Ranked #1706

Halo Legends

This is my first review, so I’m sorry if you feel it is not as good as other reviewers.

Halo Legends, based on a popular game franchise is quite actually a good adaption of short stories that I rather enjoyed.
This review is based on a person who has played all the games and knows the storyline in which the games told.

"Note to people who have not played the games"
You may not like or understand this anime due to the anime adaption not following the main story line from a to c, its meant for halo fans to be able to understand the universe more and how the events of the past lead to events that happened in the game.

I can't rate the series overall as one series that follows one storyline main plot because it’s so diverse in that sense it offers 7 different stories and many different art styles, by many different anime developers.
But I will say that where one story shines, another may not shine as much.

Story 9/10
6 stories, which cover different aspects of halo's history, from its birth to its rebirth and how things led up to the story of halo: combat involved.
there is also a parody episode based in the halo universe but its not canon.

How well did they tell the history and events that happened?
I must say that it was very well done, from a narrated episode from the AI Cortana who was the master chiefs assistant in the game, to characters that only got introduced in the graphic novels, to totally new characters which help the viewer understand the halo universe aswell as expanding the halo universe and of course a episode with the master chief himself in which expands and explains more of his past and the other Spartans past.

Art 9/10

The art of each story are rather unique in certain areas, but all of them expect for one episode have familiar anime art styles.
The art itself in each episode is great, and fairly enjoyable to the viewer who is watching.

it the art itself which has a negative for me because of the use of so many different styles, one episode may put off a viewer and they may get annoyed of the art style and not like it as much as the other art style for example in the previous episode.
But this is also one of its pro's because of its diverse art style, there is sure to be an episode where someone's tastes is met.

So from where one episode follows traditional anime style, to one that is heavily CGI based to one that is totally unique and has a water paint blurry effect.

Sound 9/10

the sound is great and to be expected from such renowned anime producers, from the dramatic halo soundtrack that is everyone is familiar with to a eastern soundtrack that helps portray the characters for example in one episode there is 2 elites that are fighting and the soundtrack you hear helps strengthen the idea of the elites being people who considered honour as their way of living who can be greatly related to the samurai of Japan.

"note to readers" the original anime is english speaking and from my view very well done so please do not be put off if you prefer japanese speaking over english.

Character 9/10
The characters are portrayed very well, with the art styles and the soundtrack being so good, it is hard not to like the characters.
I think that without the great sound and art and story, it would be hard to relate to the characters usually but because the other elements of the anime is done so well you straight away feel the emotions of the other people in some episodes and feel their agony and desperation to shock and regret.

I will give a brief introduction the episodes and my thoughts on them.

"The Babysitter"
Is an episode about a group of hell jumpers or better known as orbital shock troopers who go on a mission with a Spartan.

my thoughts on this episode is that it tries to tell the viewer on how the Spartans where portrayed from the public eye of other UNSC personal and this one focuses on one particular hell jumper attitude to working with a Spartan on an important mission that I will leave for the viewers to find out the details of.

"The Duel"
Is based on the elites and is about an arbiter that will not follow the covenants beliefs

my thoughts on this episode is that the art style is rather unique, and may put off the viewer or irritate them when watching the episode but it should not distract the viewer in general from understanding the story its self and what it is trying to portray.

"Origins"
Is a 2 part episode narrated by the AI Cortana who explains past events of the history of the halo universe.

My thoughts on this story were that it was very well done, and that it does a very good job of explaining how things came 2 in the halo universe.
I will state that these 2 episodes should be watched first for maximum enjoyment from the viewers and people who have not played the halo games.

"Homecoming"
Is an episode that shows how the Spartan program recruited and how the Spartans came to terms with themselves.

my thoughts on this, is that it does a good job of portraying and introducing other Spartans but the episode itself is 2 short to give justice to the characters themselves, but does the job of explaining how the Spartans was recruited.

"Prototype"
The story is focused on a Marine who is sent to a distant planet to destroy prototype powered armour.

my thoughts on this, is that it does a great job portraying the main character who you as a viewer as never heard of before and is nice to see a different event that doesn’t involve any Spartans but instead shows a man coming to terms with his past and the decisions he chooses to make that makes him human.

"The Package"
is a story that is a two-part all CGI-film taking place during a raid that consists of Spartans including the master chief that raid a Covenant Battle cruiser to take back a package.

my thoughts on this, is that the CGI itself is quite good, but due to it being an anime I believe CGI does not feel right when watching an anime that contains episodes that are not all CGI.

"Odd One Out"
This episode is a parody story of Halo universe and is not canon.

My thought on this episode is that it was quite funny, and they should make more episodes like this.

Enjoyment
This adaption is quite enjoyable, though some of the episodes are quite emotional it just makes the episodes even more enjoyable.
The negativity can come in at a start of an episode with a different art style but once the person gets into the episode the difference in animation goes away and the person can enjoy the episode.

Overall I give the anime a 9/10, because of its various art styles and interesting story plots, but because of the episodes being so short the viewer may feel unsatisfied, but overall the anime is more like a taster and helps introduce more characters into the halo universe so that maybe in the future we can hope to see more of these people in later halo productions.

but for someone watching who is not familiar with the animations background (played the games or read the novels) i would give it a 6-7/10 i think. read more

It's very hard for me to do this review since each short is different and made by a different company but overall these shorts are fantastic (This is coming from the point of view of a long time Halo fan since she was 7 years old)

The Babysitter: 9

Animation was pretty decent and for a short period of time I did get emotionally attached to the characters. There is also a good twist ending that people will enjoy.

The Duel: 9

For me the animation was unique and colorful. I wish they developed more but this was actually for me the saddest out of all of them. The fight scenes were extremely epic.

The Package: 7

I have to say this is my least favorite. The animation though CGI looked a bit campy to me and I really don't think CGI goes well with anime unless it's a video game. When I first heard John 117 it was off putting because I'm so use to his original voice but as I watched more episodes I got use to it and forgave that. I also didn't like how Halsey is so young but there are good things about this too. The action is awesome and it does reveal a lot about who was Cortana's maker and such.

Origins Part 1: 9
Very great recap of Forerunner/Flood War and why Halo was created. Animation was a bit too simple but I loved how much this one can suck you in by a matter of seconds.

Origins Part 2: 10
Second part has better animation and is more epic than the first. Contains the most memorable moment in the entire series.

Odd One Out: 10
Hilarious. That's all I have to say. O yea and hearing Brittney Karbowski (Black Star) and Chris Patton is win.

Prototype: 10
What can I say about Bones? Amazing animation, amazing story, amazing everything.

Homecoming: 10
The second saddest of the bunch. Very interesting and gripping and finally they were able to depict Halsey correctly.

So that's my overall review. Again I'm writing this in the point of view of a long time Halo fan since she was 7 years old so if you don't know Halo I don't know what your POV on this will be.

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