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

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

Amazon.com

This set of 22 episodes constitutes the second broadcast season of Rumiko Takahashi's gender-tweaking slapstick comedy. The many combat scenes are executed in slightly fuller animation than in the OAVs, and there's a little more nudity in the bath scenes, including a shot of Ryoga's bare buns. But the freewheeling mixture of mayhem, metamorphoses, and martial arts continues--with just a touch of sentiment to leaven the insanity. When Ranma and Akane have a run-in with a pair of champion figure skaters, they reduce the rink to a wading pool, with a little help from the geographically challenged Ryoga. Shampoo the Chinese Amazon returns with her wizened Great-Grandmother Cologne, who teaches the cast a variety of ancient fighting techniques. Ranma and Ryoga battle kendo champion and gasbag Kuno, his twisted sister Kodachi, ninja Sasuke, and Happosi in their frantic search for a Japanese Nan'niichuan (Enchanted Drowned Man Spring)--only to discover it's a franchise that's gone out of business. Even the redoubtable Ranma has a weakness: he's afraid of cats. But he breaks through his fear and demonstrates his mastery of the recherché technique of "Cat-Fu." Ranma often acts like a jerk, but he assuages Akane's hurt feelings by eating the cookies she baked, even though he knows ptomaine will follow. At a time when many American animated series are imitating live action, Ranma 1/2 is a zany reminder of the special fun only animation can provide. Unrated; suitable for ages 12 and up: Slapstick violence, nudity, mildly risqué humor. --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (24)

MUSABESU KAKUTO RANMA NIBUN NO ICHI!!
Ranma 1/2 never looked better. The transition to DVD is now at its fullest. The original video masters from KITTY TV were used, ensuring the highest animation quality possible. However it is not perfect. There is some level of graininess, and line inconsistency, also their is some color bleeding, especially in the intro.

But, the consistency of the animation, far makes up for this. Unlike the first boxed set, the animation is high quality on every single episode. The outlining is crisp and the colors are vivid and distinct. I've never seen Ranma 1/2 look so good.

This is a must buy for all Ranma 1/2 fans. The pacing of the story has quickened in the second season. Takahashi's characters are now fully developed. And my look how they shine! You'll love it. And you'll be begging to see the next season.

It Gets Weirder, Folks.
If you thought Season One of Ranma 1/2 introduced you to some strange but loveable characters, you, to quote the vernacular, "ain't seen nothin' yet."
From a skating competition to rescue Akane's pet P-chan (Ranma's rival Ryoga in a cursed form), to the return of Amazon warrior Shampoo, now fully aware of Ranma's curse, and carrying one of her own, things get weirder and weirder.
We also get to meet the man who founded the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, the pint-sized pervert Happosai. He'll go after anything female, even girl-type Ranma.
And Shampoo is accompanied by her Great-Grandmother, a skilled warrior who knows techniques that can make Ranma a more powerful martial artist, or leave him broken in the hands of his rival, Ryoga.
And tremble in fear as tomboy extrodinaire Akane Tendo prepares a meal. (and thank whatever diety you believe in that you don't have to eat it.)

Ranma 1/2 is a strong series all the way through. If you like Season One, then you know that this transgender martial arts comedy is the most hilarious thing on the market.

Just sit back and enjoy.

Ranma 1/2 is by far the best anime around, and this is why..
If you dont know the story of Ranam 1/2 its about a boy named...Ranma Saotome who went training with his father (Genma) in Jusenkyo, China. This training ground is cursed and has Springs of drowned SOMETHINGS, While training Genma falls into Spring of drowned Panda, so when splashed with cold water, Genma turns to a panda and splashed with hot water turns back to a man. And ranma...well he fell in spring of drowned girl. so you gessed it, he turns into a girl.

This season (2) Kicks of with the introduction of Azusa and Mikido a odd skating duo, Whats this? Mikido kisses someone, but who can it be?

Shampoo send ranma a cat from china, what relation ship does this cat and Shampoo have in common, and why is Ranma acting very odd near cats?

Some old lady starts attaking Ranma...she seems to be Shampoos Great Grandmother, and she will stop at nothing to make Ranma Shampoos husbend...

A new rivel comes in the form of Mousse a master of hidden weapons from china, and he seems to want shampoo as his wife...and he too holds a secret...

Genma and Soan's master (Happosia) awekens from the darkness, and hes one small old DIRTY man, Who likes to steel braws and pantys. But dont be fooled by his perverted ways, this guy is strong...even stronger then Ranma!

Looking for good laughs buy this!
if you're looking for good laughs you should by the Ranma1/2 Series one of the funniest shows in tokyo.this was the 1st ranma season boxset i bought. Other good series are Tenchi muyo, Sailor moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, love hina, and blue seed. But this is the funniest anime series ive ever seen.

Getting better...
Okay, with the second season of Ranma 1/2(or the first, since this in Japan they started a new Ranma series beginning with this season), we can see that the characters are starting to get more in place, and although Akane and Ranma are still slightly out of character from the comic, they aren't treated as bad as they were in the first season. Ranma switches outfits in this season to the one he usually wears(in the comic, although he has a blue shirt instead of a red one). More of the characters are introduced, including Mousse, Happosai, Cologne, and Sasuke, who is an original character(voiced by Shigeru Chiba, who also voiced Raditz in Dragonball Z and Kuwabara in Yu Yu Hakusho). I do feel Sasuke is a bit out of place(I would have preferred Hikaru Gosunkugi from the beginning), but I can adjust. The animation gets a bit screwy at times, but it's pretty good, more or less. The dub actors seem to be getting a bit more in tune with the characters, although Ranma at times sounds really screwed up, like when he screams, "I'm REALLY angry!," at Mikado. But, the series is getting improved. Well, on to season 3! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Twenty-two years before this 2001 sci-fi adventure opens, the Kanagawa region of Japan was devastated by a major earthquake; the "Lost Ground" suffered the most serious damage. A small percentage of the inhabitants who cling to life amid the devastation are Alter Users, whose psychic abilities enable them to create mecha forms of themselves. Hot-tempered, red-haired Kazuma is a powerful Alter who defies all authority. His obstreperous attitude brings him into conflict with Ryuho, a dedicated officer in HOLY, the special police force recruited from the Alters. They command so much power, their battle reconfigures the topography of the Lost Ground.

What sets s-CRY-ed apart from formulaic mutant good guys vs. sinister military-industrial cabal series is the relationship between Ryuho and Kazuma. Like evenly matched high school athletes, they pursue a rivalry tinged with admiration and even grudging affection. Ryuho's bond with the brilliant physician Mimori and Kazuma's almost fraternal romance with the eerily puissant Kamani can't compete with the heroes' need to establish who's the strongest, once and for all. s-CRY-ed ends not with the defeat of the screeching Kyoi Mujo and his evil plot, but weeks later, as Kazuma and Ryuho pound the wasabi out of each other, because neither one can bring himself to stop fighting. Like cagey boxers, screenwriter Yosuke Kurodaand director Goro Taniguchi feint and weave, keeping the audience slightly off-balance with their characters' unexpected actions. (Rated 13 and older: violence, mild profanity, grotesque imagery, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Description

Includes all 8 volumes of Blue Gender. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A must have anime!
The basic story is unorigional: boy winds up in an horrible desolute future filled with horrors he has trouble coping with, the graphics are unremarkable: lots of animation reuse, well but not exceptionaly well drawn scenery and characters, the enemy is rehashed: giant bugs! the staple of many, many anime (the japanese and their giant bugs...) going all the way back to tekkamon blade (anyone remember that incredible anime!...anyone?...anyone?), yet this is one of the greatest anime of all time.

This anime is real. Its portrayal of human emotion, its mecha and even the movement and actions of the insects are stark and lifelike. The main characters are not invincible, but very much human. Sub characters drop like flies and never did I once feel like there wasn't a sense of urgency or danger in any one of the predicements encountered by Yuji and co. (unlike many other popular anime series: DBZ, Gundam, R. Kenshin)I was constantly at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Even the "larger plot" (for newbies: The larger meaning many anime try to convey which usually trips them up in the end: the final revelation in Evangelion, the Gasaraki's conundrum, GITS' "cyborg mating"...I digress)is cogent and only serves to add to the overall story and not detract from it.

Overall this anime is a plus to any otaku's collection, and I recommend it to many newbies as well, though not as their first anime.

This anime is not for children. It is incredibly violent and utterly devoid of "fuzzy" comic relief.

You can't stop watching...
Blue Gender intrigued me when I caught a few episodes on Adult Swim, enough to buy the set. And it's quite an adventure. The animation ranges from stunning to just okay, but the story arc is riveting and very powerful. The box set is the way to go, because if you miss an episode, you miss a major part of the plot. And there are some wonderfully enexpected twists. Yuji Kaido, awoken from an illness-induced cryogenic sleep to a world gone mad, and Marlene Angel, the seemingly emotionless perfect soldier, are the central characters. Over the course of the series they undergo remarkable growth, discovering their own strengths and limitations, and of course learning to care about each other. It is a harsh, bitter environment these people inhabit. Other characters come and go. Many die shocking, horrible deaths. But Marlene and Yuji are the heart, soul and emotional core in this story of giant mutated insects and armored mech suits. The English dub is quite good, although Yuji's helpless whining when he is first awoken does get irritating. The orchestral score is terrific, perfectly capturing the suspense and drama playing out on screen. At times the music and sound effects are positively chilling. The DVDs do contain some sexual situations and graphic gore that was cut from the Cartoon Network broadcast. Overall, Blue Gender is a strong series. But be forewarned, once you are caught up in the story, you may not be able to stop watching.

One of the best I have ever seen!
When Blue Gender first aired on Adult Swim, I really got into it but I never saw the whole thing. Just from what I did see I felt justified in buying the box set and I knew I wouldn't regret it. After viewing all 26 episodes, I can go far as to say this is the best anime series I have ever seen with the exception of Cowboy Bebop. Trust me though, Blue Gender is a very close second.

Yuji Kaido, the main character, is diagnosed with an incurable disease so he becomes a "sleeper", and the plan is to wake him when mankind finds a cure. After he has been asleep for much longer than he was told, he is awakened to find out the world he once knew has become his worst nightmare. The Earth has been invaded by giant insects known as the "Blue". The blue have wiped out most of the Earth's population and those who remained left to a space station called Second Earth. It is a recovery team from Second Earth that awakens Yuji, and the team is there with the mission of bringing back as many sleepers from Earth as possible. In fact it is Marlene Angel that wakes Yuji, and the two soon have to work together if they are going to make it out alive.

This is a series filled with emotion, strong violence, and nudity. Some may opt to pass on this series due to these themes, but I can't recommend seeing this enough. Seeing Yuji's nightmare as he awakens on Earth is incredible, as is his transformation into the fighter he becomes. There are twists in the storyline at every turn, and the action is nonstop. I never felt like the plot was dragging, as every episode left me wanting to see more. It is just that incredible. The animation is pretty good and works for this series. I especially like the design of the different kinds of Blue, which add so much to the effect of the action. And the best bug comes in the end, but youll have to see what I mean. Another thing that makes this a great series are the characters, who have so much personality. They are realistic people in a war against a species that has invaded their Earth. So by now you have the basic idea behind Blue Gender, and there are too many great plot twists for me to say anymore about that.

There is a certain reviewer about 3 down from me who claims this anime has a weak story, bad animation and was a total waste of money. I have to ask: what Blue Gender did you watch? I mean I can understand that this might not be a title for everyone, but to say it was a complete waste of 536 minutes with absolutely no good? I have to disagree about the main character Yuji, who is annoying when he first wakes up, but as he realixes what he must do to take back his Earth his personality becomes more complex. But anybody who hasnt seen this, at least rent it first before you buy reviews that tell you that this series is total crap.

Packaging for this set is superb, with a great looking art box to hold all 8 volumes of the series. It is a high price for the whole set, although you can buy the volumes individually for about $20 each. It is definaely cheaper in the long run to buy the box set, and if you look in the right places you can find it for way less than the $120 retail price ( I bought mine for $70 new). As for extras, each volume contains some art galleries, character bios, and trailers for other anime releases. Nothing groundbreaking, but good. All volumes contain the Japanese (for the purists that like the original dialogue) and English tracks with Dts, so if you have a nice system crank it up when you are watching this. If you dont like too much violence you may want to pass this one up. Otherwise, I hope I have persuaded you to at least see this series for yourself and hopefully you will be amazed like I am with what you see.

Buy this DVD set now!..... Maybe from me!
Man this is an awesome anime! The minute it was available i snatched it up. If i were you i would buy it now. This is an anime classic... maybe you should buy it!

realy bad animation
I'm not a guy to judge a animation only on its "animation", but Blue Gender has to be the worst animated series ever. I even baught the whole set cheap and sold after watching the first dvd. The main character was too much of a sissy, but what realy brought down the series down for me was the lazy, cheesy, tom and jerry, animation. So lifeless and bleak. Don't get this anime ... 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

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 (18)

Gotta love slapstick swords and sorcery
If you love Slayers, then you have to buy this boxset.

The Slayers is arguable the best series of any kind (anime or other) out there, ever. It's versitile, funny, deep, and downrigth enjoyable, with a loveable cast and FABULOUS humor.

Slayers Try, the third season, has it's ups and downs. Personally, I believe that the Slayers reached it's peak with Slayers NEXT, so expecting something better from TRY will just dissapoint you. Slayers TRY has much less of a re-view value than NEXT, and a less interesting cast. Although the villans, Jillias, Gravos, Valgaav, and Dark Star Dugradigo were well developed, the cst of heroes suffered. The elimination of Martina, Sylphiel, and most importantly Zangulus was not compinsated for with the addition of the anoying and useless Filia. She has moments of humor, but I got sick of her by the end of the series. Xellos plays a weaker, less humorous role in TRY, and harldly even uses his catch line.. "sore wa himetsu desu," which was a HUGE dissapointment. Also, there was no romantic angle to it, so some versitility was lost.

Not to say that TRY isn't an excellent use of ones cash, it's Slayers for crying out loud, how much better can you get? The animation is about on par with NEXT, maybe a little less colorful, and the effects and spells were great, the slapstick is priceless, and it's got Lina Inverse. You can't ask for much more than a series with Lina Inverse!

So, to sum it all up, it's great, it's fabulous, but it's not phenominal.

Highly entertaining conclusion to a great anime series
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Slayers. This series is just so endearing that you instantly fall in love with the characters which helps cover any problems with the plot. Series one was kind of a disappointment to me in places (although it was still brilliant in others) while Slayers Next (season two) was sheer bliss and represented what was to me the pinnacle of Slayers; great character interaction, sharp dialogue and an excellent plot.

Slayers Try is the third season of Slayers and although it's a lot different then Slayers Next, it is still brilliant and in some ways is superior to the series that preceded it.

The humor isn't nearly as present here as it was before, and Slayers Try takes on a much darker tone then the previous outings. Sure the humor is still here but it isn't as in your face, which is both a strength and a weakness. Clearly it was a gamble to change the focus of the series but I think the creators made a good decision when they realized they couldn't possibly make a repeat of Next while maintaining any form of originality.

Try introduces a few new characters, some of which are memorable, some of which are not. I really like Valgaav as well as Jillas on the bad guy side; especially since they were given a fully fleshed out history and the motivations for their behavior made a lot of sense. Also of note is Fillia who makes an excellent foil for Xellos, although she often ends up just being humiliated instead of getting the better of him.

Nothing much has changed for the core characters; the romance angle has been dropped somewhat (which is a little disappointing since it's obvious that the series creators injected a lot of chemistry between the couples up till now) but we still have the occasional bit thrown in for good measure.

It is hard to describe much else without ruining the plot of Slayers Try, but suffice to say that it reminded me a lot of Lodoss War with the characters of Slayers thrown in. A lot more serious, but it is a credit to the characters that they are flexible enough for us to take them seriously during times of tension and laugh at them during times of craziness. Great work, although some die hard Slayers fans might be turned off by the de-emphasis on humor.

Coming up next, series four: Slayers Fail
Slayers equals big fun. Slayers Next equals even bigger fun. Slayers Try equals...not much fun at all, actually. The idea of a third series seemed highly questionable to me from the start, given how well Next seemed to wrap things up, but what the hell, thought I--it's Slayers. Even if it's not brilliant, it still can't help but be at least somewhat entertaining, right?

Well...sort of. Try is not wholly devoid of merit, I'll grant you. It has a few--but far TOO few--genuinely comedic moments, Filia is a decent addition to the cast, and Valgaav is an okay villain, but ultimately it would seem to be a very clear instance of going through the motions. The main characters have, by this point, become utterly predictable and more than a little boring, as has the action--another world-threatening menace. Whee. They do make a half-hearted attempt to shake things up a bit by adding in moral ambiguity, but it never really goes anywhere. In fact, all culminates in what is very likely the most excrutiatingly dull climax I've ever forced myself to sit through (featuring a couple of characters who look like Dragonball Z rejects--which seems inadvertantly all-too-appropriate in this case), which, in addition to everything else, includes the hoary old fantasy cliche of having the villain ask why the heroes bother to fight since they're so pathetic and weak and stuff, to which the hero (heroine, in this case) reels off an allegedly inspiring speech about the value of living. Blech. Kefka's immortal "you sound like chapters from a self-help booklet" line has never been more applicable. And then, after all this, what do we get? A rushed and wholly unsatisfying ending.

It's inevitable that one would want to see this, after viewing the first two series, but extreme caution is nonetheless advised. I am having a hard time fathoming that anybody could think it worth five stars. In the future, let's try to make use of our critical thinking faculties when we write reviews, eh guys?

A dissapointing end to one of the best Anime series ever
I am a huge fan of anime, especially fantasy. Slayers has long been one of my favorites (along with Record of the Lodoss War), and I own the whole TV series and all movies and OAVs (even the ones that haven't been brought over to the US). Thus, I can say with confidence that Slayers Try is the absolute weakest link in the Slayers series. After watching Slayers Next, which I consider the peak of the Slayers series with its near-perfect mix of humor and plot, charactes and villians, Try was just a let down. Xellos becomes much darker, losing the mysterious and humorous aura he held in Next. Filia is a decent addition (some of the scenes between her and Xellos are quite humorous) but does make up for the rest of the characters, who are flatter and drier than they have ever appeared before. The traditional sequence of comedy episodes following the midpoint of the series is just plain not funny. While some of the episodes at this point in Next had my rolling with laughter (the dolls and tennis match in particular), Try simply had me staring in disbelief. The ending is very unsatisfying, and I sometimes wish I had simply stopped watching after Next, which has a wonderful yet open ended conclusion.

This isn't to say that there is nothing redeeming in Try: many of the villians are quite well done, and the first half of the series, though not as good as the previous enstallments, still contained a healthy dose of Slayers goodness. The last 13 or so episodes, however, were a huge let down, and I haven't watched them again since my first time through.

Fading At The End
* I enjoyed the first two seasons of the SLAYERS anime
series on DVD and so I had little problem deciding to
pick up the third and final TV season collection,
SLAYERS TRY.

SLAYERS TRY follows the same formula as the previous
season. The crew still includes hotheaded sorceress
Lina Inverse, drifty-blonde swordsman Gourry, justice
fanatic Princess Amelia, and cynical part-golem warrior
Zelgadis. The demonic smart-aleck priest Xellos
from the second season also is retained as an important
character.

SLAYERS TRY introduces a new character, Filia, a
dragon priestess in human form. Filia is pretty and
endearing, if sometimes overly feminine while having
major strength and destructive capabilities. However,
Filia is about the only thing that's really new
about SLAYERS TRY.

While SLAYERS TRY maintains the fair-to-competent
production qualities of earlier SLAYERS series, it
basically repeats the same general theme of its
predecessors: the gang is confronted and must
resolve an apocalyptic threat. SLAYERS TRY is nothing
particularly new, and if it is moderately entertaining
to watch it is not particularly memorable.

What is particularly disappointing about SLAYERS
TRY is that it does very little to advance the
relationships of the characters. The previous
SLAYERS NEXT series did seem to hint that there
were some changes in store, but the scriptwriters
were clearly unwilling to take the plunge and
change the scenario in any significant way.

Obviously this was done on the expectation that
there might be follow-on seasons for SLAYERS,
meaning the scriptwriters didn't want to paint
themselves into a corner by, say, marrying off
the characters or bringing out Xellos' barely
latent malevolent personality. With the final
result being too indifferent to support a fourth
season, it seems like they tried to dodge the bullet
and simply walked into it instead. (I would be
astounded if they *knew* they weren't going to
have a fourth season and *still* didn't bother
to stick their necks out.)

I suppose this does leave open the possibility
of tying up some loose ends with SLAYERS movies
in the future, but it is somewhat disappointing.
If you liked the earlier SLAYERS series, SLAYERS
NEXT is still worthwhile to complete the
collection, but if you weren't that impressed
by the earlier seasons, you won't get excited
over SLAYERS TRY. ... Read more

Amazon.com

At the end of its seventh season, the Ranma 1/2 broadcastseriesconcluded with its 161st episode. Although the filmmakers' imaginations wereclearly flagging at times, this final collection offers very funny and oddlytouching moments. The gentler side of thecharacters emerges in "Run Away with Me,"as an old man revisits his lost youth with girl-type Ranma. "Meet You in theMilky Way" plays off the Asian sky myth of the Weaver Princess and theCowherd. Princess Ori and Kengyu the herder visit Earth as martial artists, althoughthe story may be a dream of Akane's. In "Mushroom Temple," Ranma and Akane inadvertently eat "love mushrooms"--anddecide to marry. The perpetually quarreling duo addressing each other as"pretty baby" and "honey" may set a new standard for improbable humor, althoughKuno, Ryoga, and Mousse turn their love feast into a free-for-all. More typical arethe slapstick incidents: ghost cat Mao Mo Lin busts up aseaside beauty pageant and falls for Tsubasa, not recognizing his true gender.Nabiki and Sasuke sell scandalous photographs of "the pigtailed girl" to Kuno.Ryoga discovers the "Lion Roar Blast" technique, which grows more powerful asthe practitioner grows more depressed, forcing him and Ranma to stage a miserycontest.Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2 ranks among the undisputed classics ofanime, and few animated series can match the chaotic hilarity of its moreinspired moments. (Rated 13 and older: brief nudity, risqué humor, slapstickviolence) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Still a great series, but what's up with the interviews?!
Well, obviously if you've been collecting the entire Ranma 1/2 anime series up till now you'll no doubt buy this one. This is the last of the anime to be translated into English. (In chronological order, however, the movies come after this, then the O.A.V. series.) Anyway, the show itself maintains it's greatness, however there's one MAJOR problem, that being with the extras. They have interviews with the American voice actors, but it's in the same room where they're having the going-away party, and the backround noise is so loud it's harder than hell to hear a single word the actors are saying! Jeez, I mean, what's so hard about taking them aside into a seperate room so that the interviews can be conducted in quiet?! The whole reason I bought the Ranma Forever box set was for the voice actor interviews, and now I can barely hear what's being said! So I felt a tad bit jipped. It's because of this disapointing extra that I knock the overall rating down a star, although you do get to see what the actors (those that appear in the live-action extras, anyway,) look like. Well, anyway, that's all.

Ranma 1/2... still has it goin on!
I have to label myself as a Ranma fan. I have seasons 1-7, the OAV set, all three movies, and the entire manga series (in Italian thought, as far as I know vol. 38 hasn't come out in English!?). So I know a bit much about Ranma 1/2. this was probably one of the best seasons. The animation is top notch, much better than the fourth season, and even the dubbing is better. One of my favorite eps is definetely the mushroom temple, because it is hilarious to hear Ranma and Akane (who usually address each other as "uncute tomboy" and "stupid pervert") call each other "honey" and "darling". Another one of my favorites is when Ranma, to avenge akane's defeat, challenges a cheerleader to win KUNO'S love (!!).

In this series, Ranma and Akane seem to be getting along better, (LESS fighting and less insults).

One thing though- the ending to this series was definetely NOT SATISFACTORY. It ends with Ranma meeting his mother, who wants him to be MANLY or else... but it ends with Ranma and akane running to school like an ordinary day, and they say, Bye-bye! I was left with my mouth hanginig open in disgust. Read the manga for a REAL ending!

A must see for all Ranma fans!!!!

Ranma+Akane, together forever!

Exciting and . . . meet Ranma's Mom.
I am going to be short and concise on this one. Contained more exciting love battles to watch (as if you that didn't surprised you). This time, however, can Ranma be able to prove his love for KUNO! Yeah, you heard right! (Yak!)

Also, Ranma meets his mom. But his dad doesn't seem to be happy about it. I won't spoil it for you here. Let just say that she expects her son to be "A Man Among Men" . . . Or else . . . . ... 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

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

Amazon.com

Disturbing, perplexing, sometimes infuriating, Ryutaro Nakamura's serial experiments lain covers some of the same themes as The X-Files and the films of David Lynch. When introverted 13-year-old Lain receives an e-mail from a dead classmate, she gains access to "the Wired," a virtual world that promises unlimited power to those who can exploit it. Gradually the borders between the real and the virtual blur, and Lain's own identity begins to fade and fragment. Her parents tell her that she is not really their child, her online self grows in power and independence, and shadowy organizations pursue her in both worlds. Finally she begins to realize that she is either reality's only hope, or its worst enemy.

Nakamura keeps the pace of serial experiments lain deliberately slow, imbuing the early episodes with a sense of mounting dread that pays off as the plot develops. The anime technique of panning across static images creates a meditative stillness that works perfectly, and the repetition of certain key images gives them a dreamlike significance. Viewers will either love or hate the complex plot, which seems intent on incorporating every possible paranoid conspiracy, from sinister nanotechnology to alien plots. However--unlike many other anime--it somehow hangs together, and frankly not understanding everything is part of the pleasure of this kind of story. Fans of action-heavy anime and people who like every loose end tied up should steer clear, but those who surrender themselves to the slowly unfolding mysteries of the plot will be amply rewarded. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Reviews (92)

"Hello, Navi."
How do I even begin reviewing a show like "Serial Experiments: Lain?"

To start with, this is one of the most visually amazing, compelling, twisted, sci-fi-ish, dramatic, different and confusing anime series I've ever seen. It all centers on Lain, who, in all respects, appears to be a normal, if not independent (read: loner) young girl. She doesn't have super powers, she isn't anime-style sexy, and she doesn't own or operate a giant mecha -- but she does wear the cutest little teddy bear outfit: ears, tail, and all.

The story begins with the suicide of one of her classmates. A short time later, she's emailed by this classmate, from "beyond the dead..." Lain, having likely never powered on her Navi (think future, voice activated Macintosh -- it even run's the "Copland OS"), clears off her desk and sets the machine up. And she's hooked. She asks her "Papa" for a new Navi, as her's is a little old and dated. With her wish granted, she's soon cruz'ing the Wired (the future Internet) in her brand new Navi. By chance (or is it?) she comes into posession of a Psyche Processor, and reads up on how to install it. That Processor is only the beginning, and soon her room is transformed into a dark cave of twisted wires and green, bubbling coolant.

The series, like I said, is confusing. If you had a hard time with "Eyes Wide Shut," you might pass on "Lain." It's difficult to review, because of everything that happens in it. True, there are only 13 episodes, but those episodes contain so much story line, that missing one is like missing two hours of a movie that's two hours and ten minutes long. Only until the last disc makes it into your DVD player do you begin to understand some of what's going on. And then, the story line changes on you again, and you're once again thinking, "Huh?"

If you've never seen "Lain," I wouldn't recommend this box set. I also can't recommend the purchase of just the first disc to "try it out," as the good, confusing stuff doesn't start happening until the next disc's episodes. You might want to try a rental store or friend, to give it a test drive. If you already own all the DVD's, there's really no reason to buy this box set, as all you'd be getting is a box (and, of course, a second copy of each DVD).

Repeated viewings of "Lain" are recommended. Personally, I think a little "viewer companion" for us American audiences would have been a nice touch. "Serial Experiments: Lain" should be watched by all anime fans, as it provides a different approach to anime, but some may come away feeling lost and dazed. Lain will do that to you.

Close This World
I happened upon Lain one day in a local comics store that rents anime and I was immediately drawn to the series by the art of the cover. Instead of your usual beautiful anime girl, Lain wasn't classically beautiful or sexy. Instead, she seemed sad, haunted almost. I rented the series and soon fell in love with it. I knew then, I had to buy the series.

Admitingly, this series can be confusing at times, but that's part of its appeal. On one hand, the plot seems simple; an introverted girl finds her way to the 'wired' and as she travels through this world, the lines between reality and imaginary began to blur. Sometimes, you find yourself not knowing whether what you are seeing is real or if you're just caught up in one of Lain's illusions.

I have seen the series about 5 times now and I still don't claim to understand all of it. Yet, every time I watch I find myself stumbling upon some idea I hadn't thought of previously. While Lain's main theme is that of reality within the 'wired' world, this series manages to question all basic human beliefs about life, death, religion, evolution, existance, etc. One second a character will make a statement that you'll immediately think is wrong but in the next second they'll say something you accept as a universal truth. The best way to watch this series is not trying to understand ever triviality, but journey with the characters as they search for the truth, yet it is up to the viewer to decide what this truth is.

To summarize, Lain is a beautiful, haunting series that asks everything yet explains little. It doesn't have a nice tight ending where all lose ends are tied up, but that would have ruined the series itself.

Disturbingly beautiful. Truly.
In the world of anime, for many people, Serial Experiments Lain holds the title as the most disturbing, most convaluted series of all time.

Quite frankly, I agree with them.

But there is also more to S. E. Lain than its mere "freakish-ness." Lain, like its fellow notoriously controversial self-analytical anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion, makes a point of taking typically over-played, over-used philisophical concepts and questions posed in many darker, psycho-analytical animes, and proposing them in a new light. Lain's analysis of the human condition and of human nature through the characters of the series is truly deserving of praise as well. As a matter of fact, when one watches Lain, they may get the feeling that the characters hold a purpose less as characters, and more plot devices used to embody and demonstrate the questions and concepts proposed by the series (as is especially evident with the character Alice/Arisu), as do many of the events that occur throughout the series as well. This is not neccessarily a bad thing, in that S. E. Lain is more a concept/analysis based than a plot based one. Yet, even in all of the "psycho-babble" that Lain is based on, the series sets itself apart from other animes in that it does not attempt to act as if it can truly answer all of the questions that it itself poses; as if there is some sort of absolute truth that everyone is bound by. All in all, the entire story serves as a metaphor. What that metaphor is, you must decide for yourself.

I would recommend watching the Neon Genesis Evangelion series before watching Lain, as the two share many common concepts, and having watched Evangelion adds a bit more intrigue to watching the series. In the end, Serial Experiments Lain is one ot those love-it-or-hate-it animes. Personally, I loved it. It's also one that you appreciate more and more every time you watch it over again. And you WILL end up watching it a good number of times before you can finally put it down. Trust me.

Very good animation and characters
The DVD is mainly about this game called the Wired. Lain, the main character, gets interested in this game. She startes to get obsest with the game and forces herself to get more and more into the game and becomes part of the internet. Her friend Alice, tries to her her, but after Alice tries, Lain (accidently) hurts her (not physically). Lain soon makes everyone's memory of her go away. I won't tell you what happend in the end because you have to find that out yourself, (Hee, hee.) The story is very dramatic and serius.

RATED 13 UP FOR sexual parts/language/blood scenes.

Darn you Jean Paul Sartre
I can't decide if I like this series or not. I oscillate between thinking it's boring and pretentious and thinking it's absolutley brilliant. It's very stylized and, well, experimental; about twenty percent of the first group of episodes consists of outdoor shots in which most of the background is whited out, and the only sound is the quietly menacing hum of power lines. Moments like these are very effective. I think the series is at its best when it's not trying very hard. The sense of foreboding and existential crisis is much more effectively communicated by the subtly wrong behavior of the characters, by the minor overheard conversations and the held static scenes, than it is by the moments when a disembodied voice asks the same ambiguous question over and over. Lain deals with themes which are somewhat overhashed (who am I? what am I? where do I end and you begin? what is the difference between the phenomenon as it exists and is experienced?), more now than ever, and its take on these themes isn't all that fresh. Its style, though, is incredible. ... Read more

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