Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Visuals Not remastered) 『I bought this thinking the visuals were remastered same as the audio to 5.1. Not so, this looks like a VHS transfer to DVD, even image jumps or has effects like the ones in planet terror. unfortunately the effects are not made on purpose. Don't buy this, wait for a blu ray version if one comes out anytime soon. Really dissapointed with [...]』
(so and so) 『the animation, voices and bgm is dull but since it is S.F. it's ok for the average fan...』
(Disappointed in this release) 『I can honestly say that I'm disappointed in this release. My only comfort is that it cost $13.99. Like many others I believe this is a great movie, my disappointment is in the quality related to the transfer to DVD. My biggest peeve is that it's not a true widescreen edition. The picture will not fill up your 16:9 television set. Instead it's 4:3 picture with bars at the top and bottom to make it "widescreen". It's basically the same as if you were watching a VHS tape on a SD television set.
Unlike others though, I feel the soundtrack for the English version is much better than the Japanese version. The music really makes a difference during the fight scenes. It's too bad the picture seems washed out as others have pointed out.
The Japanese version on the other hand is much more colorful but the fight scenes seem less intense due to the soundtrack.
If you just want a copy of this movie on DVD then I would recommend it, however if you want a good version on DVD, just wait and hope for something better in the future.』
(The real Street Fighter movie 8/10) 『Now this is how you do Street Fighter not an overseas conflict not a martial arts version of NCIS. The story is Bison needs Ryu's power to for terrorist activities because he seen how powerful Ryu is when he defeated Sagat he also left a big scar on him. We are introduced to Cammy she is brain washed&she works for Bison Cammy tries to kill a defense minister we go to Chun Li who is working the case on Shadoloo she says they will need military help next we are introduced to Guile he eventually agrees to help. Next we are introduced to Bison&h*l f***ing yeah that's what Bison should look like as well as Vega Balrog&Sagat. He wants Ryu for a Bio Weapon but he travels all over the world he's hard to find. So they learn about Ken Ryu's equal Ken runs a martial arts school in Seattle so he's easy to capture. Bison sends Vega to kill Chun Li this is how Chun Li vs Vega is done 3-5 minutes unlike Legend of Chun Li It's not perfect but as far as Street Fighter it's near perfect.』
(It's starting to show it's age.) 『First off this is the only thing of any value with the street fighter 2 license. That being said the more you see it you start to see more and more problems. The art for one thing there are series and OVAs that came out around the same time that still look good today e.g. Outlaw Star(1998, 2 years later, but still hand drawn), but this film and anime style doesn't hold up well. Second the film jumps around too much and this creates a lack of character development. It's called Street fighter, so why the focus on Ryu and Ken, while the other characters only pop in for a minute just to say hi. Third the music, okay you may like it if you like grunge rock as for other people its kind of grating. Even with all my issues with it , its still an alright movie just don't expect a lot of rewatchings.』 『More thrilling adventures of Colonel William Guile, a martial arts expert who travels the global competitive fighting circuit as cover for his top secret mission-he is leader of an elite group of international crime fighters known only as Street Fighter. Their code of honor: Discipline; Justice; Commitment. Packed with fierce fighting, ample thrills and a team of genuine heroes, Street Fighter is a proven winner.』 『Based on the video game,Street Fighter II: the Animated Movie(1994) is the first feature in the popular continuity that includes a second animated film, a TV series, an OAV, and a live-ction feature. With physiques that Mr. Olympia would envy and moves that would shame Bruce Lee, Ryu and Ken Masters rank as the world's greatest martial artists. They face a dire challenge when Vega (Bison in the English dub), the psychic master of the criminal syndicate Shadowloo (Shadowlaw), attempts to turn the world's top street fighters into his agents. The minimal plot exists only as a framework for the over-the-top martial arts battles. Director Gisaburo Sugii stages many of the fights at night in an effort to heighten the drama, but the results are so dark, it's difficult to see what's going on. Fans of the series complain--justifiably--that the English voices sound stiff and hokey, although the dialogue is hopelessly silly. The double-sided disc offers both the English and Japanese versions; the latter contains about two more minutes of violent fighting. (Rated PG-13, suitable for ages 17 and older: graphic violence, violence against women, nudity, alcohol use, profanity, ethnic stereotypes)--Charles Solomon』
price：$7.49
Adv Films
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Okay but nothing compared to the original) 『Not much to say but this anime could've been longer and the characters seemed bland at times. I recommend seeing the original ova instead.』
(i FYOU LIKE DRAMA GO FOR THIS ANIMATION) 『GREAT ANIMATION,THE STORY LINE IS FINE.IT ONLY TAKE A FEW HOURS TO WATCH THE HOLE MANGA OR ANIMATION.I STRONGLY RECOMENDED.』
(must see) 『A great anime to see with a powerful meaning to it in a way.Here a guy has a great life meets the girl of his dreams.He ha a promiseing career with good friends.then takes a turn for da worst.really good seris well worth buying』
(Worthy Remake Of A Classic Anime OVA) 『Area 88 for those who have yet to experience it in any of its many incarnations is a recent remake of a three-episode 1985 series of the same name, which was itself based on an earlier manga series. Like many, you're probably wondering what about the premise warrants so much attention. The answer, in its simplest form, is that it presents a clean, tightly focused tale about a pilot betrayed over a woman and the results of this life-changing twist of fate.
Yes there's enough of a story here to keep the plot moving smoothly along but at its core, Area 88 is an action show that borrows some from some of the more memorable moments in big budget films such as Top Gun and Behind Enemy Lines.
As a bit of a fighter aircraft buff myself, I was quite enthralled with the accurate aircraft specs/ renditions featured in the program but make no mistake, fighter plane knowledge isn't a requisite for enjoying the viewing experience.
The story is technically told through the eyes of a photographer who arrives to the mercenary Middle Eastern air base on a bit of an ulterior motive mission again involving the betrayal mentioned above. I'll refrain from diving too deeply into the plot as most of the fun in the series is following along as the story-layers are unraveled like a proverbial onion.
If you've read along this far in the review, hopefully the reason for revisiting this franchise as often as has been done is becoming clearer. The core of the show involves aerial combat scenes and a near constant dose of sheer dog fighting goodness. While advances in animation technology/ computer generated imaging benefit the industry as a whole, there is certainly ample opportunity to show off just how far things have come in Area 88.
Thanks to computer rendering, a great amount of detail has gone into the planes models, their weapons, and the explosions/ crash sequences. The sounds are especially noteworthy as well, almost offsetting the slightly out of place techno score.
ADV Films deserves credit for assembling a voice cast worthy of the Japanese source material. The English dub is just about flawless in dynamics and believability.
Complaints are very few. In fact the most common seem to be the desire to continue onward with a plot that ends fairly abruptly. Twelve 23-minute episodes are all we're given to begin, develop and conclude the tale. The concept of a full 26-episode run really boggles the mind with what could have potentially been accomplished in terms of character development. As it stands the story is short, sweet, and loaded with action. Viewers who enjoy anime for its methodic building and emphasis on human emotions first and foremost may want to skip Area 88 but everyone else should do themselves a favor by giving the show a try.
Area 88 is available in a Complete Collection (3-disc) set and sold separately across 4 volumes (each containing three episodes). Be cautious when purchasing should you decide to go for the 2008 rendition of the show as the original OVA series from 1985 (from US Manga Corps) often occupies the same shelf space and looks similar in terms of the cover art. 』
(Intriguing Anime With Great Jet Fighters In Action) 『First of all I never watched the previous OVA series so this review is not tainted in anyway. This series packs a big bang for your buck. The animation style is pretty darn good in my oppinion and the CG mixes well with it. The air battles are superb and the music really gets you going. I liked the characters for what they were as this was a short 12 episode series. And for a fun short series it really mixed the story up with some serious episodes to boot. The reason this doesnt receive a 5 star rating however is because the beginning really doesnt set up what the series is all about. As you watch the series though, the story does unfold but there is a lingering feeling after the first episode of what is the show really about. The other reason for 4 not 5 stars is the ending. I thought it could have been closed up better, although it still works, its more of an "artsy" independent film ending. Anyway this show was great and ADV as always brings a great dub. I just finished it for a second time and I know I will watch it again. Review Over
Oh yeah, other reviewers have said the original Area 88 from the 80s is better, I saw a trailer for it and Im not gonna go back and watch it with its dated animation when this 2005 edition is totally updated and longer in length. I find when people like an older edition over the new its because its what they watched when they were kids and it pulls them back to there childhood. If you havent watched either I would start with this one first. But to each his own.』 『Japanese ace Shin Kazuma was staring at a cozy future at Yamato Airlines, where he was dating the president’s daughter. Instead, he’s tricked into signing on as a mercenary and now must serve a three year hitch or raises $1.5 million to buy his way out.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good and Bad) 『I won't repeat stuff about the content that many others have said before. My recommendation is to buy Trust and Betrayal seperately and skip Reflections completely. Trust and Betrayal (the first two OVAs) are a must-have for every fan of the Manga or the TV series. Reflection is a jumble of flashbacks and a barely comprehensible story to hold it all together. I wish I had never seen it!』
(Awesome) 『This is without a doub one of the best pieces of anime ever. I would recommend reading the manga first (all 28 volumes). You can watch the TV series, but it's not true to the spirit of the series. The music is excelent and the story is wonderful. Trust/Betrayal are pre-Meiji; they are an in depth look at Battousai's period as a hitokiri and generally sty true to the manga. Reflections, on the other hand, is like fanfiction, except you have to pay for it. It doesn't follow the manga. And the characters are not themselves at times. Kenshin never moves forward, Kaoru is more of a Meiji Tomoe and she is almost never shown with a wooden sword, and the other characters just seem off occaisionally. That dosn't mean it's not a thing of beauty. I recommend to any open-mnded fan who doesn't mind a depressing-ish ending. The visuals have their stange moments (the real-time shots in particular are odd), and the english dub is not that bad. It is better in Japanese, though. If you love Rurouni Kenshin, you'll love Samurai X (what an asinine name that is!) OVAs. 』
(Excellent movie but beware the HONK GONG knock offs!) 『HONK GONG...hilarious.
Ok but seriously, these are excellent movies. One of my favorite anime stories of all time. Be warned! The opening few minutes are EXTREMELY AND DISTURBINGLY VIOLENT!! Other than that, the movie is great. I think it really helped that I had already seen the entire Rurouni Kenshin series. I would recommend watching the series first but not the whole series. Stop after episode 62.
Be careful though when buying this dvd set. I bought this box set and ended up getting a Hong Kong version with completely different packaging. I was very upset. Finally an anime I wanted to support and I inadvertently bought the pirated copy!』
(moments) 『Received product fast. Good condition. I enjoyed all three very much. I like the mature storyline and brief history of the time period. I would recommend』
(One beauty, one bane) 『Well, Tsuiokuhen (the proper Japanese title for Trust and Betrayal) is simply the most gorgeous piece of anime I've ever seen. It is very elemental in the way it tells the story. I just love all the symbolism laced throughout the movie like Kenshin's little top and all the pretty nature shots.
Yes, it is very grim compared to the TV series. Since it's set during a bloody war, one can understand this. You can't really expect Kenshin as an assassin to walk around saying, "Oro". Rather, this is the story of how he embarked on the journey to become the rurouni of the TV series.
Tomoe is captured pretty well, though I do prefer her portrayal in the manga. However, as the mystery around her unfolds, we see her sadness and her humanity. We see that she is torn between her feelings for Kenshin and her feelings for her fiance.
I also love how Hiko is portrayed in this OVA and think he's even better in this than in the manga and anime. He seems wiser and more humane somehow, I think because of his expanded speeches.
I also really liked Kenshin's clan master, Katsura Kogoro. Even though he is ruthless enough to take advantage of a naive 14-year-old, we can see Katsura's plight and see that he really isn't an evil person. Like Kenshin, he's simply doing the best he can in an adverse situation.
Seisouhen (the Japanese title for "Reflection") on the other hand is just pure garbage. I've read the original manga and it shares nothing with this train wreck of an OVA.
Seisouhen, which is set in the relatively peaceful Meiji Era, tries too hard to recapture the dark beauty of Tsuiokuhen, which takes place during the violent Bakumatsu.
The end result of this is characters who aren't themselves. The Kenshin of Seisouhen isn't the man who went through the character growth of the Kyoto and Jinchuu Arcs. Rather he is Battousai all over again; still grief-stricken and angst driven.
Kaoru isn't Kaoru, but a Meiji Era version of Tomoe; quiet, submissive and self-sacrificing to a fault.
In order to try and recreate the tragic beauty of the culmination of Tsuiokuhen, the makers of Seisouhen invent a disease that slowly eats away at Kenshin's mind and body and then have Kaoru deliberately take it to "share his pain".
The only characters in this OVA who really seemed alright were Yahiko and Kenji. Kenji is understandably bitter at his parents' continued neglect of him in favor of their little angst/romance. Eventually, he splits for Kyoto and seeks out Kenshin's old master Hiko Seijuro XIII to learn Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu so he can understand his father's past strength.
Enter Yahiko, armed with the Sakabatou. Yahiko fights Kenji in a duel that is unfortunately the highlight of this slow-paced and boring OVA in an attempt to get the teenager to return to Kaoru with him so she won't be alone.
The end result of this OVA left a bitter taste in my mouth. I cannot recommend this OVA to any fan with a good conscience.』 『Studio: Adv Films Release Date: 01/27/2004 Run time: 205 minutes』 『Trust The four-episodeSamurai X: Trustoriginal 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 bothSamurai X: The Movieand 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. ButSamurai Xunfolds 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 Xdemonstrates 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』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Sailor Moon SuperS) 『This isn't the best season of the show, but it gives Rini a much more defined personality.』
(Sailor moon season 4....) 『... is not my favorite season. In fact it is my least favorite. After the heart snatcher season this one just did not have the plot to live up to the name that sailor moon was making. If this season had been better, the show may have continued, but after this season aired on t.v. the show was cancelled. Is that a surprise? It is a must have if you are collecting the entire sailor moon series however. Even though the plot is sort of bad, there are episodes that are worth watching in this season.』
(I love Sailor Moon!) 『Not the best as far as story lines, but easily one of the funniest seasons thanks to Chibiusa and Usagi. I was so happy to be able to find some of the seasons. I would recommend it for any Sailor Moon fan!』
(One Of My Favorite Seasons) 『Great Season, DVD Menu's Were Kinda Lame, Quality Wasn't As Great As It Could've Been, Hate The Dub Version So The Dual Audio Is Great! Geneon/Pioneer Did A Horrible Job Of Dubbing The Voices Are Just Awful, The Only Good Thing They Did Was Keep The Original Japanese Background Music, Besides That Watch The Japanese Subbed Episodes Theyre So Much Better, If Your Used To The English Voices Once You Adapt You'll Love It Soo Much More!』
(Sailor Moon Super S - The Complete Uncut TV Set) 『I pay for it and i thought it was the real US one but i receive a bootleg. I try to contact the seller for a refund but one respond i will never buy from this seller.』 『* 7 volume disc set, includes all 39 UNCUT episodes of the "SuperS" TV series!』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (From here on out, they're all FIVE stars--even if you're just starting the show!) 『 Well, this review is a little premature; I've seen all the original episodes with subtitles, but my "super-saver shipping" pre-order is taking over a week to arrive. Amazon buyer beware, I guess. That said, I have the whole collection to date and will say that in the 48 ADV episodes I have seen, the voice-acting has been adequate to good, the commentaries have been poor to great (and tending to be better on the later disks), and the extras have been generally phenominal.
Short review: The highlights of this set are the Red Impulse (RI) episodes (51-54) which reveal RI's connection to Ken, and serve to fuel Ken with rage for the next 50 episodes. This also marks a turning point in the entire series, as the focus tends more toward Joe (G-2), since he is the more complex and interesting character. Jun befriends a man who may or may not be a member of Galactor's "Black Birds" (evil counterparts of the science ninja team) in ep 56, and episodes 57 and 60 both take fairly well-thought out looks at redemption; 57 focuses on a Galactor sniper, while the protagonist in 60 actually becomes an honorary G-6.
The episodes:
49) The Camera Mecha Shutterkiller: A Jinpei episode, whichs highlights his determination. 3 stars.
50) The Dinosaur Skeleton Torakadon: The team travels to Inderia and uncovers a galactor plot when Ken notices a coin is actually a map. 3 stars... maybe...
51-54) The Rotation Mecha Kataroller, The Secret of the Red Impulse, Farewell Red Impulse, Gatchaman Burns with Rage: I don't know if it's the time (1970's) or Japanese culture, but we see what Red Impulse was willing sacrifice in his quest to destroy Galactor, and the consquences his choices had on Ken. It made me finalize my decision that he's a jerk, but one does have to respect his devotion to duty. Red Impulse's sacrifices have series long ramifications for Ken, and explain Ken's behavior in the later series (Gatch II and Gatch F), when Ken becomes the hot-tempered shoot-firster. Good stuff. Four stars.
55) Death Defying mini-submarine: Galactor has a punch of "pollution bombs", Ken almost dies by these, and in the end the sea is saved by Galactor cleaning capsules. 2 stars. Sorry.
56) The embittered Bird Missle: The surprisingly under-used Black Birds are personalized with Koji, whom Jun develops a relationship with. The Black Birds are mean-motorscooters, and it's great to get a glimpse of the man behind the mask. 5 stars.
57) The Evil White Sea: Gatchaman's version of Shawshank Redemption, with Mike the sniper. 5 stars.
58) Mekabutta from Hell: Another episode of the series that's good on it's own, but more fascinating because of what it reveals about early 1970's Japanese culture. The episode is about a potential energy source that won't cause pollution, and we see Ken's rage burn once again it. As a whole though, this series is about technology. The series proposes that technology is not inherently good or bad, but rather a tool. Galactor uses it for evil (Giant Turtle Mecha), while Gatchaman and the ISO use it for good. I can just see the creative staff dreaming up a world in which pollution can be eliminated, energy is limitless, and the standard of living is high enough for everyone to enjoy leasure time. As a country who imposed isolation on itself for over 100 years, they then rapidly "westernized" itself to a major military power who for a time conquered half the globe. A nation which had vowed death before dishonor found itself signing an unconditional surrender in Tokyo bay, and rapidly reorginized itself into one the most prosperous democracies in history. Just about all of this, was based on technology. Very interesting. Four star episode.
59) The Secret Mecha Factory: Where does Galactor build all those crazy mecha? Hmm... 3.5 stars.
60) Science ninja team G-6: A semi-amnesiatic Galactor helps the team to strike a blow back at Katse. 4 stars.
Sorry that I couldn't wait to comment on the extras, but I hope SOMEBODY will.
』 『Casual fans will pick it up for Battle of the Planets or G-Force nostalgia. Otaku will pick it up because it’s part of the canon. Comics fans will pick it up for the Alex Ross box-art. Gatchaman has something for everyone!』
price：$6.99
Funimation Prod
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Best . . . Yuri . . EVER) 『I'll keep this short - this is without a doubt the best anime I have seen to date (and I see a lot) Fairly hard sci-fi background (which I appreciate), strong Yuri theme (ditto), Very high production quality, excellent voice casting for the dub, awesome soundtrack. This film is one of the few that reliably brings tears to my eyes.
The only thing I find imperfect is the ending is a bid weepy. The entire last episode is anticlimax. That's a Lot of resolution. I would have done it a bit differently. But still, a FIne film.』
(Great Show bad shipping) 『the show is awesome so there's no problem there. the problem was in the shipping.
The package was a big envelope with no padding. The first time i got it the first disk had a dent in it and wouldn't play at all. I sent it back and over a month later I got a replacement. Shipped in the same horrible packaging.
Not impressed and won't buy from them again anytime soon.』
(Story Driven Anime) 『This is a an anime that was done by Bones who also did Fullmetal Alchemist and still failry recently Xam'd: Lost Memories. It is a story driven anime and moves to a pace similair to Ghost in the Shell. A little girl goes to work with her father who is studying an alien life form and that life form escapes from the lab, however part of that alien gets trapped inside the little girl. I don't want to give the story away, so I will stop there. Personally I think the story is quite interesting, but don't expect it to be an action packed experience.』
(Enjoyable) 『Father has to work on daughters birthday so father takes daughter to lab with him while he works...accident happens... daughter is turned into something else. While Kurau is still human in apperance she is what they call Rynax. Rynax are a paired species but Kurau is alone. Fast forward ten years and even though her father insists she is dead some still believe Kurau is alive. Kurau coulb be perceived a gender confused boy which adds to a mature theme. She is not the busty type of woman that alot series have. You will not find the fan service type of anime here. I found this an interesting series and was glad I bought it but the replay value is not the greatest. I did like the fact that it is Thin-Pack but I do not care for Full Screen yet I bought it anyway. All being said it is 3 and half stars..it moves alittle slow at first but at disc three it really picks up.』
(A story with heart behind the sci-fi glamour) 『The product description seems to portray "Phantom Memory Kurau" as a superpowered, sci-fi, action anime. But it really isn't. It's so much more than that.
The story follows Kurau, who is forever changed upon visiting the lab where her father works at a young age. Without revealing too much... After an accident at the lab, Kurau's body is inhabited by a strange being with amazing powers (like flying). Nobody is really sure as to how much of Kurau's self remains as this being inhabits her body. As the story jumps from Kurau's past to her present (around the year 2050 I believe) her younger self spawns from Kurau. The rest of the series surrounds Kurau as she is hunted by the GPO and tries to protect Christmas (her younger self) from them, while both Kurau and Christmas learn more about themselves and try to help others that are terrorized by the GPO.
This series, I believe, delves into and explores the human experience. Even though it is abstracted with science-fiction, superpowers, and beings from who-knows-where; ideas of family, love, alienation, and perhaps even self-identity come through as sincere elements of the story-- unlike in many other anime, where the emotional moments feel tacked-on and overplayed. The only problem I had with the series was that a few moments, and even a whole episode here or there, seemed out of place and a little too campy for the dramatic tone of the rest of the anime. That, and I wish that it had delved deeper into what seemed to be elements of finding wholeness within oneself. If you're signed up for Netflix, most of the series is online and can be streamed to be viewed instantly. If you enjoy anime with a more mature tone, I suggest you at least try a few episodes.
As an anime I believe it deserves 4 stars, but when compared to other movies and tv series I'd give it 3.』 『Her name is Kurau, and in a world of mercenary agents, she’s the cream of the elite; a master martial artist and thief so skilled that no secret or objective is beyond her grasp. The greatest secret of all, however, is the one Kurau conceals inside herself: The freak result of a disastrous experiment with a new kind of energy, Kurau’s body has been fused with a binary alien life form called the Rynax. Every second Kurau lives is lived twice, one alien sharing her consciousness, the other still waiting to be born… and now none of those lives may last very long! The truth about Kurau has begun to leak out, a worldwide manhunt has been launched and now the ultimate agent is the ultimate target. From the craters of the moon to the most dangerous corners of the Earth, the action explodes at every turn in the acclaimed masterpiece from the creators behindRahxephonandFull Metal Alchemist:Kurau Phantom Memory.
Stills fromKurau Phantom Memory(Click for larger image)
price：$13.00
RIGHT STUF
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The Only Edition To Get Period!) 『This Version,Set 2 Of This Great Series Is The Absolute Best!Its Taken Many Years For This To Come To Fruitation.Grab It While You Can!Dont Forget Set One Also.』
(COMPLETE THE SERIES WITH THIS SET!) 『Another great set! Like the first half of this sereis there is some age to some episodes, but it is really good to see these cartoons looking better than ever! It is a bit pricey, but if you look around you can find them much cheaper!』
(Gotta Have It) 『If you bought the first set and enjoyed it, you will certainly want this one too...The Right Stuf have done a heroic job of assembling these episodes of ASTRO BOY which I, quite frankly, thought would never see the light of day. The two box sets complete the series as it was shown in the USA, though many more were shown in Japan only...perhaps these will also be released eventually. In the meantime, we now have access to this historic, nostalgic and still quite entertaining series which (arguably) marks the birth of that peculiar art form known as Anime.』 『The very first anime ever produced, Osamu Tezuka's original Astro Boy delighted children around the world with its touching stories and compelling characters. In the U.S., many will remember this popular children's series with its catchy theme song which aired on TV during the 1960s! ASTRO BOY, the series that launched the anime phenomenon, returns for the first time ever on DVD! In this stunning second collector's edition, you'll find the final 52 episodes of the original black and white series as seen in the US, restored to pristine detail, and featuring never-before-seen footage and an amazing collection of extras! The original boy-robot with 100,000 horsepower strength and courage! In the year 2000, Dr. Boynton creates a super-robot in his deceased son's image. He calls the robot Astro Boy. Astro Boy can swim oceans, leap over mountains, even fly into space on his own power. However, Astro Boy can't replace his son; Dr. Boynton becomes dissatisfied with the boy robot and disowns him. Astro Boy is befriended by Dr. Packadermus J. Elefun of the Institute of Science, who guides him through his adventures. Endowed with super strength, rocket-powered flight, a selfless heart and a kind demeanor, Astro Boy fights a never-ending crusade against the forces of evil! DVD Set 2 contains episodes 53-104, PLUS an entire DVD full of extra bonus material, including Japanese episode #193 - the final episode, never before seen in the US! Ultra Collector's Edition DVD Extras Include: Deleted Scenes; "Behind the Scenes at Mushi Studios" Featurette; Part 2 of an interview with series producer Fred Ladd; Original Japanese Episodes #34, #56, and #193 (with English subtitles); a Fred Ladd Tour Gallery; an Original Character Art Gallery; a Merchandise Gallery; PLUS a Collector's Booklet featuring "The Cinema of Osamu Tezuka", Original Astro Boy Advertisements, Line Art, an Episode Guide, and much more!』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Annie Z.) 『Spiral is a very well written and directed mystery Anime. Very enjoyable characters, music, and storyline. I do wish they would animate the rest of the series.』
(Cheapest set and some episodes were as good as the manga but not all were true to it) 『If you want to see the series yourself, this is the cheapest price for the complete series you can find. Although, I would agree that this is not one of the best anime around, there are still some parts that were as good as the manga because it stayed true to it. For example, Ayumu vs. Rio in the poison challenge, Ayumu vs. Kousuke in a two stage challenge, and the Rio/Kousuke vs. Ayumu/Hiyono to get the tape and Hiyono herself stayed true to the manga. Eyes' challenge could be labelled close to the original manga version, if it is not true to it. The main thing that was annoying for me was the preview for the next episode. They should not have had Hiyono do the preview for every episode, at least as a puppet show. There were questions not answered because the last part of the anime was not true to the manga at all. If they let it go on to Hizumi's appearance, the unanswered questions might have been answered, but no such thing will happen. If you're a mystery fan, I suggest that you don't get this anime, buy the manga version instead.』
(Ummm, yeah.) 『After the reviews and description I was expecting a decent mystery type with innovative plot twists. If that's what you want try Death Note. I was expecting edge-of-your-seat suspense. I found myself browsing catalogs while it played instead. There were no real unpredictable surprises here, and the story line was kind of mediocre. The only really interesting parts, who are the Blade Children and who are the Hunters are never even answered. Quite a bit is left unanswered. In some stories that's a good thing to enhance the mystery, here it detracts as the writing isn't up there. In fairness, I have not watched the subtitled version. Assuming there is one. Package listed extras and I never saw a menu to access them. Didn't look real hard though. Maybe in a year or two I'll go back and find it better, once the expectations are forgotten. Then again, maybe not.』
(Unwind the Spiral) 『So just who are the Blade Children, why are they cursed, and what does our hero have to do with all this?
Those questions lie at the heart of "Spiral," an intricate mystery series with solid animation, a compellingly dark mystery.... and no ending. Despite a distinct lack of answers at the finale, it is a solid anime, with well-drawn characters, amazing art and some nail-biting suspense during a few of these arcs.
Two years ago, Ayumu Narumi got a phone call from his older, genius brother Kiyotaka. He announced he was investigating the "Blade Children," and then vanished.
Much later, a girl named Sayoko falls from a balcony -- and Ayumu seems like the only possible suspect, even though the police inspector is his sister-in-law Madoka. But Ayumu has the same astounding analytical skills as his older brother, and he soon solves a pair of crimes connected to Sayoko -- her fall, and a locked-room murder -- only to find that they both involve the Blade Children.
Unfortunately, the Blade Children are getting interested in Ayumu -- first a "smart bomb" is planted in a piano concert, and then a weird boy lures Ayumu to an abandoned school, playing a deadly game with the young genius. And after a teacher is murdered, Ayumu is pulled into a deadly mind game with a precocious Blade Child. She sabotages his self-esteem, and then snares him into a deadly cat-and-mouse game.
But even as Ayumu outwits the Blade Children, he learns that another deadly faction is involved with the Blade Children -- the Hunters, who kill them and anyone they are allied with. Even worse, he has a new enemy among the Blade Children -- Kanone, a young man who believes that the Blade Children "must not live." And since Ayumu may be their only hope, he is now Kanone's enemy...
"Spiral" starts delving into the mystery of the Blade Children literally from the first scene, with Kiyotaka's parting words. Those expecting lots of action, slapstick and flashy superspecial powers will probably be bored by this smarter brand of anime: the confrontations usually end in nothing more spectacular then a scuffle, and the only special powers Ayumu has are his intellectual ones.
While the writers don't really reveal much, they do spin a web of clever, intellectual mysteries, with magic squares, explosive neckwear, bombs, mystery future killings, card tricks and an abandoned hotel rigged with explosives all throughout it. Some of these are pretty hard to figure out, despite their simplicity.
And when Ayumu isn't pondering mysteries, the episodes are peppered with comedy (in one scene, Hiyono keeps distracting Ayumu as he tries to get an arcade toy for her) and flashbacks that show the characters' pasts. And though we don't find out what the problem with the Blade Children is, the episodes are infused by a sense of ominous hopelessness, but you never quite pity them yet because of their casual brutality.
There are a few problems, though -- for one thing, the second half of the series seems much more dependent on big kabooms than simple mind games and murders. The mindwork is still there, but not as prominent. And... there's no ending. We never learn what the Blade Children are, where they came from, or why the Hunters hate them so.
Daniel Katsük does an excellent job with both Ayumu's laid-back, unemotional demeanor, and his inner turmoil. While it's hard to really be sympathetic to someone who has so many natural gifts, he makes it understandable that Ayumu would feel so inferior to his seemingly perfect brother. Caitlin Glass' Hiyonois rather annoying and hyperactive ("Thank you God, for blessing us with these awesome seats"), but Gwendolen Lau is excellent as the gutsy, vulnerable Madoka.
And the voicework for the Blade Children is pretty uniformly excellent -- John Burgmeier and Greg Ayres are excellent as the melancholy Eyes Rutherford and the devilish Kousuke. Laura Bailey is excellent as the gutsy runner Ryoko, and Monica Rial is solid as the girlish, ruthless Rio. I'm not sure if Kanone is supposed to have that brick-thick Southern accent, though.
"Spiral" winds into a mystery that it never really leaves, but the intricate storyline and suspense are definitely worth checking out. A nice series if you don't mind finding the end elsewhere.』 『"Every episode of Spiral left me wanting more." --- toonzone.net
Ayumu Narumi's older brother Kiyotaka disappears mysteriously one ordinary day. The only clue Ayumu has are whispered rumors of a bizarre group called the Blade Children. Two years later a series of murders begin. Strangely enough, all these incidents point back to the mystifying Blade Children. Ayumu tries to figure out the mystery of the Blade Children. Somehow he seems to be the key to the puzzle. But how can a puzzle be solved when nearly all the pieces are missing?
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (a very funny show) 『excel sag was a very funny show and was fun too watch. there is a always plenty of actions and off the wall jokes. and all in all i loved this show. there is only one little problem i had with it. the voices for the dub. normaly i like dubs, and enjopy them very much. but i could not stand the way excels english voice actres screams all of her lines in the most annoying way possibul. if you want to save youre self a headach just wathc this show in japanese with the sub on.』
(How I love Excel Saga!) 『This is one of the most spectacular box sets I've ever bought; instead of a bunch of bare-bones thin-pak discs, Excel Saga - The Imperfect Collection is actually all of the individually-released discs gathered up into one handy box, with all of the neat pack-in bits and pieces and the on-screen ADVid-Notes that the thin-pak collection omits.
The ADVid-Notes, incidentally, do take some getting used to; instead of the extra booklets that most anime DVDs come with, the Excel Saga DVDs use on-screen "pop-ups" (think Pop-Up Video--the effect is identical) to point out and explain cultural references and jokes that English-speaking viewers would probably miss, or wouldn't comprehend if they did take notice. They're informative, but they do have a tendency to cover up part of the action, and occasionally the screen is literally filled with text. Plus, they sometimes flash by so fast that you have to go back and rewatch the scene frame by frame to catch them (although because of the nature of the show, you'd probably be doing that anyway). Of course, they usually make up for their intrusiveness by being incredibly funny, not that Excel Saga needs any help being funny, mind you; and they can be toggled on or off from the main menu.
As for the series itself...
If you're a fan of anime at all, you have to watch Excel Saga. There's no two ways about it. The producers of Excel Saga suffer no illusions about their target audience, as shown by the sheer number of references and parodies, not only of other anime series but of otaku culture in general. (An example: In the very first episode, Excel is told to assassinate a noted manga artist who is guilty of corrupting the minds of the populace with the base and immoral filth he produces. The artist turns out the be Rikudou Koushi, the man who created the manga that Excel Saga is based on.) But even if you're just beginning, you can still enjoy Excel Saga; there's enough random weirdness to keep even the most casual anime fan entertained, or for that matter, a fan of American animation (see Episode 17, Animation USA, for more information). The plot is as follows: Excel, a cute but somewhat dim and unbalanced girl, is a member of ACROSS, a secret organization whose ultimate goal is world domination by way of the domination of F City in F Prefecture (ACROSS decided to start small). The only members of ACROSS that we ever see are Excel; her boss, Lord Il Palazzo, a handsome man who may or may not have multiple personalities; and her lower-ranking coworker, Hyatt, a pretty young woman who has a habit of dying at weird times. In between assignments, Excel and Hyatt hold a string of part-time jobs, none of which they manage to hold for very long. (Excel Saga was created in the midst of an economic recession, so many of the jokes center around things like unemployment and poverty. Anyone who's ever been out of work can surely relate.) There's more--a LOT more--but that's the gist of it. The show does start to drag a little about two thirds of the way in; and the constant plugs for Excel Saga's sequel series, Puni Puni Poemy, that crop up near the end of the series start to get old pretty fast. Plus, the voices can be a little grating, especially Menchi's voice in the English dub. But none of that turned me off enough to make me stop watching.
Be warned though: If you're looking for something to keep your kids entertained, KEEP LOOKING, because this isn't it. Although the producers saved the REALLY bad stuff for the final episode (which was intentionally made too violent and obscene for television broadcast--quite a feat in a country where television standards are a lot more lax than they are in the US), the rest of the episodes still contain a lot of language, innuendo, and general acts of depravity. Also, some of the jokes deal with something called lolicon, which I'm probably not allowed to define here, but take it from me, it's pretty heavy stuff; look it up on Wikipedia if you must know. It's best to think of those jokes as just what they are, a jab at a particular (and small, let it be known) segment of the otaku culture, and nothing more than that ever comes of it; but if that kind of humor bothers you, you should probably think twice. But for everyone else, I seriously doubt you'll be disappointed.』
(Excel-ling in all ways) 『Others have written comprehensive descriptions of the series, so I'll skip on that other than to agree that it's a whacky, madcap, insane ride through a world of puns, parodies and absolutely mindless hilarity. Aside from the constant humor (the only serious bit is in the last episode or two), the theme song is quite catchy. Love the refrain "tonzaru koite!" ("And we run like hell!", and am now trying to memorize the whole song. :D
I bought the thin-pack with five discs, so I suppose I missed out on some of the "extras," but I got the entire series which was what I really wanted. BTW, I agree with comments about Excel's dubbed voice: Her Japanese voice can be hard enough to take at times (given that she only talks at a fast or faster stream of consciousness flow), and the English dubbing is enough to make you shoot yourself. I recommend going with Japanese and subtitles.』
(not much of a plot, but still funny) 『My issue is not so much with the anime itself, but with the boxed set. I have tried 3 different copies of this set, only to find that there is a glitch on the 2nd disc that makes it freeze and then skip to the next chapter. My brother has the slim-pack set and everything plays just fine. This surely is the imperfect collection...』
(Hilarious) 『I bought this show at the advice of a friend, and I am very glad that I did so! This is probably the funniest anime i have ever seen. If your sense of humor is anything remotely like mine, I would suggest that you go buy this now, because you will not be disappointed!』
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>,Artist Not Provided
>,Astro Boy
>,Spiral
>,Rebeca Aponte,Ledner Belisario,Carmelo Fern,ández,Maythe Guedes,Lileana Chac,ón