The animation is very good for the year 2000. It doesn't have any computer graphics but it wasn't necessary: the pencil and ink animation was perfect enough. The low-lights in the hair, also the texture of the hair (pretty much everything about the hair) to characters is very wispy and detailed. Short haired people would be envious of the long, flowy hair that these two-dimensional anime characters possess. There isn't anything bad about the animation other than it's a little out of date. (But not by much)
The sound is simplistic, but sets the mood to the OVA. The music has the dark motif to the OVA, which makes Angel Sanctuary more gothic. Could have used more instruments and a more difficult melody, but the music does what it's supposed to: give the viewer the dramatic feeling.
Although English dubs aren't nearly as bad as many Japanophiles claim, the English dub to Angel Sanctuary was terrible. The acting was alright, the voices were what killed the dub. They sounded way too cartoony for a serious drama that was aimed at a mature audience. Crispin Freeman saved the dub as he showed his genius skills in the role of Rosiel. The voice of Setsuna (Scott Cargle) sounded more like a fourty year old than an older teenager. Watch this OVA in Japanese, it's much better.
The Characters were well developed and didn't have cliche personalities. Sarah's personality is a little too happy, which was the only problem. There is incest in this story line, but Kaori Yuki pulled it off. The incest shows how Setsuna and Sarah struggle to ignore their feelings in a forbidden relationship and not an episode of Jerry Springer. (They know incest is wrong) Like the theme, they are condemned sinners. Without the mood the incest wouldn't work. The bad guys aren't extremely evil as most antagonists are portrayed. Then again, everything is reversed.
Those who are into dark anime aimed at a mature audience would like Angel Sanctuary. It's tragic, but doesn't require a box of Kleenex. (just a couple) The manga has twenty volumes while the OVA has three episodes, meaning the end of the OVA isn't the end of the series. Angel Sanctuary should have been an anime series because the storyline scratches the surface. Also, the OVA hooks you into wanting more. It's a promotion or teaser for the manga. With the exceptional storyline and excellent animation, Angel Sanctuarty is one of the best OVA's made.
