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Apr 5, 2010
How do you make a predictable anime enjoyable and inspired? Chance Pop Session's answer is to have highly interesting sub-plots that somehow sharpens the main story, incredibly well cast seiyuus and relatable characters. It seems with such a great combo, everything just comes together.
What also makes it so good is that it never drags on with the story or any of the situations so much that it puts you off. Instead, those stories are so well put together that you really feel the impact of the anime as a whole.
The animation for this title is good but has a couple of kinks. I'll start with
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the bad.
Some backgrounds are very uninteresting and plain, but more annoyingly they have static background people when everyone should be moving, like in a crowd scene. This feels a little cheap and quite disappointing compared with other elements of the show.
The character design is also one that the audience has to get adjusted to because it is somehow plain looking and static. However after a few episodes - once you get used to it - you can start to appreciate it as it creates an interesting dynamic with both the boring background but also with the vivid ones.
Now to the good.
Some sequences are just breathtaking and powerful in their depiction of a mood. For instance, the visuals that go with Reika's songs are amazing. The kind of stuff that would make Gankutsuou proud in its use of patterns, intense colour and flowing objects. Those sequences have to be seen to be believed.
Other scenes that reflect the great artistry are also dream sequences that involve Akari and Kaito, the moody piece that is the past of Kasaragi and some of the concert shots. Chance Pop Session also manages to include live action (just in the way of objects though) exceedingly well in some sequences (even better than End of Evangelion if you ask me).
The seiyuus are probably the best thing about the show as they elevate the characters with incredible performances. Their understanding of human emotion shines through (especially) Kasaragi, Akari, Nozomi and Reika. They depict the characters with restraint, which is to be applauded since this is a shoujo. You can even feel that they understand their character's emotions and that just makes them more relatable.
The songs are also quite magical (as one would expect from the show setup). The intro "Pure Blue" is an excellent piece of JPop that is quite inspired. "Love Forever" is in the same vein. The standout track for me is Reika's single as it depicts the sense of longing that runs through the show very convincingly.
The story is about three different girls wanting to because a pop star. They all do it for different reasons. Akari wants to reach people with her songs, Nozomi wants it because of her admiration for Reika and Yuki wants it to prove something to herself. With all these cheesy reasons, it is a wonder how the show manages to be successful. Well the way it does it, is that it shows you the reason why they feel that way. Once you get that understanding of the characters in your mind, you start to root for them, as they are relatable people.
The story takes some very interesting (if a bit predictable) turns along the way that just intensifies the tension and fine tunes the drama. The incredible thing is that you can see where it is all going but somehow, you're at the edge of your seat anyway.
The only issue I have with the story is that it is at first quite slow, you have trouble really getting into it and it wasn't until about episode 4 that I was interested to see what happens.
I have delved into the characters a bit in the story and sound paragraph. Shoujos usually do characters well and this is no exception. I will just add that the reason everything comes together is because the characters are so efficient. They are efficient in making you feel for them, and when you do connect with the characters the rest is just a breeze. Everything comes together and you get a very enjoyable and satisfying ending.
This series is easily one that I will view again as the 13 episode format is not an intensive task. The series also offers some great drama that is not too heavy going and that should appeal to most. I really recommend it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 4, 2010
Now and Then Here and There is a groundbreaking anime. It makes extremely good use of the 13 episode format. There was not one moment in this where I thought "we've hit filler town!". Whatever scenes were reused added to the affecting moments of the series. Surely, these scenes are not meant to be pleasant to watch but they definitely make you feel. So for just that reason, one can see the greatness of Now and Then Here and There. However it does not stop there, Akitaro Daichi has made a masterpiece using all elements that make one: involving story, complex characters, moving music and
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at times brilliant visuals.
The animation in this series is the only thing that is not up to the standard of the other elements. This is mainly due to the character design, it is just a little plain to look at. However this allows the creators to show what the characters go through to better effect, when they get bashed up, violated or murdered the bruising is shocking. You can actually feel their pain because of the depth and intensity of what is happening to them. Other aspects of the visuals are quite breathtaking. The backgrounds are wonderful to look at, from the textured empty deserts to the detailed wastes of Hellywood to the beautiful blue of the fountains. The action scenes are also beautifully co-ordinated. These scenes are the most fluid of the anime (as they should be) and their intensity is great.
The sound is definitely one of the series strengths. The opening theme is wonderful. It really suits the series and has a tribal feel to it that does not fail to remind me of "The Mysterious Cities of Gold" music. The ending theme is like a soothing lullaby after the carnage of some of the episodes here which is a welcomed thing. It adds an element of hope to the series. The background music is excellent here, so good that I actually bought a copy of the soundtrack! With Taku Iwasaki in charge of the soundtrack though, could you expect any less?
The story is excellent in portraying the struggles of the characters. The way it unfolds really develops the characters and the overall narrative. As I have pointed out before, this is not a pleasant anime to watch. It portrays the struggles of a world at war. Women and children getting enslaved while their husbands and father are killed will not be everyone' cup of tea. It's just that the storytelling is so strong that you can't help but be moved by it.
The characters really help with that. They are all individuals and show the rainbow of human emotions. From Shu's self-reliance and determination, Sarah's pain and frustration, Nabuca's hope and devotion, to Hamdo's unstable and irrational madness; they are all portrayed beautifully, realistically and with conviction. The seiyuus are to thank for this, they really deliver in making the characters the best they can be.
This series has recently been repriced by US Distributor CPM and you can get the whole thing + a bonus disc for aroung US $25. This should definitely belong in everyone's collection (if they are 16 yrs old and up). You can't get a better deal than that!
I have tremendously enjoyed this anime. Its exploration of the human condition without holding back themes or scenes makes it one of the jewels of animation. It is very unpleasant to watch at times but the raw emotion it could get out of me makes it one of the titles I will revisit.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 2, 2010
Please note that when reviewing this series, I have thought of it WITHIN its timeframe. So if it seems to be rated highly to you, it is because I am judging it for the time it was made.
Where do you start when you review a milestone series? This is a tough question and one that really comes forth as I review City Hunter.
City Hunter is one of those series that transcend time and generations as the winning combination of drama, action and comedy can be appreciated time and time again. This series has its aspects often copied (Cowboy Bebop being the most obvious one) and
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even the copies can't go wrong with the winning formula. One who takes a chance on this series will not be disappointed as it has such a broad appeal that it is unlikely to be found lacking (a little like Sailor Moon for the boys).
The animation quality of City Hunter still stands well nowadays because of the high production values this first series of episodes have as a standard. I think it is also clear that no shorcuts were taken when one first lays eyes on some of the breathtaking backgrounds of the Tokyo cityscapes.
The level of detail and mastery in creating these images already elevate this series from generic backgrounds found in more recent shows like InuYasha, Love Hina or Naruto.
The character design is just as pleasing to the eye as these backgrounds. Ryo Saeba looks a lot more like how a person would look then you usual highly stylised Shounen protagonist. The "Mokkori" ladies, including Saeko and Kaori, are also really well drawn and very sexy. With this level of eye candy, there was hardly a chance that it would not be a successful franchise.
The only kink I came accross while watching the episodes was that at times, the proportions on certain character were either strange or just wrong. This occurs very rarely and doesn't really take away from the series so overall it isn't so much of an issue.
This series also comes with a fully kicking soundtrack that even surpasses the great animation. Both intros were incredible pieces of JRock/Pop. GoGo Heaven is probably the better one of the two as it really taps into the action/comedy aspect of the show. The standout track is of course Get Wild (a hit in its own right when released as a single in 1986 and recently reworked by the influencial TM Revolution), one track that taps shamelessly into the drama/romance aspect of the show oh so well!
The voice actors match the quality of the vocal tracks here with completely effervescent and infectious performances. Ryo's voice actors especially has a lot of fun with his character and really draws the audience in!
The overall story of City Hunter is that a sweeper (the kind without a broom) is called upon to either protect persecuted *mostly* females or right wrongs that were done to them in the past (Saint Tail uses the same premise to similar success). As such, this series is easily a very episodic one with a fairly static development all the way through (the only permanent change was the casting of Kaori).
Some people will find this to be a problem as City Hunter does not offer a plot that progresses much through its run. However, the episodic nature of City Hunter allows the audience to catch it sparringly and still enjoy the show just as much.
Later episodes do have storylines that continue for 3 or 4 episodes that have a better connection with its permanent audience and usually delivers very well on that front too.
Because of the episodic nature of the show, character development is lacking overall. However, the main cast is so well defined that they remain just as exciting through the show's entire run. The creators somewhat redeem the lack of development for the main cast by giving us great three dimensional victims/clients who call for Ryo's help. Overall it plays out like Law & Order as the CASE at hand is what is given importance.
City Hunter is easily one of the best Shounen animes ever made (just behind Saint Seiya and Berserk in my books). Its perfect mix of action, comedy and drama does what an anime is meant to do: entertain its audience. It's probably not the most rewarding anime you'll see but it is definitely one that you will forever appreciate. Out of the 51 episodes of this series only 1 was subpar. That is an incredible ratio; especially for a shounen title. Do yourself a favour - see it and enjoy it!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 2, 2010
This series is a hard one for me to rate at all. It is one of my all-time favourites, has amazing nostalgic values + I like to think of it as the father of all Shounen Fighting Anime. This is because it started a lot of storylines that have now become cliches Naruto, Bleach and many more use quite often. These include giving the opponent a backbone by giving him a backstory. Tournament arcs are touched on. The attacks of those shows are also very reflective of Saint Seiya and two other animes from its decade (DBZ and Fist of the North Star.) Even Yakitate
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Japan uses ideas born in Saint Seiya, but obviously in a more satirical way...
The animation for this series is obviously going to seem dated because of the poor frame rate and some jerkiness in its presentation. However new masters have been made available recently and I had a chance to get a look at them. Overall, it has stood the test of time fairly well. The only things that might be a problem for some viewers are the (as mentioned above) poor frame rate, repeated footage but also the fact that some episodes have inconsistent artwork.
Overall, these series has beautiful character designs for both the boys and the girls AND some beautiful backgrounds to match. It's just that some episodes reflect those better than others. Of course, at the time the series was made and with the demand for more episodes, its fidelity to the art is amazing. It does not make the characters look cheap so that they stay on budget. This already makes it better (animation wise) than later shows like Ranma or Naruto where the quality just drops as the series progresses.
In the second and third series of Saint Seiya (criminally not given their own sections by most sites) the animation quality raises a bar. The artwork looks a lot cleaner and sharper. The saints are given better armors (or cloths) to fight in. The backgrounds are even more detailed (the Asgard series just looks breathtaking).
The sound of Saint Seiya is made up of JRock intros, JPop outro and symphonic compositions within the episodes (with vocals on some tracks). Overall, this gives the series a magnificently epic feel as all types of music are produced incredibly well to suit the mood/s of the show. Soldier Dream is the stand out vocal track for me. The stand out composition in a sea of greatness is Athena's Theme. The only reason I did not give sound a 10 is because these symphonies are reused a few times and as lovely as they are to hear, I just kept wishing for more of them. This does not mean the series is a one trick poney as it does have about 13 soundtracks at last count.
The story is what will get you into this series as first. As the synopsis describes it is about a war for humankind (yeah I know, a cliche in today's anime climate but not so much at the time it was made). The interesting thing about this though is that it uses mythological aspects to move the story along. A lot of mythologies are explored, with the obvious ones being Greek, Norse and Bhuddist. The saints themselves wear armors that are derivative of mythologies but in an astrological sense. Like Seiya having the Pegasus armor, Shun having the Andromeda armor or Algol having the Medusa armor.
The best thing about the story is how it manages to keep a lot of mysteries to itself in the first series (the Sanctuary Arc) as you do not know if the protagonists are actually right until about episode 50. Preceeding episode 50 are wonderful episodes that develop the characters so well that its climax just moves you to tears.
The second and third series have different stories that are persued but despite the length (25 and 15 eps respectively) they still maintain the epic atmosphere and have some of the most touching characters in all of anime.
The characters in the Asgard series are probably the best antagonists (as a group) that anime has to offer. They are marvellously well developed so that you feel their triumphs and failures like they were transcending you. Mime, Fenrir, Thor and, Syb and Bud are the best of that cast and their respective stories have the potential to move you to tears (Think Now and Then Here and There). The best part of it is how they actually affect our leading team of five (Seiya, Shun, Shiryu, Hoyga and Ikki) which makes them connect with us even more.
The main five are also very successful characters. Of them my favourite is Shiryu because of his values and willingness to sacrifice himself. Shun and Hyoga are close seconds as they have interesting backstories and a powerful bond. Ikki has a very interesting personality that is developed very successfully as the series goes. Seiya, although the main, is my least favourite of the five as he is a little childish and annoying (yet, still well developed). I have grown to like him a lot more with the newer releases of the series though.
The great thing about this series is that you are sure to connect with at least one of the characters as there are quite a few of them and, even ones that don't feature for very long have enough of a story that you don't feel they are a waste of time.
The sanctuary arc has Aphrodite, Camus, Shura, Saga, Shaka, Shaina, Cassios, Aiolia and Aldebaran as stand outs for various reasons I do not want to spoil. The poseidon arc has Krishna, Scylla, Lymnades, Canon and Poseidon himself to keep you interested. All these characters are so well done that some of their characteristics have become cliches. So you should watch Saint Seiya to see where it all starts.
I own this whole series and it a definitely a must see. If you're unsure as to whether you will like it, ADV Films is releasing an affordable thinpak with the first 30 episodes for you to decide whether it is your cup of tea. Also try www.rightstuf.com for good deals on the singles. I think they are something like $5 at the moment for 5 episodes a disc, which is amazing value.
I thoroughly enjoy this show everytime I rewatch it as a whole or in parts so I think all of you shounen fans will find something to like too. The chracter design also allows for a few bishounens so the girls are thought of as well.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Apr 2, 2010
Wedding Peach is a very interesting title if one takes the time to see it through. The first episodes are probably the worst of the show so if you are willing to bear with it, this is a very rewarding experience. At the start I felt the similarities with Sailor Moon were going to hurt its chances to be an original and concise series.
How wrong I was! Sure the first few episodes are very very similar to Sailor Moon but as I saw them through I could see that the plot was going somewhere a little different. Somehow detaching itself from the "Sailor Moon-ness". This
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is of course to Sailor Moon what Rahxephon is to Evangelion. Like Rahxephon it takes a while to get off the ground but when it does, it even outdoes the source material in certain aspects.
The aspects I felt were handled a bit better here were the relationships between the leads. As the cast is considerably smaller than Sailor Moon's, a lot more time is spent to develop the characters; and some of them really needed it. The storyline also moves at a much better pace than Sailor Moon with things getting revealed early on still relevant in the end.
This is where I will stop with the comparisons to Sailor Moon and will now assess it on its own merits.
The animation for the title is quite good for its time. Slow scenes like fast scenes have a nice frame rate. The vibrant colours give it a nice feel and look. The character design is well done for the most part except a few scenes where Momoko and Hinagiku's hair just look strange. The repeated transformation/attack footage can get quite tedious but it is worthwhile here as it prevents from repeated footage of other scenes.
Some of the backgrounds are very well drawn and suit the scenes perfectly. Most of the action sequences take place in a "natural" environment like forests, fields or woods and these are drawn very well. The "fighter angel" costumes are really cute but the "bridal outfits" are pretty hideous.
The sound is an aspect this series just excels in. The two intros and outros are wonderful and are as fun and fluffy as they need to be. The second intro is my favourite of the lot as it is very well crafted Jpop. The background tunes throughout the series are also well done. The music from sad scenes are beautiful and emotive, a bit like the music in Ayashi No Ceres. I really want to get the soundtracks for this but them being out of print does not help
The voice acting is also very well handled here as a minimum of characters have either annoying voices or performed badly. Overall the seiyuus did a very good job with their characters. Hinagiku is voiced by the same lady who went on to do the voice of Asuka in Evangelion and she is one of the standouts here.
The story takes a few episodes to get off the ground but when it does, it really pays dividents. The story is about a war between the Devil World and the Angel World that has somehow moved to the Human World. This being the main story, it is not touched on that much at the start but given a nice chunk near the end to be fully explored.
At the start of the series we get the relationship of the three "Love Angels", Momoko, Yuri and Hinagiku and their attraction to Yanagiba. Momoko, over time finds herself more and more attracted to a different boy, Yousuke. That particular storyline is very interesting and has a beautiful pace. It also gives the series a real boost as it makes you care a bit more about the characters in general be they directly or indirectly involved in it.
Another aspect of the story I really loved was the Wedding theme. It was extremely fruity but they pulled in off with great panache. The revelation of the "Saint Something Four" was also quite clever. The only aspect of the story I had trouble with was the lack of one for Scarlet. Although with what is on offer she is a very well-rounded character, a bit more background would not have gone astray.
The pace is also a little wrong on some storylines like the Yousuke/Viento one but that does not detract from the series too much.
The characters here are probably the series strength. The main cast is given a very good chance to shine throughout and there are thankfully no inconsistencies in their behaviour. Momoko and Yuri are probably the best examples as they grow a lot as Love Angels and as teenage girls. Be it through their friendship or their love lifes.
The secondary cast is also great with some "Devils" stealing the show on more than one occasion. Potamos is an exquisite antagonist but also the funnest character in the whole show. With her extreme reactions or her use of "You know?" at the end of her sentences, how can you not like her, you know? She is not just used for comic purposes either and actually develops as a charcater too which was great to see. Other cast memeber who were interesting and very well portrayed include Takuro, Igneous, Celeste, Sound, Cloud and Thunder.
This anime has provided with a lot of fun times. It cheered me up whenever I felt down with the playful silliness of it all, also the great cast was very refreshing as they were universally good. I own the series of this and I can definitely say it was worth every penny. A thinpak collection has been released so you should get that as it has even more value that way.
I enjoyed this immensely and I would recommend it to most magical girl viewers, fans of comedy could also give this a try as it is quite comical most of the time. Sailor Moon purists will probably not enjoy it if they keep bringing it back to how it's like Sailor Moon. If you can approach it with an open mind though, there are some fun times to be had.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 2, 2010
This anime keeps getting compared with Gantz everytime I mention it to someone. As I have seen both I must sadly admit that this comparison is applicable. Like Gantz, this series has an excellent premise that gets wasted on excess gore, character cliches and a tediously dragged out plot.
To its defense though, Elfen Lied has something that Gantz does not, and that is a heart. You can see through situations in the series that the creators are trying to make a point of the loners and outcasts of society. Sadly, they went for the "road most travelled" by including distracting plot devices that very much
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take away from a simple story.
The animation for this series is what is to be expected for an anime of its time, no more no less. As a result, the background are rendered beautifully and the frame rate is excellent. I was not a big fan of the character design because I got the feeling from it that I was expected to feel more touched by the gore because these things were happening to "pretty" characters.
The other problem this created for the series was that it resulted in an unconvincing look for the characters after they had been battered or ripped to shreds. It was almost comical to see some of those dead bodies as the artists had trouble making a convincing look for them. Another thing about the animation, more precisely the Art I did not like was the way the blood looked in the show. As the blood is quite an important theme, this creates a problem for me.
For starters, most scenes with blood had the blood looking like a painted wall with hardly any rendering. Then the excessive use of blood in general just made the series lessen its impact overall as the blood lost its meaning by being presented so often. Had they been more scarce in its usage, the blood would have had a much stronger impact on the viewer.
The sound here is mostly appropriate and suits scenes successfully. The only concern I had was the overuse of the Lilium symphony for EVERY sad scene. Like the blood element, it took away what was so special about the song with excess. Lilium the song is a wonderful intro though and the images that go with it are just another reminder of what could have been. The outro is also a good little song but I was concerned with its atmosphere as that did not really suit the show.
The voice actors in this were just decent overall. The standout would of course be the one for Lucy as she is the only one who manages to bring a none melodramatic tone to her character. The others were satisfactory in bringing their character to life but the melodrama could get a bit much at times.
The story is one of the aspects which show a lot of promise at the start. From the first episode I thought I might actually be in for an interesting and heartfelt exploration of one's inner torments with Lucy. What I got was a tired old "personality disorder" with added amnesia on the part of our male protagonist.
You'd think that would be enough cliches to sustain a series but no, you also get your typical girl who does not know how to deal with her feelings and instead spends time punching the lead, and also a shy little girl who looks to have been abused in one way of another since childhood.... can anyone say Love Hina? Or most other harem show stereotypes? You even get a crazily stubborn older gentleman trying to recapture Lucy for added emphasis...
And to add insult to injury, the plot itself gets to a fairly stagnant place somewhere in the third episode and remains there until the eleventh, where another dinoclius comes in for some more twistedly torturous gore scenes. The ending also leaves a bit to be desired. I am usually a fan of open endings but here it just feels like they did not know where to go with it all as opposed to them leaving things open.
As pointed out in a couple of paragraphs before, the characters are just harem stereotypes and unfortunately harem characters do not really suit the story. The fact that these characters work (use the term loosely) for Love Hina and other harem is that they are comedies. Elfen Lied wants to and should be taken more seriously than Love Hina but it mildly succeeds in this regard when it should incandascent.
Add the Nyuu twist instead of a proper exploration of Lucy as a character and it just does not work. The characters we had a chance to feel for are sadly dealt a very short hand. These characters would be Lucy, Nana or their "father".
Instead, most of the time we could get a useful flashback, you get Lucy, Kouta and several other children acting cutesy. Except for one twisted flashback which makes you feel for the murderer more than the victim.
The creators should have looked at shows like Now and Then Here and There or Berserk to see how to incorporate interesting plot devices or flashbacks to have an anime that is more successful.
As if it, you are left with a very sour taste in your mouth (much like with Gantz) when you think of what could have been. However, the fact that it is raved about so much means that there is an audience for that out there. I also found it interesting when I was watching it but I now unfortunately realise it was for all the wrong reasons. So if you think this could be something you will enjoy, then go for it but if you are one who likes a little more from your anime see Berserk and Now and Then Here and There as they deal with these themes a lot better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Apr 2, 2010
Utena and Berserk are easily two of the best anime series of the 90s. They both have a fairly simple premise in being a journey of self discovery however it is their execution that sets them apart from the rest.
Utena uses sumptuous symbolism and characterisation to captivate you, Berserk uses raw passion and clever storytelling. I have immense respect for both these titles for they manage to create a world of their own where you cannot help but surrender yourself in awe.
What makes Berserk so good is that it is not afraid to borrow great aspects of animes that preceed it and create something completely
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enthralling and original with these. The drama parts play like a shounen take on Rose of Versailles and the fighting scenes have the same passion that made Saint Seiya a hit in the 80s. With these influences, there was not really a chance it could fail in delivering.
The animation is wonderful for a series of 1997. Like in Utena, the artwork here is excellent and draws you in almost instantly. Berserk's raw depiction of warfare resonates with you as its unwillingness to compromise its vision just makes these scenes richer in style and substance. While watching this, I did not feel that any scene was wasted through the quieter times or the darker mood as they capture the characters' emotions and flaws head on.
The character design is something else that suits the themes of rage, courage, hatred, love and self as the characters age and grow along with the piece. The drawing style is very sucessful as it gives the characters the versatility they need to express emotions through their body language, eyes and face.
The medieval settings are also beautiful here as you get beautifully detailed forests and military posts as well as defined artworks on the castles and weapons. The weight of Guts/Gatts' sword is well depicted here as you feel its mass when it is used on enemies.
The sound comes with an intro and outro that are just average tracks but the main meat is definitely Forces, which gets used in some of the most intense battles throughout the series. The background tracks are also amazing in their depiction of battles as they have the vivid energy that catches your attention. There are also some very good compositions used during the dramatic parts of the series which show Griffith ascension into nobility.
The voice actors are really wonderful all around here as they depict the characters they play exquisitely. Guts' seiyuu is wonderful in portraying his raw emotions while keeping a sense of humanity within the rage and the passion. Griffith, Judeau and Caska also receive great portrayal from this cast as they affect you in ways characters of this genre rarely do.
The story as mentioned above is quite simple at its core, with it being about Guts' journey through loneliness to finding friendship and later love through battle. What makes the story so good is that it employs a similar device used in award-winning movie American Beauty. Like in American Beauty, Berserk reveals its end at the start. This works here as it allows the viewer to see how things got to that point and are freed from guessing how this could possibly end. The journey thus becomes more important than where the story ends. This also works wonderfully as a metaphoric parallel for the leading character, Guts.
The way the story is told is what another one of this series' great aspects. Although the main focus is on Guts, the story sometimes focuses on Griffith and Caska and adds another layer to their character. As we progress with the story, cliffhangers are used to have you salivating for more and the series hits yet another peak when it looks at Griffith's and his army's ascension in ranks.
The only reason I am not giving story a full score is because the series ends at an awkward place. It feels finished with a lot of the important stories but it ends where the bigger plot is revealed, which is a bit of a disappointment. I've been told that this is where reading the manga helps, so if you want more information - you know where to get it.
The characters throughout are amazing. You get to feel Guts slowly getting closer to the Band of the Hawks and start to realise that they are the family he has been yearning for. His relationship with Griffith and his guilt over what happens are palpable because they are so well depicted. Griffith comes across as one of the most successful characters as although he seems detached, you actually feel (and see) the lengths he will go to in his devotion to his army. He is also an interesting villain (like Akio was in Utena) as he rarely comes across as one.
Caska's slow detachment of Griffith and her growing attraction to Guts also ring true here as none of these things are rushed through to fill the timeframe, but rather are given their time to occur at the right pace.
This series has been one of the most enjoyable I have sat through in a very long time. I felt that I was becoming jaded after watching Utena but this one is often just as good. It does not hold any punches to get its messages of self-worth across and that can only be commended.
Shows like Elfen Lied and Gantz have tried to use the same level of gore to affect the viewer. But without this passion Berserk has that can transform the blood into a source of all emotions, there was no way they were going to come close to its success. A high recommendation from me.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 2, 2010
Before you read this I will ask of you to not judge it solely on the high ratings. I feel like I have explained the reasons for giving them quite well. Please in your rating, let me know the way to improve on it and I will promptly do so. The high animation rating is based on what could be accomplished at the time the anime was made as I realise that it would be sub-standard if it were made nowadays.
This anime is one of my favourite and I have seen many in 15 years but only a couple have managed to come close in
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delivering like this one does.
The animation is not the best nowadays but I am giving it a high mark because for its time, it is a remarkable achievement. I am sure that many people will agree with me on this, some of the budget episodes of Sailor Moon or Pokemon and Naruto look worse. This is because Rose of Versailles is not a show that takes shortcuts in its presentation. Unlike Naruto and Sailor Moon, the same high standard is kept through its entire run.
For its time, this anime was very ambitious and it does accomplish what it sets out to do. A scene that reflects the animation capacity (in its iconic form) of this series can be seen in the last episode. It is just stills of pencil drawings and the symbolism and emotion is so strong, one can't help but be moved.
Just that scene reflects what you have seen in emotion and intensity for 40 episodes and blows you away. The drawing style is also another one of its strengths as the characters look very elegant and royal, which fits the bill here perfectly. The character design is also great as it allows the character to grow within a time period, and slowly changes and matures them in their drawing style over time.
The sound is excellent in this series as it helps to show the range of emotion characters express. The theme song is atmospheric and also very fitting with the emotive notes and the beautiful music. The theme music is used quite often within the episodes and it is surprisingly efficient to portray the rainbow of human emotion. The best part of it is obviously the seiyuus' work here.
Main characters like Oscar, Andre and Marie Antoinette and minor ones like Mme DuBarry and Charlotte are brought to life extremely well. Even though these characters are on conflicting sides of the social spectrum, one understands their motives and sentiments to a touching degree.
The story is still one of the most engrossing I have seen in anime since I first watched it. Taking real historical figures and some fictive ones, this anime tells the story so well that you can understand why the characters acted the way they did, and the drama is strongly expressed.
Some historical events are also used as plot devices here (the affair of the necklace, the bastille, the revolution) and the result is brilliant. These are given enough detail for us to fully appreciate the situation, while letting characters shine through as the driving force. There are also plenty of heartfelt moments of yearning, loss, love, obedience and death that are so well-executed - they move you to tears.
As mentioned above the characters are amazing as were it not for them, the story would not be nearly as successful. To fully enjoy this experience one has to connect with the characters and this cast makes it extremely easy.
I felt a lot of emotions when the romantic story between Marie Antoinette and Fersen was explored and was moved to tears to see its conclusion. Same goes with the Oscar and Andre story. There are rarely animes that make you feel the way this one does and this is very much due to its affecting cast. The reason the characters seem so great overall is because their feelings are explored very convincingly and unlike other shoujos, they are not overplayed for emphasis.
The value of this anime is just excellent as I frequently revisit it for some great entertainment and it still delivers. It also paved the way for other great shows like Utena and Princess Tutu (Utena more obviously than Tutu with its theme but the detailed backgrounds of Tutu are definitely influenced by some settings here.)
I still enjoy this anime immensely even though it is 25 years old and have seen it many times over as it really aims for the heart. My guess is you will feel the same way.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 2, 2010
Before you read this review, I would ask of you to please not judge it solely on the high rating. I have put a lot of work into this and I do address things like repeated footage and why I still give it this rating. Besides, what anime of this format does not have reused footage?
This anime is one of the best I have seen and, is arguably the best Shojo anime ever made - although it breaks away from that fold very fast. The show slowly moves into a darker territory that many shows do not dare approach. The biggest surprise is how subtlely
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and tastefully it explores things like incest, lesbianism, obsession and adoration. This show explores all these spectacularly well, in fact you could still go on decoding imagery and sounds after viewing the series 30 times because it is so rich in metaphors and allegories.
The animation is exquisite in this show. Not just in the sense that things are drawn well or move well and fluidly but also in what imagery is selected to drive a point home. One thing that springs to mind to point that out is in the second last episode, badminton was used as a symbol and the detail put in the racket or the shuttlecock is graphically breathtaking. The reused footage will not be to everyone's taste but I enjoyed those sequences immensely as it gave the start of the duel a ritualistic feel. I also love the detail in the background and the characters. Just a stance has meaning and purpose in this anime, as a model and a Fine Art student - it was great to see references to Michaelangelo's drawings, as well as a few famous paintings that were presented just for the sheer story behind them. The architecture is also imaginative and well drawn, much like in the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh I also love the way attention is paid to slow moments, as well as faster ones as they radiate symbolism and meaning. The colours and the rose motif are more things I appreciate about the series and I do think it has an original style by marrying its own to its close inspiration, Rose Of Versailles.
The characters and the backgrounds are also extremely well suited for each other unlike shows like Naruto or Ranma where characters can look juxtaposed onto the background. The restraint in the use of 3D imagery is also something to be applauded as it allows the show to keep the beautiful fairytale feel and style.
The sound of Utena is another one of its strengths and it is so well suited to the battles or the overall theme of a particular episode, not to mention Rinbu Revolution and Zettai Umnei Mokushiroku which are just amazing left of the centre pop songs. Every episode features either a new composition or a new song, which is to be applauded in this day and age where most series use the same tunes over and over again. The duel songs are also terrific, they don't only sound great but they add another layer of meaning to the story as well as the characters. Seazer (the composer, also a 60s Japanese personality) did a wonderful job with his work here as the music does not just suit the anime but elevates it to new heights. It raises the bar in how anime can really make full use of the sound. The voice actors match the high standard of the soundtrack by delivering a universally amazing performance. A notable cast member is Kotono Mitsuishi, who breaks out of her cute signature character Sailor Moon for an amazing dark turn as Juri Arisugawa.
The story seems quite simple at first but the layers that it is wrapped into makes it very complex and entertaining. The most amazing thing about Utena is how much it kept me on my toes, there was never a moment where I knew exactly what the outcome of an episode would be, how they would affect or change the characters. Even the filler episodes include footage that can answer questions one might still hold over a particular situation or character, or give you a fuller understanding of a character.
The execution is what sets the story apart as well. It never gets manipulative to try and make you side why a particular character for a particular episode. Instead, it depicts these instances realistically, with just a little irony to really hit it home.
The characters in this show are also amazing. I can't think of another show (except maybe Rose Of Versailles) that has such full and deep characters, even Nanami who can seem quite shallow (and is reminiscent of the depiction of a young Marie Antoinette in ROV) has a strong presence and further episodes explore her character very well. Even the secondary characters are given situations (via the Black Rose Arc) to explore their feelings and more interestingly, how they affect other student council duelists. I felt after watching this that no character was one-dimensional as they all had a chance to show different facets of their personality (Be it through a whole episode or just a scene; that's how symbolic the series can get).
This show has the best value of any show I can think of as you will definitely have to watch the whole thing twice and maybe more to understand all the subtleties. It is also a great, enjoyable show that no one open minded should miss. It is a unique experience and a fascinating look at what adolescents go through emotionally. The use of symbolism to explore this will be a turn off for some but it is so complete and deep that you will be left with something for taking the journey. It is a remarkable title and I recommend it to every anime fan.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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