Jan 9, 2008
The Magnificent World of El-Hazard, truly a classic for the ages! And I mean that, too. In comparison to more 'modern' shows, it's my opinion that El-Hazard still measures up to this day, and whether you've loved anime since the days of Astroboy (though I'm not sure how much other anime there was in the 60's, heh), or you've just recently started into the hobby, I'd still strongly recommend the first series of El-Hazard. Be ready for some high-fantasy with a few Final-Fantasy-esque technological advancements. If you're the mecha only type or just aren't a big fan of such things, I'd
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still recommend you give this one a shot, as it tends to suprise with a little something for everybody--great laughs, sweet romance, courtly intrigue, lots of action, and a tearful ending.
El-Hazard has all the hallmarks of an excellent series. The story is deep and engrossing, and told well despite the short length. You won't feel as though you've been gypped out of closure due to the lack of episodes. At the same time, nothing is really 'glossed-over'--though the plot is involved, most everything is well explained.
The characters are memorable and dynamic. While it's true that most of them have their stereotypes, the series manages to take a little time, sometimes if only a scene or two, to paint most of them in another light--just to let you know there's more to them. There are two disctinct camps of villains as well, each with their own agenda. If you like dashing, cunning baddies with a web of secrecy, El-Hazard has that. if you prefer your enemies maniacal, biosterous, sometimes silly, and slightly insane, El-Hazard has you covered. The same goes for the protagonists. El-Hazard has your 'knight in shining armor' types; your well-meaning perverts; your innocent, 'didn't ask to be here' types; and even your 'You're such a $&(*$@, why do you have to be a good guy?' types.
The artwork won't disappoint. It's probably not the best you've ever seen, but it's certainly not the worst. What's most important is that it's an enduring enough style that it's hard to see it as 'dated'. The sound is exceptional too. The background music really helps to get you into the 'feel' of the world you're experiencing, and the opening score is powerful and memorable. The ending themes are enjoyable, too. 'Boys Be Free' ('Back in Love' in English) is performed by Alielle, is catchy, fun, and bemusedly suggestive, while 'Little Flower' (which takes over as the ending theme after a few episodes) is mellow and somber, in keeping with how it wants to make you feel by that point in the storyline.
One of the most impressive qualities of El-Hazard in my opinion is the exceptional ability of the English dub actors. Yes, we all have our own opinions, but I personally don't care for dubs, and I can count on one hand the anime I've ever seen that I could stand in anything other than the original Japanese. This is one of them. The dub actors get the inflection right and deliver some great one-liners that probably aren't what the original characters were saying, but are close enough to make the experience that much better for the non-Japanese speaker.
I'll also give El-Hazard an impressive rewatch value. This is the show I tend to use to get curious newcomers to anime started, and it never gets old after many re-watches.
To be fair since this is a review, if I were to knock anything about El-Hazard, I would have to go with some of the faster animation sequences. The art is great, sure, but whenever there's a scene where lots of people are moving really quickly all at once (IE, a fight, a bunch of people running, or some acrobatics), they tend to shift about rather strangely, making it look as though some corners were cut on the drawing board. Que sera.
All in all, El-Hazard isn't long and it's worth your time to add it in to your anime watching experience. Maybe you'll even enjoy it enough to catch some of the other series, though keep in mind that 'The Wanderers of El-Hazard' is a TV version (so it's the original story told differently). 'El-Hazard 2: The Magnificent World' is the sequel, if that's what you're looking for.
So what are you waiting for!? Check out El-Hazard, and trust me, give the English dub a try this time! ^.^
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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