Description

Based on a manga by Naoko Takeuchi, Sailor Moon is the story of a teenage girl who meets a magical cat who gives her super powers. She becomes the leader of a team of brave girls, known as the Sailor Warriors. Sailor Moon has long been justifiably renowned for the strength of its plot, its direct and honest treatment of romance and, in this uncut version, a realistic and unflinching acceptance of death as a necessary possible consequence of a righteous fight. ... Read more

Reviews (108)

Finally.. The Original UNCUT Sailor Moon Season 1
ADV finally announced the release of the uncut version of Sailor Moon (Season 1). It will packed in 2 high quality hard boxes each one contain 4 DVDs (46 episodes, over 1000 minutes total running time). The voices will be in original Japanese, with English subtitles.

In this uncut version, a realistic and unflinching acceptance of death as a necessary possible consequence of a righteous fight.

The story as it described in ADV words: Based on a manga by Naoko Takeuchi, Sailor Moon is the story of a teenage girl who meets a magical cat who gives her super powers. She becomes the leader of a team of brave girls, known as the Sailor Warriors. Sailor Moon has long been justifiably renowned for the strength of its plot, its direct and honest treatment of romance and, in this uncut version, a realistic and unflinching acceptance of death as a necessary possible consequence of a righteous fight.

A diamond in the rough.
I would love to be able to give this five stars, the story deserves it. Unfortunatly the box set itself is a little disappointing. The audio quality is pretty poor with the sound fading in and out at odd times as well as being rather tinny. I know some of this may simply be due to the fact that the series didn't have a big budget for sound in the begining but seriously, it's been 11 years since the series came out. It's not that hard to clean it up a little is it? Anyway another point of note for those of you who were looking to have both the english language track and the japanese language track in one DVD, this isn't it. This has only the japanese language track with english subtitles.

Aside from the technical issues with the DVD, I absolutely loved the story itself. I ended up watching the whole set in about two days because I couldn't put it down. So in spite of the technical problems with this edition, I do recommend it for any Sailor Moon fan or anybody who like me doesn't enjoy the english dubs for anime and is interested in seeing a bit of Sailor Moon. However, I do not recommend this for the very young Sailor Moon fans who aren't up to reading subtitles very quickly just yet.

Best season of Sailor Moon Ever!
I remember the first time I watched Sailor Moon was on Cartoon Network about six years ago. From the first time I saw the show, I was hooked on it. Luckily, I got to see the first season first and the rest in order. Now about a month ago I bought the boxed set uncut version and was shocked and amazed at how much better the show was in Japanese. Also, there were many more episodes which they didn't show on Cartoon Network. For about 3 years, I was off being hooked on Sailor Moon because the fourth season really lacked. But now, I want to see every episode in its original form, uncut and in Japanese. Watching theshow makes mewant to learn the language evae more. I now have to buy season two and so on. And the best part about this was that I paid less than $60 here at Amazon, about $50 less than Best Buy.

Sailor Moon--the way it was MEANT to be!!
This box set features the entire Sailor Moon Season One, all 46 episodes, all uncut in original Japanese audio with English subtitles.
Reasons why you should buy this boxset-
*Because it's subtitled
*Because it's uncut
*Because it contains several episodes that were never shown in America
And most importantly...
*Because it's Sailor Moon!

I highly recommend this to any Sailor Moon fan (ages 14+) who is looking to see the REAL first season of Sailor Moon, not the choppy, edited, dubbed, HORRIBLE Dic version.
Hope that helped.
~Ashley

Sailor Moon in its purest form
I am a big sailor moon fan and have seen all the seasons in japanese (including StarS). After all the times ive watched sailor moon since 1995 ive realized that season 1 is its purest form. Lets face it the American dub sucks. But in this version its the japanese uncut which i can say is 100% better than the stupid dubbed way. People are complaining about the sound and what not... live with it and grow up. if your a true sailor moon fan then who cares how they made it whats happening i the show should have your full attention not how the screen is and if its not loud enough turn the volume up its not rocket science. This is a really good season and as i said its sailor moon in its purest form all i can say is dont pay $150 for it when you can get it on ebay for $50-$70 and 99.9% of the time you wont have any problems with ebay ive been on ebay for quite a long time and havent had any problems yet. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

It's about time
Finally! Sailor Moon the way it's SUPPOSED to be. Fans now don't have to sit through bad dubbing, fuzzy bootlegs, and don't have to hear those 3 horrible words: "Serena", "Darien", and "Rini".

For those of you who are first timers in this TV series, you'll find that this is a great investment. Not only are you getting the 2nd season uncut and uncensored, but you're getting a series that millions of fans around the world have grown to love. Any age can enjoy Sailor Moon and it offers comedy, drama, suspense, action, romance.... oh the list goes on.

And for those of you who have only seen the English version... I am so sorry. Please do yourself a favor and get yourself this DVD box set and watch the show in its Original format. THIS is the real Sailor Moon.

...And don't be intimidated by subtitles. They are actually 10 times better.

Season 2 is here, how does it stand up??
When I purchased Sailor Moon Season 1:Uncut Box Collection, I was very pleased with the Box design itself. It was made with quality. However, when I put in the first DVD and played episode 1...I was fairly dissapointed with the quality of Audio and Video. Now that Season 2 is here, I am even more outraged. I thought maybe ADV would've learned from their mistakes, but they haven't. The audio is okay until you get to the 5th disc and all you can hear is disturbance. Much worse then Season 1. The video quality was good. I mean, you can't get much better from a Anime that is 11 years old. But what I still can't get out of my head, is that Pioneer did a Fantastic job with Season 3&4 and added a bunch of extras PLUS the english and Japanese versions. It's annoying...seeing as I paid $200 (canadian) and I got low quality. If you're a huge Sailor Moon fan, buy it...it won't get any better then this. I would've given a 5 if it weren't for the annoying interferece of sound in the Audio.

R is the best Season of Sailor Moon
I am a big fan of sailor moon and have seen all the seasons including stars. Out of all of them i think the second which is called R=romance is the best. Its the one season that is different from all the others. Review: Season 1-need to collect rainbow crystals from people. Season 3(S)-need to find pure heart crystals from people. Season 4(SuperS)-need to find pegasus(helios)in peoples dreams. Season 5(StarS which you can only get on ebay)- need to collect the real star seeds from people. All the others besides season 2(R)are about the same. Season 2 is about trying to save neo queen serenity and crystal tokyo from the black moon family and they go to the future. People constantly complain about the screen and sound well the show should have your full attention if your a true fan and if its not loud enough turn up the volume. In my opinion Season 2(R) is definitely the best of them all. But dont pay $150 when you can get it on ebay or amazon for $50-$70.

wonderful
Ok I have to tell you that I started to watch this show when i was like five and I was watching the USA's edited version. Then when I got older I found some of the nonedited versions on the web and got them and they are so much better! Now they aren't for kids you should be at least 12, but they are wonderful. I am so happy that they are putting out the full seasons because before there were some shows that you could not get in the U.S. So if you are a sailor moon fan you must get this.

More Than I Imagined!
I just recently bought and finally got to veiw this set for the first time and I feel I have definatley gotten my money's worth! Many say the sound is off and to some point it is, but I am very happy to have this set and am grateful that, being Sailor Moon is no longer in production here, ADV films still made these for us die hard Sailor Moon fans! I have waited so long to finally view these in their original format and have NO complaints! Not to mention, I have read that the subtitles are incorrect. May be true, but it takes only a little common sense to understand what's going on. No offense to those who feel subtitling has to be completely accurate. To those who have not seen this version, please take the time to view them! It gives you so many details that the dubbed version left out (mind you, I still love the English version as well)!!! The box set is beautiful and very well put together! I could not have asked for more! I give this set a definate two thumbs up! Great job, ADV!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A benchmark series in the history of anime, Hideaki Anno's Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most widely discussed in anime. It's not the first series to combine mecha (futuristic machines, especially robots) with theology and a character-driven story, but it does so exceptionally well. The designs of the robots by Ikuto Yamashita are strikingly original; the questions raised about the future of the human race stimulate viewers' imaginations and the characters show a depth of personality rare in anime. The story is set in 2015, 15 years after a cataclysmic explosion in Antarctica that caused the ice cap to melt, killing a large portion of the Earth's population. Although it was reported as a meteor impact, the explosion was caused by human interaction with Adam, the first of a series of powerful, sentient creatures known as "Angels" to appear on Earth. To defend against their depredations, humans rely on NERV, a secret agency dedicated to destroying the Angels with their gargantuan robot suits called Evas. Only teenagers with special psychic powers can pilot the Evas, and the best pilot is the repressed 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, who is a more interesting, believable character than standard mecha pilots. The two final chapters of the Evangelion series (which originally ran in 1995-96) are highly philosophical ruminations that satisfied neither Anno nor the viewers. The episodes were remade as the theatrical features; however, only the original 26 episodes appear in this set. Not rated; suitable for ages 14 and up: Brief nudity, violence, sexual humor, and complex adult themes. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (246)

Simply breathtaking...
For the record, I am not a huge fan of Anime. Maybe I am looking in the wrong places, but everytime I start to watch a series it ends up as mindless action or mindless comedy. I've only seen 2 that can truly be called intellectual. Serial Experiment: Lain was one. Neon Genesis Evangelion is the other.
I cannot say enough good about this series. It it quite simply the best piece of work to ever have been broadcast. Anywhere. Nothing to come out of America, nothing to come out of Japan, nothing anywhere can meet the sheer brilliance of the 26 episodes of this most disturbing, heartwarming, and beautiful anime.
Evangelion starts out simply enough. Ikari Shinji is a 14-year old boy who gets called upon to pilot a giant mecha, called an Evangelion. He, Rei, and Asuka are the three children that have the ability to pilot these machines. Simple enough, right? The first 3/4's of the series deals with the relationship between these 3 and the various leaders of NERV, the organization they work with. It is highly entertaining, beautifully drawn, and very engaging. Alot of the middle episodes are very light hearted, and nothing too fantastic, but enjoyable in their own right.
It is in the last quater of the series that it becomes brilliant. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Misato (one of the leaders of NERV) become very introspective. By this point their back stories and personalities are developed beyond any rational expectation. I don't want to spoil the moving experience of this anime, but let me just say that it is incredibly philosophical, psychological, and depressing.
Oh, and for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT listen to anyone who tells you not to watch the last 2 episodes. They are, simply put, fools. The last 2 episodes are jarring, disturbing and very hard to watch. They do not give perfect closer to the whole series (don't worry Plot [enthusiasts], End of Evangelion, due out in September ties up all the loose ends). But they made the series for me. You have to see it to believe it and I am not going to spoil it by saying anything more. Just trust that it is simply breathtaking...

A Groundbreaking Masterpiece
It's difficult to describe Evangelion. There's much to be praised, much to be explained, and much left to the imagination. Now, I read reviews and see how people claim that this series lacked too much to be considered a classic, how the characters were too flawed, and how the story itself was too confusing and difficult to follow. Let me clarify a few of these misconceptions; 1) Evangelion is one of the greatest series ever created, whether or not it lacked the mindless action you craved. If that really is the case, go back to DBZ. 2) The characters were not flawed, they were unique. So Shinji was a whiner? So Asuka was a brat? So Misato was slightly irresponsible? So what? The characters personality broke free from the shackles of your conventional anime (1 main charcter who was perfect in every aspect). What you call flaws, I call realism, because the truth is, nobody's perfect. 3) The story wasn't supposed to be some repetitive drek that could be resolved in 2 episodes. The story had enough allusion to make it throughly complex. Sorry that you had to think when you watch TV, but God knows you probably don't do it enough anyway. Now, I can understand some people being displeased with the comic relief, but in this kind of story, it's neccesary so that the viewer doesn't lose themself in depression or thought. You see, the series is not your typical anime where there's happiness and flowers and sunshine and skipping and the whole world joining hands in song. The series is a dark epic into both the relationship between man and God and the interior of the human personality itself. The character development is superbly done in Shinji, and Asuka's is done well also, even though her development is rather negative. There is a very good amount of action in this series, but be warned: there is much blood, and some of the scenes can be disturbing depending on your constitution. The artwork is very nice (at least until the later episodes when Gainax's budget was cut. The animation is still good, but there is a slightly noticable decline in quality to the trained eye). The story is well done, though I would have preferred the series to go on longer, because not only were there a couple unresolved conflicts, but the Human Instrumentality Project could have used a bit more explaining. The music was excellent as well, especially the opening theme (A Cruel Angel's Bloody Thesis). If your looking for a dark, well done robot anime with a perplexing plot that makes you think, then Evangelion is for you! But if your not in to something so depressing, I recommend two other nearly perfect giant robot animes: Gundam Wing and Escaflowne.

The Greatest Anime Series of All Time
Not necessarily the most enjoyable or the best, but certainly the greatest.
I first picked this series up when I was just getting into anime. Browsing through various titles at the library, I found the first volume. It looked interesting, so I borrowed it.
Cool, interesting, but nothing special.
That's what I thought, anyways...
I was interested enough to pick up the next volume, but trailed off after that.
Months later, I stumbled upon the next tape in the series and figured, "Eh, why not."
I took it home and watched it, and from that moment on, I was devoted. I reserved the next volumes so that I could borrow them as soon as they arrived, sometimes on lists with over 100 people preceding me. Slowly, surely, I finished the series.
Admittedly, I was a bit irritated at the last two episodes, but that was okay, because the movie takes care of that. More on that later.
This is, in case you don't know already, the story of a future where Antarctica has been melted by a massive explosion governments claim was a meteor. I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but at least in Japan, where the story takes place (of course), there are no longer any seasons. There is only summer, with occasional rain.
Over two decades after the explosion in 2001, strange, massive aliens called Angels come down from space and attack the HQ of NERV, the organization created to battle the Angels. NERV has built a few giant robots called Evangelions, the only things capable of truly fighting the Angels. In the first episode, you see the true invulnerability of Angels to conventional weapons as one is bombarded by a barrage of missiles, bombs, and, eventually, nuclear mines.
Shinji Ikari is a boy whose mother is dead and father is distant. His father, Gendou Ikari, is the head of NERV and summons him one day to pilot an Evangelion (Eva Unit 01). From here, we meet a whole cast of deeply messed up characters:
Rei Ayanami - The mostly emotionless pilot of Unit 00. She's the blue-haired one.
Misato Katsuragi - An alcoholic and sex fiend by night, powerful commander of the Evas by day! One of the few truly good people in the series.
Ritsuko Akagi - Daughter of the designer of the MAGI, the NERV mainframe. A bit heartless and screwed up in her own way.
Asuka Langley Sohryu - An attention-grubbing, mean-spirited redhead with more than enough attitude for the whole cast. We find that she has an EXTREMELY troubled past, however...

That's just a few, but there is an immense cast of realistic characters, and the plot is insane, weaving all of their stories and motives together into one hell of a tapestry.
One tip of advice, however, before I go any further: by the sixth DVD, you should be watching the series in its original Japanese with subtitles. There is a very specific episode where the English dubbed version pales in comparison to the original haunting screams of the Japanese voice actors.
This series is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. It seems tame enough "giant robot" battle at first, but later in the series, things just keep getting darker and harsher. The characters are forced to endure horrific mental and physical tests, and there are points in the series when blood is literally gushing everywhere.
The characters are neurally connected to their Evas, and hence feel everything that happens to the Unit they are piloting. They cut neural connections or fade them to dull the pain, but this results in some pretty heavy material. I'll never forget when an Angel begins infecting an Evas arm and Ikari orders it severed. The operator insists that the neural connections need to be cut first, but he sternly tells her that they have no time. The film cuts to the Eva's shoulder as the arm blows off. You are then taken to a shot of the pilot inside, in shock and clutching at a shoulder that her mind is convinced is nothing more than a stump.
And that's minor for this show, kids!
In any case, it's very well made in terms of plot and action, and has more than its share of disturbing moments. However, the main merit of this series is its psychological aspect.
Each character, as mentioned before, has their own personal issues. There are entire ten minute spans devoted to analyzation of a character's problems, and there's such a diverse cast with such a diverse set of problems that there's no way that anyone with any issues can't relate.
This comes into play in the movie, but more on that later.
Now, about the last two episodes. Extremely controversial, simply because the people in charge of the series basically said, "Hmmm... You know what? Viewers don't need to know how the plot turns out! Let's just look at Shinji's issues in philosophical discussion for the last two episodes!"
That's right. The plot is abandoned for the sake of some deep discussion time.
However, that's okay.
The series was intended to end with the movie, "End of Evangelion."
That's where the true payoff lies. However incredible the series is, the movie is exponentially greater.
But I'll save that for the movie review.

Very good, but not perfect
Everyone seems to love this series. My fellow anime-luvin buddies kept telling me that I absolutely *HAD* to watch the series if I were to ever call myself an anime fan again. So I watched the whole thing once, and this is what I have to say...:

Pros:
-Great animation; vibrant colors and scenery
-Plot is deep and original (a big plus with me. You are literally sucked into the plot.
-Character design and look overall is great, but...
-I like to opening theme ^^ hehe
-Good voice acting

-Battle scenes are fun to watch

Cons:
-Sometimes plot is too complicated; either my mind can't comprehend some of this stuff or they really didnt explain well what was going on
-Sometimes reuse previous clips to fit in dialogue (true for eng version not sure bout jap....) This got on my nerves SO BAD at the end, cuz they pretty much used the same scene for the whole last 2 friggin episodes.
-Ending SUCKS...made me so mad that I had to rack my brain to get to this
-The characters personalities are somewhat boring. Rei with her monotone voice, shinji with his always-on-the-brink-of-insanity personality, etc.

Overall:
I like it okay. I enjoyed it enough to say this, but not enough to declare myself obsessed with it like most people are. If you want a nice, deep story, then give this a try. If big plots scare you but you like pretty colors, this one's a maybe. Or you can just watch it under peer pressure like I did. Your choice ^_^

Breathtaking! One of the Legends!
One name that is recurring throughout the world of anime is "Evangelion." I never knew why, but I wanted to find out. So I bought the box set and watched the entire series. And now, I understand. Neon Genesis Evangelion has fantastic action, unforgettable drama, and a wonderful cast of characters that would impress even the most hardcore anime fan. It explores the human mind and heart, and questions man's existence and purpose in a way no other anime has.

This series combines mecha-action, beautiful animation and designs (even by today's standards), a riviting story, and believable, diverse characters who actually have emotions and lives of their own. The story revolves around the main characters, particularly that of young Shinji Ikari, the pilot of the awesome Evangelion Unit-01. Some of the other main characters include hot-headed Askua Langley Soryu (pilot of Evangelion Unit-02), cool-as-ice Rei Ayanami (pilot of Evangelion Unit-00), lovely, unconventional Misato Katsuragi (Shinji's guardian, among other things) and Gendo Ikari (Shinji's mysterious father).

One of the reasons why Evangelion is such a fine piece of anime, is because it focuses on the charaters of the story. What the characters feel and think, and how they respond to the world around them has more importance than the action. Although, the action involving the evangelions is immensely impressive.

The final two original episodes (25 & 26) were disappointing, which is why "The End of Evangelion" was created to offer a much more satisfying ending to the benchmark series. It is sold seperately from the box-set unfortunately.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is truly a beautiful, thought-provoking, sometimes heart-wrenching work of art. It is, quite possibly the best anime series ever made. The box-set is well worth the money. And whether you are a fan of anime or not, it is a welcome addition to anyone's dvd collection. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This series is one big joke.
If you're a new anime fan, you'll want to turn on the "AD Vidnotes" feature of the disks. Even if you're a "veteran" fan, you'll want to watch it at least once with them on because it points out little sight gags, and explains a lot of the jokes.

It's a series worthy of the title "Imperfect". It makes fun of lots of anime, real life, and itself.

Excel Saga is excellent
Excel Saga is a crazy, random anime based on the managa written by Koshi Rikudo. It includes numerous anime parodies, and cultural references. And makes fun of everything, even itself. There's a different genre to every episode (Sports, sci-fi, poorly translated action movie, etc.). There are also hilarious characters that make great contrubutions to the show's comedy, such as Ilpallazo: a dictator who often does things that are out of character. Wantanabe, Iwata, and Tsumiyoshi: three roomates that are always fighting. And of course, Excel: the idiot who can't seem to do anything right. (If you like this, also consider Azumanga Daioh)

Greatest anime ever!
Words cannot express my gratitude to ADV films for bringing us such a great series! This is simply anime at its coolest, funniest, and most insane. Every episode is legendary and you simply must own them all. The story revolves around an insane girl ("First name, Excel, last name, Excel, or just Excel for short") and her constantly-on-the-verge-of-death partner in crime, the impossibly meek Hyatt, as they seek to help the megolomaniacal (and often bored) Lord Illpilazzo take over the city. He sees the world as corrupt and plans to take it all over, but taking over the world is as he says, "for imbeciles who can only grasp the most general of concepts" so he's settling for just one city for now. So he basically just sends his girls on bizarre missions hither and thither to create general mischief. This story line (or lack thereof) is so hilarious it could carry the sereis unaided, but wait there's more! Such as Excel's next-door neighbors who fight loudly amongst each other at all hours over such things as money, food, and porn magazines. They all join a public service job under another insane character who attempts to make them into a crime-fighting group. Then there's Pedro, who is killed in an Excel-related accident in the first episode and now wanders the earth as a ghost and undergoes torture after torture throughout the entire series while we all laugh. And, of course, there's Nabeshin, the director's afro-sporting alter-ego "whose sense of self-promotion seeks to straddle the world" as he bursts unannounced into every storyline for no apparent reason other than the fact that he can because he's the director. In fact, the whole staff is in on the joke and the writers, original manga author, and even the singers of the theme song all get in on the action. This may all sound insane and confusing, but trust me, I've barely scratched the surface. Anime satire, parody, and truly disturbing comedy is the name of the game in this show which I can only describe as Japan's answer to shows like "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy". No genre is left untouched; American and Japanese pop culture alike are targetted for ridicule. Not to mention the too many movies and animes to list that are singled out and parodied including Power Rangers, Jaws,Fist of the North Star,Aliens and whatever your favorite anime or movie is, all are brutalized equally. If any of this perks your interest, you really must buy this set. I can't imagine any anime fan with a sense of humor and a cynical outlook on life not enjoying this series. The episodes can be (nay, MUST BE) watched again and again, in Japanese and English, and you will still catch some new joke every time you watch them. In fact, to get every single joke and reference you'll almost certainly have to go through some scenes frame-by-frame (it's a labor of love). Alright, I'll let you go now so you can buy the damn boxed set already!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buying all six Episodes seperatly COSTS! Now you can get them all in this, and it is WORTH it! Excel Saga is a creative, funny anime that once a person starts watching it they can't stop! One thing about the saga is people start picking up lines!

In the first episode alone, my friends and I pick up the line, "Good caps Evils @$$" And now we say that all the time! The saga is fun, funny, and easy for people who have never seen anime for to get into!

WARNING: The Excel Saga story is extremely Confusing and actually has no plot until the later episodes (The last to disks), but don't let that stop you, because there are some great things!

The Entire Series at a real good price
This my friends is Excel Saga, personally i never seen it but from the reviews and such, let me say this series sounds great! Its got fanservice and its funny as heck! $80 is a good price for this set, God bless ADV films for yet another awesome series! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Martian Successor Nadesico (1996) was initially criticized in Japan formaking fun of both anime and fan culture, but its unbridled and ultimatelygood-natured silliness won over critics--and large audiences on both sides ofthe Pacific. It's 2195 A.D. and the "Jovian Lizards" are attacking Earth.Tired of the inept campaigns of the United Space Force, Nergal HeavyIndustries builds a super battleship, the Nadesico, which they staff with toppeople who have "slight personality problems." Ditsy Captain Yurika nurses acrush on the traumatized Akito--despite his skill as a robot pilot, he signson as a cook. He's won over by the irrepressible Gai Daigoji, a fanaticadmirer of Gekigangar 3, a hilarious spoof of '70s mecha series.The story reaches new heights of absurdity in "Let's Go with Hot-BloodedAnime": the casts of Nadesico and Gekigangar watch each other'sprograms, borrowing ideas and complaining about the plots.

In anotherepisode, the crew holds a "Geki Fest" that satirizes anime conventions,including booths selling special, "limited edition" merchandise. The warbecomes a struggle that pits the crew of the Nadesico against both theJovians and Nergal Industries. Although the conflict hinges on Akito'smysterious ability to move through space and time in a "boson jump," thepath to peace lies in Gekigangar 3 ("the thread that ties humanitytogether!"). In America, only Rocky and Bullwinkle and TheSimpsons have dared such outrageous self-parody. (Rated for ages 12 and older: Briefnudity, mildly risqué humor, cartoon violence) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (28)

All too complete
Providers seem to be getting the hint from the high sales of the Eva and Gasarki boxsets, so they've finally released the complete series of Nadesico. The plot we won't repeat, we're sure any fan site or other review will tell you more than you want to know - our advice is to buy without reading up on it.

The case itself is a bit of an enigma. Not just a box containing all of the dvds, this case composed of 3 double & 2 single cases moulded together. This makes a positive difference in terms of weight, space-saving and removes the worry that they'll fall out, but you do lose all that nice case art from the seperate dvds.

Without a doubt though, this is great deal taking the price into account. The quality is crisp and infinitely superior to vhs in terms of sound and picture. The one thing that we got annoyed over was Ruri's comment at the end of episode 26 "some of those questions will be answered in the inevitable sequel." But there is no sequel - just the Movie 'Prince of Darkness', which like most anime movies, only provides further questions.

Overview & My 2 cents
Overview: Aliens known as the Jovians destroyed earth's base on Mars, wiping out its space fleets. Only one ship stands between Earth and total annihilation - Nadesico. A private company, Nergal builts Nadesico, a space battle cruiser to provide "assistance" to earth's military. Free from the military control, they had the free reign to assemble the most unusual crew for the mission. With a ace pilot who is also the cook and the commander of Nadesico, an admirals's daughter, things gets complicated. This new starship is the most formidable fighting vehicle ever built. However, before Nadesco can wrestle with the Jovian invaders, the crew must defeat their fellow humans as they elude the military's attempt to seize the Nadesico.

My $0.02: It may seems like a typical space sci-fi action anime but this series provides a lot of hilarious moments with an unusual cast of characters. Also the story thickens as the crew of Nadesico learns more about their alien invaders and how it's ace pilot was mysteriously transported to earth from Mars just before it was obliterated.

I enjoyed this anime mainly because it's funny and I like animes like Robotech. You will like it too if you like sci-fi mecha type anime with comedy and some parody.

You Get To Burning - With This DVD Boxset!!!
There aren't many good sci-fi animes these days. But one I would recommend is Martian Successor Nadesico: The Complete Chronicles Collection Set. This anime series maybe in the 90s. But once you watch it, you can never get tired of watching it again & again.

With 26 episodes altogether, there are a dozen chracters you can remember. The epic tale of humans versus the jovians will surprise you with a twist. Then there is a craze anime within an anime that will bring forth the reason why the Jovians fight for. There is romance. There is comedy. And there is mecha fight scenes you will enjoy. Not to mention great music soundtrack that will keep you humming the tunes.

Cute, adorable, enjoyable by its own... this is a DVD Boxset you mustn't miss. Trust me, in my years on Robotech during the 80s... I never thought discovering Nadesico could be this addictive!

Not going to spoil any further... you just have to buy this boxset. My recommendation to any anime sci-fi fans out there.

Mobile Battleship Nadesico...
Fans of Robotech or even Starblazers might look at this collection and wonder if they should buy it. Do it. But be warned, it is also like Love Hina, Tenchi Muyo and the Excel Saga. Love between characters, war between almost everybody and humor, some of it even picking on anime, makes the 650 minutes worth any price. Plus tons of extras and WAY too many trailers.
The story is simple, at first. The Jovians launch a attack against Mars, destroying mankind's outposts and blasting the United Earth Forces right out of space. Mankind fights to defend the Earth and what they still control of the Earth's Moon, but the Jovians have a huge advantage in military technology.
The Nergal Corporation builts a super weapon in the form of Nadesico, crewed by wackos, misfits, anime fans and everybody who has the skills needed to run the ship. They plan to rerun to Mars, to liberate it.
Then things get complex. The Jovians MAY be on the RIGHT side, the Nergal Corporation is not interested in librating anybody and the Earth government seems to be trying to hide something.
The characters, from the super-intelligent Ruri Hoshino to the brilliant, if somewhat unbalanced, Commander Yurika, all have funny AND serious sides to their nature.
The series asks tons of questions, about right and wrong, love and friendship, peace and war. Even after 26 episodes, not everything is answered, but it does give you a lot to chew on. And laugh about.

Great Story!!
Martian Successor Nadesico is one of my favorite show of all time. After finish the whole series, i have to say there are some good sence with action and great garphic, however, there are some sence that is very bore and means nothing at all. But overall everything is great and i like the character's development and the humor within each characters. But it's too bad to see the ending ended in a unclear way... ... Read more

Reviews (9)

TOO MUCH RECAPS AND STILLNESS...
The story and plot of "His and Her Circumstances" are excellent no doubt, but the anime had ruined everything. There are too much recaps and stillness in this anime that makes you wonder if the director gave any effort in it at all...

When I first watch the series I thought it was great and was excited to watch on. I didn't really expect it to go bad so fast.

First: There are recaps in practically every episodes. What is worse, as if we hadn't had enough, is that they didicate another episode and a half on recaps. No wonder they can't finish the ending and left us cliff hanging, is because they practically base it on RECRAPS...

Second: The series hold too much stillness in it. Most of the time they have the characters "PAUSED" while just their lips moving; or showing them in manga forms without much effort of movements. WHY NOT JUST READ THE MANGAS INSTEAD...

Third: The anime also base on sceneries too much. Who the heck want to see sceneries than their favorite characters...

Forth: Again, the story and plot are excellent but how the director developed the series, well, feels FAKE. I bet the manga feels more real than the series...

It could've been excellent; no thanks to the director. I do recommend you try this anime, but probably in manga books than in series...

Great Anime With A Crappy Ending
This was a great anime. It was funny, REALLY FUNNY, and I would've given it 5 stars, but . . . THE ENDING BITES. There better be another enstallment coming out, 'cause it ended too soon. I have the manga also, so I knew sorta what to expect, but when it ended I was like "WTF!?" How could it end like that? It really sucked. But, overall, this was a very good anime. It had a good storyline (2 overachievers fall in love with each other after discovering the other was a fake), it was really funny, the animation rocked, and I actually liked all of the main chracters. I don't regret buying this at all, despite it's ending. It's become one of my favorites animes.

Really, really funny
His and Her Circumstances is incredibly funny. Though the storytelling is very direct in the beginning, and character development pretty much done in the first few episodes, the whole series was very enjoyable to watch. This isn't a typical love story with all the backstabbing, exaggerated angst you'd find in a series like, say, fushigi yuugi. His And Her Circumstances, is almost an acquired taste since its niether fast paced nor full of plot turns. Some people whine about the whole still pictures with floating text thing, but it works well to give the story a subtle, reflective flavor to it that makes you think.

First love...
Two kids in high school, one a girl named Yukino Miyazawa who is a hard working student because she loves the praise and attention it gets her, and the other a boy, named Souichirou Arima,who comes along and takes it away from her, by being the perfect boy. Of course, this pisses her off and that's when the fun starts.
Yukino does all she can to plot her revenge, but what happens when he tells her he loves her? And what happens when she realizes she might love him too?
The story is somewhat realistic in the plot, there are no aliens or robots here, just love, hate, need and friendships. The artwork, and music, changes, depending on the inside thoughts of the characters and whose point of view we happen to be watching. Sometimes it looks like something out of a black and white film and other times it makes Southpark look like a classic! But it made me laugh and, a couple of times, almost made me cry. The characters are all flawed, yet sometimes very strong and very real. While they sometimes get confused, they don't act stupid nor do they just let things get worse while they whine. They charge ahead and try to change things for the better, even if things sometimes get really messy.
There are lots of recaps and flashbacks. Also, the reason I dropped a point was because there is no closure. There better be another anime series in the making, otherwise I'll have get the manga to figure out what happens next!
OK for males and females, so guys, buy it too!

Gainax does it again--as in, fails
Every time another Gainax title jumps into the fray, the same thing happens. Lots of hype. And it's no wonder; they start out extremely engaging and innovative. Then, like the doomed train wreck that any Gainax film is, it goes flying off the track and into oblivion.

His And Her Circumstances chronicles the romance between Yukino and Arima, two high school students striving to be the best for all the wrong reasons. The plot starts out sweet and engaging, with lots of humor. It becomes old pretty quickly, however, because of the mind-numbing angst employed. Remember all those random on-screen text inserts in "Evangelion"? Yep, they're back. With a vegeance. Yukino and Arima love to go off on these unrealistic tangents where they think about how wonderful or terrible everything is. Cue sappy violin music and lots of inner monologue. Repeat until you feel sick to your stomach. Really, Mr. Anno, this wasn't cool in Eva, and it's not cool now. Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou is up there with the greatest disappointments of anime. Do yourself a favor and check out the far more endearing "Marmalade Boy," which has all the ups and downs of a shaky relationship with a far smaller (if still a bit high) angst helping. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

So Great!
Beastmaster was/is such a fantastic show that I recommend everyone out there, whether they are interested in science fiction or not, to go out and buy these DVD sets. Even if you are not into the fantasy types of programs, the wonderful scripts will have you crying and laughing along with everyone else. There are so many different senarios that the show's main character, Dar, gets himself into, that there is certainly something there for everyone. Usually the first season of every show made is the best, because it is when you really get to know the characters and get to have your first impressions. This show, I believe, is no exception, but the second and thrid seasons are almost of the same quality. I initially began watching the show when there was nothing else on and I saw Daniel Goddard, who plays Dar, running around the jungle in a loin cloth and was instantly hooked. Definitely a must-have DVD set...

Much better than Hercules / Xena
If like me you hated how ignorant Hercules and Xena were, and want more serious fantasy like Lord of the rings. Beastmaster meets somewhere in the middle.
It of course does not have the big budget that rings did, but it still comes off very emotional and better written than Herc/Xena.
If you are an animal lover you may even tear up a few times while watching.
I'm glad that I finaly jumped in and bought the series.

excitement abounds
this is awesome that they decided to put this series on DVD so future fantasy fans can enjoy it and current ones who missed this hidden gem can see it, too. i was so caught up with this series when it came out that i couldn't wait until the next ep came out. none of the reviewers have commented on the fact that the star of the show, daniel goddard, is HOT. all of you female fantasy fans out there (there are more of us than you think) will appreciate every episode of bare-chested dan. pass the plate 'cause it is mmmmmmmm mmmmmmm good.

Wonderful series. Trekkies: Try this out
I was very sceptical when I bought the first series thinking I would hate a series based on a muscle bound Tarzan like man. I am an avid Trekkie and have watched every Star Trek episode made, up to and including the 2nd season of Enterprise. What could I possibly see in a Jungle based series with no scientific implements or space exploration.
The very first episode blew my mind with it fabulous cinematography and excellent sound effects. Once I got into the series it started to look very similar to the original Star trek. With Dar replacing Captain Kirk and Tao as his right hand man the thinker (Spok without the Vulcan ears). They are out to explore the world and right its wrongs. Amusingly the sourcerers even have their own version of the "Prime Directive" which prohibits them from interfering in human affairs.
The special effects are great, the costumes are wonderful and the setting absolutely spectacular.

Way to go ADV!
I am thrilled to see Beastmaster finally released on DVD. Out of the three seasons, the first, in my opinion, is the best. ADV-Films have chosen to release Beastmaster in season sets. The picture quality is what I'm beginning to expect from ADV. It's beautiful. ADV releases some of the best quality picture & sound ever. It is presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen, which makes it appear cinematic. The only extra features are all 22 of the episode previews and some ads for other ADV releases. Episode previews are something that I enjoy and want when TV series are released, so I am thankful that they at least added those. It would have been nice to have more extra features, but the show is being released more quickly than some other ADV series. (Mutant X, Farscape, & Andromeda for example.) Considering the price and the quality of this set, you should buy it today. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This imaginative 2002 TV series is vastly superior to creator Yutaka Izubuchi's muddled Gasaraki (1997). High school student and aspiring artist Kamina stumbles into a parallel world aftera subway accident. The Tokyo of 2015 that he knows has been hidden in a way that causes time to pass more slowly--it's 12 years later than he believed. The outer world is engaged in a war fought with giant mecha that use sound as a weapon--and in which Kamina will play a key role. Everyone in this world recognizes him as "the Ollin"; when Reika,a girl he's painted, leads Kamina to a gigantic egg, the splendid mecha RahXephon hatches from it and bonds with Kamina. The premise recalls Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure, but RahXephon is better plotted and executed, with more engaging characters and strikingly original mecha designs. This set contains all 7 volumes of the series. (Rated 15 and older:violence, brief nudity, minor profanity, alcohol use) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Anime doesnt get any better than this!
"RahXephon- Complete collection" repackages the 2003 7 disc TV series from ADV Films into a space saving thinpak collection. The orginal cover art is used but buyers wont get the dvd character booklets that accompanied the original release nor is the motion picture included. The series does come in a stylish collectors box with new artwork. If you missed RahXephon the first time don't hesitate to pick up this amazing series.

RahXephon was at first dismissed by some as a clone of Neon Genesis Evangelion with it the similar idea of a protagonist (in this case Ayato Kamina) reluctant to use the giant mecha RahXephon to fight otherworldly invaders. Those who watched the show realised thats where the similarities end.

RahXephon is the story of high schooler Ayato Kamina, a ordinary guy living in Tokyo, the last city on Earth that didnt fall to invaders the MU. The citizens of Tokyo are constantly aware that invasion could happen at any point and in the first episode it does. During the attack Ayato is seperated from his friends and meets up with another classmate Reika who takes him to an underground room where she awakens the RahXEphon and makes Ayato become one with the hulking mecha. Ayato is able to escape the city using the RahXephon where he soon learns Tokyo is actually controlled by the MU.

Over the course of the series Ayato has to unravel the truth of the world, come to grips with his own personal demons and decide how he is connected to the RahXEphon.

The series does a great job of storytelling. The first episode quickly throws many questions at the viewer and has you wondering just what is the truth in the world of RahXephon. The pacing of the story is excellent. Viewers are given just enough answers to questions to keep them satisfied while having new questions crop up. The show will keep you guessing until the end.

A phenomenal anime that has action, romance, comedy, big mecha and lots of mystery- truly something for everyone. If you haven't seen RahXephon yet, what are you waiting for?

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

An excellent anime series
This complete collection contains the same discs from the current, individual volumes but now at a fraction of the cost. The discs come in thinpaks housed in a chipboard artbox. The only things that are missing are the booklets from the individual volumes. Note that while this is called a complete collection, it does not include the movie DVD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Trust
The four-episode Samurai X: Trust original animation video captures the mixture of swordplay and poetry that makes Japanese warrior culture so intriguing to viewers on both sides of the Pacific. The OAV series serves as a prequel to both Samurai X: The Movie and the more lighthearted TV series. The action unfolds in 1864, when a few clans began the revolt that would overthrow the military dictatorship of the Tokugawa Shogunate and return power to the Emperor in the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Shinta, a lonely orphan, is transformed by master swordsman Hiko into Kenshin Himura, an assassin in the service of Katsura, one of the revolutionary leaders. Kenshin kills whomever Katsura orders with consummate skill and unshatterable calm. He believes he is using his sword to bring about a better world, even as the intrigues and counter-intrigues escalate. But he becomes aware of unspoken doubts when he meets Tomoe, a mysterious girl whose beauty, like the iris, is seen to best advantage in cloudy weather. Director Kazuhiro Furuhashi choreographs the sword fights with a grace that infuses even scenes of extreme violence with an elegant sensuality: in one striking image, he focuses on the rain washing a spatter of blood from Tomoe's cheek. The dialogue in the English translation often sounds stilted, but the words are usually superfluous.

Betrayal
The peace that reigns over the remote mountain village of Otsu contrasts sharply with the rapid-fire violence of the previous episodes set in Kyoto. Working as a farmer, growing crops and savoring the passage of the seasons, Kenshin comes to terms with the discontent festering in his soul. He regrets the death and suffering he has caused, and hopes to find a better life--with the mysterious Tomoe. A conventional story would end on this note of self-discovery and moral growth. But Samurai X unfolds like a Kabuki tragedy: the desire for revenge remains strong, especially among the agents of the last Tokugawa Shogun, who are anxious to crush the nascent rebellion led by the Choshu clan. Kenshin was an important agent for the Choshu; Tomoe is just a pawn, but the outcome of a game may hinge on a strategically positioned pawn. Kenshin finally grasps the lessons his master, Hiko, attempted to teach him: the need for inner peace and the possibility of defending the weak without resorting to violence. The exquisitely detailed artwork evokes 19th century Japan, and director Kazuhiro Furuhashi depicts these understated inner conflicts as skillfully as the epic sword fights in the first episodes. Samurai X demonstrates the power of animation to present stories of great emotional depth, earning it a rightful place among the top anime series.

Reflection
The final OAV brings the long-running saga of master swordsman and assassin Kenshin Himura to its conclusion. The story is set in 1893, long after the bloody conflicts of the Meiji Restoration--and the events in the previous OAVs that culminated in the death of Kenshin's wife, Tomoe. With his devoted second wife, Kaoru, Kenshin seeks peace in trying to aid the helpless. But he cannot escape the karmic burden of the many deaths he caused: there is no peace for Kenshin in this world. The Japanese concept of the transitory nature of beauty permeates the two-part adventure. Director Kazuhiro Furuhashi ushers the narrative along at a deliberate pace, deftly inserting the many flashback sequences. The result is a properly elegiac farewell to one of most popular anime characters on both sides of the Pacific. (Rated 17 and older: violence, alcohol use, mature themes) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Samurai X
Hmmm. Well, Im a bit biased, since I live anime. Now that that is out of the way, I would like to tell you what I think of this. Rurouni Kenshin is my favorite anime. It is about a famous ex-assasin turned wanderer and his struggles involving his past, internal, as well as externally. When I first heard of Samurai X, I thought that it was just Rurouni Kenshin being released in US under a different name. However, I soon learned that it is the story of when he was still Hitokiri Battousai, the manslayer. While the title is appaling, since it has nothing to do with Kenshin, since he is not a samurai, nor is that an X on his cheek(cross), I think that this is a spectacular mini-series and a must own for any anime fan and especially Rurouni Kenshin fan. However, this is NOT one for the kids. Bloody, violent, and full of saki this anime is. I feel that hasnt seen an R rated flick should be kept away from this masterpiece. It may cause some emotional scarring ;). However, if you even like anime a little, and arent scared by some gore, then this is for you!

All you can ask for in a compact package!
From the groundbreaking work of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Rurouni Kenshin, comes the prequel and the sequels to this paramount anime series. The Trust and Betrayal (prequel) OAVs are unparallel to anything you have ever seen before. The darkness that surrounds the story of kenshin's old man-slayer days reflets his feelings at the time and adds greatly to the story. For all you thrill-seekers, the action in this movie is unmatched by any other. Also, there's a very complex love story intertwined masterfully into the blood and gore that was the transition period between the Tokugawa Era to the Meiji Era. These turbulent times were the perfect setting for this story to take place. The battles fought in the movie were actual historical battles at those exact locations. The names of the clans were also real (The "Imperialists" [Choushu clan] Mibu's wolves [Shinsengumi], etc). The plot is wonderful, the story reels you in and the animation and music is simply superb! The animation is sleek and you feel as if you're witnessing all the action first hand! The music is also a vital part of this series. The composer of all the great instrumentals in this movie is Taku Iwasaki. The music sets the mood for the movie. For example in the battle scenes when "One more Red Nightmare" comes on, it sets that dark killing mood into place that just compliments those scenes perfectly. "Shades of Revolution" also gives teh movie that mysterious touch, with the eerie wolf howls and violin pieces, it is again unparallel to any other music in any other anime series.

The same can be said of the Reflection OAV. This is the sad part of the story, how the whole story wraps up. Of course, not in the original plotline of what Nobuhiro Watsuki originally wrote, but it is indeed a good rendition. (Of course nothing compares to the original story in the Manga of Rurouni Kenshin, but that's another point.)

Not enough can be said about this, any anime fan HAS to experience the beutiful story of Rurouni Kenshin. There are not enough stars in this review to rate this, I would personally give it as many stars as possible.

samurai x ova
I have only seen this anime in the orijinal japanies as American voice work can be a bit lacking, that hasn't stopped me from being ingulfed in the kenshin univers, as with manny of the fine anime films and manga books no detail was left obscure, the series was full of purpose and uncluttered. I would suggest this series to any one, weather they watched anime or not, for this is one of the reasons i do.

Simply the Best
I love the anime series of Rurouni Kenshin, but the OVA's, especially Trust and Betrayal, are simply amazing! I loved seeing Kenshin as a young and serious hitokiri and later, as a happily married man.

One of the box collection extras are brief character analysis, including Kenshin, Tomoe, Hiko Seijuro, and Enishi. Kenshin's superiors are also included, something I thought was extremly helpful, as I kept confusing some of the leaders of the clans. Also, some historical background information is provided which further helped me understand what things were like during that time period.

Again, I LOVE Kenshin and would highly recommend the OVA collection to anyone who doesn't already own the OVA's.

Sadly, audio mastering spoils this wonderful anime
Samurai X (or Rurouni Kenshin) OVAs are among the best anime ever produced. The story, the art, the characters, everything just blew my mind away when I saw them for the first time, and still does. But, alas, something went awry, probably in the mastering phase of this release:

For some unknown reason there are very annoying problems in the audio, which heavily affect the watching experience. Every now and then, when there is music, speech and sound effects playing simultaneously, music drops about 10-20 db, and the sound effects control the whole soundscape. Then, after a few seconds, the music strengthens again as suddenly as it weakened.

Especially in this kind of story, where music plays a really big part in the atmosphere, these kinds of problems can't be forgiven. For me, it destroed the whole watching experience, which means that I'm forced to watch old digitized vhs-versions.

Shame on the guys who mastered this. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This wacky sci-fi comedy-adventure originally aired in Japan from 1993 to 1994 and was followed by a 10-part original animation video. Justy Ueki Tylor bridges two Japanese traditions: he begins as a common anime type, the endearing dolt, but develops into the drunken, wise fool of Zen parables. As war erupts between Earth and the Raalgon Empire, Tyler enlists in the United Planets Space Force because he wants "an easy life." Through sheer dumb luck, he resolves a hostage crisis involving a venerable admiral and wins a promotion to captain of the Soyokaze, a broken-down battle cruiser manned by a crew of misfits. His bumbling successes bring Tylor to the attention of the 16-year-old Raalgon empress Azalyn and her trusted lieutenant, Captain Ru Baruba Dom: he wins the heart of the former and the respect of the latter, along with the affection of his crew. Although Tylor's adventures are played for laughs and clearly aren't intended to be taken seriously, there are some major holes in the plot. The filmmakers introduce questions and subplots, ranging from a scheme to usurp the throne of Raalgon to the fate of the previous captain of the Soyokaze, that are left unresolved when Tylor and his crew blast off for new adventures. Captain Tylor lacks the no-holds-barred nuttiness of Nadesico but will appeal to fans of comic space adventures. Unrated; suitable for ages 12 and up: sexual humor, minor nudity, violence, alcohol use. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Soooo Irresponsible
This review is partially a direct review of the series and partially a response to other reviews read here.

If you don't like a series that goes over-the-top, you won't like ICT.

If you don't like blatant denial of probability and how things actually work, you won't like ICT.

If you don't like humerous character stereotypes taken to and beyond the extreme, you won't like ICT.

I love this show. I first purchased it used on VHS several years ago from a comic store I had some in-store credit with. Irresponsible Captain Tylor is purposefully and blatantly overboard with its wackiness and characters. I guess it is possible to find this annoying, as at least one reviewer on here did, but this characteristic is really the entire point of the series. Tylor's mind-numbingly constant good luck is not a crappy plot gap, it's a cornerstone of the series, as are the niches filled by the characters around him.

There's really nothing in this series you could change to improve it, not because it's the best anime ever (though it's one of my favorites) but because changing it would destroy everything it's trying to be.

Probably none of this matters or makes sense to you and you're all going to click the little "this reveiw did not help me at all" button underneath, but as far as I'm concerned, you can't find a better comedy anime than Irresponsible Captain Tylor.

It's Irresponsible of you to miss this Great Series!!!!!
I'm not going to go into to much detail with my review. All I would like to say is that The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is a rare type of Anime. Its the kind where you laugh, but at the same time feel that you have come away from it having learned something. Its hard to explain. But what I will say is the world would be a better place if more people had Tylor's attitude.
The series is laugh out loud funny and rich with characters. Sometimes certain characters are left out of the loop and are underused or undercharacterized but its not enough to take away from this series.
The over all story is really enjoyable and the Final battle is very intense, and the victory OUTSTANDING!!!
This series also has one of the most satisfying endings I have ever encountered and left me wishing it never ended (there is the OVA series you can watch after this, a sequel of sorts, to the first series).
The extras on the DVD are wonderful, ships schematics (ALL of them, even ships seen for 2 seconds in the series), character synopsis, music videos, and more.
I recommend this to anyone who wants to watch a good anime series and to people who want to get a taste of what anime has to offer. I highly recommend this to everyone you will not be disapointed!!

A great anime
Captain Tylor is the best anime I've seen since Cowboy Bebop. And it is just as good!

Well done.
This is the first, and one of the only, anime series I have ever seen, and it was thrilling for me. The film makes an effective mockery of Star Trek, Star Wars, etc, and is, for the most part, free of overly ribald materials.

its got jason in it! O_O
Growing up in a Trekkie household, I found Tylor to be the perfect yin to Star Trek's yang. Tylor, quite simply, is the anti-Kirk, and it works beautifully. This series is one of the most beautiful productions I have ever seen, and is the perfect blend of comedy and drama, with even the most minor of characters fleshed out. From what I understand, this series was a labor of love ... and it shows.

For the space opera genre, which often takes itself way too seriously, it's refreshing to see a takeoff on it that isn't overtly slapstick. Instead of going for sight gags and below-the-belt humor, the writers go for wry, witty dialogue, and allusions to many a classic science-fiction novel and movie. The situations, while unbelievable, are still plausible ... they really could happen in battle, and you never really figure out whether Tylor is along for the ride or really IS the great tactical genius in military history.

Again, though Tylor is the main character, and an incredibly good one at that, he doesn't steal the show. He has the perfect balance of supporting characters, ranging from Yuriko Star, the uptight, by-the-book lieutenant; Yamamoto, the even-more by-the-book traditionalist, who is prone to weeping spells and (ultimately useless) dramatic speeches, the marines Andressen and Cryburn, who could have been pulled out of Starship Troopers (mind you, the Heinlein novel, not the Hollywood travesty), and the obligatory cute teenage twins, Yumi and Emi, who turn out to be pretty darn good fighter pilots. Even Jason. Yes, THAT Jason, the star of so many slasher films, is a crew member on the Soyokaze. And a good team player to boot! (Who'd have thunk it?)

In short, Tylor is a smart spoof that stands up quite well on its own. With an engaging plot, wonderful characters, well-rendered world-building, and surprisingly sympathetic "bad guys", Tylor will still be as fresh years from now as it is today. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gasaraki blends high-quality animation with interesting mecha designs and a convoluted plot that borrows heavily from Evangelion. In the not-too-distant future, the robot-suits of the Gowa Corporation fight in a Middle Eastern conflict modeled on the Gulf War. That battle is linked to the Gowa family's attempts to unleash the Gasaraki, a powerful entity from another dimension, through a Noh dance by Yoshiro Gowa, the youngest of the brothers. Miharu, a young woman who shares a psychic bond with both Yoshiro and the Gasaraki, thwarts their efforts. While his older brother Kazukiyo plots with a fanatic right-wing cabal to "purify" Japan, Yoshiro and Mirahu embark on a voyage of self-discovery. They learn that the real Yushiro Gowa died eight years ago, and share a vision of a revolt in Heian Japan (794-1185) involving Kugai, huge mobile suits with faces modeled on Noh masks. When Yoshiro and Miharu block Kazukiyo's plot to resurrect the mysterious Gasaraki, they are carried into an Evangelion-like collage of still artwork, processed live action, drawn animation, and computer-generated imagery, overlaid with a pointillist vocal track. Toru Nozaki's screenplay leaves major plot threads dangling, including Yoshiro's death and replacement. Director Ryusuke Takahashi struggles to move the various subplots along, but the result is like watching a juggler trying to keep one ball too many in the air. Gasaraki divides viewers into fervent partisans and furious detractors. Rated 12+: Violence, tobacco use, brief nudity, occasional profanity, grotesque imagery. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (10)

no one ever reads titles, just the review...look below
The success of an anime series hinges on many factors, such as animation, plot, character development, etc., and Gasaraki does not fail to satisfy any of the demands any serious fan has. However, the plot is perhaps superfluously convoluted, which results in a somewhat boring and drawn out story which is used a fortiori to introduce the goals of Yushiro and to extend the series even further (thus leaving the plot open to even more expansion). It is certainly possible to start watching the series from the 13th episode, as it succintly summarizes and clarifies the previous 12. Although this is possible it is not recommended because it leaves out the details and, of course, the superlatively excellent animation. Contrary to popular belief, this series falls short of a mecha anime, as mecha battles are minimal, and personal problems and international disputes abound. Gasaraki should be viewed for the story and not for the action. Only one factor contributed to the four star rating which I so graciously conferred to this series, and it deals with the voice acting. Although many people prefer the original Japanese voice actors, the English actors presented on this series perform splendidly and do not fail to capture the emotions, or lack thereof in some instances, conveyed by the characters. However, the actor for one of the SSDF's captains (his name escapes me) annoyingly resembles Humphrey Bogart and the orangutan from the 1980s American cartoon show, Shirt Tails. His voice was completely unbefitting for the role, especially in such a serious series such as this. His voice exacerbated my already weary tensions that this series induced via volume 7, which notably has a narcoleptic aspect. Despite my somewhat harsh but compulsory criticism, I found Gasaraki quite enjoyable. The animation is by far among the best I have seen, and the story, as complex and elaborate as it was, had a magnetic quality that prevented me from leaving the television. I believe that fans of Japanese voice actors should watch this series in English without apprehension due to the superb job of the English actors (with exception to the orangutan). Additionally, Gasaraki is a rather pleasant alternative to the typical action, magic, mecha, etc. animes out there that most people should enjoy. (Although this series is shrouded in mysticism, the overall militaristic nature has a stronger hold on the viewer).

Slow-moving complex political drama in animation form
First off, Gasaraki is a series that requires a good deal of careful attention. Do not venture into this series if all you want is instant gratification - you won't get it. Don't even try marathoning it, you will be overloaded as there is quite a lot to digest.

Gasaraki is a slow-moving complex political drama with some excellent mecha action thrown into the mix. The series starts off right in the centre of a weapons development programme in Japan and goes on to develop a story about global political manoeuvring played on very high stakes. Adding to this heady mix is the incorporation of some mystical and supernatural elements coupled with traditional Japanese dance theatre to drive this complex political drama along.

Mecha fans should rejoice as this series features probably the most realistic depiction of a military mecha unit, so realistic that it could possibly be built in the very near future. Considerable thought has been put into how a real military mecha would be used, their strengths and weaknesses - e.g. a bipedal mecha unit in a sandstorm will suffer from having fine sand clogging the joints and actuators.

Not only is the mecha frightening realistic, some of the political events featured and how these are all presented (via cable and satelite news) are spookily like the real thing. The political manoeuvring is a delight to watch while the philosophies and thinking are quite interesting.

By now, you're probably asking whether the ending is satisfying in light of what some have written before. It all depends on how conclusive an ending you are looking for. All I can say is that I'm quite satisfied with the ending. Without giving out any spoilers, I can tell you the ending of the series will provide an explanation of what Gasaraki means which ties in with one of the overall themes of this series.

There is an unfortunate aspect to Gasaraki though, as given the amount of detail and depth of the story, something usually has to give and in Gasaraki's case, character development suffers. This is due to both insufficient time to properly realise the key characters as there are many things that are left unexplained, and the large number cast of secondary characters involved.

Considering that this is a relatively recent series, the animation quality throughout the series is very good. There is one very pleasant surprise though, the English dub for the series is excellent and is a match with the original Japanese track. This is most unlike quite a number of anime series out there where the English dub just doesn't match with the characters on-screen.

There are no special extras with the boxset (except that it, of course, comes with a box) as it is just a collection of all the 8 DVD volumes into one neat package held in a cardboard box. If you are ready to commit to the series, this Perfect Collection boxset is a cost-efficient way to pick it up.

Slow burner that's a thinker
Let me tell you. If your a trecky... or you like titles that build up... keep you guessing. This title might be for you. There's a lot of techno-bable at times but as I said if your a trecky you'll love it. This has GOT to be one of hte most realistic anime in terms of modern day robotic battles. Granted the plot hints that not everything was produced by humans though. Even I haven't seen the whole thing yet but I will say if your into the modern day combat with robotic platforms with a scifi twist of a "mysterous" force that will keep you guessing this could be the anime for you. If your still wondering rent the first DVD. It contain's 4 eps and will get you deep enough to determine if you want to keep going. The first four eps are a little slow, but the story really start's to pick up from there.

The reason I gave it four star's was due to the fact that it's in a small nitch of "thinking" anime's that doesn't quite lead you by the nose. It apeals to me but I'm an old school RPGer that likes to be forced to think and I know that not everyone like to be forced to think these days

A Great Idea Brought Down By Poor Execution
The Gasaraki premise is unique and intriguing: only two people--young Yoshiro Gowa and Miharu, both opposing "pilots"--are blessed with the ability as "kai" to summon the Gasaraki, a powerfuly, mysterious, but extremely destructive force. As kai, they are also endowed with wonderful physical abilities, such as extreme endurance, and the ability to raise and maintain their pulse rates at exceeding two to three hundred beats per minute, a quality that makes them ideal pilots of battle-ready robots thrown into the mix in a middle-eastern war.

A 3.5 star rating would be more appropriate for this series which seems to show so much promise. The art is of a newer sort that promises to be the medium in which all subsequent anime will follow: cleaner, flatter characters, drawn more thickly and with less of the lines that make some anime attractive. The main characters, Yoshiro and Miharu are extremely inviting and well-developed characters. The battle scenes are fluid, and the designs for the kugai (as the legend goes, the kai perform a Noh Dance to summon the Gasaraki, which takes or kills the kai, leaving a kugai--a primal, predator-looking giant robot in the Eva mode) are spectacular. The movie moves at a good consistent pace, with few slow spots, and the important section flashing back to the history of the kai in ancient Japan is extremely compelling, and could survive as a show on its own. Yet how does it fail?

The biggest culprit is in its ambition. The plot is extremely heavy and disorganized, loaded with plenty of philosophy, politics, legend, and politics. And politics. This would have been okay if it had the background story and character development to support it, but other than Yoshiro and Miharu, the characters are all given fluctuating levels of importance, with little or no exploration of who they are. There are so many characters anyway that doing that would be impossible. To better muddle through Gasaraki, separate characters into these groups before watching:
Yoshiro and Miharu, the kai/pilots; the Gowa corporation, Yoshiro's family, which basically rules Japan; the Symbol corporation, most noted by its CEO; Yoshiro's squad mates on Japan's battle mecha team; the US, Japan, and another Middle Eastern countries as separate entities; and a side group that includes Yoshiro's younger sister, mother, and Noh dance teacher.

Understanding that these groups exist and that they each have their own motivations will hopefully be helpful. It's a good watch, but requires plenty of patience. The ending is almost a side note to the climactic section on the kai flashbacks. It's an ending, but not a satisfying one.

A decent watch, and a questionable addition to your collection.

Great anime
First of all, be warned: this is a slow-moving, complex anime, not just some mindless action flick. If you don't think you had handle that, don't buy it.
It has a great story and animation, but is a slow-moving anime, and requires some patience when e=watching
Overall, I think this is a great buy. Definitaly worth every cent you pay. ... Read more

Description

The Genomex Corporation conducted radical genetic experiments on humans, which gave them powerful abilities.Genomex now ruthlessly hunts them down in an attempt to cover up its blunder.And only Mutant X can stop them! ... Read more