Reviews

The bit where the main party hits the corridor of traps is one of the funniest things I've seen. As the name may imply this anime is based on the long running series of Druaga games by Namco. I have to say that while generally enjoyable anime based on video games is often pretty hit or miss. On the one hand you have awesome stuff like the Streetfighter movie and on the other hand you have stuff like Ragnarok - which wasnt as rubbish as people said, but it certainly wasnt awesome. This anime is certainly up there on the same level as the Streetfighter movie.

The animation in this is lovely looking and is enhanced even further by being in HD (I have to say Ive now got used to HD anime, I really like the crispness). But it's really the story and characters that form the appeal. The characters all feel "real", while there is no huge attempt at in-depth characterisation none of the characters presented feel two-dimensional; which can be a problem with genre pieces of this nature.

As well as excellent animation and appealing characters this show also has an engaging storyline which draws the viewer in while providing an excellent mix of action and comedy with the odd bit of drama thrown in for good measure. It also has a nicely done romance story which isnt shoved in the viewers face but grows at a nice pace. I should warn potential viewers that this series does contain one of the dirtiest cliff-hangers ever as well as a plethora of unfinished plot-lines. Of course the sequel is already half-way through broadcasting so you wont have to suffer the terrible wait that I did before finding resolution.

Also I have to say that the Tower and the world itself would make an excellent setting for a tabletop RPG.