Reviews (6)

Sailor Moon S Kicks S ;)
Season one blew me away....the uncut Japanese version made me respect the series far more than I did when it was shown by DIC. I found Season 3 through a company who sends directly from Malaysia before it was offered on Amazon, and the story line blew me away! It's a far cry from the Americanized version, definitely not a little kids show. The revelations throughout this season are astounding. This season is probably my favorite, along with Season 5, Sailor Stars. If you want the URL to order Sailor Stars, feel free to email me at kevinpeterstewart@hotmail.com. In short, Season 3 should NOT be missed and is definitely worth the cash. Ciao!

My favorite season so far!
Sailor Moon and the sailor soldiers may have ended the battle with Death Phantom. But now, they all must face a greater challenge: They're in 9th grade now, and have to study for the high school entrance exams! That, and face a mysterious, powerful new enemy that want to steal people's pure hearts. And they encounter two new mysterious soldiers, who apparantly don't want to be involved with Sailor Moon.

I first saw Sailor Moon S when it was aired on Cartoon Network, and I was really suprised with the improvements that they made with the dub. The original background music was used, and most of the new characters names had been retained. These were removed when Dic dubbed the first two seasons, but luckily, CWI took over to dub the third and fourth seasons.

Even though I'm mentioning the dub, I prefer the original Japanese soundtrack. And in this boxed set, the sound and video were clear. Those were the problems that I found most irritating in the previously released ADV boxed sets of the first and second seasons. My only critisizms on the boxed set itself is that it lacks the reversable covers that were in the original releases, and the cases are thin-packs. Other than those drawbacks, this is an excellent boxed set to an excellent season of Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon. And I suggest that if you're a fan of the dub and the original version, you should definetely get this.

Great Set!
This set is really great. I am so happy with the Japanese subtitled version.
I was all ways ticked off, that the American public had to change so much of Sailor Moon.
So I was glad to finally see the rightful version of Sailor Moon S.
I love Uranus and Neptune even more now, because I finally get to enjoy the characters.
As they were meant to be!

Box Set!
Wow, I bought all these dvds separate. Im sad. The box is so pretty too.

I give this 4 stars only because it wasnt my favorite season. The first two seasons and Sailor Stars (Which you can buy on ebay) were my favorites. mmmhm.

But if you are looking to own this season this is the way to buy it. Not separate.

Sailormoon at it's best!
I'm a huge Moony so I love all the seasons, but S is the best! Please, everyone, don't watch it in English! The changes they make are awful. Starting with the names: Serena, Lita, Darien, etc. But more importantly, Haruka and Michiru are Amara and Michelle, COUSINS. Anyone who knows the real Sailormoon knows that they are a lesbian couple, and that for some reason the American dubbers considered that inappropriate. (Bigots). Anyway, this season is the best because it has all my favorite Sailor Senshi in it (meaning not the Starlights or Chibi Chibi or the evil ones), and lots of plot twists and an interesting and touching end. After S, Stars is the best. ... Read more

Description

VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES!! - Featuring exclusive Zeta Gundam artwork by famed artist, Tsukasa Kotobuki (Saber Marionette J) - Limited Collector's DVD Art Box featuring 'Thinpak' packaging - Exclusive collection of Zeta Gundam collectable figures/pencil sharpeners - Exclusive Zeta Gundam Poster - 48 page Zeta Gundam 'encyclopedia' booklet

Universal Century 0087, Seven years have past since the defeat of the Zeon army during what has now become known as the 'One Year War'.An elite Federation military force known as the Titans are tasked with the prevention of further uprising by space colonies orbiting the Earth.Tragically, the destruction of an entire space colony at the hands of the facist-like Titans threaten to undermine peace between the Earth and those living in space. A civilian, two decorated war heroes, and a powerful new Gundam mobile suit - The world is once again on the brink of war and the future of humanity is at stake. ... Read more

Description

Collect all eight volumes of the Tenchi Universe TV series in a special boxed set.All DVDs are uncut and bilingual. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Cool series
INTRODUCTION:
Although the Tenchi Muyo anime series became a massive hit in its native Japan and other neighboring nations, it was never fortunate enough to gain that kind of success in the United States. That's a real shame, because this is one of the best anime series out there. It DID air briefly in America on the Cartoon Network, but it never really won the audiences over the way series like Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z did. But this series is every bit as good as the animes that DID achieve fame in America. Read on for my review of this set.

BASIC PLOT:
It's hard to describe this series because there are so many twists and turns in the plot, but I'll try my best. The story follows a young man named Tenchi Masaki, who has just returned to school from a long break. Soon enough, he meets up with a rather strange cast of characters, and discovers that he may be the last hope for saving the universe! To make things even more difficult for him, many of these strange characters he has met fall in love with him, and this creates some competition amongst them that results in some rather comical scenes.

SERIES OPINIONS:
Why is this series so underrated in America? This is one of the best animes out there. It combines the samurai-style action of Dragon Ball Z with the romance/slapstick humor stylings of Sailor Moon, and this creates a series that is universally appealing. And believe me, over time this series will grow on you.

THE DUB:
Surprisingly, the dub version of this series isn't that bad. A few scenes have been mistranslated or toned down for American audiences, but it's nothing major like with other animes. Here's a little tip, if you're curious about what has been changed - while you're watching the Japanese subtitled version of the DVD, hit the Audio button on your DVD remote and switch to the dub track. This way you can watch the English dub with the English subtitles for the Japanese version - there's no better way to see how different some of the translations are!

DVD:
Once again, DVDs featuring an uncut dub and an uncut sub have been released. This is great because you get both versions of the series. There are also some bonus features as well. There aren't a whole lot of bonuses, but at least there are some - a number of anime DVDs don't have any at all!

OVERALL:
Overall this is an excellent DVD set, and it's good to have all the episodes of this classic series on DVD at long last. Still, the DVDs could have been done a little better. If you're an anime fan, this is a strongly recommended release.

Hooray!
Easily the best of any of the Tenchi Series, Universe is a joy because they don't have twenty years to complete the series, nor the expectation of following a huge first hit. Every episode is a joy because they aren't in search of some cosmic plot. The characters develop without flooding the viewer with useless details about their past. And Ayeka and Ryoko actually cry over Tenchi. It's so sweet.
Episode 25 has to be one of the few perfect episodes in all of anime (like Pierrot LeFou in cowboy Bebop), because the characters all take their 15 minutes and leave. The whole of this series is presented in good taste, rich in drama, and quits while it's still ahead. A true staple of any collection. (We are also treated to a delicious satire of Sailor Moon. The writers are clever enough even to mock Jupiter's and Mercury's romantic relationship. Just one more reason to purchase this series.)

Volume 7 of the Tenchi Universe.
The first episode is a swimsuit episode, which is pretty normal for anime, so no surprises there. The plot is that, once again, the gang needs money. The ship needs some repair work done and the fastest way to make money, besides the jobs they've taken, is a swimsuit contest in which the winner gets one million Jurai dollars. Everybody decides to join. After all, with so many pretty women ONE of them has to win. Even Nagi joins the contest! The ending of this episode is no surprise, but it is kind of funny. I won't give it away.
The next episode is just as funny, even if it does bring us back on track to the main story arch. Tenchi and the gang need to get past the outer defenses of Jurai space. So they pretend to be a school group to get through the checkpoint, one of the many space stations that encircle that area of space. Tenchi even cross-dresses to be a girl! I don't want to give too much away, but the episode is not just funny, it shows us that not everybody is against our Heros.
The last episode is somewhat serious. While being chased they enter a sector of space that is forbidden, a sacred place to Jurai. The shock is that Katsuhito is the one that directed them to fly into it! He knew it was there and he has brought them to it for a reason. He has come to uncover two Knights of old, Knights who would awaken to help the Jurai Family in time of great need. So they land on a planet within the region to find the Knights. But things don't go as planned.

This last episode can be very confusing but it reveals alot about almost everybody! Who Katsuhito really is, how willing Sasami is to make friends, so on. This DVD is a must to understand and enjoy the last DVD in the series.

Good series
INTRODUCTION:
Although the Tenchi Muyo anime series became a massive hit in its native Japan and other neighboring nations, it was never fortunate enough to gain that kind of success in the United States. That's a real shame, because this is one of the best anime series out there. It DID air briefly in America on the Cartoon Network, but it never really won the audiences over the way series like Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z did. But this series is every bit as good as the animes that DID achieve fame in America. Read on for my review of this set.

BASIC PLOT:
It's hard to describe this series because there are so many twists and turns in the plot, but I'll try my best. The story follows a young man named Tenchi Masaki, who has just returned to school from a long break. Soon enough, he meets up with a rather strange cast of characters, and discovers that he may be the last hope for saving the universe! To make things even more difficult for him, many of these strange characters he has met fall in love with him, and this creates some competition amongst them that results in some rather comical scenes.

SERIES OPINIONS:
Why is this series so underrated in America? This is one of the best animes out there. It combines the samurai-style action of Dragon Ball Z with the romance/slapstick humor stylings of Sailor Moon, and this creates a series that is universally appealing. And believe me, over time this series will grow on you.

THE DUB:
Surprisingly, the dub version of this series isn't that bad. A few scenes have been mistranslated or toned down for American audiences, but it's nothing major like with other animes. Here's a little tip, if you're curious about what has been changed - while you're watching the Japanese subtitled version of the DVD, hit the Audio button on your DVD remote and switch to the dub track. This way you can watch the English dub with the English subtitles for the Japanese version - there's no better way to see how different some of the translations are!

DVD:
Once again, DVDs featuring an uncut dub and an uncut sub have been released. This is great because you get both versions of the series. There are also some bonus features as well. There aren't a whole lot of bonuses, but at least there are some - a number of anime DVDs don't have any at all!

OVERALL:
Overall this is an excellent DVD set, and it's good to have all the episodes of this classic series on DVD at long last. Still, the DVDs could have been done a little better. If you're an anime fan, this is a strongly recommended release.

What Can We Say, It's Tenchi!!!
Tenchi Muyo is one of the MOST popular series ever to be braught from Japan to America. (Pioneer dubbed and subbed it.) While I haven't been fortunate enought to see the OVA, I have seen all of these episodes, (and all of the movies and Tenchi in Tokyo), AND, as the BIGGEST anime fan EVER, must say that it is one of the best series ever created. The character design is brilliant, the animation techniques beautiful, and the storyline kicks serious blankety-blank. (Threw that in for all the Martian Successor Nadesico fans out there reading this! heh heh ;) ). Anyway, trust me on this one; Tenchi Muyo should not be missed. Ever. By anyone. If you are a true otaku, then you should seriously go for this one. Subbed or dubbed, whichever you happen to pick up, either will rock. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The first animated work from Leiji Matsumoto, who would create the popular Captain Harlock saga, Star Blazers (Uchu Senkan Yamato or Space Cruiser Yamato, 1974) was a landmark program in Japan and America. When it aired in syndication in the U.S. in 1979, the character names were anglicized (Susumu Kodai became Derek Wildstar; Admiral Okita, Captain Avatar, etc.), the violence and drinking were heavily censored, and the World War II connections of the Yamato were tactfully downplayed. The Quest for Iscandar comprises the first 26-episode continuity; two additional TV series and several features would follow.In the year 2199, the war with the planet Gamilon has turned the Earth's surface into a radioactive desert. The radiation will penetrate the bedrock protecting humanity's underground cities in another year, destroying all remaining life. A message arrives from Queen Starsha of the planet Iscandar, offering a way to eliminate the deadly radiation and providing plans for an engine that can power a ship across the 148,000 light-year gap. Scientists convert the ruined shell of the battleship Yamato into a starship in a desperate attempt to save the planet, and the perilous voyage begins. The animation and character designs look very dated, but Gen-Xers who grew up watching it remember Star Blazers vividly. The bonus materials include a virtual tour of the Argo, an interactive map of the journey to Iscandar, and some footage deleted from the American broadcast version. Unrated; suitable for ages 8 and up: Violence largely restricted to spaceship and robot attacks. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Make Mine Manga!
If you were being packed off to school on innumerable mornings in the late 70s/early 80s, chances are you woke up extra early some mornings to the rousing tones of the "Star Blazers" theme:

"We're off to outer space,
Leaving Mother Earth,
To save the human race
Our Star Blazers!"

The half-hour cartoons which ensued were nothing short of miraculous to kids weaned on Looney Tunes: furiously intense little snippets of a small band of heroes in a tricked-out World War Two battleship in a desperate struggle against evil aliens.

This was no "G.I. Joe," folks---the stakes were high, and people got hurt. The captain of the Argo spent much of the trip battling radiation poisoning, the heroes were invariably placed in precarious situations and occasionally were lost. While the Star Force won most of the battles, these victories were dearly bought; many episodes ended with the ship limping along leaving enormous smoke trails in its wake.

Now "Star Blazers" has finally arrived on DVD.

I started watching the first episode, and wound up sitting in front of the TV oblivious to everything around me until I watched all 6 DVDs (about 12 hrs in all). Despite a transfer showing no improvement over the muddy images which danced across my 13" color screen all those years ago, this series STILL has the power to hook the unwary.

In addition to the 26 first series episodes, the DVD edition also includes a ton of nifty special features providing a wealth of background information. My particular favorite is the interactive mission map detailing the Argo's entire journey to Iscandar and back with episode-specific summaries of key events.

I've seen a lot of Japanese manga since "Star Blazers" first bombarded my eyeballs, but slick production and hard-boiled storylines pale in comparison to the ominous warning at the end of each episode: "Hurry, Star Force! Earth has only 256 days left!"

Buy this set. Consider it Cosmo-DNA for the soul.

We're Off to Outer Space!
I was tempted to give this a five star review, but that was probably just nostalgia. I grew up watching Star Blazers. It was my first exposure to anime (not that I knew what anime was back then).
Watching it again for the first time in nearly twenty years, I found myself still enjoying the story. It's human drama and an epic war story that spans the stars.
So why not a higher rating. Simplicity. These days, I do know what anime is, and I've had opportunity to see the original Space Battleship Yamato that this was translated from.
The deleted scenes are restored as extras on the discs. But the original japanese dialogue is not, and in some places the translation was kiddie-fied to make it more saturday morning friendly here in the U.S.
Still a great series, and a must if you're a fan of Leiji Matsumoto's epic form of storytelling.

Great Anime - Super Storyline - Great Color !
.
This is it, people, the Starblazers Series One set. It's the "Quest for Iscandar" storyline and its just as fun to watch now as it was when you were a kid.

Starblazers was a very popular series when shown in the United States in the 1970's. It's very colorfully drawn and importantly, it has a good story to tell.

Basically, the story is this - Earth is attacked and only has one year until it will be destroyed unless the Star Force can fly to a distant planet (Iscandar) and retrieve the machine necessary to removing deadly radiation.

Its just the kind of stuff you want to worry about when you're a kid watching cartoons, right? That's the wonderful thing about anime. It doesn't write "down" to its audience. It's as much adult entertainment as it is for the kids.

And this is a special series, because it also has the coolest opening title song ever - its impossible to get out of your head - and I know you're looking for the lyrics so here you go - sing along with the DVDs.

We're off to outer space, we're leaving Mother Earth
To save the human race. Our Star Blazers.
Searching for a distant star, heading off to Iscandar
Leaving all we love behind, who knows what dangers we'll find?
We must be strong and brave, our home we've got to save.
If we don't, in just one year, Mother Earth will disappear
Fighting with the Gamalons, we won't stop until we've won
Then we'll return, and when we arrive
The Earth will survive with our Star Blazers.

I highly recommend this set. Its a must have for any Anime fan.

Regards,
turtlex

Finally a clear Yamato/Argo
10 years ago, I bought the VHS versions of StarBlazers and was very disappointed by the lousy quality of the picture and sound.
With the DVD version, you have a crystal sharp picture. The sound, well you can only do so much with the sound, but for a 70's Anime series it's not bad.
If you spent the afternoons when you were a kid cheering for Wildstar, Nova, Venture, and Captain Avatar, this is a MUST HAVE. If your kids have never seen this, it's high time they were introduced to some real adventure from the land of the rising sun.
The special extras are great. I especially suggest check out disc 2's original trailer and scenes that never showed on US tv.
While the price may seem a bit steep, you will NOT be upset with the product.
And to my old friend Kenny, who gave me a copy of Be Forever Yamato almost 20 years ago, thank you. It is now joined be this wonderful series.

"Searching for a distant star..."
Now, for the actual DVDs. Let's be honest, some of the dated animation is quite frankly, laughable by today's standards...and I love it! What sets this show apart from all the shows of my youth is the simple fact that it doesn't sound like a kid's show. There are phrases like "tachyon particles" and words like "antiquated" in a kid's show? Not likely. Also, what propells this show are the absolutely great ideas for any science-fiction adventure story. George Lucas even took ideas from this series and slightly changed them for the first "Star Wars Trilogy." I noticed just the other episode that the "Star Force" salute is identical to the "Thermian" salute used in the film "Galaxy Quest." Coincidence? There are also many goofy, yet charming phrases strewn throughout, like: "dynamic do-all" and the always intimidating "ultra-menace missle." Some of the characters are also comically evil, like Lord Desslok, who sounds more like a demented Roddy Mcdowall on laughing gas than the leader of the Gamilons. Again, I love it! Then there are always the gross miscalculations of the crewmembers: "We went thousands of light-years in less than a minute!" Of course, Venture was referring to the distance between the Earth's moon and Mars. Even as a child I knew better than that! Anyway, this is a priceless piece of nostalgia for me, and for anyone who grew up loving the this series as a child. They certainly don't make them like this anymore...and that's too bad. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The second four-disc set of Fushigi Yûgi continues the adventures of Miaka and Yui, two Japanese middle-school girls drawn into an ancient Chinese book, The Universe of the Four Gods. The later episodes are darker in tone, marked by threats of rape, attempted rape, and the deaths of several secondary characters (some of whom die two or three times). Miaka and her friends, who fight in the name of the "beast-god" Suzaku, are pitted against the warriors of the rival deity, Seiryu: twins Amiboshi and Suboshi; werewolf Ashitare; lightning-wielding Soi; Miboshi, who looks like a tiny monk; Tomo, who dresses like a Peking Opera general; and the icily vicious Nagako. Nagako commands this troop in the name of Yui, who is waging a vendetta against Miaka. Despite the myriad plots, battles, and spells, director Hajime Kamegaki focuses on the romance between Miaka and martial artist Tamahome. Tamahome has lost the outlaw panache that initially made him attractive, and Miaka has grown no more prepossessing. She whines continuously, and every third episode seems to end with her either declaring she'll never forgive some evil or apologizing for not living up to someone's expectations. What does Tamahome see in her? Their endless proclamations of undying fidelity leave little time for the activities of the more colorful and interesting supporting characters--transvestite Nuriko, sorcerer-in-training Chichiri, and mountain bandit Tasuki. While Miaka and her friends slog on, her brother Keisuke and his friend Tetsuya are reading The Universe of the Four Gods and tracking its effects in the real world. The final battle that pits Tomahome against Nagako and Suzaku against Seiryu proves more anticlimactic than apocalyptic. Kamegaki has several key events occur off camera, including Yui's final wish to Seiryu and how Miaka escapes from the penalty customarily imposed on those who summon Suzaku. Fushigi Yûgi should be seen one or two episodes at a time: watching for more than an hour is like eating a box of bonbons in one sitting. Rated 13 and up for violence, nudity, and sexual situations, including suggestions of rape. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (54)

An Improvement over the 1st Half but.....
The second half was definitely better than the first but it still had a lot of problems (what else would you expect from Fushigi Yugi?). First the good things. The animation was better for the most part (there were a some poorly and lazily done episodes), but I guess they made up for it with the "Nuriko, the Eternal Farewell" episode. That was a fantastic episode. One of the best one in the entire series. Also, the episode where Tatara and Suzuno were reunited was fantastic. The music set the feeling of the moment perfectly resulting in one of the best moments of the series or of any anime series for that matter. The summoning of Seiryu was done very well also. The ending was great too with some nicely done animation. Great voice acting on the part of Seki Tomokazu, Touma Yumi, and Nuriko's seiyuu. Now onto the bad. In the second half I still had a problem with the main character Miaka who was still (except for the very end) a bad character in my opinion. In this second half of the series she was still running after Tamahome or away from (We can't be together I can't marry you bladdy blah blah) and saying stuff like that would be the best for Tamahome then running off which was complete [nonsense]. The creators of the anime must have been TRYING to make us not like Miaka. They succeded pretty well. Miaka's voice actress, Araki Kae, should stick to the little girls like Chibi Usa instead of doing 8th grade girls because she sounds horridly annoying in Miaka's role. Tamahome is not much better, all of his 2,000 love speeches to Miaka or about Miaka make me want to mute the TV even though it IS Modorikawa Hikaru doing Tamahome's voice. Thankfully there wasn't as much Hotohori scenes in the second half. The animation in the episode where something surprising happens involving Chiriko (I think you know what I'm talking about) was awful. That episode was the most screentime Chiriko had in the entire series, more than the amount of all his previous screentime put together. All the stuff about I want to know Tamahome's true feelings was annoying too. Did anybody notice after Miaka came out of Tomo's shin shell thing and it showed that up (sort of at an angle shot) of Miaka? It was riduculous. No human is that thin and certainly no human who eats as much as Miaka does is. Even Yui isn't shown as thin as that and she isn't obssessed with food. There was way too much Miaka fan service, half of the time she has no clothes on, partly because everybody else is always taking them off (Tamahome, Nakago, Tomo, Nuriko) and everyone's always trying to take away her virginity so she can't summon Suzaku, very annoying. I wish we had been able to see more of the Byakko Seven because they were all much more interesting than Miaka and Tamahome ever were to me. I loved Tatara and Suzuno especially. Fushigi Yugi has lots of ups and downs and it's your choice whether you want to invest the money for the whole thing.

Hmmm...
Well, I'm writing this under the assumption that all readers are considering buying/have bought and watched the first half of the Fushigi Yuugi series. I'll start right now by saying that I've only ever seen it in Japanese, so I can't give you a fair opinion on the English dub.

In brief, what I thought of Fushgi Yuugi in general- well, I really quite liked it. It's not a favourite of mine, and I don't think it ever will be, but its still incredibly cute and funny.

What I thought of this set:

Well, excuse me while I go bang my head against a wall. Don't get me wrong- the second half is definately not bad, and for the most part is very, very enjoyable. There are, however, certain aspects that have inspired within me the urge to hurt something.

1) The complete shifts in characters. Miyaka started out as a likeable character. Granted, she was a ditz, but the character had spirit and passion, and was done very well. By this point in the series though, her personality has shifted completely. Gone is the girl who was willing to fight a gang in an alley because she didn't have to worry about teachers yelling at her. (This was in episode 3, I believe.) Enter Miyaka, weak priestess, who wanders around wailing and blushing, waiting for people to cater to beck and call....

Tamahome suffered the same personality shift as Miyaka. Like her, I really loved Tamahome at the start of the series. His character was portrayed as being shallow with a good heart underneath it all. Like Miyaka, he was hilarious, and incredibly likeable. I shamelessly admit that I was cheering him on the whole time, hoping he'd 'get the girl'. By the time the second series rocked up though, he had Miyaka and had become a simpering mess. He was completely whipped, no longer the strong character I liked. It was extremely disappointing.

We get to see more insight into Yui, but not much into the Seiryuu Seven, which is vaguely disappointing, but can be forgiven. We see the Byakko Seven- well, three members- and slowly find out more and more in the dark past of 'The Universe of the Four Gods', which I have to say, is excellently done. Sadly though, there is very little Hotohori- in my opinion, a real shame, as his character was wonderful and his Japanese voice actor is one of my personal favourites.

The plot is still engaging. It doesn't focus on the other members of the Seven as much as I'd like, in favour of screams of 'Tamahome!' 'Miyaka!' but each character does get their brief spot in the limelight.

The drawings are still excellent, and the animation flows as well as the first season. When it's not trying too hard to be deep and meaningful, we see that wonderful Fushigi Yuugi humour, which was originally the first thing that caught my attention. There's still plenty of fanservice, which was kind of misplaced, considering this is a series that targets girls, but is still funny.

All in all, the second series is enjoyable, and is a nice way to round out the series. The ending leaves a bit to be desired, but that's what the OVAs are for. If you've seen the first half of Fushigi Yuugi (which was, to me, superior) this half is a necessity. I don't think that, on the whole, you'll be disappointed. Still, if you're anything like me, you'll wish that certain parts had been revised.

Fushigi Yugi
4 GODS, 2 WORLDS, 7 WARRIORS, 1 QUEST.

WARNING, MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS (okay it does)!!!

Hi it's me again!! You know from Fushigi Yugi Boxed Set 1.

If you haven't read it yet go and read it!!
Here are all the characters (with their powers) so far:
Susaku-Miaka-Priestess, Tamahome-Martial Arts, Hotohori-Sword, Nuriko-Strength, Tasuki-Harisen, Chichiri-Magic, Mitsukake-Healer, and Chriko-Intelligence.
Seiryu-Yui-Priestess, Nakago-Magic, sort of but much more powerful then Chichiri's, Amiboshi-Flute, Suboshi-His spinning balls (I forget what they are called), Soi-Lightening. The next three are Ashtaire, Tomo and Miboshi.(I won't tell you their powers

Okay. Now this DVD set begins with a show that reviews over all the characters. Starting with Tamahome, Hotohori, Nuriko, Tasuki, Chichiri, Mitsukake, and last but not least Chriko.
The last episode on the first Boxed Set was when Miaka and the Susaku 7 set off for Genbu on boat.
On the way there, there is a terrible storm caused by Soi of the Seiryu 7(who controls lightening). Tasuki gets washed of the ship and since he doesn't know how to swim Miaka jumps in to save him but she just ends up sinking faster then he does.
Tamahome, the hero, has to jump in to save her and Nuriko from the ship throws down a rope for Tasuki to grab on. Nuriko falls and goes down into the ocean along with Tamahome and Miaka and gets washed away. Miaka and Nuriko get onshore to a rock but Tamahome doesn't make it in time and gets eletrocuted in the water.Nuriko pulls him up to safety and they all rest in the cave. Lightening hits the cave and water is rushing in. Nuriko with her strength holds the walls up but Miaka falls into the water and Tamahome dives in to save her (oh yeah, he's all right now). The current pushes them away but Nuriko grabs them and pulls them out with his superstrength just before the lightening strkes the water.

That's just a preview of what happens, to find out the rest buy this excellent DVD set!!

Be brave: stick it out
I have to say that for a good portion of this half of the series, I was Less Than Impressed.

First of all, the writers seemed to forget about their WONDERFUL supporting cast (except, of course, for when they were killing them off, but I'll get to that) and focused a great deal of this half to JUST Miaka and Tamahome. While I can find it in my heart to stand Miaka, I hate her and Tamahome as a couple. Probably mainly because somebody forgot to give Tamahome a personality. There's a good ten episodes (the figure could be off; I never actually counted) where I seriously considered just giving up on the series all together; it got repetitive and annoying.

However, I stuck it out, and I'm really hoping that anybody else who spends any amount of time on this series will do the same. Except for the middle section, this half is a REAL emotional roller coaster. It has the same comedy as the first half (though in this half there were quite a few awkward gags that would have been better left out, and there might have actually been more fanservice in this half than in the first, which, if true, would really be saying something), but there are several episodes that will leave you in tears, even watching them a second or third (or more) time. There are deaths, and a lot of them; they increase in frequency the later in the series it gets, and for saps like me, the last few episodes will get really hard to watch. While these episodes are very dramatic, it's a shame some of the best characters are killed off as this leaves them unavailable to provide relief during the rocky middle section.

On the plus side, we also get to learn more about the history of the Universe of the Four Gods and the Priestesses who came before Miaka and Yui; this information was intriguing enough to keep me invested.

I got to the last three or four episodes thoroughly believing that no ending could really satisfy me, and I am VERY happy to say that I was proved wrong. While an attempt at garnering sympathy for Nakago failed and I still don't like Tamahome, I was otherwise blown away by the ending. It was wonderful, and I was very glad that I did stick with it. Take my advice on this one; I'm sure you won't regret it.

The Best Part of the Series...
... and really, the best part of all of Fushigi Yugi, including Eikoden (shudder) and Oni (though not including the manga). As I said in my previous review of Suzaku, I believe this series is under-rated, and, to repeat myself further, I was guilty of this as well. I really didn't like the first few episodes, but kept watching and grew to like it. Then I saw Seiryu, and it was all worth it. Seiryu has all of the characters we have grown to love, with a much deeper, darker message than Suzaku. We grow to understand why Yui has grown to hate Miaka so much (you would too if you ended up with a mind-f***er like Nakago). We really begin to feel for the characters and their heart-ache. And we begin to see Yu Watase's deeper messages: messages about life, love, friendship and war. When I first started Suzaku, I wondered how anyone (Gilles Poitras) could list Fushigi Yugi in their top 41 recommended titles. Seiryu made me see why. It's a great series, and once you make it through the first half, you can enjoy the wonderful second installment. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Fruits Basket (the name refers to a children's game similar to "The Farmer in the Dell") has all the elements of a classic shojo (girl's) series: a sweetly domestic heroine, unconventional living arrangements, and two romantic candidates--one exquisitely gentle, the other hiding a heart of gold beneath a thorny exterior. Sixteen-year-old orphan Tohru Honda has been living in a tent when she meets the Sohma family. Handsome, intelligent Yuki is the most popular boy in school; his older cousin Shigura is a pulp novelist; Kiyo, another cousin, is a hot-tempered, red-haired martial artist. Members of the Sohma family labor under a curse: when embraced by a member of the opposite sex, they turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac: Yuki becomes a rat; Shigure, a dog; Kiyo, a cat. (According to legend, the cat failed to attend the feast held by Buddha at which the animals of the zodiac were chosen, but Tohru adores cats.) After short time, they return to human form--naked. The set-up owes a lot to Ranma 1/2, but Fruits Basket is a schmaltzy romantic comedy, not a martial-arts farce.

Tohru moves into this weird household and wins everyone's heart by cooking, cleaning, and keeping their secret. She also functions as an in-house Dear Abby, helping all the Sohmas with their emotional problems, which grow increasingly sentimental as the series progresses. Adolescent girls are clearly the target audience for Fruits Basket. (Unrated, suitable for age 13 and older, violence, mild profanity, minor risqué humor, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Description

At the time, martial arts training hall or "dojo" owner Soun Tendo thought engaging one of his three daughters to Ranma - the son of longtime friend and training partner Genma Saotome - was a good idea, but that was before "he" turned out to be a "she"!Youngest Tendo daughter Akane (who's always claimed to "hate boys" anyway) is quickly nominated for bridal duty by her older sisters, while an unruly Ranma (who never wants to do anything his dad says on general principle) must come to grips with the mixed blessing of his/her own appeal... to both boys and girls.

The first season of Ranma1/2! Available for the first time on DVD! ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Saotome School of Anything Goes DVD
When I first heard of Ranma 1/2, the premise alone made me steer clear. A boy, cursed in an ancient Chinese spring, turns into a girl whenever splashed with cold water. Hot water undoes the curse, but only until the next time. I wanted nothing to do with this gender bender series billed as a martial arts sex comedy.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
A good friend made me watch it, and I was hooked. In a series that pokes fun at gender stereotypes, with martial arts hijinx, a mismatched marriage engagement between the hapless Ranma Saotome, cursed to become a girl in cold water, and the boy-hating Akane Tendo, who would sooner die than admit her feelings for Ranma, this is a hilarious series.
Season One introduces us to the amazing characters; Ranma, Akane and her sisters, Kasumi and Nabiki, and several rivals for both the hearts of Ranma and Akane. As we watch Ranma struggle to deal with not one, but two engagements, as the Chinese Amazon warrior Shampoo enters the scene. And marvel at the antics of the eternally lost boy, Ryoga Hibiki, Ranma's rival for Akane's heart, and bearer of a "dark secret".
Let me put it this way, if you want a great laugh that you know will always be around to treasure, then you can't go wrong getting Ranma 1/2 on DVD. Your sense of direction would have to be worse than Ryoga Hibiki's to pass this up.

Life is good...
Ranma 1/2, the gender switching comedy by Rumiko Takahashi, has long been a favorite of fans. Closer to Urusei Yatsura than Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi returns to a high school setting and ultimately a more episodic plot. This first season retains more of a continuous plot than any of the later seasons, and introduces most of the main characters. Though the series eventually becomes tedious, this season is fresh and fun. Anyone who calls him or herself an anime fan should definitely take a look. The Ranma dub is notorious among fans that suffered without subtitled versions for years. This DVD set solves this problem once and for all, including both Japanese with English subtitles, and the well-done English dub. Anyone who has never heard Megumi Hayashibara's Girl-type Ranma should watch it just for that.

The box is nice, but the DVDs are no frills. The Furinkan Gazettes, although no liner notes, would still have been a nice addition. Still, this is a great series and a good box set. I highly recommend it. Four stars.

I've been waiting a long time for this one.
Finally, the first season of Ranma 1/2 on DVD. There are three major reasons to get this:

(1) The first few episodes introduce the enchanted spring phenonema and establishes the Ranma/Akane relationship. Nowhere else in the series was this done adequately.

(2) The introduction of the Shampoo character. Rumiko's blend of Love, martial arts and gags reaches its zenith here. This is perhaps one of the best anime episodes ever produced.

(3) I really love this first season because this is where creator Rumiko Takahashi has creative control. There is a subtleness in the humor and relationships that was unfortunately lost in the later seasons. Rumiko's mastery lets you actually feel what the characters are feeling as the story progresses.

This is an all time classic for people who wish to collect the best of anime.

Caution: This series contains "comic nudity". It's not kinky stuff, but just illustrates how Ranma doesn't have modesty after getting transformed into a girl after contact with cold water. It's not a "sex comedy" but a "gender comedy" focusing on relationship and gender roles.

THIS IS THE GREATEST EVER!
There is no way of saying how much I thank Rumiko Takahashi for creating this amazing series. I reccomend this series to everyone! SO, if you want to spend your money on something worthwhile THEN SPEND IT ON THIS!

A Great Start to a Very Entertaining Series
Ranma 1/2 is by far the most entertaining anime series I have watched to date. Having watched Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Dragonball (Z), etc. I have to say that Ranma 1/2 is easily the most original and hilarious. Although there is plenty of martial arts action, it is also refreshing that no-one ever gets killed. The premise of the Ranma 1/2 series lies in the hilarious situations that occur due to the love interests of the many colorful characters. Needless to say Ranma is in the center of the whole convoluted scenario being the "unwilling" recipient of affections from both female and male suitors (while in his female form). The fact that Ranma is able to turn into a girl makes for some of the funniest situations imaginable.

I have now watched the first 4 seasons of Ranma 1/2 in chronological order and I think seasons 1 and 2 are the best. Season one introduces you to the main characters and sets the background for following episodes. Yet each episode is entertaining and usually adds a new character or interesting story element. Someone who is very familiar with the series may find some of the first few episodes "thin" because many of the main characters don't get introduced till later. However, for those who are relatively new, I think the build up in history and character development is perfect. Enough time is devoted to each new character introduced to give them some depth. In the season 1 set, the story line is relatively linear from episode to episode (each episode continues where the last left off). In seasons 3 and 4 this no longer occurs quite as much with the some episodes becoming almost completely "stand alone".

In conclusion this is a set that all Ranma fans should have and anime fans that haven't yet watched Ranma should definitely start here. ... Read more

Amazon.com

.hack//Sign is set in the world within an online game. Tsukasa, a powerful Wave Master, finds himself lost in the cyberworld, with little memory of how he got there. More significantly, he's unable to log out of the game and is apparently immune to many of its restrictions. He may be the focus of an impending crisis linked to the mysterious Key of the Twilight. As he wanders through different realms, Tsukasa meets spunky girl warrior Mimiru; earnest soldier Bear; the Crimson Knights, who maintain order in the game-world; and genially heroic Crim, a Heavy Spear wielder. Tsukasa also encounters a potent but unseen entity who promises to protect him--and does. Handsomely designed, well animated, and skillfully directed, .hack//Sign stands out as an example of how to turn a game into a series that can stand on its own merits. (Rated 13 and older: violence) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Amazon.com

These episodes make up the first ("Tokyo") story arc of the popularcomedy-adventure set in 1878, 10 years after the Meiji Restoration ended the TokugawaShogunate and reordered feudal Japanese society. Although they provide plentyof flashy battle scenes and belly laughs, the filmmakers use these adventuresto introduce their cast of engaging misfits, each of whom is haunted by anunhappy past. "Miss Kaoru" inherited the impoverished Kamiya Dojo when her fatherwas murdered; Yahiko had to work as a pickpocket after he was orphaned;mighty Sanosuke saw his comrades betrayed by Imperial agents. During the revolution, Kenshin Himura was Battousai the Manslayer, a deadlyassassin working for the Imperialists. Although he's vowed never to kill again,Kenshin remains a swordsman of unmatched ability. He's also an agreeableklutz, the butt of much of the slapstick humor, and his character owes a greatdeal of its charm to the nuanced performance of voice actor Richard Hayworth.Viewers may find that Kenshin reminds them of Vash in Trigun. But Vashneither controls nor understands his destructive powers; Kenshin's murderousskill is the result of rigorous training, and an icy discipline underlies hishappy-go-lucky demeanor.

The unconventional quartet battles counter-revolutionaries, gangsters, andopium smugglers, although the tone is considerably lighter than the laterSamurai X feature and four-partOVA. The Rurouni Kenshin broadcastseries remains one of the most popular anime continuities of all time--with goodreason. (Rated 13 and older: violence, minor profanity, brief nudity, alcoholand tobacco use) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Awesome, incredible, legendary, priceless, amazing
This is the first of three box sets (one season in each) of Rurouni Kenshin, THE best anime I know of. This box sets serves as a good introduction for the REAL Rurouni Kenshin, which is on the second season The Legend of Kyoto. This is the greatest series, featuring amazing animation, good plots, interesting characters, and a perfect mix between comedy and action, UNLIKE Trigun. The action is very, very well done, and never bores you like in DBZ (in which they spend an episode looking at each others' faces). Oh, and the soundtrack is breathtaking. I have seen this box set three times now, and it never fails to entertain me. You should watch it subbed, because altough the dubbing is pretty good, the original is MUCH better, giving it more emotional impact. The characters are very cool and interesting, some you'll love (Ayame and Suzume), others you'll hate (Hiruma Gohei)and others will make you cry (Seta Soujiro). This series is about Himura Kenshin, as he tries to atone for killing a lot of people during the Bakumatsu (Revolution). Back then he was known as Hitokkiri Battousai and was an assasin beleiving he could help build a better world. After the Bakumatsu ended, he swore never to kill again and got a Sakabatou (reverse-edged katana) to protect and save people. Eleven years later he meets with Kamiya Kaoru and thus begins this amazing and unforgettable adventure. Whoever sees this series will never forget it, and I guarrantee you'll enjoy it. Its a long series, but every DVD is worth it, altough I prefer the box set for collectible reasons. The best part is the second season Kyoto Arc, but get this one as well, and also the ending (if you got as far as 2/3, why not finish? plus, altough the last season is not as cool as the second, its worth seeing if you liked the first two) Also get the OVAs Trust & Betrayal and Seisouhen (Reflection) to understand better and also you can get The Motion Picture for those who can't wait for the next box set (like me!). The only complain I have is of the packaging of the DVDs. The cardboard sleeves can scratch the disks and are easy to fall off them, but you can always just put them on jewel cases. Other than that, this is a perfect product, and is worth buying. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE LEGEND OF KYOTO BOX SET!!!!!!!!

Simply amazing!!
Rurouni Kenshin is my favorite anime series period. Everything in my opinion is superb. The story is well thought out and paced very well. The music is terrific, as is the art work and animation. This box set includes the frist 27 episodes in the series.

The series starts off buy giving you insight on who Kenshin used to be and how hes trying to repent for what he did. It introduces the main characters and builds their relationships. There is a lot of action to be found here, but quite a lot of humor too. The humor is typical anime fashion and might turn some people off, but you would be a fool to do so.

If you do decide to get this box set be sure to check out the OVA's Trust and Betrayal first. These two dvds will show you Kenshin when he was "Battousai the Manslayer" and you will understand why he wants to repent for what he did in the TV series.

The Meiji Era, a time of trouble and profit.
Japan, after a long and bloody civil war, is now trapped between the ideals of the past and the promise of the future. Swords have been outlawed yet the survivors of the revolution are waiting in the shadow. The defeated wait for their chance to strike back while many of the winners now use their power within the government to gain power and wealth.
Kenshin Himura, once a Imperial assassin, is now the only man the stands between peace and renewed war. Can a former killer with an outlawed weapon be faithful to the new ways or will his violent ways take control again?
Six DVDs with 27 episodes, outtakes, art work, notes on Japanese history and terms, this is a great collection to have. Includes the English voices of the very good Richard Hayworth, the independent Dorothy Melendrez, the young Elyse Floyd, the serious sounding Lex Lang, the sexy Wendee Lee, the delightful John Billingslea, the always sweet sounding Rebecca Forstadt (also known as Reba West) and the evil Steve Cannon (the voice of Harry McDougall from the Outlaw Star). Please note that Elyse Floyd is ALSO Wendee Lee and the cute sounding Sandy Fox also sings the English version of the opening song.
And while not a fan of any ONE Japanese voice actor, the Japanese voices are good too!
I got it used, in so-so condition, so I got a REAL deal. Some of the episodes are stand alone, but many of the stories are two or more episodes long, with lots of cool fights and tons of humor. The artwork is so-so, but the rest of the features found on the DVD make up for it.

FINNALY.
I have been waiting for a box set for all these years because there is such so many DVD's,22 to be exact. I am a real fan of Rurouni Kenshin and Now I can finnaly get the whole T.V series easily but there are three box sets,Wandering Samurai, Legend of Kyoto and Tales of the Meiji also maybe coming out in the future the Jinchu Arc which is only on the manga for now so don't waste all your money just for this because the rest of them are a lot better. This is about a man named Himura Kenshin. He was one of the best assasin in Japan during the Revolution he became the Hitokiri Battousai, but when it was over he became a rurouni (wanderer). But when a young girl named Kaoru was getting angry at a imposter who also was named the Battousai she get's mad at the wrong person. Well anyway I am not gonna waste my time writing a long review so go get this box set right a way and make sure you have at least $150.00 with you because this box set is not exactly cheap.

UNBELIEVABLE!
I just have to say what a great plessure it is to own such a great anime such as rurouni kenshin.Sorry Amazon I was just about to get this right on this website but reading all the reviews I just couldn't take the chance.This great box set has the first 27 episodes of rurouni kenshin which make up the "Tokyo Arc" it's good but not as good as the Kyoto Arc.I don't have the Legend in Kyoto box set but i'm saving up my money.If you get this box set be very careful with the way u handle it because you might get deep scratches in it.This is a great season but u would rather get the second because that's the best I only this first because I want to see the first episodes and I want to get it in order. You better get this box set. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The vampire-turned-hunter saga Hellsing owes a lot to both the original and remake of Vampire Hunter D. In Britain, vampires that were artificially created by implanting chips in their necks are attacking people. Dispatching them is the job of the Royal Order of Religious Knights, headed by the icy (and apparently female) Sir Integra Hellsinger. Her chief agent, the red-clad Arucard, destroys one vampire, then turns police woman Victoria into a servant-vampire, bound to him. The outré story violates the rules of the traditional legends: vampires wear crosses, enter churches, and pose as priests; Hellsinger's mortal enemy is the Vatican's Iscariot Organization. The animation is very static, and the design style changes from character to character. Despite grotesque imagery borrowed from Night of the Living Dead, the result is more silly than scary, and the series suffers from underdeveloped characters, a plot that is sketchy at best, a surfeit of pointless violence, and inadvertently hilarious dialogue.

In subsequent episodes, Luke and Jan, the Valentine Brothers, lay siege to the headquarters of the Hellsing organization, the Royal Order of Religious Knights. After numerous humans have been killed and eaten by an army of ghouls, Sir Integra Hellsinger, Arucard, and Seras must hunt down the perpetrators. Not surprisingly, the finale is elaborate, violent, and inconclusive. The closing titles announce that the search for the creators of the artificial vampires continues, so a sequel may be in the works. (Rated 16 and older, but unsuitable for viewers younger than 18: graphic violence, profanity, gore, violence against women) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Best Bloody Vampire Series Available!
The Japanese seem to find the western version of the Vampire myth quite appealing, and the expression of that fascination reaching a peak with the anime series Hellsing.

Set in modern-day Great Britain, Hellsing focuses on the effots of a powerful private enterprise headquartered in Great Britain and dedicated to defending "God, Queen, and Country" from the ravages of vampires. Led by Dr. van Helsing descendent Sir Integra Hellsing (an icy-cool, determined woman) with the aide of her vampire minion Alucard--the coolest and toughest anime hero to come along in many a day, the Hellsing Organization faces an onslaught of man-made "freak" vampires and ghouls plus the dangerous Iscariot Organization of the Vatican and their knife-wielding human regenerator.

If you enjoy bloody anime, this series is for you. It's not nearly as gruesome as many out there but does have more blood and violence than any of the stuff shown on Cartoon Network today. If you like vampire anime, then this series is also for you; it's a neat take and breath of fresh air in a genre well-exercised in Japan.

The animation itself is done really well in terms of visual quality, with a blend of CG and hand-drawn cel work; however, it is somewhat more static in nature than much contemporary anime, comparable to that done for the Record of Lodoss War series.

The audio, though presented only in stereo sound, features a soundtrack you'll want to hunt down like a freak after fresh blood. Surprisingly, the english dubbing is quite good, featuring British-accented voice actors far superior to the average anime dub.

Hellsing is an excellent addition to any anime fan's library and a must-watch for vampire lovers everywhere.

Flash over substance, but still worthwhile
The characters are awfully one-dimensional, the story is far from deep, and it just about all falls apart at the end -- so why should anyone care? Well, nobody should, really. And yet, I do. Sure, the story, set in modern day Britain, isn't particularly brilliant: Alucard, an incredibly powerful vampire decked out in a blood-red coat, serves a gelid female by the name of Sir Integra Hellsing, who runs a secret organization that eliminates vampires. They, along with Seras Victoria, a somewhat ditzy police girl Alucard turns into a vampire early on in the series, spend much of these 13 eps investigating 'freak' vampires, humans turned into vampires by having chips implanted -- none of which is really all that exciting. And there's no real character development to speak of; the characters are exactly the same at the end of the series as they are when first introduced. But the creators make up for most of this with style. Lots and lots of style, actually. Bloody battles, cool weapons, gorgeous gothic backdrops, heaps of attitude, slick soundtrack -- truly excellent stuff. And, of course, there's Alucard, whose cool, laid-back personality never gets old (nor does him showing off those enormous guns he wields). Taking place in Britain, the Japanese voice actors feel greatly out of place, so thankfully the dub is quite adequate. The extras are fairly standard stuff: sketches, ads and the like. But despite all its shortcomings, Hellsing manages to remain entertaining throughout, even during the last few eps where our hero does battle with Incognito, one of the most asinine villians in anime history. It's slick, violent, and always cool, one any vampire fan could enjoy, so long as they don't mind turning their brain off for a bit.

Hellsing is a pretty cool Anime
i thought this was very interesting. it's about an artificial vampire hunting organization called Hellsing and how there strongest force Alucard helps turn a dying police girl named Seras into a vampire, and they then join togethar to defeat the articial race of vampires. althogh i must agree that there are much better animes out there, i still thought this had some really cool action sequnces as well as some totally kick-a$$ bad guys. this box set is a must have for any Otaku who hasn't gotten into this yet.

VERY GOOD!
Well im not going to give a super long review so im gonna try and keep it short. For me it started off slow but after 5 or so minutes or when alucard first drew his gun I was hook. I highly recommend this title just I think the price tag at amazon is high. See if you can buy it cheaper.

Buy the anime and manga immediately
Hellsing came to me while I was in my deepest depression. The reason for that is so simple. I am a "vampiraholic" ( if you allow me to use such a word ). I like vampires to death. I like everything about them. Their abilities, strength,weaknesses,and their dark lust for human's blood. BUT, I was disappointed with the thousands of movies and animes that were about vampires. They were never satisfying or worthy in terms of vampires. In fact, they never quenched my thirst for vampires. They were always either about LOVE like "Queen of the damned" and " Embrace of the vampire" or a stupid struggle between being a human or a vampire like "Blade" and "Vampire hunter D". I am not saying those movies were all that bad (especially vampire hunter D whom I love his character very much ),I am just explaining that they did not make me happy nor represented vampires as real,authentic,and dark creatures .
When I actually bought Hellsing, I could not express my mixed emotions while watching a unique piece of work . I loved Alucard and Seras(or Ceres as it is written in Japanese)Victoria from the very beginning of episode one. I was amazed by the fact that a decent, powerful, and proud vampire like Alucard is serving a human ! And to to be more exact a female !In addition, I was struck by the idea of Alucard using magnificent human's guns to eliminate his enemies.Also, I was astonished to see Alucard's true power in episode 6,when he showed his dark nature.Oh man! All those scary eyes , black space , and fatal dogs !Do I dare to deny that I was scared?!What more do I want? .Furthermore, those incredible battles between Alucard and his deadly enemies such as Incognito and Alexender Andersong . That's what I call kicking ass ! Not to mention Alucard's dark, vague, and heart-breaking identity which keeps you attracted to the series until the end .Even Alucard's clothes are well done; the long red coat, the hat, the glasss, and the white gloves with the sorcery circles on them !
The feminine side in this series is so amazing . Imagine a strict, fearless, beautiful, and intelligent woman called Integra. Not only that,imagine a cute,sexy,charming,and smart chick called Seras(Ceres) Victoria. Oh no! Please do not let me start on her! A well-made and developed character that was an interesting addition to the story. You do not see her like those other idiots turned by vampires who,those idiots, keep struggling and wanting their human life back.NO, the issue with Seras is totally different. She is not rejecting being a vampire(actually she chose that by her own will).However, she is rejecting certain things like sucking blood(make that drinking blood),and sometimes the cold sarcastic way her master deals with things and sitautions. (...0
The effects are top-notch, especially the sound of Alucard's guns while firing. Moreover, the actors voices are worthy and up to such a perfect work(I consider it to be the best English dubding I have ever heard)).And last but not least, the music. The opening of Hellsing is the best I have ever heard. The whole music is fantastic. It takes you to a higher level of enjoyment.
Finally,the main climax is when you discover who Alucard really is! (a clever hint was given at the end of the series).For me,Hellsing is the second best anime I have ever seen after Berserk. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Each of the snazzy 25-minute installments from the most popular Japanese animated TV series of 1998 is a satisfying adventure tale about a futuristic hipster bounty hunter. This is an elegant action-comedy anime, with smoothly integrated CGI space-flight elements, gorgeous graphics, blues harmonica and sax riffs on the soundtrack, and a no-sweat post-Tarantino attitude. Despite occasional eruptions of gun-fu Asian-action violence, and some intimations of heavy-duty drug use (in the first of 26 episodes, one especially noxious narcotic is administered as an aerosol spray straight onto the user's eyeballs), the tone is surprisingly convivial. None of the generic tough elements are grim or mean-spirited. Lanky antihero Spike Spiegel is a planet-hopping freelance hunter with an ex-cop sidekick named Jet, a loopy fellow hunter named Faye, a teenage computer hack, and a genetically enhanced Welsh corgi assistant in tow. The emphasis is on clever twists of plot in an episodic short-story format with as many wisecracks as punches being thrown. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (336)

best anime ever
An interesting twist on traditional anime, Cowboy Bebop is at once fresh, original, and wildly entertaining. It injects new life into a classic genre.

I first discovered this series on Cartoon Network's adult swim late-night block, and quickly began to really like it. The fight scenes are beautifully animated, the 26 episodes (each of which stands on its own) are well written and perfectly paced.

Speaking of which, the episode structure is very unlike most anime, where you have to see every episode or you don't understand it at all. The episodes in Bebop are all tied together with a common theme: Spike Spiegel and company travel throughout space in the near future, looking for bounty, their own backstories unraveling bit by bit. This formula works very well.

Bebop also conveys an atmosphere that sometimes changes but is always well done with each episode. It is, for the most part, either gritty and violent (Episode 5: Ballad of Fallen Angels) or goofy and sometimes laugh out loud funny (Episode 12: Toys in the Attic). Director Watanabe is great at really drawing the viewer in so that often you forget about what else is happening around you.

Bebop is not without flaws, however. Sometimes the episodes seem to have filler or are WAY too slow paced. This is mainly only a problem with Episode 20: Boogie Woogie Feng Shui. Half the episode is almost all dialogue, with hardly any real movement. It just doesn't feel like the rest of the series.

That one very small shortcoming aside, however, Bebop is amazing, and well worth it whether you enjoy anime or not. This is something anyone can appreciate.

You've got to see this...
The future isn't always bright and happy, but at least its presented in a spectacular series like Cowboy Bebop. Following the crew of the Bebop, each episode takes on new challenges everytime and new feelings. Moods for each episode is never consistent, as they change from action-packed (Gateway Shuffle) to somber (Speak Like A Child) to sadistic (Pierrot La Fou) to comedic (Mushroom Samba). Each episode has its own unique flavor, which will satisfy all types of people.

The main character is Spike Spiegel, an ex-member of a crime syndicate and a bounty hunter. With his tall, lanky, slacker-look about him, he easily throws people off guard when they first meet him. His cool demenor and level-headedness are an excellent cover for a master of hand-to-hand and ranged combat, as well as being quite skilled in piloting his starship, Swordfish II.

The lead female character, Faye Valentine, is very similar in many respects to Spike, which causes some friction throughout the series as they both hunt for bounties. Although she may look like she is in her early 20s, Faye was suspended in a cryo-genic freeze for 54 years following a space accident. Her past is a mystery (Episodes 15, 18, and 24), but she keeps her cool and is confident and daring all at once. If Spike is ever in the middle of a fight, she'll usually wander in to help. While she is definitely a sexy woman, her charms tend to work on every man other than Spike and Jet. In addition, she has her own little starship, Redtail, which she uses to get herself out of whatever trouble she finds.

Jet Black is a former member of ISSP (InterStellar Space Police) on Ganymede, where he shortly retired after losing his left arm. He is partnered with Spike as a bounty hunter, and is the captain of the Bebop and his own personal ship, the Hammerhead. However, most of the time, Spike is on the frontlines while Jet provides support through information or backup.

Ed's real name is Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky 4th, but Ed is 13 year old female who is an expert computer hacker commonly known as "Radical Edward." Although she may sound serious, this couldn't be further from the truth. She may be extremely intelligent and a prodigy, but don't let her wacky antics and crazy talk fool you. She may not be able to take life too seriously quite yet, but she is a force with which to be reckoned.

Ein is a Welsh Corgi dog who was apart of an experiment at an early age. Consequently, he's smarter than the average dog now, and when Ed joins the crew of the Bebop, they're instant friends. Often times found eating, sleeping, or accompanying Ed, he's the one character that no one argues with (except for Faye).

The year is 2071 A.D., and mankind has spread throughout the Sol system after a tragic accident on Earth. The crew of the Bebop hunt down criminals for bounties, all the while, trying to survive the harshness of space. Spike and Jet are the original crew members of the Bebop, and while Ein, Faye, and Ed become apart of the "family," conflicting pasts and perspectives often times drive each of them away to solve their problems, but they always come back for one reason or another.

The plot? Excellent. The characters? Great. The animation? Great. The series? Flawless.

An additional note, I'm not positive, but I do believe that all of the music (with exception for the beginning and ending tracks) are never repeated. You'll watch TV and anime series, and often times, you'll find a particular piece of music being repeated for certain situations to help clue you into the mood for that scene. However, in Cowboy Bebop, that isn't so. For one episode, you'll have a unique set of music tracks that are never repeated throughout the rest of the series. For example, the music track "Ballad of a Fallen Angel" is never repeated outside of the cathedral scene in the episode "Ballad of Fallen Angels."

I can't think of anything else that I was more pleased with after buying than Cowboy Bebop. : )

Note- I'm reviewing the bootleg
Although it may be unAmerican, and surely it's a rip-off from potential money going to Bandai, (...)I was really worried about what I'd be receiving. The truth is, the package was awesome- the DVD quality if FANTASTIC (there's a little digital blurring during a ship-flight scene), and the dub is exactly the original American dub seen on Adult Swim (the English subtitles disagree somewhat). There are even a few special features, including music videos and such- nothing important really. I'm a little hesitant, as some may have had different experiences... I'll say that the copy I got is 3-CD, from Singapore, in a brown/gray cardboard-flip case that has Spike in a subway or something, standing next to a blonde woman. The inside has a bit of art as well. It's not the cover, with the black on top and bottom and all the characters, shown on Amazon.
Your experience my differ, and granted, this set isn't exactly perfect, with a little digital blurring. But for 30 dollars, my experience, at least, was an awesome deal.

The GREATEST anime series of all time
This is the best anime series I've ever seen and I've seen alot of them including movies. When it comes to anime there is a few names people know. Akira, Macross, Ghost In The Shell, Trigun, Ninja Scroll. Cowboy Bebop is right up there. I love this anime because it is real and it doesn't pull any punches. It is classic yet new age. It's a sci-fi space thing yet it's like a western yet like an epic. It is everything that is good. I own the Limited Edition Box and the 3 disc Hong Kong import. The story is based on 5 characters who all have their own interesting backgrounds and somehow life as it happens has these five come together. Spike Spiegel and Jet Black are bounty hunters using a commercial fishing ship(spaceship this is the future) as their mode of transportation. In this bounty hunting is very lucritive as there is even a tv show that updates them on new bounties. Along the way they meet three other characters that join the crew at Spike's displeasure and Jet's indifference. There is far too much for me write of in the epic of anime greatness. I really felt like I knew and shared in their journey by the end. All this and probably one of the best soundtracks ever produced. Eclectic is the word...it is a jazzy, blues inspired rock techno organism of music that plays well with the story. All I say is rent, buy or borrow and watch this is you are an anime fan and you have not yet, for some God awful reason, seen this. Now the nice collection you see with the entire series is not the Limited 7 disc set which includes the soundtrack...if you find the big box it will be at least $200 dollars but probably more than that as it is a limited numbered to 15,000. The 3 disc collection containing all 26 episodes is the import Hong Kong version which can be played here. This is usually around $30 dollars or so. It has great video and sound quality and doesn't suck compared to the U.S. releases as some would say. Either way it is a great series and all anime fans should have this one.

Pure Masterpiece...
Cowboy Bebop. The jazzy series that has anything I could possible want in an anime. This is the kind of thing you'd like to watch after you invite a few friends over to spend the night, play Nintendo, talk about boobs, indulge all the junk-food you have, and then watch this late at night. It's one of those movies like Young Frankenstein that is funny in a way that makes you think. Not like sooo much bubblegum-anime on the market today that just tries to be funny by making bad puns, and saying retarded things. I enjoy the factor that the cast of characters is such a dysfunctional motley assort of people. The story is as good as I expected it to be, I like every bit of the storyline and how it sometimes purposly went out of context.
I like how it went like a duality of two faces: Sweet, and Sorrow. First the Sweet lures you into the story and makes you happy. Then when your inside, The Sorrow stabs you with a knife making you sad.... (My analogies rock!). This anime is for everybody, even (some) adults like it! I'm going to buy the soundtrack when I get enough money, It's like Hellsing which has a kick-ass soundtrack! Jazzy and up-beat. Yet melodic and sadening. The ending ephisode is heart wrenching to me atleast.
This anime is for everyone and anyone! Get it, you won't be dissapointed! ... Read more

Description

Magic Knight Rayearth continues. Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu are finally able to leave Cephiro, after they had killed the very person they were sent to rescue. Filled with regret, they returned to Tokyo. Now, the girls are summoned back to Cephiro by an unknown force, and must find a new Pillar before Cephiro disintegrates! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A beautifully packaged, wonderful series
This box set contains 29 episodes on 7 DVDs, which comprise the second (and last) season of Magic Knight Rayearth. The packaging is beautiful: a heavy box which opens in the front with artwork of the magic knights on the front and sides. This is by far the best box put out by an American anime company, and it puts the season 1 box to shame. Absent some spelling errors on the individual DVDs, the packaging is simply top notch.

As for the show, it is a fair bit different than the first season. An underlying current in the first season was that the show was something of a parody of Japanese RPGs (role-playing games). Here, the situation is more serious; somewhat unexpectedly, the show has more humor as well. The magic knights, three 14-year old girls from Tokyo, are summoned again to the world of Cephiro by an unknown force and find it crumbling. Cephiro is ruled by a pillar, one person whose will rules all; in the previous season, Cephiro lost its pillar, and it is now crumbling into nothingness. To make matters worse, three other worlds are invading it and a dark enemy has appeared from within. The show does start a little slow, and there are some saccharine moments--but those are to be expected if you saw the first season. On the other hand there's no concerns about nudity (although there is an innocent exchange reflecting a girl's anxiety about her chest) or language or graphic violence, so it's a fairly safe title for kids to see. Note that there is fighting, death, and occasional blood, so this is not a show for those who want to avoid all violence. If you've seen the first season and liked it, you'll like this: at once darker and funnier, with characters you came to like.

Second Season Magic Knight Box Set
The second season of Rayearth is really a must see if you liked the first season. As other reviewers have stated, it's considerably more serious then the first season, but it most certainly has its lighthearted moments.
There are a few downsides, of course...for example, Hikaru becomes the sole main character. In the manga, the relationship between the three Knights is much more balanced, with each girl getting about equal screen time. The animation in the show can get a bit off at times, but that's what happens with all anime at one point or another.
Honestly, I would reccommend the manga above the anime at any point in the Rayearth series. The manga art is breathtaking, the plot more intriguing, the story is faster-paced with fewer 'filler' episodes....and NO NOVA! And there was much feasting and rejoicing!
Of course...with the anime, you get Ogata Megumi as Eagle's Japanese voice actress (Yes, he's played by a girl, you got a problem with that?!). So that more then makes up for Eagle's fate. (IwillnotspoilIwillnotspoilIwillnotspoil...)
Overall, buy this if you're a Rayearth fan. But buy the manga first.

Once
Season 2 was good, but not great. I would recommend if you have a friend, to borrow it from them. It's not worth buying, but worth seeing. It is alot more serious than the first season and some parts don't quite make sense.

Major changes from the manga, good nonetheless
***Warning: contains spoilers!***
If you have watched season one of MKR, and most of you probably have, the second series has some major deviations from the manga (while the first season pretty much followed the manga). Overall, this season is darker and somewhat more violent than the first season, and the relationships between characters are examined more closely. Ok, now since I properly warned you in the beginning of this review that I am going to reveal important plot points, don't be angry or bitter if you feel all this spoils your precious MKR2 watching experience.
First of all, new characters were added, namely the villian characters of Nova and Lady Debonair. I thought these were i