jim Hawking may have returned to the backwater planet Sentinel III--and to a staggering debt to equipment dealer Fred Lou--but they're not likely to stay there. Rated 13 and up: nudity, profanity, sexual humor, and violence. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The golden Anime
Most people assosiate Anime with undeveloped story lines and meaningless plots, but outlaw Star breaks all the common anime steriotypes. Not only does Outlaw star have a great story, but it has a memorable cast of characters that show true human aspects, making them seem more believable. I think that anyone who appretiates good entertainment, will enjoy Outlaw star. Though at times the language can be rather harsh, (mostly expressed by our friend Gene Starwind), and there are brief scenes of nudity, (Often seen with our friend Melfina as she runs the ship from her tank), it hardly takes away from the brilliants of the series, and in fact adds to it's unique perspective of what lies ahead in the futer hero generation. I personally think that these shows would make an asome movie, provided they got a good director, and didn't use Leonardo Dicaprio or the backstreet boys in it. Not saying that they're not good, but it just wouldn't go with the whole Outlaw Star gist. If I ever become a directer I certianly will make the series into a movie! In short, Anyone who appretiates a good story, inventive ideas, memorable characters, humor, and outstanding music, will fall in love with the Outlaw Star series.

Final Collection!
I just got a hold of the 3rd and last installment to the Outlaw Star DVD collection. This DVD includes 2 DVDs with episodes 19-26.

As with all the other DVD collections, extras are minimal and put on the 2nd Disc. I would hope that they put more extras especially because there are only 3 collections for the series. Anyway, this collection includes the textless ending scene for the 2nd ending song titled Tsuki no Ie (The house on the Moon? My japanese knowledge is very small). The extras also include cover art for all the VHS tapes that have been released (13 in all, 2 episodes per tape). I enjoyed this as it's a small alternative to owning all the tapes.

The video quality and transfer appeared very nice in this collection. At times there were parts that were grainy but for the most part it looked amazing, lines were very sharp and clear. Menus are the same format as the ones in the previous collections. Very simple and easy to navigate.

Only thing I'll say about the episodes is that one episode (episode 19) introduces two crew members from the Angel Links, a ship from the military. Now if you haven't heard of it, Angel Links is another anime soon to be released by Bandai Entertainment. This shall prove interesting as two animes in the same (exact) world aren't very common. You should check out Angel Links if you're looking for a new anime to try. The episodes get more interesting and shocking as you go on.

Final Note: The one thing I hate about Bandai DVDs are that each episode are on different 'Titles' as opposed to them all being in 1 Title with different chapters. The problem? Well, loading time is quite long and if you use the Episode Select, you end up going back to the menu after each episode and it gets annoying especially with all the episodes on these collections.

An Above-Average Ending to a Below-Average Series
There are a certain number of quirks and foibles one has to endure if anime is going to hold your interest. 'Outlaw Star' has pretty much all of them.

First, there is the team of heros, so exceptionally diverse you'd think they were each written by different people. This problem is reflected in the villains who, (true to anime style) are each more bizarre and dangerous than the last. The problem is that its almost impossible to tell a coherent story with this setup, as Suzuka demonstrates in one of the final episodes.

Second, there is the problem with the TV-series setup itself. Apparently there is a law somewhere that requires a certain number of 'filler' episodes that have nothing to do with the central plotline. Sometimes the writers really struggle to connect these episodes to the central plot. In several episodes the audience has no idea why the characters are where they are. One episode in particular seems to serve no purpose other than provide a link to 'Outlaw Star's' spinoff series.

And finally there's the fact that every Anime series lags heavily in the beginning before becoming good at the end. The series that best serves as an example of this is 'Evangelion,' which becomes downright pathetic in the middle of the series before becoming beautifully brilliant at the end.

That's pretty much the bottom line for 'Outlaw Star.' Despite a rough beginning and a miserable middle, the ending is genuinely satisfying, enough to make up for all its quirks. If you have the patience to make it all the way to the last disc, you will be richly rewarded.

There is some genuinely cool stuff to be found here. Jim is the star of an excellent episode. Melfina and Harry MacDougal continue to steal the show, leaving the entire rest of the cast behind as their bizarre drama takes off. The prison planet episode was also very good. I suspect more scientific research went into this one episode than the entire rest of the series. One of the 'filler' episodes, involving a tourist resort, seems pointless but (unlike the rest of the show) it is genuinely funny, with a vein of humor so strange, wacky, and downright hilarious it's worthy of Douglas Adams.

The Anten Seven get some good scenes, but mostly they are the mismatched and mostly asinine villain team we've come to expect from the anime genre. As I mentioned before, towards the end Suzuka becomes the subject of a pointless subplot that seems to be inserted only to drag the ending out a bit longer. But these stumbles are made up for by the sheer beauty of the Galactic Leyline and the drama between Gene, Melfina, Harry. Like most anime, this series becomes very strange at the end, but it is strange in a good way. Unlike 'Evangelion,' the ending is odd enough to make you think, but not so bizarre that it's rendered incomprehensible.

Taken together, the series is only average. It has as many awful moments as it has brilliant ones. It's one of the foibles of anime that the brilliant ones have to be stuck at the end. If you were less-than-satisfied with the rest of the series, you can be assured that the final episodes are well worth your time and money.

A comparison of anime finales
Of all the anime series I have collected and seen (Cowboy Bebop, Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, Gundam Wing, etc), this series has the most lighthearted and fun endings of them all. All you anime collectors out there know what im taking about when I say the most great anime endings are sad and dissapointing. The characters die, or are separated. Being tired of all the grief caused by such anime endings, I am glad to find one that leaves the viewer satisfied. I recommend the entire series to every body because of its light heartedness, its superb graphics and fast action. Enjoy!!!

The Best?
Well, of course it is...I am 15 and a collector of anime. I have Lots of anime but this is my favorite anime of all time. I think the story is cool and the technology Evan cooler. The caster (a gun that shoots magic shells) is my favorite weapon. It has 9 episodes on 2 dvds and all the episodes are grate but the last 2 are my favorite...the Hot springs planet tenrai episode (I think that's how its spelled) got into the history of the caster and was funny to boot...if you like action adventure and a guy with a cool gun get this! ... Read more