Description

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

Reviews (108)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (47)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon.com essential video

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

Reviews (246)

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Battle scenes are fun to watch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (59)

Awesome
First off let me say I gave this four stars ONLY becuase it is not my favorite Anime. (In my mind nothing can beat Rurouni Kenshin) Like many others in America I was first introduced to Gundam Wing late one night while watching Cartoon network. I saw an episode about half way through the series and thought it was great. When I saw this series come out in a box set I wanted to buy it, but had second thoughts. You see I have seen some of Mobile Suit Gundam 083 and some of the other ones, and I didn't like them at all. For some reason I could not stand that little twerp Amuro. Let me say this though, this series is nothing like the others. Awesome story line, excellent characters, and lots of action make this series a must in your collection.

Gundam Wing is the most captivating Gundam Series out there!
I have to say I have seen a little bit of every Gundam Show in existence. And Gundam Wing by far, in my opinion, surpasses them all. While the animation is obviously better than it's predecessors the plot and characters are also deeper. It's a darker world in GW and a lot of things are different in this series than in any of the others. The colonies in this series are NOT the enemies, but a confused bunch of people who have been abused time and time again. They make for very good under dogs. The main characters are very well developed - and actually have emotional breaking points! Also, the main character isn't happy go lucky - but a soldier. It's kinda disturbing that they are only 15, but it just makes them deeper characters. I recommend this show to ANYBODY.
Personally I liked the English version but if you want a treat the Japanese version is hilarious. The voice actors are better and the lines make so much sense. O and read Episode Zero before you watch this series -- SO many more things make sense it's amazing!

Wing is a great series, but bootlegs should not be here
I highly recommened Gundam Wing to anyone because it is an awesome series. There is something for everyone here, romance, mech action, comedy, etc. How often is it a series' character gets his own personal stalker? How many series actually have a man change personalities like flipping a slice of bread? Great stuff.

Beware though, I was just looking at the used copies for $30, and they are all bootlegs. Yes, you heard me, those discs are bootlegs from China. The OFFICIAL set is 10 discs, no less. If you want to get this series, support Bandai with their legal set, not those loser sellers and their bootlegs.

One of my favorite anime
This has to be one of the best anime of all time. In my opion it is my second favorite of all time. It is just under ronin warriors. Gundam wing is the best gundam anime out there. The reason that it is so good is because of the 5 main piolts. by the end of the serios u feel like u know the them. No other gundam show made me feel like that. I have not bought the dvds but i have seen every episiode. If u like anime and giant robots and deep story u will like gundam wing.

Gundam Wing is the best
I recently bought this item and I have never bought a anime box set and wathched it mor the second i rurouni kenshin or hellsing which pale in comparison to this show this isnt your average gundam show it is one of the best gundam shows ever made my hat is off to Hajime Yatatae and Yoshiyuki tomino creators of Gundam Wing if they ever make a gundam series like this again i will buy it. the story of heero yuy and and the othe gundam pilots sent to earth by operation meteor is the best it shows that even the strongest of forces can be defeated meaning oz and the aliance military being defeated by just five mobile suits which dawn excelent mobile suit designs by Kunio Okawara by the way Zechs's voice is the coolest and Duo brings life and comedy to the series the mobile dolls look great as well at least for the gundams to destroy. if you are a gundam fan eva fan or raxphon fan the this will top them in my opinion evas ending wasnt the best. the animation is great especialy twords the artimis revolution and space war at the end of the series i have this box set and i did cost me 200.00 dollars but it was worth every penny. this gundam sseries is the best of them all even over 08th ms team which is a awesome show but it dosnt compare to Gundam wing with an ending note if you want a gundam show with non stop action and will make you want to play a gundam game buy this box set if you have 200.00 dollars for anime. they should also make a gundam wing video game and not fighting but more like encounters in space or journey to jaburo buy this. this is an overall perfect product it brings together every thing you love about gundam. there has never been such an awesome gundam series. ... Read more

Description

During a heated duel between Kyoshiro and Demon Eyes Kyo, a shooting star hits the ground, engulfing both samurai. Years later Kyoshiro wanders the land with no memory of his past. Deep inside his mind waits the soul of old rival Samurai Kyo! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on the manga by Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura, the Inu-Yasha TV series (2000) blends elements of Japanese folklore and familiar anime devices into a deftly imaginative blend of humor and adventure, an extremely entertaining series that never falls into cliché.Beginning the first season's 27 episodes, Kagome Higurashi, a normal 15-year-old girl, falls down a dry well--and finds herself in the feudal past, 50 years after her ancestress Kikyo imprisoned the half-human/half-demon Inu-Yasha. As the reincarnation of Kikyo, Kagome possesses a magic jewel that greatly increases the power of demons. Kagome fetters Inu-Yasha with the help of her priestess-ancestor Kaede, and when the jewel is shattered Kagome and Inu-Yasha must ally to recapture the fragments.

The series really begins to hit its stride when Kagome and Inu-Yasha, while bickering, nevertheless prove an effective team against the demons they encounter in the Warring States netherworld. Two new characters create complications. Shippo, an orphan fox spirit, meets Kagome and Inu-Yasha in the Warring States period. A more conventional but potentially more dangerous addition is Hojo, a handsome upper classman at Kagome's school, who's concerned about her recent absences. His understated good manners contrast sharply with the prickly Inu-Yasha--just as Kagome is beginning to recognize his good points.

In the multi-part adventure that begins with "Kikyo's Stolen Ashes," the filmmakers presenting conflicting versions of the relationship between Kikyo and Inu-Yasha, and the intriguing plot twists typify Takahashi's sophisticated story-telling. The tone darkens as the back story emerges: 50 years earlier, Kikyo tended Onigumo, a badly burned thief. As his desire for the Sacred Jewel--and Kikyo--grew, Onigumo summoned a horde of demons, whom he allowed to consume his flesh and soul. The evil creatures fused to form the terrible Naraku. Recognizing his feelings for Kagome, Inu-Yasha tries to protect her from Naraku by sending her back to her own time and blocking the passage between the ages. Inu-Yasha, Kagome, Shippo, and Miroku face a bizarre array of monsters and villains, including a forest demon who vomits hordes of monstrous, three-eyed wolves.

As the tapestry grows richer, Kagome and Myoga begin to explore the origins and nature of the Sacred Jewel that radiates power yet brings misfortune to everyone who approaches it. The source of the jewel turns out to be the demon-slayers' village. Inu-Yasha, Kagome, and their friends learn how the Jewel was created long ago in a battle between hordes of monstrous demons and Midoriko, the greatest priestess of the age. But the Jewel is also a miniature battleground between good and evil: a metaphor for the world--and for Inu-Yasha's heart, as he vacillates between selfishness and kindness. (Rated 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (27)

BERSERK - BEST ANIME EVER
This would have to be the best anime I have ever seen, there is no comparison. The story is so good that once you've watched one episode, you can't to wait to see the other. It is not a predictable story unlike most other anime, where you can almost guess what's going to happen. The characters are the best, everyone has their special attribute, mostly Gatts and Griffith, Gats with his huge sword cutting through anything that gets in his way, and Griffith with his confidence and unmatched leadership. This anime is very realistic, not with too much violence but it shows you more that it is a violent world. I would probably say that this has to be the best series I have ever seen even comparing to regular tv shows and movies. You will not regret one penny you paid to buy it and one second of your life you watched it.

One of the Most Unique and Powerful Series Ever.
Berserk is one of the most unique animes, and just plain one of the most unique stories around. It has a flow and style of plot and character development all its own. The characters are all very realistic and never seem flat or predictible. Guts, himself, is a very different manner of hero. He's far from a moral character, yet not really what you would call an antihero. The story is very subtle at times and does a nice job of juggling action and helping further the narrative, with bits of dialogue that never seem stilted or generic.
The ending, as many reveiwers have already said, is very brutal and quite cruel. Some may be turned off by this, but I found the ending quite a bold move, and upon watching the last two episodes over again, prefer it to a more upbeat one. One of the most standout points I found throughout the series was its music. It's quite beautiful and matches the tone of the series perfectly, especially in the latter episodes. Perhaps the most surprising to me was the brialliant use of cuts and edits the series employs. Whether it goes to its commercial bumper or just recaps the events of the previous episode in the prologue, the series has a sharp eye for cliffhangers and last-minute revelations. Treat yourself to something fresh in the anime world and watch Berserk, you shouldn't be dissapointed.

Berserk is just simply a masterpiece!
ok this won't be a typical review like you peoples usually read. Ghetto wit style is this 1. Now here is the way I interpreted the story of ...............................

~Berserk~ The characters in this show ain't like nothin you ever seen. They have DEPTH! The most I have ever seen. But it is only 3 that has this DEPTH.

~Griffth~
~Guts~
~Caska~

because of the DEPTH to these 3 great characters is astonishing, everything these 3 characters do will be interpreted diffeerntly with every viewer that watches these 3 characters interact.

Here is a list of many things I mean............................

* Is Griffith and Guts really gay?
* Does Casca really love Griffith or is her judgement clouded for another man, maybe Guts?
* What caused Griffith to become gay?
* Who is the smarter man Griffith or Guts?
* Why is Casca always complainin?
* Does Guts want Griffith or Casca? Is he bisexual?

and there are many more. This series is everything just get it.

Oh and if you get this collector's Box of War set then watch the outtakes on every dvd cause they are very, very funny. Also in a interview the director or artist mentioned somethin bout that there may be a 2nd season! Hope so!

Holla at ya boi!!!

frustrated
i watched the whole series and must say i enjoyed most of it, but i think saying it has a bad ending is an understatement. i have never felt more frustrated about any ending more than this one. i never have felt i wanted more resolution in an aime most the time i like less but in berserk there was no resolution. i would have been satisfied if they atleast hinted in the end what happened but there was nothing.its not only the ending. the whole story has loads of foreshadow that kept me watching but in the end it combined almost none of it. i was really disapointed by it. guts is a little too invicible for my taste also.

Wow! and... Wow...
This is such a cool anime. You will understand a lot more if you read the manga as well. I'm just waiting for the 4th manga to be printed in English.
The consept of this anime is amazing in the fact that it shows the lengths a person will go to be at the top: the people that will be used, the people that will die, and the people who are really 'nothing'- just stepping stones. Wonderfully done! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon.com

The 34 episodes in this eight-disc set make up the "Kyoto" arc of the popular martial arts adventure-comedy. The tone of the narrative has darkened since the introductory story (Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai). When the forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate were defeated by the Imperialists 10 years earlier, Kenshin Himura abandoned his identity as Battousai the Manslayer. Makoto Shishio succeeded him as the country's deadliest assassin. Government agents captured Shishio, and although he survived a botched execution, an attempt to incinerate his body left him hideously scarred. Shishio has assembled a private army to overthrow the Meiji government and make himself ruler of Japan. Can Kenshin keep his oath never to kill again, or must he once again become a murderer to prevent a civil war? Kenshin's internal struggle is complicated by Seiko, his arrogant former sensei; Aoshi, the ex-commander of the Oniwaban; and Saito, a police officer who may be a friend, rival, and/or enemy. The drama and violence are played against the broad comedy of the cast of friends Kenshin made in Tokyo in the previous continuity: Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke, Megumi. Yahiko tries to emulate Kenshin, clobbering an opponent as he shouts, "Hiten Mitsurugi style--or close to it, anyway!"

Director Kazuhiro Furuhashi stages the sword fights and martial arts duels with panache, using rapid cutting, split-screen, and reversed colors to heighten the excitement. But the filmmakers stress that the spiritual aspects of the samurai tradition of bushido outweigh mere physical skills. Kenshin's inner nobility triumphs over Shishio's commitment to a misguided social Darwinism.The emphasis on internal conflict demands nuanced performances from the vocal cast. As Kenshin, Richard Hayworth finds subtle transitions between the warm, slightly goofy Kenshin and the implacable warrior who once terrified Kyoto. This depth and complexity of characterization gives Rurouni Kenshin a resonance lacking in animation that pits blandly virtuous heroes against cackling villains. The Legend of Kyotoset makes it clear why Rurouni Kenshin remains one of the best-loved anime continuities of all time. (Rated 13 and older: violence, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (15)

rurouni kenshin!!
the rurouni kenshin series are by far my all time fave anime, the second series legend of kyoto in my opinion is one of the best, though it is smilar to the first series it is also much darker, the story is gripping, though i feel some fight scenes do go on longer than necessary, yet it still oes not detract from the story as is the case with some anime. the characters in this series are fantastic and well developed especialy since they star throughout the entirity you really get to know them. fantastic anime

One Of The Best
It has been said that Kenshin is a series with many highs and lows, this story arc is most certainly the high point and one of the best stories in all of anime. I first discovered Kenshin in the dark and very well done ova, however I found it very hard to watch the of the tv series. It was very lighthearted compared to the ova, but once I discovered this part of the series I liked it, loved it, and adored it, even more now than ova. Although it's not as dark or violent it has a truly brilliant narrative. Not only has the tone changed from the wandering samurai arc but it seems that the direction has changed significantly, but it has a whole new musical score that fits the tale like a glove. Not only that but there is so much more to the characters, in the first arc Kenshin only has to rely on his skills as a wanderer but now with the fate of Japan on his shoulders and enemies greater than himself he has only two choices: once again become the Battousai or complete the training he gave up to fight in the revolution. As for his enemies this is what really makes this story shine. Shishio Makoto is perhaps the greatest villain in all of anime, his right hand Sojiro is sure as hell no push over either. I must say I've been waiting for this collection for some time, and believe me it's worth the cash. This series is must for any and all anime fans.

Everything you want in a anime series.
This season of Rurouni Kenshin takes off where the first season endid a guy from the Shinsengumi named Saito pays a visit to the Battousai's living area the Kamiya Dojo and this is where stuff get's intresting. Another guy, thought to be Kenshin's succesor Makoto Shishio is trying to take over Japan. So Kenshin has to stop before the nation will be troubled.

For any Rurouni Kenshin fan this is a must bought kind of thing, I mean thios has everything you want in a action anime series. It has Action, Drama, Some Comidic Humor, Emotions and a whole line of stuff. Plus it is sort of a low price instead of buying the Legend of Kyoto DVD's one by one you can get this easy. The price is $149.99 so stop reading all the reviews and get this already.

Absolutely Fantastic, a moral and motivational journey!!
This is not an indoctrination or anything like that, but rather the show provides you with hope that there is always hope and the determination to carry on. TRY TRY TRY. The basic Japanese theme for most movies and anime!!

wow...
I love this show, and this is by FAR the best arc in the story. It's fantastic (although the battle with Shishio is a little drawn out...) in every way. If you like Rurouni Kenshin, then this is definitely worth your money and time. GREAT! ... 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

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

Raised in an Italian convent, 16-year-old Robin Sana returns to her native Japan to join the STNJ, a secret organization that captures, rather than kills, witches of both sexes. The typically mismatched crew includes hacker Michael Lee, rookie Haruto Sakaki, psychic Miho Karasuma, Yurika Dojima, the spoiled daughter of a prominent family, and icily aloof Amon, the de facto leader of the team. As a "craft user," Robin can conjure fire as a weapon, but has some trouble with her aim. Witch Hunter combines the subdued palette of Blood: The Last Vampire with the alienated tone of the Vampire Princess Miyu OVAs. The elegantly designed settings and skillful use of color are more interesting than the flat stories about pursuing the supernatural murderers. All six volumes and a pin collection are included in this set. (Rated 13 and older: violence, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (64)

The Icon of Heroic Anime
Any anime fan knows: There's a lot of cliches out there. But every once in a while, something comes along that does the "same old thing" with such amazing brilliance that it is fresh again, and you realize why you loved it so much the first time.

If you've seen a lot of anime, you won't see any new concepts in Outlaw Star - but you'll love watching it just the same. The action is incredible, the characters are rich and well-developed, and the plot is compelling and twisty. Sure, it's the got the archetypical "fly by the seat of his pants in a cool spaceship waving a magic gun" kind of hero (and he's even got red spiky hair,) an android who is desparate to find out her past, a child prodigy hacker, a samurai assassin, a spastic female were-tiger with revealing clothes, and of course the prudent AI ship's computer, (not to mention a varied cast of space pirates, law enforcement, bandits, outlaws, bounty-hunters, etc.), and they're in search of something with an extremely mysterious name ("galactic lay line?" Come on!) Sounds like the same old anime thing, right?

Think again. Even if you've seen a million animes that sound just like this, you've never seen it done so well as Outlaw Star. The coolness factor is through the roof. A perfect blend of spectacular fantasy and Heinlein-esque realism. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Why isn't this show more popular?
This series has a little of everything. Among the crew of the Outlaw Star are a handsome but occasionally dorky hero; his teenage-genius sidekick; a cute but painfully shy android girl; a tradition-loving female ronin; the ship's cantankerous computer, with the personality of a depressive who's resigned to his fate; and a predictably spazzy catgirl. This should give you some idea of how well it sticks to all the clichés of 90s-era sci-fi anime.

And yet it transcends those clichés at the same time. There are those who say this series does everything and does nothing very well, but personally I'm inclined to disagree. Maybe it doesn't go anywhere that other series haven't already been, but boy, does it have a damn good time getting there. It's wildly funny at times, more than worthy in the action department, and there are quite a few mysteries along the way that make the whole series worth watching.

The animation quality of the show is consistently high, but then again it seems the standards have increased in Japan. Much like the art of Trigun or Cowboy Bebop, the show's visual style is breathtaking and entertaining in its own way. The quality of the sound is also admirable; the DVDs have no noticeable glitches whatsoever, in sound OR video. And I haven't watched it with the dubbed dialogue much, but from what I've heard so far the dub's not as embarrassing as one might think.

This show doesn't necessarily cover any new ground, but damn it, you've got to give them credit for trying. All in all, a very entertaining series.

Great anime! Great characters!
Awesome anime! I loved watching it every single episode is worth watching, the characters are superb. There is no episode where i would go: nah enough is enough. NO CHANCE.

I'm 14, very big fan of anime. I've seen Cowboy Bebop-as it is often the nemisis of OS-and i can say it is good but it's not totally compelling, i would skip most of those episodes if i were to watch Cowboy Bebop. I would much sooner watch Outlaw Star. It's entire vision is creative, yet it's ending took me time to understand. Best way to describe the universe is completely unique, it brings a fresh finesse to the usual action anime. If you're an anime fan there's a 98% chance you'll love this show. Another Bebop comparison is the characters. While characters in Cowboy bebop are good they dont match the characters in Outlaw Star. The characters in this show were very interesting to me, they have a charm i just couldn't get from most other animes. I would say more depth but i don't want to include any spoilers to any who haven't seen OS.

I saw Outlaw star when it aired, it's so much better uncut. There's no other way to watch this show---watch it uncut, it's great.

Bottom line: Good characters, unique universe, creative and mystical story, dark but stylish animation. Geh, this is a great anime over all. I'll be re-watching this one for a loooongggg time. It really absorbed me into the universe.

The most underrated anime of all time.
Outlaw Star is an anime about a group of bounty hunters in space going to find a treasure called the Galatic Leyline. Now that sounds very cliche, but understand that Outlaw Star has some of the best character development ever. I not going to compare it to Cowboy Bebop, but it is equal to it. Gene is a young pilot out to make it big. Jim is his genuis hacker friend. Malpheena is a android girl looking for her true self. Aisha is a cat-girl working for the glory of her people, and Suzuka is a cold-blooded assassin. This is the crew of the Outlaw Star.

Story - Very few filler episodes, the first 8 episodes (out of 26) all tie in to the story well. The last 18 contain a few that veer off a bit, but they all add to the plot. The last 3 episodes are a must see for the action. The sci-fi atmosphere is great is very original despite what many people take it for.

Animation - Very good for a TV show released in 1998. The characters move fuildly and few frames are repeated.

Music - Its solid all aorund and doesn't seem out of place. The sound effects are awesome on DVD, and the English dub is equal if not better than the Japanese dub.

Action- Gunfights, swordfights, magic, grappler ships, bombings, killer robots, magic, duels, hand to hand combat, and the Kei Pirates, the coolest groups of villains ever. Enough Said.

Characters - You learn a lot about everyone, even the villains. Some of the minor ones such as Fred Luo are fall out your chair hilarious. Even the Outlaw Star's AI Gillian is pretty comedic. The crew is very funny when they interact. They act like real people and even complain about things like bills and money. Its not slapstick comedy its more of a dark comedy that even adults can appreciate.

Overall - If you are tired of DBZ and that ilk, or just want to watch something very entertaining, Outlaw Star is perfect.

Also- There is some swearing, but its not excessive, no f-bombs or god----. There is no graphic violence or sex, but the content is enough to make this for teens and adults.

Does it beat Cowboy Bebop?
Gene Starwind, (the main character) saw his father killed when he was a child by ruthless pirates named the Macduggal Brothers. Gene grew up and became a bounty hunter for hire. He aquires a unique spaceship called the, Outlaw Star, which has a navagation system provided by the android, Melfina. This ship is the only one able to find the coordinates to a great mystery known only as the Galactic Leyline. Gene Starwind is joined by an interesting crew; Jim is a computer hacker, Susuka is an assassin, Aiasha is a beast girl, Melfina is an android who has human feelings. They all embark togther on the quest to the Galactic Leyline. Gene also has a score to seatle with the Macduggal Brothers. I enjoyed watching Outlaw Star very much. The story flows well right from the beginning when each character is introduced. The characters themselves are fun to watch as they have their own charm and personalities. The group does a lot of traveling between cities and planets. They meet a host of characters both good and bad. Gene Starwind is adventurous, funny and deadly- he is a good example of the swashbucking hero. He also posses a gun called a, Caster. The interesting thing about the Caster gun is the it shoots shells which contain magic spells from- magna-. So this Quasi fantasy and science fiction element makes it more interesting. The ship itself is interesting as it contains an artificial intelligence on board and intereacts with the crew. The ship-to-ship combat lacked intensity found in other anime titles. A big part of that fault was the low framerate, low detail designs, and having the ships fight with grappler arms. So yes, it was strange to see ships holding hands and punching each other. The character design and animation were average, it just lacked the fluidity of high quality anime. The sound effects and music were also average. These are just minor complaints I have. I personally liked Cowboy Bebop much better, but Outlaw Star was a lot of fun to watch, the storyline and characters were good and this is the basic foundation of good anime. Good for teens and adults. Ends on Episode 26, but hints that the series might continue. ... 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