Gaiking: The Movie Collection (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

“Gaiking: The Movie Collection” takes the best of “Gaiking” the animated TV series to make three feature length films!  For those who grew up in the ’70s, enjoyed the “Shogun Warriors” toys or even watched the original “Force Five” series or is a mecha/super robot fan at heart, “Gaiking: The Movie Collection” is for you!

Image courtesy of © 1976 Toei Animation Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Gaiking: The Movie Collection

YEAR OF ANIME: 1976

DURATION: Three Films (326 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, English dub, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: Shout! Factory

RATED: Not Rated

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Originally created by Go Nagai

Directed by Tomoharu Katsumata

Scenario by Masao Maruyama

Script by Kunio Sakatani

Screenplay by Haruya Yamazaki, Shozo Uehara, Soji Yoshikawa

Music by Shunsuke Kikuchi

Character Design by Akio Sugino, Kazuo Komatsubara, Takeshi Shirato

Art by Fumihiro Uchikawa

Mechanical Design by Dan Kobayashi

Production: Toei Animation

Featuring the following voice talent:

Robert Axelrod

Larry Butler

David Gerrold

Don Glut

Marieve Herington

Bradford Hill

Paul Oberle

Shy Pilgreen

Kyle Rea

Robert Tousignant

William Winckler

Kimberly Woods

An iconic classic from the golden age of Japanese animation, Gaiking the transforming super robot (originally featured as part of the Shogun Warriors toy line and the Force Five TV series) is back in a trio of feature-length adventures loaded with high-impact action and mind-expanding science fiction!

Far off in outer space, the planet Zela is doomed by an approaching black hole, which forces the diabolical Great Emperor to set his sights on a suitable world to colonize for his people…Earth! But before the invasion can begin, the Emperor and his four generals scheme to eliminate the troublesome human race by raiding our planet with giant robot monsters!

As one of only a handful of Earthlings with psychic powers, Sanshiro Tsuwabuki is destined to pilot Gaiking, a giant robot that might be Earth s only hope against the monstrous steel hordes of the Great Emperor. Recruited to join an elite team of pilots who control an incredible arsenal of high-tech weapons and mecha, including a massive carrier known as the Space Dragon, Tsuwabuki and Gaiking must square off against a giant robot tarantula, Zelan mind control, deadly hallucinations, nuclear war and more evil, mechanical monstrosities! The battle for the fate of two worlds begins!

When it comes to super robots, back in the mid-to-late ’70s, Japan had a mecha boom with Danguard Ace, Raydeen, Combattler and Gaiking.

And it was one of the few moments where that mecha boom extended to the United States thanks to the release of the Shogun Warriors die-cast toys and the Marvel comic book series (in return, Japan was able to create a tokusatsu version of Spider-Man, who happened to have a big robot).

And for “Gaiking”, having a popular toy was aided by Jim Terry’s “Force Five” animated line-up which included “Gaiking” which was produced by Toei Animation from 1976-1977 with a total of 44 episodes being created.  And the series was also seen on television in various countries.

While “Gaiking” was remade in 2005, in 2009, William Winckler Productions produced three all new English dubbed movie versions edited from the original series.  Winckler, who is known for his work on “Tekkaman the Space Night”, wrote, produced and directed the English films.

It’s important to note that it was Toei Animation that came to William Winckler Productions to make the film series as Toei Animation felt it would be great to establish a “presence in broadband with the films” and that the three films would be easier to sell to “mainstream America”.

Now, all three films will be released in a 2-DVD collection from Shout! Factory titled “Gaiking: The Movie Collection”.

“Gaiking” is an animated series that revolves around Earth in war with an invading race of aliens known as the Zelans and under the order of the Great Emperor, the Zelans attack Earth.  The Earth’s main defense is the Super Robot named Gaiking created by Dr. Daimonji.

But who can pilot such a Super Robot?

This is where professional baseball player Sanshiro Twsuwabuki comes in.  An athlete with a photographic memory (and possibly psychic abilities), one day while playing a baseball game, he is attacked by the Zelans and his pitching hand is fractured that he can no longer pitch professionally again.  The truth is that it was an assassination attempt by the Zelans who are trying to eliminate anyone who may have psychic abilities.

He is recruited by an elite force serving the United Nations and consists of an elite team of pilots serving on the massive carrier known as the Space Dragon.

The first “Gaiking” film consisting of the first 23 episodes focuses on how Sanshiro became selected as a pilot but also getting to know his teammates and also the woman he would fall in love with.  The film features how not all Zelans are bad people but the Great Emperor is forcing his own people to undergo transformation and attacking civilizations.  And thus the first attack by the Zelans is featured in the first movie.

The second “Gaiking” film  focuses on episode 24 and up to 33 and focuses on the second attack by the Zelans.  But this time around, they kidnap Erica and try to transform her to one of their own.  Can Sanshiro rescue the love of his life?  Meanwhile, the Zelans are trying to provoke a war between the United States and Russia.  But what happens when the Zelans capture Sanshiro and the pilots?  Also, is there a traitor in the team?

The third “Gaiking” film features the final battle between Earth and the Zelans.  Everything is on the line for both humans and Zelans and using Gaiking, can Sanshiro end this battle and prevent the Zelans from colonizing Earth and destroying humanit?

VIDEO:

All three “Gaiking” films are presented in 1:33:1 with a black screen around the image (the packaging mentions Anamorphic Widescreen).  It’s important to note that this anime series was made back in 1976.  On DVD, you will see white specks, artifacts can be seen, moreso on blue backgrounds, but this is not a series I was expecting to receive any remastering.  I believe if you do see artifacts, it’s much more evident on big screen televisions than on smaller screens.

According to William Winckler in an interview with ScifiJapan.com, “What’s interesting is that Mr. Morishita wanted both original aspect ratio versions, as well as wide-screen versions… and so that’s what we made… for broadband distribution. We produced HD versions, made off the best master sources available, in both original aspect ratio, as well as wide screen.”

Picture quality is OK, but the question is, because HD versions were produced, is there a possibility of a Blu-ray release?  Personally, I would prefer an HD release of “Gaiking” than on DVD.

But I wouldn’t be surprised if this is probably the best we are going to see in the U.S. of “Gaiking”, as I doubt the single episodes will be released in the U.S. anytime soon.

AUDIO:

“Gaiking: The Movie Collection” is presented with an English dub in Stereo 2.0.  I’m not exactly sure if the intention of this dub was to make it sound like it was made in the ’70s, but for a new English dub made in 2009, it doesn’t compare to other anime series of today in terms of acting.  During scenes of where pilots in pain, it’s “Oh! Ah! Oh!” and it has that style similar to older anime that worked back then but a bit odd to hear a new dub made to sound this way in the present.  But if the goal was to emulate the ’70s style of acting, then I suppose the acting of the English dub actors fits the series.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Gaiking: The Movie Collection” does not come with any special features.

When it comes to “Gaiking”, I absolutely loved the character growing up and how excited I was to watching the films based on the character that I grew up with!

Like most children of the late ’70s, getting your first “Shogun Warriors” was huge!  In America, Shogun Warriors were die-cast metal toys, I was lucky to get Gaiking, Danguard Ace, Poseidon and Mazinger Z.

“Gaiking” was like no other Shogun Warrior.  The Super Robot with horns, fists that shoot out and legs that were so heavy, that you can drop them on anything.  This was the sign of the times, the late ’70s and today, these toys are highly sought after because they don’t make toys completely out of die-cast metal anymore.  (Note: There was a plastic 24″ Gaiking made and released in the U.S. as well)

But I can easily remember me and my friends really loving Gaiking, despite not knowing the story about him.

While the series was aired on syndicated television in 1980 as “Force Five” (which featured “Gaiking”, “Danguard Ace”, “Starvengers”, “Grandizer” and “Spaceketeers”), unfortunately, the series was primarily shown in New England, Virginia and a handful of other markets for a brief time.

But for those who grew up during those Shogun Warrior years or for the anime fan who is interested in classic mecha anime, “Gaiking” has finally been released in the U.S. as a single release featuring three films on 2-DVD’s.  It’s important to note that this is not the same series that people watched on television if you were watching “Force Five”.  The Japanese names are used, so Sanshiro Tsuwabuki, the main protagonist of the series is used, not Aries Astronopolis.

While I can’t comment of how much deviation there was from the original Japanese series and what was featured in producer William Winckler’s version on the films, there is a banality to the super robot theme and that is Earth (or another planet) being under attacked and invaded by alien antagonists.

Where Sanshiro has a photographic memory and develops some sort of psychic ability, can also be juxtaposed to the late ’70′s series Mobile Suit Gundam and Amuro’s ability to learn how to pilot the Gundam quickly and the development of his Newtype ability.

But where Gundam focused on a war and how it affected others throughout the war but also showcased the enemy (and would captivate viewers as “Star Wars” did in the late ’70s), the antagonists are not so likable for  “Gaiking”.  The Zelans are starting to mutate and the Grand Emperor’s mouth is now showing up on its forehead, while warriors have to be forced to become something they are not.  It’s a wacky way to feature the antagonists but I suppose back in the ’70s, what made the series quite interesting is its adventure aspects that remind me of the ’80s second Voltron series (based on the anime series “Armored Fleet Dairugger XV”).

The team goes through adventures, for example, in the first movie, the team ends up stuck inside a cave where an ancient Zelan facility is located and they are trapped in a  hallucinated state or when both Sanshiro and Erica must go out on an assignment.  The series almost has an international feel (not through the English dub) but through the characters names and once again, reminiscent of the “Armored Fleet Dairugger XV” series.

But for many of the super robot anime series of the ’70s, it was about the defense of Earth or humanity by alien invaders.

And while trimming a 44 episode series down to three movies aren’t anything new to anime (as the “Mobile Suit Gundam” movie trilogy was also derived from the anime TV series), like anything trimmed down for a film, you do miss out on other storylines as not all episodes are featured.  But having not seen the original Japanese animated series, I’m not too sure how much viewers are losing out on.

But from what I watched, the film focuses primarily on the Zelan battle and tries to incorporate important elements from the series into each film.  The film also includes the inclusion of Sanshiro saying “Shogun Warrior” which is a nod to those who grew up to the toys because the term is a trademark brand-named created by Mattel, Inc. at that time.

And according to an interview between ScifiJapan.com and William Winckler, Winckler explained, “Although these films were to be designed for mainstream Americans, the plots, stories, character names, background music, etc., remained faithful and true to the original Japanese elements.”

Now, as  I mentioned, this is an older series and if there was an HD version produced, I prefer to watch it in HD.  But the DVD was OK and as for the English dub, as mentioned, for a 2009 production, the English dubbing sounds as if it was recorded in the ’70s.  From the way the acting was, to the overreacting to pain of brief “Oh! Ah! Oh!”.  It’s corny! But having watched some of the older English dubs, that’s how things were things back then.  And I would imagine the goal was to capture that style of English dubbing than what most anime fans are used to seeing in terms of English dubs today.

But I do feel this is the best we are going to get of this series in the U.S. and that is these three animated films of “Gaiking”.

The fact is that classic robot series such as “Gaiking” was a product of our time in the mid-t0-late ’70s.  We grew up with these mecha storylines and as children, we were amazed by it but also had a toyline that kept us fascinated and intrigued!

Today, mecha anime series have become deeper, CG animated, have a long line of models and robot toys that the companies can capitalize on.

Not to say that “Gaiking” wasn’t deep because characters and humans do die in the films.  But for those who are able to watch these older series in original form, you realize the Japanese versions were much more deeper than its English counterpart.  Japanese television were able to show death, while anime mecha TV series didn’t go there.  But because this is the film version and not related to the “Force Five” release, deaths do happen in each of the three films of “Gaiking: The Movie Collection”.

For example, there is a peaceful Zelan who is a scientist who is raising his young daughter alone.  The Grand Emperor has his soldiers take the scientist for conditioning to become a warrior.  The scientist worries about his daughter and as she tries to go after her father, the soldiers kill the young daughter.  Definitely something you will not see on American television at that time.

So, I’m glad that those elements from the series are retained in the films.  And as much as I grew up enjoying “Gaiking”, the only thing that drives me crazy about the films is the English dub.  Yes, I remember how things were in the ’70s through the ’90s but English dubbing has evolved since then. But William Winckler Productions was a product of that generation, heck, I am from that generation, but just because things were dubbed and acted a certain way back then, I know this is subjective but the voice acting (despite its use of veterans) featured voice acting style that I wish, stayed in the past.

And it’s important to note that I prefer to watch a whole entire series rather than a film that comprises of several episodes.  But I do realize not everyone wants to watch many dozens of episodes of a title and the films would suffice.

With that being said, I am a fan of “Gaiking”, grew up with “Gaiking” and I’m quite grateful for Shout! Factory for bringing out this title.  Because William Winckler Productions also did the production for “THE TOEI CLASSIC ANIME MOVIE COLLECTION!”, I hope that also means that Shout Factory intends to release the “Danguard Ace” films, “The Adventures of Nadja” films, “Space Pirates Captain Harlock”, “Fist of the North Star” films and “Starzinger” films for release in the U.S.

Overall, “Gaiking: The Movie Collection” takes the best of “Gaiking” the animated TV series to make three feature length films!  For those who grew up in the ’70s, enjoyed the “Shogun Warriors” toys or even watched the original “Force Five” series or is a mecha/super robot fan at heart, “Gaiking: The Movie Collection” is for you!

 

Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

The Zanpakuto has rebelled against their Soul Reaper masters by taking a human form and declaring war. But what about their leader, the mysterious zanpakuto known as Muramasa.  And what exactly is he really up to? Find out in the original and uncut episodes of “Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut”!

Image courtesy of © Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Pierrot. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut

DURATION: Episodes 243-255 (320 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, Bilingual Japanese & English, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: VIZ Media

RATED: 13+

Release Date: June 11, 2013

Originally created by Tite Kubo

Directed by Noriyuki Abe

Music by Shiro Sagisu

Character Design by Masashi Kudo

Art Director: Natsuko Suzuki, Sawako Takagi

Anime Production by TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Studio Pierrot

Featuring the following voice talent:

Fumiko Orikasa/Michelle Ruff as Rukia Kuchiki

Masakazu Morita/Johnny Yong Bosch as Ichigo Kurosaki

Hiroki Yasumoto/Jamieson Price as Sado “Chad” Yasutora

Kentarou Itou/Wally Wingert as Abarai Renji

Masakazu Morita/Johnny Yong Bosch as Hollow Ichigo

Noriaki Sugiyama/Derek Stephen Prince as Ishida Uryuu

Satsuki Yukino/Wendee Lee as Shihouin Yoruichi (human form)

Shinichiro Miki/Michael Lindsay as Urahara Kisuke

Yuki Matsuoka/Stephanie Sheh as Inoue Orihime

Kaya Matsutani/Megan Hollingshead as Rangiku Matsumoto

Nobuyuki Hiyama/Vic Mignogna as Ikkaku Madarame

Jun Fukuyama/Brian Beacock as Yumichika Ayasegawa

Romi Paku/Steve Staley as Toshiro Hitsugaya

Ichigo and the Soul Reapers find themselves in a brutal battle against their own Zanpakuto, who are being controlled by Muramasa. But the chaos in the Seireitei is just one part of Muramasa’s plan. His true objective lies in the World of the Living, and Ichigo is the key to his achieving it!

The zanpakuto of Soul Reapers have been released by Muramasa, a mysterious zanpakuto spirit and now they are rebelling against their masters?

The Soul Reaper zanpakuto have renounced them and are now declaring war!  Things are not looking good for the Soul Reapers as Soifon takes on Tengen and Gonryomaru, but to get attacked by her own zanpakuto Suzumebachi.  Izutru takes on Kazeshini, Yumichika takes on Ruriiro Kujaku, Ichigo takes on Senbonzakura and for some reason, Byakuya has aligned with Muramasa and attacks Renji and Zabimaru.  This leads a battle between Kenpachi vs. Byakuya.

But why is Muramasa so intent of destroying the Seireitei?

Find out in “Bleach DVD Set Seventeen” featuring episodes 243-255.

So, what is “Bleach”?

“Bleach” is one of those titles, alongside “Naruto” and “Dragon Ball Z” that has managed to capture the attention of anime fans and continues to reinvent itself with new sagas and characters. Created in 2001 by mangaka Tite Kubo, the manga has been published on Weekly Shonen Jump and the animated series has been airing on Japanese television since 2004.

The series has manged to grow its fandom worldwide, especially in the US as the series has aired on television on the Cartoon Network and the various video games for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP have also been popular among the fans as well.

The manga series revolves around teenager Ichigo Kurosaki, who has the ability to see Soul Reapers (a military group that escorts the souls of the dead) and in this case, Ichigo has seen a female Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki. One day, a hollow (a monster that was once a human soul) has come to attack and when Rukia was injured, she transferred her spirit pressure to Ichigo in order for him to fight the hollow.

The series focused on Ichigo and Rukia’s friendship as somehow nearly all her spirit pressure had been transferred to Ichigo and stripping away her soul reaper power and thus Ichigo now has the power to take on the hollows while Rukia helps guide him through the battles with her knowledge. As Rukia temporarily lives with Ichigo, the two together battle hollows.

It’s important to note that because of how quickly the animated series has caught up with the manga series, the ongoing arc between the war between Soul Reapers and the Arrancars have temporarily put on hiatus to allow Tite Kubo to finish the chapters of the manga series. So, Studio Pierrot created an alternative story arc titled “Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale arc” (Zanpakuto Ibun Hen).

With volume 17 of “Bleach”, this DVD continues the battles between the zanpakuto and the Soul Reapers but also Muramasa’s history with the Kuchiki family.

As the soul reapers try to fight their own zanpakuto, they are unaware that Muramasa has intentions beyond freeing them from their masters and learned that they have been duped by Muramasa.  Meanwhile,  Muramasa travels to Karakura Town and intends to use the knowledge from General Yamamoto’s world to break the seal of his former master, Koga Kuchiki, a former soul reaper who went insane.  But having been separated from Koga for centuries, Muramasa wants to remove the seal and free the insane and powerful, Koga Kuchiki.

The main characters of “Bleach” are:

• Ichigo Kurosaki – The main protagonist. A teenager who becomes a substitute soul reaper after absorbing Rukia’s powers. Accepting his new powers and wanting to protect everyone around him. Ichiro manages to grow in power with every battle he gets involved in.
• Rukia Kuchiki – A Soul Reaper who transferred her spiritual power to Ichigo.
• Orihime Inoue – A longtime classmate of Ichigo who is very caring and manages to develop her spiritual awareness and after her brother is killed by a hollow, she has managed to grow in power which is tied to a hairpin that her brother had given her.
• Yasutora “Chad” Sado – A friend of Ichigo and very quiet. Developed a sense of seeing hollows and eventually gaining a power of strength and a right arm that is literally a weapon to fight against hollows.
• Uryu Ishida - A classmate of Ichigo and a descendant of a priest group that hunted hollows known as Quincy. Earlier on, Uryu was a rival of Ichigo due to his hatred towards the Soul Reapers and eventually becomes friends with him.
• Kon – A modsoul who’s life soul is put into a stuffed lion. When Ichigo is a Soul Reaper, Kon takes over Ichigo’s body, so no one including Ichigo’s family knows that Ichiro is actually not there. Mostly a comedy-driven character known for his perverseness and always complaining about something.
• Kisuke Urahara – Owner of the Urahara shop and a former captain of the 12th Division in the Soul Society. He caught Aizen converting Soul Reapers to Visoreds but before he can save them, Aizen framed him for the crimes and Urahara fled to the real world.
• Yoruichi Shihoin – An old friend of Kisuke Urahara who can turn into a black cat. She is the former captain of the 2nd Division and former Commander in Chief of the Secret Mobile Corps.
• Renji Abarai – Lt. of the 6th Division in the Gotei 13 under Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Known to be cocky about his skills, Renji cares deeply for Rukia and thus the reason why he is seen with Ichigo and friends.
• Byakuya Kuchiki – 28th head of the Kuchiki Clan and Captain of 6th Division in the Gotei 13. Stepbrother of Rukia.
• Toshiro Hitsugaya – Captain of the 10th Division in the Gotei 13.
• Rangiku Matsumoto – Lieutenant of the 10th Division of the Gotei 13.

VIDEO:

If there is one thing that I’ve always enjoyed about “Bleach” is that for a TV series that is cranked out in Japan, the TV series features a good amount of detail in the background art. The series tends to really showcase quite a bit of locations and thus, not always reusing scenes.

Also, the character designs, despite not always being detailed, is shown great care by character designer Masashi Kudo who definitely respects the original illustrations of Tite Kubo. Some closeups are really well done and there is a good amount of focus on the actual animation during the battle sequences.

For a TV series, especially knowing how in Japan, many of these studios tend to crank them out because they have other deadlines taking on other series, “Bleach” continues to look very good.

As for picture quality, of course on DVD, you are going to see some softness, banding and edge enhancement but for the most part, picture quality is very good on DVD.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut” is presented in stereo English and Japanese. Both dialogue tracks are clear and understandable. For those with a modern receiver may want to set their setting to stereo on all channels for a more immersive soundtrack.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut” comes with the following special features:

• Production Art – Using your remote, you can view “Bleach” production art.
• Clean Ending – The clean ending theme.
• Omake – The ending omake for episodes 243-255.

As explained from the last volume, as Tite Kubo needs time to complete chapters for his manga and because the anime series has caught up with the manga, the only way to put some distance between the manga and the anime is to either put the show on hiatus or to come up with new stories.

And eventually, they chose the latter by taking a break from the Arrancar War and dedicate a season (in Japan, these episodes are part of the 13th season and aired in Japan on July 2009 through April 2010) to a brand new storyline dubbed the Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale Arc.

And for this volume, the storyline continues Muramasa’s attempt to free the zanpakuto’s from their masters and lead a rebellion against the Soul Society.  But in truth, Muramasa is after his old master, the insane Koga Kuchiki, who had been sealed for centuries.  And with Muramasa’s power growing weaker, his time to save Koga is growing shorter.

So, while the story focuses on Muramasa trying to seal his mater, we also learn his backstory between Koga/Muramasa and how Koga ended up insane after being framed by jealous soul reapers of killing his own allies and was imprisoned.  This led to Koga becoming evil and trying to murder anyone who stands against him.

And as Muramasa’s goal is to release the insane Koga inside the Seireitei to exact his revenge against soul reapers, Ichigo and others must do all they can to stop both Muramasa and Koga.

Having watched many “Bleach” filler episodes or alternate story arcs, so far the writers have been pretty good in creating original storylines and with the release of “Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut”.   Sure, it may not be canon with the manga series but if you are a “Bleach” fan, you either have a choice of not having a series or having filler episodes and for those who don’t feel too bad about having the latter, this latest arc is action-packed and includes certain Soul Reaper characters that are not utilized all that much.  In this case, you get to see Kenpachi, Byakuya, Soifon and Yoruichi take part in major battles.

“Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut” is another action-packed volume of “Bleach”.  While this season focuses on Muramasa and why he intends to free Koga Kuchiki, the next 18th volume should conclude the 13th season “Zanpukto: The Alternate Tale” episodes and by 19th volume, what many fans are waiting for, the return to the episodes featuring the final battle against the Arrancars.

If you are a fan of “Bleach” and stood with this anime series from the very beginning or have followed the anime/manga series for a very long time , “Bleach DVD Set Seventeen – Original and Uncut” may is worth checking out!

 

One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Five (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

The long-running, popular anime series “One Piece” features the Straw Hat Pirates and the Franky Family trying to find and save Robin, but the mysterious organization known as CP9 stands in their way!  Another wonderful volume of “One Piece”, definitely check out “One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Five”. Highly recommended!

Image courtesy of © 1999 Toei Animation Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Five

DURATION: Episodes 253-263 (Duration: 320 Minutes, 2 DVD’s)

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, English 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound, English and Japanese stereo

COMPANY: FUNimation Entertainment

RATED: TV 14

Release Date: May 14, 2013

Originally created by Eiichiro Oda

Directed by Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Munehisa Sakai

Series Composition by Hirohiko Uesaka

Script by Hirohiko Uesaka, Hiroshi Hashimoto, Junki Takegami, Michiru Shimada, Naoki Koga, Ryota Yamaguchi, Suminori Takegami, Yoshiyuki Suga

Music by Kouhei Tanaka, Shiroh Hamaguchi

Character Design by Kazuya Hisada, Noboru Koizumi

Animation Production by Toei Animation

Featuring the following voice talent:

Mayumi Tanaka/Colleen Clinkenbeard as Monkey D. Luffy

Akemi Okamura/Luci Christian as Nami

Hiroaki Hirata/Eric Vale as Sanji

Ikue Ohtani/Brina Palencia as Tony Tony Chopper

Kappei Yamaguchi/Sonny Strait as Usopp

Yuriko Yamaguchi/Stephanie Young as Nico Robin

The Sea Train has left the station! Next stop, Enies Lobby!

Nami, despite her desperate dash, arrives at the station too late to stop the Sea Train, but she’s relieved learn that Sanji has stowed away on board the vessel and will stop at nothing to rescue Robin! With the storm of all storms bearing down upon them, Nami and Chopper risk their lives to save Luffy and Zoro from the rapidly rising waters. Back aboard the train, Sanji is aided in his battle against the CP9 goons by the arrival of the mysterious Soge King, a wandering warrior from the Island of Snipers!

As the scattered Straw Hats fight to reunite, fate draws them ever nearer the foreboding fortress of Enies Lobby. Will our heroes live to face the hour of reckoning?!

Contains episodes 253-263.

Things are not looking so good for the Straw Hat Pirates.

Their ship the Going Merry was destroyed at sea, Usopp is no longer part of the group and Robin leaves the group in order to keep her friends safe.

While Sanji, Usopp and Franky are separated from the others when the Aqua Laguna floods the main station.  Nami, finding out the sacrifice that Robin had made to join Cipher Pol no. 9 keep them safe tells Luffy what Robin had done.  Luffy realizing that Robin has been their friend all this time and trying to protect them has made it is goal to help Robin and find her before it’s too late.

Inspired by what Luffy is willing to do to help Robin, The Franky Family offers to join the Straw Hat Pirates temporarily in order to help their leader, while Kokoro and Iceburg lend the Straw Hat Pirates their sea train, Rock Man.

But as they try to find Robin and hook up with their Sanji, Usopp and Franky, they are attacked by CP9.

What will happen to the Straw Hat Pirates and the Franky Crew?

Find out in “One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Five”, available now on DVD courtesy of FUNimation!

What is “One Piece”?

“ONE PIECE” is a popular anime series based on the popular manga series serialized in Shonen Jump by Eiichiro Oda. Suffice to say, “ONE PIECE” is the highest selling manga for Weekly Shonen Jump and its popularity has extended to various anime (via the TV series, OVA and films) and video games in America and also worldwide. The series is so popular, the episode count currently in Japan is at 580 episodes and despite receiving a heavily edited version in North America via 4Kids Entertainment earlier on, FUNimation Entertainment began releasing the original, uncut versions since May of 2008 and here we are now with the DVD release of “One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Two”, available now, courtesy of FUNimation.

“ONE PIECE” is an adventure anime about a 17-year-old boy named Monkey D. Luffy who gained enormous strength (and stretching abilities) after eating a magical demon fruit. He eventually teams up with a group of pirates and have the name “The Straw Hats”. Luffy’s driven to one day obtain the most sought out treasure known as “One Piece” and eventually become the King of the Pirates.

The Straw Hat Pirates consists of:

Monkey D. Luffy – A 17-year-old guy who is the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and dreams to be a pirate king by getting his hands on the “ONE PIECE” artifact. When he was young, he accidentally ate a devil fruit which made his body rubbery and can stretch and blow up. An airhead of sorts, loves to eat but always believes and fights for his friends.

Roronoa Zoro – A 19-year-old skilled swordsman. A skilled and very strong fighter. Wants to be the greatest swordsman in the world.

Nami – The navigator of the group. The main female crew member and really good at weapons.

Usopp – A 17-year-old marksman. A talented inventor and artistic. Known by his long nose, his marksmanship with slingshots and weapons are great.

Sanji – The chef of the crew. A skilled fighter that uses only kicks in battle and is passionate towards Nami.

Tony Tony Chopper – A reindeer with a blue nose. Ate a devil fruit known as human-human fruit which makes him human in someways but keeping his reindeer look. Able to speak to humans, walk upright and also able to have transformations to become a huge beast. But his talent is his medical skills as he was trained by the Doctrine to become a doctor. Has very low self-confidence because he had been treated badly not only by his kind but also by humans and has not really had a friend but the Doctor and Doctrine.

Nico Robin – The former Vice President of Baroque Works who has become the newest member of the Straw Hat Pirates despite some of the crew not trusting her since she was a former enemy. Has the ability to use her body parts and project them elsewhere and other mysterious abilities not yet known.

While the DVD release is listed as season four for America, in Japan, “One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Three” is the beginning of season eight (note: Actually, episode 229 , featured in voyage two, is the first episode that begins season eight). As the Straw Hat Pirates reach the land of Water Seven where powerful craftsmen, the Galley La Company reside, the crew needs the craftsmen to fix the Going Merry, which has been involved in major wear and tear through the many adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates.

But when misfortune hits the Straw Hat Pirates and pits Luffy vs. Usopp and even Nico Robin has disappeared. Things between the Straw Hat Pirates have gotten worse, but can they get any better?

The “One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Five” comes with episodes 253-263 on two DVD discs (note: In Japan, these episodes are part of season 8). Here are the spoilerless summaries of each episode:

DISC 1:

• EPISODE 253 - The Aqua Laguna floods the main station and Sanji, Usopp and Franky are separated from the others.
• EPISODE 254 – Nami tells Luffy of what Robin did, meanwhile everyone tries to escape from Aqua Laguna’s giant wave.
• EPISODE 255 - Sanji manages to find Usopp and Franky, while the Straw Hat Pirates find new allies.
• EPISODE 256 - A new alliance is born!
• EPISODE 257 - Ashamed of what he had done to Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp comes up with a new superhero identity!
• EPISODE 258 - Usopp reveals his new identity to Sanji and Franky.

DISC 2:

• EPISODE 259 - Sanji vs. Wanze, Franky vs. Nero.
• EPISODE 260 - As the fights continue, Usopp as Sogeking tries to save Robin.
• EPISODE 261 - Zoro vs. “Ship Cutter” T-Bone and Sanji vs. Wanze and Franky vs. Nero continues!
• EPISODE 262 – Usopp (Sogeking), Sanji and Franky try to save Robin.
• EPISODE 263 - A little of Robin’s past is revealed by Blueno!

VIDEO :

For most television series, because they are created nearly before they are aired on television, unlike film and OVA’s, there typically is not much detail involved in a Japanese animated television series. “ONE PIECE” is probably one of those rare exceptions in that it has really cool character designs and very detailed artistic backgrounds. Of course, since it is on DVD, you will see some artifacting, combing and edge enhancement but it’s not so noticeable unless you are really looking for it.

The anime series is presented in standard 4:3 definition but for a television series, “ONE PIECE” sports cool and unique character designs and beautifully painted artistic backgrounds. Definitely one of the better looking anime series that has remained consistent and has not downgraded since it first aired on television. Character designer Kazuya Hisada (who worked on the “Dragon Ball” and “Dragon Ball GT” series) and Noboru Koizumi (who worked on “Giant Robo”, “Dragon Ball GT” and “Tenchi Universe”) have been very good of capturing “One Piece” creator Eiichiro Oda’s unique style.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

As for the audio, the series is presented in English 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound, English Stereo and Japanese Stereo. Of course, the English 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound is the better audio choice to listen to, although one who has a receiver that can set their audio to all channels can definitely enjoy the Japanese stereo track as well. But both audio tracks are done very well and I have to admit that “ONE PIECE” has one of the most solid English dub tracks for an anime TV series. Very well done on both audio tracks but again, have been very impressed by the voice talent for the series thus far.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Five” comes with the following special features:

DISC 1:

• EPISODE 255 Audio Commentary - Audio commentary by Mike McFarland (Line Producer/ADR Director) and voice talents Juli Erickson (Kokoro) and Doug Goodrich (Zambai).
  

DISC 2:

• On the Boat: Behind the Scenes of One Piece with Christopher R. Sabat – (12:32)  Featuring a video interview between Mike McFarland (ADR Director/Line Producer) and Christopher R. Sabat (Zoro).
• On the Boat: Behind the Scenes of One Piece with Colleen Clinkenbeard – (13:26) Featuring a video interview between Mike McFarland (ADR Director/Line Producer) and Colleen Clinkenbeard (Luffy).
• EPISODE 263 Audio Commentary - Audio commentary by Mike McFarland (Line Producer/ADR Director) with Kenneth Thompson (ADR Engineer for “One Piece”), Adrian Cook (Mix Engineer), Josh Kocurek (Marketing and Brand Manager for “One Piece”)
• Textless Songs – Textless opening song for “Kokoro no Chizu” and closing songs for “Dear Friends”, “Asu wa Kuru Kara”.
• Trailers - Trailers for upcoming FUNimation releases.

The final episodes of season 8 of “One Piece”, as things begin to look down for the Straw Hat Pirates, after losing their ship, losing Usopp and now losing Robin, Nami finds out the reason why Robin has left the Straw Hat Pirates to join Cipher Pol No. 9 and that is so she can protect them.

But because the Straw Hat Pirates fight together as a family, there is no way any of them are going to let Robin leave without them and will do anything back to help their friend.

But when the Aqua Laguna floods the station that they are in, Luffy, Nami, Zoro and Chopper find new allies with The Franky Gang, while Sanji finds Franky and Usopp who are separated by the giant tidal wave.

As both group try to find Robin, both sides are attacked.  Meanwhile, Usopp wanting to save Robin as well, despite no longer being in the Straw Hat Pirates, takes on a new masked identity.

With this latest fifth volume of “One Piece”, new alliances are formed and the teams are united in trying to save Robin from Cipher Pol. No. 9.  But what does Cipher Pol. No. 9 want with Robin and will the group be prepared for their battle against various members of CP9.

The race is on to save Robin, but will they get to her in time?

As for the DVD, you get 11-episodes and picture quality is very good. Especially in Japan, all “One Piece” episodes since 2007 have been broadcast in HD and widescreen in Japan, it would be interesting if that means the series would get a Blu-ray release in the United States. But for the DVD, picture quality is colorful, vibrant and looks good as one can expect on DVD. Audio is good, dialogue is clear. And for special features, it’s awesome to see FUNimation featuring more special features and in this case, two one-on-one video interviews between Mike McFarland (ADR Director/Line Producer) and main cast members.  There are also two fun audio commentaries featuring the English dub voice talent, textless opening and ending themes plus trailers.

Overall, I enjoy the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates and I’m in it for the long haul. While, we are 263 episodes down, we are 330+ episodes behind Japan.   It is the longest running action anime series in Japan and the fact that young and old continue to read and watch this series, its a testament of how addictive “One Piece” really is and how people gravitate towards this series.

With that being said, you can join in at the beginning of any season and still be interested in “One Piece”. I do recommend at least watching the first season, so you get an idea of what’s going on. To find out the goal of the Straw Hat Pirates is and how they all joined to form their crew

But “One Piece” is definitely one of the most entertaining, exciting and action-packed series that continues to have a strong presence in Japan for nearly a decade.

Exciting, crazy and just an enjoyable anime series, find out why many people have enjoyed the story of the the Straw Hat Pirates and their adventures in “One Piece”!

“One Piece: Season Four, Voyage Five” is recommended!

 

Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set – Limited Edition (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

I can’t help but think how awesome this series was to watch!  From the stylish presentation, the wacky humor, the adult-like humor and pervertedness and the imaginative mecha Gunmen robots and attack modes, the battles and the fun characters and the music, there is just too much to like about “Gurren Lagann”.   “Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set – Limited Edition” is definitely is definitely deserving of five stars and receives our highest recommendation!

Image courtesy of © GAINAX, Kazuki Nakashima/Aniplex, KDE-J, TV Tokyo, DENTSU. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set Limited Edition (天元突破グレンラガン Tengen Toppa Guren Ragan)

DURATION: Episodes 1-27

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9 LB, Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0, English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Subtitles

COMPANY: Aniplex Inc.

RATED: Suggested 13 and Up

Release Date: May 14, 2013

Created by GAINAX

Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi

Assistant Director: Masahiko Ohtsuka

Series Directors: Kazuki Nakashima

Character Designs: Atsushi Nishigori

Mecha Designs: You Yoshinari

Design Works: Shigeto Koyama

 Art Director: Yuka Hirama (BIHOU)

 Color Design: Harumi Takahoshi

 Director of Photography: Toyonori Yamada

 Editing: Junichi Uematsu

 Sound Director: Tohru Nakano

 Music: Taku Iwasaki

Produced by TV Tokyo, DENTSU, Aniplex

Featuring the following voice talent:

 Katsuyuki Konishi/Kyle Herbert (as Kamina)

 Marina Inoue/Michelle Ruff (as Yoko Littner)

 Tetsuya Kakihara/Yuri Lowenthal (as Simon)

 Yukari Fukui/Bridget Hoffman, Hynden Walch (as Nia)

 Daiki Nakamura/Doug Stone (as Dayakka)

 Kana Asumi (as Kiyal)

 Kana Ueda/Stephanie Sheh (as Kinon)

 Kisho Taniyama (as Kittan)

 Masaya Onosaka/Steven Blum (as Leeron)

 Mitsuki Saiga/Johnny Yong Bosch (as Rossiu)

 Nobuyuki Hiyama/Sam Ergal (as Viral)

 Rina Satou/Karen Strassman (as Kiyoh)

 Shizuka Itou/Julie Ann Taylor (as Boota and Darry)

This is the story of a man who has yet to realize what destiny holds in store for him…

 

In the distant future, mankind has lived quietly and restlessly underground for hundreds of years, subject to earthquakes and cave-ins. Living in one such village are two young men: one named Simon who is shy and naive, and the other named Kamina who believes in the existence of a “surface” world above their heads. The destiny of these two starts moving drastically when the ceiling of their village falls in, and a gigantic “Gunmen” and a beautiful girl named Yoko, wielding a superconductive rifle, come from the surface. Together, Kamina, Simon, and Yoko ride the mecha “Lagann” that Simon digs out of the ground, and fly up to the surface!

Fantastic!

It’s the single word that describes how I feel about the brand new “Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set Limited Edition″ released by Aniplex, Inc.

In 2007, GAINAX, Aniplex and Konami would bring a new mecha anime series to television.  Known as “Tengen Toppa Gurenn Lagann” in Japan, the 27-episode series would air on TV Tokyo with a huge following and received positive reviews.

Featuring anime production by GAINAX, “Gurren Lagann” was directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi  (“Dead Leaves”, “Eureka 7: Astral Ocean”, “Anime Tencho”), featuring series composition by Kazuki Nakashima (“Kill la Kill”, “Nodam Cantabile: Finale”), music by Taku Iwasaki (“009-1″, “Black Butler”, “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”, “Getbackers”), character design by Atsushi Nishigori (“The Idolm@ster Movie”, “Magi – The Labrynth of Magic”) and background art by Yuka Hirama (“Fractale”, “Gad Guard”, “Tales of Phantasia”, “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex”).

While a limited edition of the series was released on DVD by Bandai Entertainment back in the 2009 in three parts, many people missed out on the opportunity to get the sets.  With Bandai Entertainment’s presence for releasing anime in the U.S. on physical media having ended in 2012, in May 2013, Aniplex Inc. acquired the rights to release the series via a complete set known as “Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set – Limited Edition” featuring all 27 episodes, two soundtrack CD’s and as usual from Aniplex, Inc., a large number of anime swag that fans have come to love about the company.

What is “Gurrenn Lagann” about?

The series centered around two characters Simon and Kamina.  Both live underground with a bunch of orphans and due to earthquakes, they developed a system of people using manual drilling holes in order to move around.  But one day, the life of a young driller named Simon discovers a small mini drill underground. Simon is a shy young guy.  Not too confident in himself and hates how his parents were killed during an earthquake.  So, he works hard in order for everyone to live but also to collect whichever treasure he can find.   While continuing his digging, he discovers a small drill and not long after, he discovers a huge robotic face.

As for Kamina, he’s the cool leader of a gang.  He once saw the atmosphere with his father a long time ago and dreams of making it up to the surface but no one underground believes him.  He comes up with a plan to get to the surface with the help of Simon’s drill.  The plan backfires and Kamina is put into a jail.  Meanwhile, a big monster robot-like figure comes out of the sky and lands in the group’s village underground.  A girl sporting a bikini top and tight short shorts with a large rifle starts fighting with the monster robot.   Her name is Yoko and all of a sudden both Kamina and Simon try to assist her.

As the monster grows vicious, Simon introduces Kamina and Yoko to what he found underground.  It happens to be a small robot that Simon takes control of and eventually the three fight the robotic monster and end up defeating it. Also, end up making it above the surface where they discover sunlight, blue skies, mountains and more…monster robots.  It is learned that these things are called “Gunmen” and are piloted by Beastmen who have a hatred towards humans.  The three must survive and outwit and defeat the Gunmen and with Kamina’s leadership and willing to take anything head on with his machismo ego, he calls Simon’s robot Lagann.  Kamina eventually commandeers a Gunmen robot and calls it Gurren.  As a duo, the group is called Gurren Lagann.

With episode after episode, the three would gain more people to ally alongside with them and take on the Beast men.  These animal like beings who worked for Lord Genome and would try to kill the humans with these huge mecha robots known as Gunmen.

Kamina, Simon and others in the alliance known as Team Dai-Gurren have been successful in taking control of Gunmen and make their way towards the Beastman Empire in order to take on the Spiral King.  But the King orders  Thymilph, the first of the four divine Generals of the the Spiral King was the first to go onto battle and thus the battle ensued with Team Dai-Gurren winning but losing someone special to them.

As the first half deals with Kamina, Simon and Yoko growing as friends and as a team, the second half of “Gurren Lagann” fast forwards seven years later after the battle with the Beast Men and the Beastman Empire.

Years later, Simon has become the new leader of Kamina City while Rossiu Addai became second-in-command.  The other members of Team Dai Gurren have become officers or employees of Kamina City while Yoko Littner became a school teacher.

But the seven year peace in the planet did not last as the anti-spirals wreaked havoc on the city.  But will humanity be ready to fight again for their survival?

“Gurren Lagann” features a total of 27 episodes.  A summary of each episode (MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS):

1. Episode 1 – Bust through the Heavens with your Drill! - The main episodes that introduces us to Simon, Kamina and Yoko.   The three join forces to take on the monster gunmen.
   
2. Episode 2 – I Said I’m Gonna Pilot That Thing!! - With Simon having his own robot and more Gunmen showing up to fight, Kamina decides to get a gunmen mecha all for himself which he names “Gurren”.  But they get some support from the people of Yoko’s village and the village’s top mechanic, Leeron (a savvy and intelligent mechanic but who happens to be gay and not afraid to flirt with Kamina and Simon).  But with Kamina and Simon now having their own mecha’s, they name their team “Gurren Lagann”.
3. Episode 3 – Who Do You Think You Are, Having Two Faces? - With the defeat of the Beastmen and their Gunmen, Simon, Kamina and Yoko go to hunt for some food but while Kamina retrieves some food, he runs into a Beastman named Viral.  A savage warrior who becomes the major rival for Kamina.  But Viral pilots a Gunmen with a second head that shoots out a devastating attack.  Kamina feels that Gurren Lagann can combine and by unifying, they can become unstoppable.
4. Episode 4 – Having Lots of Faces Doesn’t Make You Great!  – After the battle with Viral,  Simon, Kamina, Yoko and Leeron decide to destroy the Beastmen’s base.  By eliminating it, the group might have that peace that they wanted.  But while looking for food, the group run into another group known as the Black Siblings…friend or foe?  We are introduced to Kittan Bachika, the leader of the Black Siblings who is accompanied by his three younger sisters as they try to eliminate Beastmen.
5. Episode 5 – I Don’t Get It, Not One Bit! - As the group continues on their travels, they end up in another underground village and brought their by a teen named Rosiu.  But in this village, they have their own strict religion and strict rules in which they can only keep their population  at 50 people or less.    Well, things change when a couple has a set of triplets, thus going over the 50-person mark.  Gurren Lagann receives a new member to the team.
6. Episode 6 – There are Some Things I Just Have to See! - There are two versions of episode 6.  The unedited version and the TV version which is part of the special features.  For the unedited version, the group really smell bad and it seems they met some luck as they are invited to the hot springs with food galore!  The group run into their friends, the three women of the Black Siblings and as the group relaxes in the hot springs, both Kamina and Simon can’t stand hearing the women talk about their breasts.  Being the horny guys that they are, both men do what they can do get a peek of the ladies nude.  But awaiting them is some trouble as well courtesy of the Beastmen.
7. Episode 7  – You’re Gonna Do It! – With the defeat of the Beastmen, Viral makes his return but this time, one of the four leaders who pilots a giant Gunmen fortress.  While Gurren Lagan tries to fight them, they are joined by some old friends who have followed Kamina’s lead and stolen some gunmen for themselves.
8. Episode 8 – Later, Buddy – With Simon’s quick thinking in the last episode, the group manages to get the Gunmen fortress to be trapped.  But Kamina wants to take control of the fortress in order to protect everyone and this time have a super combination to create Dai Gurren Lagann.  So, one major battle in order to take the Beastmen leader’s mega fortress.   But while Simon starts to think about Yoko and tell her his feelings for her, he sees both Kamina and Yoko kissing.  So, as they go into battle, Kamina depends on Simon to have Lagann penetrate the fortress but because his emotions all out of whack due to seeing the kiss, it’s going to cost someone’s life.
9. Episode 9 – What, Exactly, Is a Human? – With the events of the last episode, everyone is in mourning.  Meanwhile, a new character named Nia is introduced.  Who is she and why is she so curious about humans?
10. Episode 10 – Who Is This Bro? - The group comes head to head against Adiane, the second of the Spiral Kings Four Divine Generals.  But retreats when she sees Nia.  It appears Nia is the daughter of the Spiral King.  Nia appears to be very naive about humans, their emotions, etc.  She doesn’t understand why Simon would be depressed over someone who’s dead.
    
11. Episode 11 – Simon, Hands-off - The team meets Guame, the third of Spiral Kings Four Divine Generals.  He uses Beastmen disguised as women to fool the crew and ends up taking over their ship and putting the crew underground in prison.  Only Simon and his drilling can save the day and for Nia, she learns why she was discarded by her father.
12. Episode 12 – Yoko, Will You Do Me a Favor? - Team Dai-Gurren’s fortress needs to be refitted to travel in the water.  So, the crew goes through a little R&R and becomes too friendly with Nia and favoring her over Kyoko.  Kyoko is not sure he can trust her and sure enough, the crew goes into battle against Adiane.
13. Episode 13 – Eat Up, Everyone – Nia really wants to fit in, so she found a job for herself, to become a cook.  Meanwhile, Cytomander, the fourth of Spiral King’s Divine Four Generals makes his attack on the crew and with Rossiu sick, Kyoko must fill in and be Simon’s co-pilot for Gurren Lagann.
14. Episode 14 -Well, Met Everyone - The crew arrives near the Beastman Empire but must take on the last two of Spiral King’s Four Divine Generals – Cytomander and Guame to the death.
15. Episode 15 – I Will Head Towards Tomorrow - Team Dai-Gurren now has one final battle left and that’s against the Spiral King.  It’s all or nothing!
16. Episode 16 – Compilation Episode – This episode serves as a bridge for between the first arc and the second arc of the series.  It’s literally a special episode condensing major scenes from the first 15 episodes to one episode.  Mainly focusing on Kamina, Simon, Kyoko and Nia.
17. Episode 17 – You Don’t Know Anything – With Team Dai-Gurren successful against the Spiral King, the series flash forwards seven years later.  The planet has flourished with cities and vehicles, Simon, Rossiu and everyone else has grown up.  People own homes and have their own jobs.  Simon is in his early 20′s and is the Supreme Commander and is bored doing paper work.  Rossiu is the Chief who does all of the work but unlike Simon, holds an iron fist on how the city should be ran and for some members of Team Dai-Gurren are just head employees who answer phones.   They wonder what Lord Genome meant by his final words before he died of a new emanating threat and sure enough, that threat has materialized on the planet.  Meanwhile, something has happened to Nia.
18. Episode 18 – Tell Me the Secrets of the World – A new evil has appeared on the planet and says that because Earth has reached 1,000,000 people and has used Spiral technology to further their growth, they will now be exterminated.  Simon goes to battle against one of the enemies and succeeds in defeating it but since the enemy is composed of energy, that energy becomes like bombs and when Simon defeated the enemy and it exploded, in essence many people have died, buildings and structures destroyed and people want blood…Simon’s blood.    Nia’s true purpose is revealed and Rossiu keeps a secret.
19. Episode 19 – We Will Survive, By Any Means Necessary - The public is very upset against the government because of the destruction and deaths from the Gurren Lagann attack against the Anti-Spiral and Second-in-Command Rossiu knows the only way they will appease the public is with the arrest and the execution of Simon.  But with another attack on the city by an Anti-Spiral, Rossiu has to release Simon temporarily from custody to fight the enemy.
    
20. Episode 20 – How Far Will God Test Us? -  Simon is put into the same prison with his cell next to Viral.  Meanwhile Kittan who is incensed that his sister is siding with Rossiu in the execution and imprisonment of Simon.
21. Episode 21 – You Are Someone Who Ought To Survive - The story shifts to Yoko as a school teacher who is stern but caring for the kids.  When she finds out what is happening with Simon, she decides that she must return back to Kamina City immediately.
22. Episode 22 – This is My Final Duty  – Rossiu must make the most difficult choice by trying to rescue as many people he can in a secret spaceship and escape the planet but knowing that many will have to perish from the moon crashing down on the planet.  But on planet, Simon and Viral team up with Gurren Lagann and Arc Gurren as both join forces to form Arc-Gurren-Lagann and stop the Human Extermination System that the Anti-Spirals have implemented.
23. Episode 23 – Let’s Go, This is the Final Battle - Team Dai Gurren prepares for the war against the anti-spirals.  Meanwhile, Rossiu who is amazed with how Simon is able to save everyone decides that his life is not worth living.  Can Simon get to Rossiu in time?
24. Episode 24 – I Will Never Forget This Minute, This Second - With the help of Lordgenome, while Rossiu takes command on the planet, Simon and Viral lead several members from Team Dai Gurren to transport right into the Anti-Spirals home world.  Simon had made a promise that he would save Nia and is determined to do so.  Meanwhile, the Team suffers a loss of a few team members.
25. Episode 25 – I Accept Your Last Wish - Team Dai-Gurren is caught in the ocean of despair set by the Anti-Spirals.  Meanwhile, another major team member of Team Dai Gurren sacrifices his life to save his friends.
26. Episode 26 – Let’s Go Buddy - Simon,Viral and Team Dai Gurren combine into Super Galaxy Gurren-Lagann in order rescue Nia.  Meanwhile, the Anti-Spiral uses their own memories against them.  But a familiar face from the past is there to help Simon, Kyoko and Team Dai Gurren.
27. Episode 27 – The Lights In the Sky Are Stars - One of the Team Dai Gurren members decides to take a stand against the Anti-Spiral and sacrifices themself in order for Simon to gain the enemies drill.  Simon, Nia, Viral and Team Dai Gurren put everything they have on the line to become the galaxy sized Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann in the final battle against the enemy.

VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

Each episode is  featured in 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen.  The character designs by Atsushi Nishigori are fresh and very different.  I absolutely enjoy the character and mechanical designs and the whole anime is quite vibrant and looks stylish and pretty cool.  And it yet makes me wonder why this series has not been released on Blu-ray?

As for the audio, the Digital 5.1 effects utilized in the English dub is actually very well done.  I liked the effective use of splitting the audio of action scenes through the various speaker channels and overall, the audio track for the 5.1 English dub is well done.

The Japanese audio is featured only in 2.0 Stereo but the dialogue and action scenes also come clear through the front channels, the main difference is that the war seems to come alive on the English dub.  As one can expect with the 5.1 soundtrack, very good use of surround channels and LFE, so the dub gets a nod for being immersive and having a better dynamic range.

Both soundtracks feature exceptional acting.  The Japanese voice acting were wonderful when it came to the emotional performance by Tetsuya Kakihara, Katsuyuki Konishi and Marina Inoue.  But “Gurren Lagann” also features a fantastic performance from the English dub cast.  Yuri Lowenthal was perfect as Simon, Kyle Hebert and Michelle Ruff were also marvelous in their acting role as Kamina and Yoko.  It’s important to note that this is the same English dub that was featured on the Bandai Entertainment DVD release in 2009.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set Limited Edition” comes with the following special features:

• Preview of episode #6 (TV) – (:16) English episode #6 preview with a little fan service.
• Episode 6 (TV Version)
• Yoko Goes to Gainax -Study Animation at GAINAX- – (24:48) Marina Inoue, Japanese voice actress for Yoko goes to GAINAX and sees how people create “Gurren Lagann”.  The featurette features Marina  learning the difference between “Key Animation” and “In-Between Animation” and “Composition”.  She actually takes part in doing in-between work for the first time and also, learning some of the jobs the staff did for “Gurren Lagann”.  A very fun featurette!
• GAINAX Interview – (10:21) A very cool featurette with producer Takeda from GAINAX, GAINAX President Yamaga and assistant director Otsuka on the concept of “Gurren Lagann” and what their goal was in creating this anime series.
• Sangizen 3D Test Footage -  (15:16) The Sangizen 3D Test Footage is a 15-minute featurette with various preliminary 3D features of the Anti-Spirals destroying city structures, to the combination of the mecha and various fight scenes.  Many were created but only selected footage were used in the final cut.
• Shokotan Interview – (7:36) The interview with Shoko Nakagawa (aka “Shokotan”) who sings the main theme song was done in the US after her appearance at Anime Expo in Los Angeles in 2008.  Shoko talks about being an otaku and also said that she wanted to become a mangaka while growing up.  Also, her happiness to perform in the US and to meet the fans and much more.
• Textless Opening and Ending themes – For those who love the cool music of opening theme “Sorairo Days” by Shoko Nakagawa and ending theme “Underground” by High Voltage.
• Japanese Trailer
• U.S. Trailer

EXTRAS:

“Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set Limited Edition” comes with the following special features:

• Gurren Lagann Slipcase (Rigid Box illustrated by You Yoshinari/Mechanical Design)
• 2-Tray clear Amaray cases with reversible wraps of original Japanese DVD cover design
• 36-Page Deluxe Illustration Booklet
• 2-Sided Poster (Yoko & Kamina)
• 2-Stickers of Kamina’s Famous Remarks
• 12 Postcards of Japanese DVD Cover Art & Original Illustration by You Yoshinari (Mechanical Design)

• Gurren Lagann Original Soundtrack CD’s 1 & 2

DISC 1 (Duration:1:09:45)

1. 仕方ねえ!1分20秒だけ媚びてやる
2. モグラはモグラのままなのか?
3. ラップは漢の魂だ!己を信じて天を指差す怒涛の男・カミナ様のテーマを耳の穴かっぽじってよ~く聴きやがれ!!
4. ブタモグラは螺旋の夢を見るか?
5. ボインVSボイン
6. 燃えてばかりでいいのかい?
7. お前の×××で天を衝け!! ~初めて見た地上ver.~
8. 骸骨になっちまったカミナの親父に寄せる哀歌
9. 狼が来た!!
10. Nikopol
11. 月と星とア・タ・シ
12. 萌えろ三姉妹
13. ああああッ!骸骨がぁ!! 骸骨がぁ!!!
14. お前ら全員燃えてしまえっ!!!
15. お前の×××よ、そそり立て!
16. He is so ×××
17. ラブリーボイン
18. Peeping Tom
19. 髭とハーレム
20. 親父の塊
21. お前なんか信じられっか!
22. 今は準備が必要なんだよ!!
23. 合体なんてクソくらえ!(合体挿入曲第一番 ハ短調アレグロ K2564)
24. 「萌え」っていったい何ですか?
25. お前の×××で…
26. 愛・掴みますI

Disc 2 (Duration: 1:10:37)

1. 愛・掴みますII
2. ラップは漢の魂だ!無理を通して道理を蹴っ飛ばす!俺たち大グレン団のテーマを耳の穴かっぽじってよ~く聴きやがれ!!(Short Start Edit)
3. 旅ってなぁ疲れるもんなんだよ
4. 「萌え」っていったい…?
5. 暗闇の中で何を考えてやがるッ!!
6. BafBaf! そんなに燃えるのが…好きかい?
7. 超合体(合体挿入曲第二番K3845プログレ)
8. 回って回って回って回っ!?
9. 回って回って回って回ってててて…
10. 熱砂の荒野を抜けて大グレン団が行くのだ
11. 愛・掴みますIII
12. 愛・掴みますIV
13. 月日は百代の過客なり
14. アダイ村のデコ助
15. メガネで決めよう
16. どうだ!俺のトランペットは凄いだろ!!
17. ラップは漢の魂……だった…よな…
18. リゾートライフのイロハ
19. ポイズンプリズン
20. 誰かが誰かを恨んでる
21. The Blue monday e”r”ectrical parade
22. “Libera me”from hell
23. Love Conservative
24. お前の×××で天を…
25. お前の×××で天を衝け!!
26.  商品の概要に戻る

For the “Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set – Limited Edition”, included is the two-CD album “Tengen Toppa Guren Ragan Original Soundtrack” that was released in 2008.  This is different from the Bandai Entertainment vol. 3 DVD release which came with the “Tengen Toppa Guren Ragan BEST SOUND” album which came with the vocal tracks.  The primary difference is that this original soundtrack album comes 51 tracks with the primarily instrumental music featured throughout the series.  The music is composed by Taku Iwasaki and also features music by tarantura and quadtbep.

For anyone wondering if there are any vocal tracks, there are four.  On Disc 1, there is “Kamina’s Theme” (ラップは漢の魂だ! 己を信じて天を指差す怒涛の男・カミナ様のテーマを耳の穴かっぽじってよ～く聴きやがれ!!) which comes with the rap that people hear throughout the series ala “Bro! Bro! Fight the Power!”.   Also, quadtbep’s guitar churning rock tracks “Nikopol” and “合体なんてクソくらえ! (合体挿入曲第一番 ハ短調アレグロ K2564)” are included.

Also, included on Disc 2 is “Libera me” from hell featuring Tarantura and Taku Iwasaki, so you get the hip hop “Bro, Bro Fight the Power!” song but with beats from Tarantura and piano by Taku Iwasaki along with an operatic element.  But if you want the Shoko Nakagawa, HIGH VOLTAGE or Afuroman tracks, those tracks are included on the BEST SOUND album.

But the soundtrack, if you enjoy instrumentals is fantastic.  Tracks incorporating jazz elements, ambient, gentle harp and wind instrument tracks, synth pop, synth choir to heavy hitting rock tracks.  The soundtrack is a wonderful addition to the “Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set – Limited Edition”.

I can’t help but think how awesome this series was to watch!  From the stylish presentation, the wacky humor, the adult-like humor and pervertedness and the imaginative mecha Gunmen robots and attack modes, the battles and the fun characters and the music, there is just too much to like about “Gurren Lagann”.  I absolute found the series to be exciting, a lot of fun, yes a bit perverted but ultimately…fantastic!

The character of Kamina is just so wild and crazy with how he is just so carefree and just doesn’t plan for battle, he just does what he believes in and what he thinks is right and decides at the spur of the moment.  He has a way with his words, no matter how crazy it may sound but it makes his character so cool!

As for Simon, he is simply the underdog.  He is a major component to the team because he pilots Lagann but at the same time, his fear and his emotions get the best of him.  But like most underdogs in anime series, it’s the confidence and support that gets them going and Simon turns out to be a fascinating character to watch overtime.

Yoko, her character is sexy and cool.  Sometimes you wonder if GAINAX or the character designer Atsushi Nishigori created such a sexy character for the purpose of being sexy or for the fact that many cosplayers will try to emulate the character and not wear much clothes.  Nevertheless, her character is cool as her body features somehow provide the fan service and also gets Simon distracted.

But Team Gurren Lagann are simply fun to watch and to see them engage in battle with the Beast Men but also see other members join the team and see how Team Gurran Lagann grows over time during this war between humanity and the Beastman Empire.

But the series is rather fascinating as the first half deals with humanity wanting to be free and to fight to live on the land, while the second half deals with humanity now thriving seven years later but with humanity in trouble once again.  The way things are for both halves are completely different and it’s like watching two seasons but both are just captivating, addictive and mecha fans and I think also anime fans in general, can get into this series!

While many early episodes feature a bit of fan service, things become less perverted from episode 10 and on.  Granted, the series becomes a bit more dark, emotional and dramatic especially due to Simon’s worsening depression.  So, while there are episodes such as episode 6 that tend to focus on adult humor and fan service, the series gets better overtime in terms of plot and character development.

I’m sure there are people who purchased the Bandai Entertainment DVD sets, that are wondering if there are any significant difference with the Aniplex, Inc. DVD releases.  There are some slight differences.  The episodes remain the same, the post cards that Bandai Entertainment released were fewer than what is included on Aniplex, Inc.’s set, also the Aniplex versions do not have any writing, logos or numbers as the Bandai Entertainment postcards had.

But another primary difference is that the Bandai Entertainment version included the first vol. 1 of the manga (since Bandai Entertainment released manga at the time in the U.S.) and that the CD soundtrack featured was the “Gurren Lagann BEST SOUND” soundtrack (which had the vocal tracks by Shoko Nakagawa, HIGH VOLTAGE and Afuromania).  For the Aniplex Inc. version, you get the “Gurren Lagann Original Soundtracks” (Both CD’s which are primarily the instrumental music tracks).  The Aniplex Inc. version also comes with the 36-page booklet and 2-sided poster and stickers that the Bandai Entertainment set did not have.

So, for those wondering if you should upgrade your Bandai Entertainment DVD to the new Aniplex, Inc. DVD, the answer is no. It’s the same content DVD-wise, just different swag offered by both companies.  With that being said, the question is if the “Gurren Lagann” Blu-ray set will be released in America.  There is an import Blu-ray release that will be available in June 2013 that does have English subtitles, also comes with the “Gurren Lagann” movies and the drama CD’s with a ton of features, but the price for this “Gurren Lagann”Blu-ray Complete Box Set” is $550.

Let’s just hope Aniplex, Inc. considers releasing a Blu-ray release for “Gurren Lagann” as this series just looks too good and sounds too awesome that it’s deserving of a Blu-ray release.

But as far as the DVD goes, picture quality is still very good, soundtrack especially the English dubtrack receives the 5.1 treatment and is a bit immersive as it does utilize the surround channels and LFE.  Both voice acting soundtracks are magnificent, with the Japanese hitting the nail on the more emotional scenes, but when it comes to action, the English soundtrack has the better dynamic range and use of the surround channels.  And the English dub is also well-done!

Overall, the experience of watching “Gurren Lagann” was wonderful!  From the stylish presentation, the wacky humor, perverseness and the imaginative mecha Gunmen robots and attack modes, the battles and the fun characters and the music, there is just too much to like about “Gurren Lagann”.

Just how the pacing of the anime series goes from people wanting to get out of the underground and seeking freedom, to the characters fighting to survive and eventually growing up but having to face their own insecurities and also consequence and then furthering their adventures as we see the characters start off young and right to end where they are older adults.  And of course, this anime series is action-packed but most of all well-acted (both in Japanese and English), awesome animation, great character development and well-written storyline.

“Gurren Lagann” can be described in one word and that is “Fantastic!” but to experience the complete series from beginning to the end, what an experience!  “Gurren Lagann DVD TV Series Box Set – Limited Edition” is definitely deserving of five stars and receives our highest recommendation!

 

Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

The awesome conclusion of the exciting battle between Naruto vs. Pain! And the story then goes back to the past when Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were younger and training with Team 7 in “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut”. Definitely recommended for “Naruto” fans!

Image courtesy of © 2002 Masashi Kishimoto/2007 Shippuden. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut

DURATION: Episodes 167-179 (300 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: 2.0 Stereo Surround Sound, Bilingual (Japanese & English), English Subtitles

COMPANY: Shonen Jump/Viz Media

RATED: Rated T for Older Teen

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Originally created by Masashi Kishimoto

Series Directed by Hayato Date

Produced by Tomoko Gushima, Ken Hagino

Series Coordinator by Junki Takegami, Satoru Nishizono

Character Design by Tetsuya Nishio, Hirofumi Suzuki

Music by Yasuharu Takanishi, Yaiba

Music Production by Aniplex

Anime Production by TV Tokyo, Pierrot

Featuring the following voice talent:

Junko Takeuchi/Maile Flanagan as Naruto Uzumaki

Chie Nakamura/Kate Higgins as Sakura Haruno

Noriaki Sugiyama/Yuri Lowenthal as Sasuke Uchiha

Akira Ishida/Liam O’Brien as Sabaku no Gaara (Gaara of the Desert)

Hideo Ishikawa/Crispin Freeman as Itachi Uchiha

Houchu Ohtsuka/David Lodge as Jiraiya

Kazuhiko Inoue/Dave Wittenberg as Hatake Kakashi

Kentarou Itou/Robbie Rist as Chouji Akimichi

Kenyuu Horiuchi/Troy Baker as Pain

Kouichi Toochika/Steve Staley as Neji Hyuuga

Kousuke Toriumi/Kyle Hebert as Kiba Inuzuka

Kujira/Steven Blum as Orochimaru

Masako Katsuki/Debi Mae West as Tsunade/Fifth Hokage

Nana Mizuki/Stephanie Sheh as Hinata Hyuuga

Nobutoshi Canna/Henry Dittman as Kabuto Yakushi

Rikiya Koyama/Troy Baker as Yamato

Romi Paku/Tara Platt as Temari

Ryoka Yuzuki/Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Ino Yamanaka

Satoshi Hino/Ben Diskin as Sai

Shinji Kawada/Derek Stephen Prince as Shino Aburame

Yasuyuki Kase/Michael Lindsay as Kankurou

Yoichi Masukawa/Brian Donovan as Rock Lee

The attack on the Leaf Village intensifies, and Naruto’s transformation into the Nine-Tailed Fox reaches a critical level. With eight tails already emerged, Naruto makes a surprising discovery that changes everything. His confidence buoyed, Naruto seeks a face-to-face meeting with Nagato, the Pain responsible for the massive destruction in the village. Can one boy’s will alter destiny?

Naruto vs. Pain.

Konoha Leaf Village has been destroyed, Hinata is seriously injured after trying to free Naruto and save him from Pain.  And now, the rage of Hinata being injured has led Naruto’s rage to bring out the nine tails.

The conclusion to the battle between Naruto vs. Pain in “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut”!

What is “Naruto”?

Since 1999, “Naruto” created by Masashi Kishimoto (“Karakuri”) has been one of the most popular anime and manga series in Japan and has easily become a favorite best selling anime/manga series among fans all over the world.

For the anime series, since 2002, “Naruto” lasted until 2007 with a total of 220 episodes. The series would follow the adventures of a boy named Naruto Uzamaki, who may not be the brightest ninja from the Konoha Village but he makes it up with heart and also tremendous power as the killer beast known as the nine-tailed fox has been sealed within him.

Earlier in the series, the anime series focused on Naruto and his team members Sasuke Uchida and Sakura Haruno as they would go on adventures and learn to become a team and also honing their ninja abilities. The series would then begin to introduce other young ninjas from the village who Naruto would be paired up with and the young ninjas would take on rival clans to helping people in need. But somehow as the series continued, Sasuke Uchida would then go off on his own personal mission to stop his brother Itaki Uchida, who murdered the whole Uchida clan and his family, only leaving Sasuke alive.

Within those six years, we have seen Naruto and his friends grow as friends and also in their abilities. For Naruto, all he has wanted is to become the next Hokage (the leader of the village) when he grows older and to help his friends accomplish missions. He knows that to be a good leader, he will need to get stronger so he can protect the village once he grows older. Of course, there is so much involved in the “Naruto” anime series and what makes its special is its humor, its action but also how well the series integrates so many characters but yet features a good number of character driven episodes that makes the viewer appreciate many of the characters in the series.

“Naruto”, the first series ended with the young ninja leaving to train with Jiraiya for two-and-a-half years.

What is “Naruto Shippuden”?

In “Naruto Shippuden”, the storyline now features everyone a little grown up but the stakes are much higher. We learn that the Akatsuki including Orochimaru are looking for those who possess a jinchuriki. With this power, this will give too much power to evil and this can lead to the death of many people and the destruction of many villages.

In the past few volumes, the Leaf Village along with other villages have managed to defeat the Akatsuki, unfortunately the price paid was the death of Asuma and a few other members of the Leaf and Sand Ninja.

Now, Orochimaru using Kabuto, have their sites set on capturing the other jinchuriki, as do the Akatsuki who have been after Naruto.

In “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 12 – Original & Uncut”, it is important to note that the episodes featured in DVD Set 12 covers the final episodes of “Naruto Shippuden” Season six as Naruto and his team take on the Eight Tails and learning from Madara of why his older brother Itachi massacred their family and the Uchiha clan and now this information will forever change Sasuke.

For episode 144-151, this was a shortened season seven and aired from January through March 2012 in Japan. This season features Lady Tsunade sending Team 7 and Yamato to assist Utakata and Hotaru after they learn that a clan known as Tsuchigumo and an elder named En no Gyoja developing a forbidden Jutsu.

It is revealed that Utakata is a Jinchuriki and he carries the Six-Tailed Demon Slug and a man named Shiranami is trying to kidnap Hotaru to be used as a vessel to collect natural chakra energy to release the forbidden jutsu.

Naruto and Team 7 must find a way to protect Hotaru from any harm. But another group appears to be interested in Utakata.

For episodes 152-153, this begins season 8 of “Naruto: Shippuden” and brings back the Pain storyline as Naruto is summoned to Lady Tsunade and is informed by Jiraiya’s master Fukasaku of the fate of Jiraiya in his battle with Pain and the Akatsuki.

In “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 13 – Original & Uncut”, Season 8 of “Naruto: Shippuden” continues as the Six Paths and Konan attack the Leaf Village in their hopes of capturing Naruto in order to obtain the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.

With so much death and destruction, Kakashi along with Chouji Akimichi and his father Chouza take on the most powerful of the Six Paths. Meanwhile, in Mount Myoboku, Fukasaku trains Naruto to become one with nature and learn Sage Mode. But will Naruto learn and master Sage Mode in a short amount of time to take on the Six Paths?

The volume ended with Naruto being pinned down by Pain and about to be killed until Shino comes out of nowhere to fight and try to break Pain’s spikes that are keeping Naruto pinned to the ground.  But as she is able to remove many spikes, Pain tries to kill her off by throwing her up in the air and slamming her down as hard as he can.

With Shino being used as a playtoy to show how much pain he can inflict on Naruto, Naruto’s rage due to the Nine Tailed Fox becomes out of control.

This leads us to “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut” which features the remainder of the episodes from season 8 and the beginning episodes of season 9.

As an angry Naruto is unable to control the Nine-Tailed Fox, Pain is shocked of how much power the Nine-Tailed Fox has and even breaking his Chibaku Tensei technique.  But as Naruto seems to be losing control, in his consciousness, someone comes to give Naruto some help and also wise advice.

As Naruto prepares his final battle against Pain (ala Deva Path) in order to find the real Nagato through Sage Mode.

Also, included is a past episode in which Naruto  and friends are training in preparation for the final rounds of the Chunin Exam.  It is the first time Naruto hears about “The Fourth Hokage’s legacy” from Jiraiya and Naruto wanting to break the Fourth Hokage’s record.  These episodes also introduce how Naruto came up with his motto.

The eighth season concludes with Naruto confronting Nagato.  What will happen when Naruto confronts the former student of Master Jiraiya?

The ninth season of “Naruto” kicks off with a flashback episode and revolves around Iruka Umino becoming Naruto’s teacher and shows how Naruto and Iruka developed a close bond as teacher and student.  While episode 179 is a Kakashi flashback in which he is assigned to Team 7 and tries to get to know Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura better by spying on them.

VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Naruto Shippuden” is an anime series that was never known for having spectacular background art, but it’s know for its action and its characters and how it captures emotion and its intense battles. While in this episode, a lot of episodes are contained in areas near lush green trees, water or dirt, it’s not so much of the background but how the characters are design and how well the battles are portrayed. And I can easily say that with “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 13 – Original Uncut”, the fast-paced action in this volume is great for a TV series and good for what one can expect on DVD.

As for the audio, the audio for “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 13″ is pretty much Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 Bilingual (Japanese and English). Similar to a series like “Dragon Ball Z”, with “Naruto”, I have always enjoyed the voice acting of the English dub series. It’s well done and the voices fit the characters very well.

Especially Maile Flanagan’s Naruto Uzumaki. Personally, I didn’t think there would be a voice actor that could capture Junko Takeuchi’s Naruto vocals and sure enough, Flanagan does a great job. But I have watched the series in Japanese and English and for the most part, voice acting for both soundtracks are well-done.

Since the series is front channel driven, for those with a modern home theater receiver probably will enjoy a more immersive soundscape by selecting stereo on all channels.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut” comes with the following special features on disc 3:

• Production Art – Using your remote, you can view through ten pages of artwork.
• Omake – All the omake ending portions (after the credits) from the episodes featured in DVD Set 14 of “Naruto Shippuden”.
• Clean Opening
• Clean Ending
• English Credits
• More from Viz Media – Viz Media trailers

With “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 13 – Original & Uncut” taking the story to new heights and having become one of my favorite Naruto arcs in the anime series up to season 8, the arc concludes with the Naruto vs. Pain episodes featured in “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut”.

Without spoiling these final episodes, we do get to see part of the past of Naruto and Jiraiya, Naruto learning about the Fourth Hokage and his connection to him.

With a combination of both current episodes featuring Naruto vs. Pain and flashback episodes of when he was younger, meeting Iruka-sensei and also Kakashi learning about his new students, I’m sure there will be some people who wish there was not an abrupt stop to the storyline involving Naruto vs. Pain, but obviously the writers wanted to establish the Fourth Hokage in season 8 and for season 9, it’s almost like the storyline shifts back to the past as we see more adventures of Team 7 (young Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura).

As for the DVD set, you get a total of 13 episodes and a the typical special features such as storyboard, production art and the ending omake for each episode.

“Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut” is a pretty important volume but while most of the heavy hitting episodes of season 8 were featured in “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 13 – Original & Uncut”, this continuance and final episodes of season 8 establishes a storyline element involving Naruto that will become important later on.

As a longtime “Naruto Shippuden”, there is no doubt that season 8 was one of the most powerful seasons of “Naruto” and one of the most awesome battles for Naruto and the ninjas of the Konoha Leaf Village.   But as always, in order to give “Naruto” creator sometime to develop his storyline for the manga and making sure the anime doesn’t catch up too quickly, season 9 goes back to the past of Team 7 when Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were younger people in training.  Yes, it’s a bit weird for a whole season to be dedicated to the adventures of Naruto in the past, but it’s understandable.

For Naruto fans who enjoyed the exciting battle between Naruto vs. Pain, it all comes to an end in “Naruto Shippuden DVD Set 14 – Original & Uncut”.  Definitely recommended for “Naruto” fans!

 

InuYasha: The Final Act DVD Set 2 (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

For eight years, anime fans have waited for the conclusion of “InuYasha” which last aired back in 2004. Here we are now in 2013 and the final 13 episodes of the series is here!  The conclusion to Rumiko Takahashi’s “InuYasha” and the confrontation and battle that many have been waiting for!  “InuYasha: The Final Act DVD Set 2″ is highly recommended!

© Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan • Yomiuri TV • Sunrise 2000

DVD TITLE: InuYasha: The Final Act DVD Set 2

DURATION: 315 minutes (13 Episodes on 2 discs)

DVD INFORMATION: Original Uncut Episodes, Stereo, Bilingual (Japanese and English), English Subtitles

COMPANY: Viz Media

RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2013

Originally created by Rumiko Takahashi

Director: Yasunao Aoiki

Series Composition by Katsuyuki Sumisawa

Music by Kaoru Wada

Character Design: Yoshihito Hishinuma

Art Director: Shigemi Ikeda

Anime Production: Sunrise

Featuring the following voice talent:

Kappei Yamaguchi/Richard Ian Cox (Inuyasha)

Satsuki Yukino/Kira Tozer (Kagome Higurashi)

Kouji Tsujitani/Kirby Morrow (Miroku)

Ken Narita/David Kaye (Sesshoumaru)

Houko Kwashima/Kelly Sheridan (Sango)

Kumiko Watanabe/Jillian Michaels (Shippo)

Toshiyuki Morikawa/Paul Dobson (Naraku)

Noriko Hidaka/Willow Johnson (Kikyo)

Taiki Matsuno/Scott McNeil (Koga)

Izumi Oogami/Janyse Jaud (Kagura)

 

Kagome finds her worlds colliding as she struggles to both fight alongside Inuyasha in the past and pass the exam to get into her high school of choice in the present. But with her spiritual powers sealed away, how will she purify the Shikon Jewel before Naraku can absorb it forever? As the battle enters its final stages, Inuyasha and his friends find their strength, loyalties and will to live pushed to impossible limits. And in the end, the final key to Naraku’s and the Jewel’s destruction may lie in nothing more-and nothing less-than the trust between a half demon and a girl from the future.

It’s the final 13 episodes of “InuYasha”.  For over a decade, many fans have been waiting for the final battle between InuYasha and friends versus Naraku, but also the long awaited battle between the brothers, InuYasha and Sesshomaru and more!

The thrilling conclusion that fans have been waiting for is featured in “InuYasha: The Final Act DVD Set 2″!

What is “InuYasha”?

There are not many long running anime series that I find wonderful but for “InuYasha”" is one of those special titles that is what you can call a total package. Cool characters, cool storyline, cool animation, cool art background… A good balance of everything that you can want in an anime.

But it’s something that I expected no less coming from a manga series from Rumiko Takahashi, one of my favorite manga-ka’s in Japan known for anime TV series hits such as “Urusei Yatsura”, “Maison Ikkoku”, “Ranma 1/2″ and “InuYasha”.

In Japan, Takahashi has written 56 volumes for “InuYasha” (which began in 1996 and concluded in 2008) and the first 167 episodes aired on Yomiuri TV from 2000-2004. As many long anime series go on break in order for the mangaka to work on the manga series or the animators create a story on their own that is different from the manga, fortunately the anime series was put on hold for several years in order to have Takahashi finish the series.

By 2009, the second series “InuYasha: The Final Act” (26-episodes) began airing on Yomiuri TV from Oct. 2009 through March 2010 and now will be released on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Viz Media with the first 13 episodes slated for release in November 2012.

“InuYasha: The Final Act” is based on the last 21 volumes of the manga series. The original staff and cast of the series returned for this final season and would feature the continuing storyline of InuYasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Shippo and Kirara searching for the final fragments of the shattered shikon jewel and prepare for their final battle against Naraku.

In the first half of the series, InuYasha and friends to all they can to find the remaining final shards but so is Naraku. The fight against Naraku continues as one character is killed and another uses power to the maximum to the point of nearly killing themselves. Meanwhile, one confesses their love and in the process, their power grows.

In the second half of the series, it has all come down to the battle that fans have waited over a decade for…InuYasha and friends vs. the evil Naraku, who has gathered and reunited shards of the Shikon Jewel and is about to make his wish for ultimate power.

But before then, we get to see the battle between InuYasha vs. Sesshomaru to see which is worthy of wielding their father’s fang of destruction. Meanwhile, Naraku enables Magatsuhi to manifest as a demon and create havoc on the group.  And the real true nature of the Shinkon Jewel is explained!

And one final battle in which Kagome must make the correct decision to make things right!

“InuYasha: The Final Act” features the following characters:

InuYasha – The half demon/half human who drawn a liking towards the human Priestess Kikyo and has some feelings for Kagome but his ego prevents him from saying anything about his emotions. Has the ability to leap far distances, has quite a few special attacks including claws that can cut through anything. Also, wields his father’s sword, Tetsusaiga. His goal is to take control of the Jewel of Four Souls to turn into a demon. Wears a necklace that forces him to listen to a single command from Kagome. When Kagome says “sit”, he drops or literally is thrown down to the ground harshly. He and Kagome are constantly bickering. In the first day of each month, he resorts back to human form. Later in the series, Kikoyo has been awakened and thus his feelings are split for both Kikyo and Kagome. Meanwhile, he does not get along with his brother Sesshomaru because he is half demon and because he possesses the family heirloom.

Kagome Higurashi - A high school student who is a reincarnation of Kikyo. Carries a bow and arrow as a weapon but a human who has the ability to go back to her time period through a well in her home and a well in the feudal period. Has conflicted emotions towards InuYasha but always caring for other people. Has the ability to control InuYasha by a special bead necklace on InuYasha that forces him to listen. She has the ability to sense and see the jewels and the shards from long distances or on a monster. She cares a lot for InuYasha.

Shippo – A young orphan fox. Human in appearance with a big fox tail. His father was killed by a demon and eventually gets himself into trouble while trying to obtain the crystal shards to become powerful and get revenge on the demons that killed his father. He has nowhere to go and is eventually taken in by InuYasha and Kagome.

Miroku – A Buddhist monk who travels the countryside and performs exorcisms. He’s a bit lecherous and likes to take people’s belongings and sell them for a profit. But his goal is to find the evil Naruku who has taken Miroku’s right hand and given him the power of “wind tunnel”, a powerful ability that can suck anything into a black hole like void in his hand. The hole is growing and eventually he will be sucked into it unless he finds the person who cursed him with it and gets his life back. He eventually travels with Kagome, InuYasha and Shippo in search of Naraku. Later in the series, Miroku and Sango fall in love with each other and in “Final Act”, Miroku will do all he can to protect her.

Sango – Sango is a demon slayer who’s family was slayed by demons. The person responsible is Naraku, thus joins Kagome, InuYasha, Shippo and Miroku to go after him. Her main weapon is a large boomerang that is powerful and able to cut monsters in half. In the beginning, she was always being hit on by Miroku but eventually, she begins to fall for him. Sango is often seen accompanying her faithful demon-cat companion, Kirara.

Sesshoumaru – The brother of InuYasha. A demon who can’t stand InuYasha because he’s half demon and half human and blames their father for being so weak and trying to protect a human. The two despise each other and twice in season one, he and InuYasha fight to the death. Has the ability to turn into a white wolf and much stronger and ruthless than InuYasha.

Kikyo – The Priestess who used to wear the Jewel of Four Souls. Cared for InuYasha but believed he is the one that fatally injured her. In season 1, she is brought back to life as an undead and wants her revenge against InuYasha.

Kaede - The sister of Kikyo, she is shown in past clips of Kikyo as a young little girl but currently she is 50+ years older, wears an eye patch and assists InuYasha and Kagome with information in their missions when they need her.

Naraku – The main evil antagonist who has manipulated everyone in order to get his hands on the crystal shards. Very evil demon who is responsible for Kikyo’s death, Miroku’s curse and the death of Sango’s faily. He is driven to become a full demon, possessing a fully corrupted Shikon jewel and possessing Kikyo.:

Kikyo: Continuing from the first season, we learn that Kikyo was brought back to life and driven by her hatred towards InuYasha for deceiving her. Eventually she finds out the true facts about what took place the night she passed away and learns that it was Naraku’s evil work in play to deceive both of them. She vows to get her revenge on Naraku. But to do that, she must stay close with him and thus she pretends to be on Naraku’s side.

Koga: The other important character we are introduced to is Koga, the wolf-demon (episode 36). Koga is the leader of the southern yokai-wolf tribe and has three shards that give him incredible speed and power. He develops a crush on Kagome (especially since she can sense the jewel shards) and thus he and InuYasha are often fighting with each other. Koga wants revenge on Naraku because his tribe was nearly all wiped out because of his deception. Although he is there to help Kagome and even InuYasha, he is on no one side but is their ally.

Kohaku: The younger brother of Sango brought back to life by Naraku (episode 29). Has an impure jewel shard given to him by Naraku that keeps him alive but he has lost all memories of his sister and can easily be used by Naraku to fight against InuYasha and friends. He was eventually freed from Narku’s grasps and became good friends with Rin.

Kagura: Naraku’s creation and second “detachment”. She is a wind sorceress (introduced in episode 40) that is lethal and deadly and has killed many innocents but at the same time, she hates Naraku and wishes to be free of him. Thus she tries to play the hands of InuYasha and possibly use him to kill Naraku.

Rin: An orphan girl who helps nurse Sesshomaru in the woods after he was badly injured in a fight against InuYasha (episode 34). Rin’s family was killed by bandits and so, she has been living alone by having to steal food. She’s mute and but communicates via hand gestures or facial emotions. Because Sesshomaru wields the Tenseiga (which heals), he returns the favor back to the girl after she was killed by wolves. Despite Sesshomaru’s uncaring attitude towards humans, he appears to tolerate her for some reason. Rin shows a loyalty towards him and eventually becomes part of Sesshomaru’s group.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“InuYasha: The Final Act” definitely shows the animated differences from the previous seasons created nearly a decade ago. With today’s use of computers and better utilization of CG and more detailed artwork, “InuYasha: The Final Act” looks better. Not only are art backgrounds much more detailed but you can tell that Sunrise didn’t lax on this TV series, they did a wonderful job in animation and with the art backgrounds and making Rumiko Takashi’s manga series come alive!

As for the audio, audio is presented in 2.0 and both languages are done quite well. The English dubbed seems a bit more clearer and a little louder coming through my front speakers over the Japanese track but overall, it’s a purely dialogue driven anime and there are no 5.1ch tracks, so it’s pretty much a front-channel driven soundtrack. For “Ranma 1/2″ fans, you will see the reunion of Ranma 1/2 voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi (Ranma) return as the voice for InuYasha which was pretty cool and also Noriko Hidaka (“Ranma 1/2″ character Akane) as Kikyo.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“InuYasha: The Final Act” comes with:

• ORIGINAL JAPANESE TRAILER – The Japanese trailer for “InuYasha: The Final Act”
• ORIGINAL CAST CREDITS IN ENGLISH

The final episodes of “InuYasha” have finally been released in America and for many anime fans, the series provided a wonderful conclusion but also an end of a chapter of a series which many people in America have pretty much grown up with for a very long time.

In my case, I discovered “Inu Yasha” not long after it was released in Japan in the mid-90′s via “Weekly Shonen Sunday”.  And like many other American fans, watched it when it was broadcast on Adult Swim back in 2002.  I can easily remember people dressing up as characters of “Inuyasha”, I still have the first “Inuyasha” PlayStation video game and to keep interest in the series, Viz Media have released the volume sets, the movie collection on Blu-ray and now “The Final Act” both on Blu-ray and DVD.

Having grown up with this series, without spoiling any of the storyline, I will say that the final episodes provide closure to fans.  The final battle with Naraku, the explanation of the Shinkon Jewel, the final confrontation between Naruto and his brother Sesshomaru.  But most importantly, what happens to these characters afterward.  Do the live?  Do they die?  Do characters hook up?

The finality of the series is explained in “InuYasha: The Final Act DVD Set 2″ and I will leave it at that.  Longtime fans of the series will not be disappointed!

I have always felt that when it comes to an anime television series based on a Rumiko Takahashi manga, you really can’t go wrong. May it be “Urusei Yatsura”, “Ranma 1/2″, “Maison Ikkoku”, “One Pound Gospel”, “Mermaid’s Forest”, etc., all are classics in their own right and “InuYasha” will surely join the others as not only as a popular hit manga series but also on of Japan’s popular anime TV series of all time.

There are not too many manga creators who have a lot of their works get the anime adaptation that spawn many films, CD drama series and soundtracks and also a lot of merchandise. For Rumiko Takahashi, she’s had four decades worth of series that have lasted for a long time and even today, fans still crave her works because they can be watched any time and they are good now as they were then.

But when it comes to “InuYasha”, where I’ve had such a strong affinity towards her previous releases and even “Ranma 1/2″, I have to admit, “InuYasha” is a solid series and there was not many episodes that were bland or “OK”, they were all very good and again, there are not many TV series where I want to continue watching nearly every episode in one sitting.

So, everything is fantastic about this series but are there any negatives with this DVD release? Well, I’m sure one can argue that they wish all 26-episodes were released as one volume and some can wish that there were more special features included. But it’s hard to argue since Viz Media has always broken up their DVD’s into volumes and rarely release full collections. And as for special features, while past “InuYasha” collections had some rare swag included in the limited edition releases, pretty much all you’re going to get is a Japanese trailer. Yes, Japan’s DVD release of “InuYasha: The Final Act” received a bonus DVD, a calendar and a DJ CD but Viz Media has not really released limited edition DVD releases for many years now.

But as for the series itself, “InuYasha: The Final Act” is what many people have been waiting for and wanting to see. Characters risking their lives to take down Naraku and a lot of sacrifices that are being made.

These final 13 episodes are it for “InuYasha” and fans will be happy with receiving closure to the series that they had followed for so many years!  Trust me, you will enjoy this final half of “The Final Act”.

Overall, If you are an “InuYasha” fan… “InuYasha: The Final Act DVD Set 2″ is highly recommended!

 

Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

The 15th Pokémon film “Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice” is a fun, action-packed family film featuring a coming-of-age story about a Pokémon who wants to be a member of the “Sword of Justice” and take on the mighty Pokémon dragon known as Kyurem. Pokémon fans of all ages will enjoy this animated film!

DVD TITLE: Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice

FILM RELEASE DATE: 2012

DURATION: 70 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Dolby Digital, English Stereo

COMPANY: Viz Media

RATED: TV Y7 FV

RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2013

Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama

Screenplay by Hideki Sonoda

Music by Shinji Miyazaki

Original Concept by Junichi Masuda, Ken Sugimori, Satoshi Tajiri

Character Design: Kazuaki Moori, Kazumi Sato, Sayuri Ichiishi, Tokuhiro Matsubara, Toshiya Yamada

Art Director: Minoru Akiba

Art Design: Toshinari Tanaka

Anime Production: Oriental Light and Magic

Featuring the following voice talent:

Eileen Stevens as Iris

Ikue Ohtani as Pikachu

Jason Griffith as Cilan

Sarah Natochenny as Ash Ketchum

Vic Mignogna as Keldeo

Bill Rogers as Cilan’s Stunfisk

Eli James as Ash’s Krokorok/Cilan’s Pansage

Jason Griffith as Ash’s Scraggy

Kayzie Rogers as Iris’s Axew

Lisa Ortiz as Ash’s Oshawott

Marc Thompson as Ash’s Pignite

Michele Knotz as Ash’s Snivy

Mika Kanai as Iris’s Emolga

Rodger Parsons as Narrator

Tom Wayland as Ash’s Boldore/Cilan’s Crustle

Ash and Pikachu along with their friends Iris and Cilan are on a train headed to the next stop on their journey. From the train Ash spots an injured Pokemon one he’s never seen before. He’s trying to figure out how he can help when the train is attacked by the Legendary Kyurem a Dragon-type Pokemon with immense power! Ash and the others barely manage to escape the rampaging Kyurem’s attack and as the dust settles they turn their attention to the injured Pokemon. Their new acquaintance turns out to be the Mythical Pokemon Keldeo and it’s on a mission to rescue its friends Cobalion Terrakion and Virizion the Legendary Pokemon known as the Swords of Justice from Kyurem’s icy clutches! But Kyurem’s rampage isn’t over and it’s drawing power from Reshiram and Zekrom changing into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem to make its attacks even stronger! Why is Kyurem attacking Ash and his friends with such unrelenting fury? How will they be able to overcome this danger? To protect its friends to discover true power and genuine courage and to preserve its bond with Ash and its companions a hidden strength awakens within Keldeo

In Japan, right after the film “Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram and White – Victini and Zekrom” in 2011, audiences were teased with a new Boundary Pokemon known as Kyurem, but also teased with new Pokémon such as Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion and the newest Pokémon, Keldeo.

By the summer of 2012, the 15th Pokemon film titled “Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice” (or “Kyurem vs. the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo”) was released in theaters to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Japanese manga publisher Shogakukan.  And by December 2012, American audiences were treated with the latest Pokemon film!

And now “Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice” was released on DVD courtesy of Viz Media.

The film around a young Pokémon named Keldeo who has been training with Sword of Justice Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion (three Pokemon that are protectors against evil Pokemon).  But during training, he wants to learn how to use the move “Sacred Sword” so he can become part of the group and fight against Kyurem.  But the three feel that Keldeo is just not ready to be a Sword of Justice just yet.

That night, Keldeo sneaks out and goes to the Full Court to challenge Kyurem.  He pretends to be a member of the Sword of Justice and challenges Kyurem to a duel.

During the battle, Kyurem easily beats Keldeo and breaks off his horn.   The three Sword of Justice comes to Keldeo’s rescue but Kyurem transforms to White Kyurem and uses his power to freeze them, shocked about what has transpired, Keldeo runs away in fear.  While Kyurem, chases after him to let Keldeo know that their battle is not over.

Meanwhile, in another city, Ash and his friends Iris and Cilan are on the train and take a brief stop in Windy Station to try some Darumaka boxed lunches.  They are interrupted when they discover an injured Keldeo on the train.  They rush to his aid but Keldeo tells them that Kyurem is coming and he collapses. Iris recalls being told a story about Kyurem from an elder, that Kyurem is a dragon Pokemon and is the living corpse of the ancient dragon that Reshiram and Zekrom split from after the original owners of the dragon Pokémon had a conflict.  Meanwhile, Kyurem arrives and tries to attack all of them but everyone manages to escape.

The three take Keldeo to Roshan City’s Pokemon Center for rehabilitation and Nurse Joy explains to them about who Keldeo is and how he is training to be a Sword of Justice.

Learning about how the Sword of Justice are protectors of Pokémon in danger, Ash and friends come up with a plan to help Keldeo free the Sword of Justice but also giving him the confidence that he can also be a member of the Sword of Justice one day.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice” is another film that demonstrates that with each year, things look better for the Pokémon films . With each newer film, there is much better detail in the paintings and better use of CG.

Of course, with this being DVD, you are going to see mild artifacts and some banding but nothing to bothersome and I doubt the children will even care. It’s a beautiful looking film!  But I do hope that Viz Media considers a Blu-ray release for these films in the near future.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in 2.0 and 5.1 Dolby Digital. Dialogue is clear and understandable, special effects sound very good coming through the center and front channels. I don’t really recall hearing the surround channels being utilized all that much but for the most part, dialogue and music are quite clear. It’s important to note that only the English dub is featured and the Japanese soundtrack is not included.

Subtitles are available in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Pokémon” comes with a trailer.

As a father who has grown up with a child who enjoys “Pokémon” and having been in Japan during the time of the Pokemon merchandise explosion, it’s always intriguing for me to see how “Pokémon” remains innovative and how it manages to attract the attention of a new generation of young (and older) fans continually well for over a decade and I’m sure it will continue many years from now.

With “Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice”, the storyline definitely is much more family oriented, as in the past where we see Ash and friends in major trouble and using their Pokemon to fight a major adversary, this time around, Ash and friends are more of a supporting cast to Keldeo and giving him the confidence to find out his inner strength.

So, more or less, this animated film is a coming-of-age storyline about a young Pokémon who thinks he has what it takes to beat the ultimate Kyurem, but he learns an important lesson about friendship but also having confidence in one to do their best.

While most children will enjoy this film, having reviewed the Pokémon films since the very first film, I have to say the storyline was playing it safe, but what makes it very exciting is the introduction of the Swords of Justice but also this menacing looking Pokémon named Kyurem, who is the living corpse of the ancient dragon that both Reshiram and Zekrom split from.

As for parents who are considering buying this DVD for their child, there is really nothing violent about the storyline, while some younger children may find one scene where it looks like Keldeo got badly hurt (don’t worry, he was just exhausted) and children will obviously learn that Nurse Joy of the Pokémon Center will make them healthy again.

As mentioned in the video quality section, the film looks vibrant and fantastic! And with each year of a Pokémon movie release, animation is better, well0-detailed art backgrounds and for the most part, animation studios tend to put more time into an animated film versus a single episode of a TV series, so the films look at lot better.

Overall, if you or your child (or a fan that is young at heart) who loves the Pokémon series whether on TV series, collectors cards or video games, I definitely recommend “Pokémon the Movie 15: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice”.

 

Toriko: Part Four (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

“Toriko: Part Four” is about partnerships but Toriko knowing that from here on in, Komatsu is going to be his partner and he must do all he can to protect him and that is by getting stronger.  So, Toriko must undergo training and prepare himself for dangers that lie ahead.  A fun and crazy volume of “Toriko” that anime fans and foodies will enjoy!  “Toriko: Part four” is recommended!

Image courtesy of © 2013 FUNimation. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Toriko: Part Four

DURATION: Episodes 27-38

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, Bilingual Japanese & English, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: FUNimation

RATED: 13+

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Originally created by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro

Directed by Akifumi Zako

Series Composition by Isao Murayama

Script: Isao Murayama, Tomoko Taguchi, Yoichi Takahashi

Music by Hiromi Mizutani

Character Design by Hisashi Kagawa

Art by Masanobu Nomura

Anime Production by Toei Animation

Featuring the following voice talent:

Romi Park/Josh Grelle as Komatsu

Ryotaro Okiayu/Ian Sinclair as Toriko

Akio Ohtsuka as Livebearer

Akira Ishida as Tommyrod

Asami Tano/Leah Clark as Rin

Kokoro Kikuchi/Heather Walker as Cruppo

Banjou Ginga as Yosaku

Hideyuki Tanaka/Chuck Huber as Acacia

Hiro Yuuki as Ootake

Juurouta Kosugi as Mansam

Kenji Matsuda as Zebra

Kenjiro Ishimaru/Chris Guerrero as Narrator

Kenyuu Horiuchi as Ichiryu

Kokoro Kikuchi as Kruppoh

Masahito Yabe as Bei

Masaki Terasoma as Midora

Masaya Onosaka/David Wald as Teppei

Mitsuo Iwata/Aaron Robers as Sani (Sunny)

Nana Mizuki/Morgan Garrett as Tina

Sakiko Uran/Juli Erickson as Setsuno

Shinichiro Miki/Scott Freeman as Stajyun (Starjun)

Shinji Kawada/Robert McCollum as Johannes

Takahiro Sakurai/Jarrod Greene as Coco

Tetsuya Kakihara as Tom

Toshiyuki Morikawa/Philip Weber as Jirou

Yuji Mitsuya/Chris Rager as Grinpatch

Get ready for the next great anime adventure from TOEI, the legendary force behind Dragon Ball Z and One Piece! Welcome to the Gourmet Age, a time when the world is full of deliciously deadly ingredients that the wealthiest appetites in existence can’t wait to devour. But only a mighty masticating mercenary like Toriko can track down the rarest animals on the planet and put them on a plate! This gluttonous gourmet hunter is one of the four Legendary Kings, superhuman warriors born to battle the likes of Troll Kongs, Gararagators, and Devil Pythons! Accompanied by his loyal Battle Wolf and the promising young chef Komatsu, Toriko will circle the globe in search of the mouthwateringly lethal ingredients that will one day make up his Full Course Menu of Life! The more ferocious the beast the bigger the feast, but never forget the code of a true gourmet hunter: You gotta eat what you defeat!

The pursuit of for culinary delights continues in “Toriko: Part Three” as Toriko and Komatsu search for the “Century Soup” but unbeknownst to the group, someone powerful named Tommyrod a Sous Chef and members of the Gourmet Corps go after them.

Find out in “Toriko: Part Three” from FUNimation!

What is “Toriko”?

In Japan, we have seen Shonen Jump series that have had a long life, not just as manga but as anime series. From the “Dragon Ball” series, “One Piece”, “Naruto”, “Bleach” and another series that has captivated readers and viewers is “Toriko”.

Created by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro in 2008, the manga series has been published on “Weekly Shonen Jump” and is currently on 22nd tankobon volume, while the anime series produced by Toei Animation is still being broadcast since 2011 on Fuji TV. And now the third part of the anime series will be released in the U.S. courtesy of FUNimation in March 2013.

The series is directed by Akifumi Zako (“Fresh Pretty Cure”, “Ashita no Nadia”, “Ojamajo Doremi Na-i-sho”), series composition by Isao Murayama (“Saint Seiya Omega”, “Kaidan Restaurant”), music by Hiromi Mizutani (“Hell Girl”, “Hyakko”), character designs by Hisashi Kagawa (“Bomberman Jetters”, “Hataraki Man”, “Fresh Pretty Cure”) and art direction by Masanobu Nomura (“Blue Drop”, “The Big O”, “K”, “The Idolm@ster”, “Gurren Lagann”).

It’s important to note that in Japan, the first episode was a cross-over special with “One Piece”. For the U.S. DVD release, this cross over episode is not included.

Toriko takes place during a time where gourmet is important. The taste, the texture of food and rare ingredients are what chefs seek for, but in order to get rare ingredients and animals, major organizations hire Bishokuya (which are “gourmet hunters”).

After the last volume of Toriko losing an arm and now going through a process that may regenerate his arm, Komatsu has been trying to find the necessary ingredients to complete the Century Soup and it appears that he has found it and may be able to help Toriko, grow back his arm.

Meanwhile, more adventures await Toriko but he needs to undergo major training in order to compete against significant foes.  But the IGO President gives him advice that from here on in, he will be best to partner with a chef for his adventures and with Toriko and Komatsu having endured several adventures, the question is if Komatsu is ready to put his life on the line for the ultimate ingredients.

Will Komatsu join Toriko in his next quest, this time to find the Ozone Grass that will put them in harms way but also to test out their partnership?

“Toriko: Part Four” features the following episodes (Note: Just to remind everyone that the episode 1 special featuring “One Piece” is not included. So, episode order is an episode off compared to what was shown in Japan.)

• EPISODE 39 – Komatsu finds the final ingredient to complete the Century Soup!
• EPISODE 40 – With the final ingredient, Toriko may get his arm back. Will it work?
• EPISODE 41 – Toriko contacts his architect Smile to build him a candy house.
• EPISODE 42 – Toriko, Sunny and CoCo look for the Seven-Color Nessie!
• EPISODE 43 – The group continues on their quest to find the Seven-Color Nessie.
• EPISODE 44 – Toriko wants to test his out his fighting technique against the IGO President.
• EPISODE 45 – Toriko and Komatsu go on a mission to find the delicious Ozone Grass.
• EPISODE 46 – Toriko and Komatsu continue on their perilous quest to find the Ozone Grass.
• EPISODE 47 – Toriko and Komatsu find the Ozone Grass but also something sinister is also there.
• EPISODE 48 – Toriko and Komatsu spy on what appears to be a GT Robot near the Ozone Grass.  Why is it there?
• EPISODE 49 – Toriko goes on another training adventure!
• EPISODE 50 – Toriko goes to the Underground Forest for training.

The main characters of “Toriko” are:

• Toriko – A gourmet hunter and one of the “Four Heavenly Kings” who loves to eat! Toriko does not kill and just eat any animal, he only will kill those that he wants to eat. A man with animal-tracking senses, superhuman strength, fighting skills and immunity to many poisons.
• Komatsu – A five star chef who works for the Hotel Gourmet, a prestigious restaurant owned by the International Gourmet Organization. A highly skilled chef who wants to get better and that is why he wants to join Toriko on his mission to find rare ingredients and become the best chef in the world.
• Coco – One of the “Four Heavenly Kings” who is a fortune teller and has exceptional stealth techniques and a wonderful animal tracker who is also immune to many poisons.
• Sunny – One of the “Four Heavenly Kings” and the older brother of Rin. He has a talent of sensing ones physical state.
• Zebra - One of the “Four Heavenly Kings” and is the most powerful of the four. Often angry and has a short-temper.
• Rin – A member of IGO who is tomboyish in nature, she has a major crush on Toriko and the younger sister of Sunny.
• Mansam – The IGO Development Bureau Director and Gourmet Research Facility Chief. An old friend of Toriko.
• Tina – A television reporter for “Gourmet News” who is following Toriko and Komatsu.
• Takimaru – A member of the Gourmet Knights and is able to dislodge an opponents bones and joints.
• Setsuno – The Gourmet Living National Treasure and one of the top five chefs in the world.
• Match – The Chief of the Gourmet Yakuza and a close friend of Toriko.
• Teppei – A famous healer working for Yosaku and the grandchild of Jiro.
• Yosako – Runs a revival institute in Mother Wood. Wears clothes stained in blood.
• Grinpatch – An evil sous chef for the Gourmet Corps, best known for his black teeth, four arms and giant straw.
• Tommyrod – An evil sous chef for the Gourmet corps. Able to shoot out parasitic bugs from his body and has no need for a GT Robo.
• Barrygamon – 4th Branch Head of the Gourmet corps. Known for wearing special armor made from the shell of a Crush Turtle.
• Bogie Woods – 5th Branch Chief of the Gourmet corps. Able to manipulate his bones and joints.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Toriko” is an anime series that is full of detail for a TV series. Produced by Toei Animation, the animated series has a style of a classic old school anime series in terms of character design but what catches your eye is the detailed art backgrounds which are fantastic. Some scenes are in CG (such as water effects) but I really enjoyed the animation for this series.

As for audio, “Toriko” is presented in English 5.1 surround and in Japanese stereo. The English 5.1 soundtrack has better dynamic range when it comes to use of the surround channels but both are well-acted. For the English dub, both Ian Sinclair and Josh Grelle are both FUNimation veterans who are well-known for their voice work on series such as “Black Butler”, “Bird the Mighty” and “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”.

For the Japanese soundtrack, you also get to hear veterans Romi Park (best known as Edward Elric for the “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” series and Toushiro Hitsugaya in “Bleach”) as Komatsu and Ryotaro Okiayu (Katsuhiko Jinnai in “El Hazard”, Scar on “Fullmetal Alchemist” and Kunimitsu Tezuka of “Prince of Tennis”) and Park’s delivery of the constant fear that Komatsu is often encountering is well-captured in her voice.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Toriko: Part Four” comes with the following special features:

• Episode 40 Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Ian Sinclair (Toriko) and Jarrod Greene (Coco).
• Feast with the Cast of Toriko: Episode 42 Video Commentary – Featuring a video commentary by Ian Sinclair (Toriko), Jarrod Greene (Coco), Aaron Robers (Sunny) and Morgan Garrett (Tina) as the four have cooked and brought their own dishes and each tries each other’s food.
• Episode 46 Audio Commentary- Featuring audio commentary by Ian Sinclair (Toriko) and Josh Grelle (Komatsu).
• Textless Opening and Ending Songs – Textless opening for “Gatsu Gatsu!!” by Akira Kushida and closing theme “Sabrina” by Leo Ieiri.
• U.S. Trailer – FUNimation trailer for “Toriko”.
• Trailers – FUNimation trailers

The fun adventures of Toriko and friends continue in “Toriko: Part Four”!

With the last volume being action-packed, the storyline begins to take a breather as Toriko has to get better after his last fight and recuperate from losing an arm but knowing that he must get more training in order to prepare himself for more of these perilous adventures.

While the first half of the series deals with Komatsu finding the ingredients to complete the Century Soup and Toriko feeling good about his new attacks, he finds out quickly that it’s not even enough to go against the IGO President.  Knowing this, he needs more training.  And what best than to go on adventures with his brothers but also another adventure with Komatsu.

But most importantly, knowing that any adventures in the future, he will need to bring a partner who is a chef and what best than to put his trust into Komatsu.  The question is…with so much danger, will Komatsu want to be involved in these adventures.

For the second part of the series, it focuses on Toriko and Komatsu’s quest to find the Ozone Grass but knowing that an ominous presence is also there looking for it.  Knowing what is at stake and knowing he must do all he can to protect Komatsu in the future, Toriko knows he needs more training and to become more powerful.  Can he do it?

As for the DVD, the picture quality is pretty cool with the old school style of animation in combined with modern style of detailed art backgrounds and CG use. The series looks very good and it’s a colorful anime series that doesn’t look too soft. And for special features, you get two audio commentary from FUNimation English voice dub talent but possibly the wildest video commentary is featuring four of the voice talent cooking their own food and everyone partaking in the meal.  The video commentary was a wonderful addition to part four and I hope this become a permanent feature for each “Toriko” DVD release because not only does it makes sense, but it’s just so much fun to watch and listen to.

Overall, “Toriko: Part Four” is about partnerships but Toriko knowing that from here on in, Komatsu is going to be his partner and he must do all he can to protect him and that is by getting stronger.  So, Toriko must undergo training and prepare himself for dangers that lie ahead.

A fun and crazy volume of “Toriko” that anime fans and foodies will enjoy!  “Toriko: Part four” is recommended!

 

A Certain Scientific Railgun – Season One, Part Two (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

“A Certain Scientific Railgun” is a humorous, fun and action-packed series with characters that eventually grow on you overtime.  Again, it is different from “A Certain Magical Index” but that’s probably a good thing as the series focuses more on the friendships of the girls trying to enjoy teenage life but yet have super abilities.  If you enjoyed “A Certain Magical Index” or an anime fan who is looking for an action series that is fun and primarily featuring all female characters, definitely give “A Certain Scientific Railgun” a chance!

Image courtesy of © 2012 FUNimation. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: A Certain Scientific Railgun – Season One, Part Two

DURATION: Episodes 13-24

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, Bilingual Japanese & English, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: FUNimation

RATED: 13+

Release Date: April 16, 2013

Originally created by Kazuma Kamachi

Original Manga by Motoi Fuyukawa

Original Character Designs by Kiyotaka Haimura

Directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai

Series Composition by Seishi Minakami

Music by Maiko Iuchi

Character Design by Yuichi Tanaka

Art Director: Tomonori Kuroda

Mecha Animation Director: Yukinobu Tuneki

Anime Production by J.C. Staff

Featuring the following voice talent:

Rina Satou/Brittney Karbowski as Mikoto Misaka

Satomi Arai/Alison Viktorin as Kuroko Shirai

Aki Toyosaki/Cherami Leigh as Kazari Uiharu

Atsuko Tanaka/Anastasia Munoz as Harumi Kiyama

Kana Ueda/Trina Nishimura as Mii Konori

Kanae Itō/Brina Palencia as Ruiko Saten

Minako Kotobuki/Jamie Marchi as Mitsuko Kongō

Misaka’s electro-manipulation abilities – and delightfully destructive Railgun projectile move – make her a rockstar in Academy City. The techno-metropolis is packed with supernaturally powered students known as espers, including Misaka’s flirty friend and roommate, Kuroko. She uses her teleportation skills as a member of the Judgment law enforcement team, fighting crime alongside her fellow agent Uiharu.

Joined by their friend Saten, a spunky Level 0 esper, Misaka, Kuroko, and Uiharu have a blast taking on danger whenever and wherever it arises. Luckily, in a city full of super-powered gangs, mad scientists, and the occasional weird monster, the girls have no problem finding plenty of excitement, action, and adventure!

Contains episodes 13-24.

What is causing the “Poltergeist” incidents around the city and are multiple espers suffering from RSPK syndrome and losing control of their abilities simultaneously? Mikoto and friends try to find out in “A Certain Scientific Railgun – Season One, Part Two”!

In 2004, writer Kazuma Kamachi and illustrator Kiyotaka Haimura began working on the light novel series “Toaru Majutsu no Index” (A Certain Magical Index). The novel would then receive a manga adaptation in 2007 which was published on “Monthly Shonen Gangan” and a year later, receiving an 24-episode anime adaptation courtesy of J.C. Staff, followed by a second season airing in 2010-2011.

The series would go on to have a spinoff manga series titled “A Certain Scientific Railgun” (Toaru Kagaku no Rerugan) which would be published in 2007 and a release in the US in 2011. The anime series for “A Certain Scientific Railgun” aired on Tokyo MX in 2009-2010 and with the second season airing in Japan in April 2013 titled “Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S”, FUNimation is releasing the first season on DVD in America on April 16, 2013.

Like “A Certain Magical Index”, “A Certain Scientific Railgun” is produced by J.C. Staff and is directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai (“My-HIME”, “anohana: The Flower We Saw that Day”, “Waiting in the Summer”), series composition by Seishi Minakami (“Birdy the Mighty: Decode”, “Shakugan no Shana III: Final”, “Living for the Day After Tomorrow”, “Bakuman”), music by Maiko Iuchi (“Dog Days”, “Waiting in the Summer”), character designs by Yuichi Tanaka (“Mass Effect: Paragon Lost”, “Natsuiro Kiseki”, “Samurai 7″) and art direction by Tomonori Kuroda (“Sola”, “Aria the Scarlet Ammo”, “Ai Yori Aoishi”, “Hayate the Combat Butler!!”).

“A Certain Scientific Railgun” is set during the same time of “A Certain Magical Index” and in Academy City, a technologically advanced academic city located in Western Tokyo which studies scientifically advanced superhuman students with powers. Some who join an organization known as Judgment and using their special abilities for good and keeping peace in the city.

The series focuses on Mikoto Misaka, an electromaster and the third most powerful of the seven Level 5 espers in Academy City. Mikoto attends Tokiwadai Middle School, one of the elite schools in the city.

The city is currently holding a “System Scan” to test the power levels of several schools including Tokiwadai Middle School.

In the latter part of the first half of the season, it was revealed that Dr. Kiyama was assigned by her boss, Gensei Kihara, to be a teacher of a group of “Child Errors” and prepare them for an experiment.  Dr. Kiyama began to be fond of these children but somehow these children had ended up in comas and Kihara covered it up.

So, Dr. Kiyama has been trying to find ways to save her students using a Tree Diagram, but was denied. And due to the frustrations that she experienced, an AIM burst had manifested.  And the result was Mikoto taking on the AIM Burst.

By second season, it’s back to the fun and games for the girls.  Episode 13, begins with the group participating in a swimsuit photoshoot, Mitsuko gets attacked by the Skill-Out gang Big Spider but is saved by a mysterious red-headed man with a spider tattoo.  A man who may have a link to Mii.

As the group participates in a video game battle, a trip to the park and Midsummer festival, things start to go crazy once against when a Poltergeist incident occurs where the girls are.  Is it Dr. Kiyama or is someone else involved?

The main characters of “A Certain Scientific Railgun” are:

• Mikoto Misaka – A powerful Electromaster who is known as “The Railgun”. She attends Tokiwadai Middle School, a school for the wealthy and one of the elite schools of Academy City. She also has a strong sense of morals and hates injustice.
• Kuroko Shirai – A level 4 psychic and a member of Judgment. She is an eser that can teleport and has a big crush on Mikoto. She gets very jealous when others get Mikoto’s attention, especially Toma.
• Kazari Uiharu – A student at Sakugawa Middle School and a member of Judgment. Best friends with Ruiko Saten and is known for wearing flowers on her head. Often shy and humble, but known for her sweet tooth.
• Mitsuko Kongou - A student at Tokiwadai Middle School that can utilize the “Aero Hand”. She is Kuroko’s rival.
• Ruiko Saten – A student at Sakugawa Middle School who does not have an esper ability. Best friends with Kazari Uiharu and is addicted to urban legends.
• Mii Konori – A member of Judgement and senpai to Kuroko and Uiharu. She is also the Chief of the 177th Branch of Judgment and has the power of X-ray vision.
• Telestina Kihara Lifeline - The head of the Multi Active Rescue unit (MAR) and is currently investigating earthquakes happening in Academy City.
• Toma Kamijo – The main protagonist for “A Certain Magical Index”. A teenager who has a high sense of justice and despite having a psychic rank of zero, has a mysterious power of the Imagine Breaker which nullifies all magic, psychic or divine powers and unfortunately, his good luck. But because of his sense of justice, each person he comes in contact with develop respect or love towards Toma because of his willingness to protect them.
• Dr. Harumi Kiyama – A Cerebral physiologist who tends to want to take off her clothes when she’s hot.  Revealed to be a scientist trying to save a group of children that she experimented on.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“A Certain Scientific Railgun” is an anime series presented in 1080p High Definition. Art backgrounds are well-detailed, with some environements looking very beautiful and character designs are well-shaded. For those familiar with “A Certain Magical Index” will be familiar with J.C. Staff’s style to this anime series. But for the most part, the series looks very good and surprised it was not released on Blu-ray.

Audio is presented in English 5.1 surround and Japanese stereo. The English soundtrack has better dynamic range as one would expect form its 5.1 soundtrack compared to the front-channel driven Japanese stereo track. Voice acting for both soundtracks are well-done!

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“A Certain Scientific Railgun – Season One, Part Two” comes with the following special features:

• Episode 17 Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Jade Saxton (Komoe), Martha Harnes (Yomokawa) and Kara Edwards (Tesso).
• Episode 24 Audio Commentary- Featuring audio commentary by Zac Bolton (ADR Director), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Therestina) and Anastasia Munoz (Kiyama).
• Textless Opening and Ending Songs – Textless version of “Only My Railgun”, “Level 5″, “Dear My Friend” and “Real Force”.
• Trailers – FUNimation trailers

For those looking for an anime series with a dose of humor, fun and action, will surely find “A Certain Scientific Railgun” to their liking.

A bit different from “A Certain Magical Index” which had a more darker storyline, a big part of the charm of “A Certain Scientific Railgun” are its characters and their mannerisms.

And after a considerable battle featured in the first half, things become more fun as the girls partake in a bikini photoshoot, going to the park, going to the festival but also dealing with people from one’s past.  But for those wanting those major battles and that special twist will surely find it by episode 20.

But for the most part, this is a series about friendship and a group of girls with abilities that somehow get involved in situations involving criminals or bad people. We see both Mikoto and Kuroko get into the thick of things but we eventually learn each other’s character traits. Mikoto’s naiveness, Kuroko who is from Judgment is still a girl with a teenage crush on Mikoto and then other characters who lend their expertise (or somehow get involved in the trouble), getting themselves involved.

And of course, the humor with Kuroko always wanting to glomp Mikoto or Dr. Kiyama always wanting to take off her clothes when hot, is quite funny because it always happens in the most unexpected situations.

But there is this underlying storyline created from the first half that relates to the Poltergeist incidents and the girls wondering if Dr. Kiyama is up to no good or is she a person worth trusting?  Also, a new antagonist is revealed, and I suppose one can say “expect the unexpected” when the reveal is made.

As for the DVD, the animation and art background by J.C. Staff is very well done. It does surprise me that there is no Blu-ray release of this series but for the most part, the series is well-acted on both English and in Japanese with the English getting a better treatment with its 5.1 soundtrack over its Japanese 2.0 counterpart. But fans should be pleased with the animation, art and voice acting of “A Certain Scientific Railgun”. Also, you get two audio commentaries included in part one.

Is there anything negative about the series, really there isn’t anything that I can think of that is negative unless one compares it to the more action-driven “A Certain Magical Index”. But it’s good to keep things different and “A Certain Scientific Railgun” is more upbeat and fun, but you can also expect a good dose of action as well.

Overall, “A Certain Scientific Railgun” is a humorous, fun and action-packed series with characters that eventually grow on you overtime.  Again, it is different from “A Certain Magical Index” but that’s probably a good thing as the series focuses more on the friendships of the girls trying to enjoy teenage life but yet have super abilities.

If you enjoyed “A Certain Magical Index” or an anime fan who is looking for an action series that is fun and primarily featuring all female characters, definitely give “A Certain Scientific Railgun” a chance!

 

A Certain Scientific Railgun – Season One, Part One (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

“A Certain Scientific Railgun” is a humorous, fun and action-packed series that is recommended for fans who enjoyed “A Certain Magical Index”!

Image courtesy of © 2012 FUNimation. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: A Certain Scientific Railgun – Season One, Part One

DURATION: Episodes 1-12

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, Bilingual Japanese & English, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: FUNimation

RATED: 13+

Release Date: April 16, 2013

Originally created by Kazuma Kamachi

Original Manga by Motoi Fuyukawa

Original Character Designs by Kiyotaka Haimura

Directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai

Series Composition by Seishi Minakami

Music by Maiko Iuchi

Character Design by Yuichi Tanaka

Art Director: Tomonori Kuroda

Mecha Animation Director: Yukinobu Tuneki

Anime Production by J.C. Staff

Featuring the following voice talent:

Rina Satou/Brittney Karbowski as Mikoto Misaka

Satomi Arai/Alison Viktorin as Kuroko Shirai

Aki Toyosaki/Cherami Leigh as Kazari Uiharu

Atsuko Tanaka/Anastasia Munoz as Harumi Kiyama

Kana Ueda/Trina Nishimura as Mii Konori

Kanae Itō/Brina Palencia as Ruiko Saten

Minako Kotobuki/Jamie Marchi as Mitsuko Kongō

Misaka’s electro-manipulation abilities – and delightfully destructive Railgun projectile move – make her a rock star in Academy City. The techno-metropolis is packed with supernaturally powered students known as espers, including Misaka’s flirty friend and roommate, Kuroko. She uses her teleportation skills as a member of the Judgment law enforcement team, fighting crime alongside her fellow agent Uiharu.

Joined by their friend Saten, a spunky Level 0 esper, Misaka, Kuroko, and Uiharu have a blast taking on danger whenever and wherever it arises. Luckily, in a city full of super-powered gangs, mad scientists, and the occasional weird monster, the girls have no problem finding plenty of excitement, action, and adventure!

In 2004, writer Kazuma Kamachi and illustrator Kiyotaka Haimura began working on the light novel series “Toaru Majutsu no Index” (A Certain Magical Index).  The novel would then receive a manga adaptation in 2007 which was published on “Monthly Shonen Gangan” and a year later, receiving an 24-episode anime adaptation courtesy of J.C. Staff, followed by a second season airing in 2010-2011.

The series would go on to have a spinoff manga series titled “A Certain Scientific Railgun” (Toaru Kagaku no Rerugan) which would be published in 2007 and a release in the US in 2011. The anime series for “A Certain Scientific Railgun” aired on Tokyo MX in 2009-2010 and with the second season airing in Japan in April 2013 titled “Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S”, FUNimation is releasing the first season on DVD in America on April 16, 2013.

Like “A Certain Magical Index”, “A Certain Scientific Railgun” is produced by J.C. Staff and is directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai (“My-HIME”, “anohana: The Flower We Saw that Day”, “Waiting in the Summer”), series composition by Seishi Minakami (“Birdy the Mighty: Decode”, “Shakugan no Shana III: Final”, “Living for the Day After Tomorrow”, “Bakuman”), music by Maiko Iuchi (“Dog Days”, “Waiting in the Summer”), character designs by Yuichi Tanaka (“Mass Effect: Paragon Lost”, “Natsuiro Kiseki”, “Samurai 7″) and art direction by  Tomonori Kuroda (“Sola”, “Aria the Scarlet Ammo”, “Ai Yori Aoishi”, “Hayate the Combat Butler!!”).

“A Certain Scientific Railgun” is set during the same time of “A Certain Magical Index” and in Academy City, a technologically advanced academic city located in Western Tokyo which studies scientifically advanced superhuman students with powers.  Some who join an organization known as Judgment and using their special abilities for good and keeping peace in the city.

The series focuses on Mikoto Misaka, an electromaster and the third most powerful of the seven Level 5 espers in Academy City.  Mikoto attends Tokiwadai Middle School, one of the elite schools in the city.

The city is currently holding a “System Scan” to test the power levels of several schools including Tokiwadai Middle School.

In the first few episodes, we are introduced to a few members of Judgment and how they become friends with Mikooto and how some of them use their abilities against criminals.  Meanwhile, Mikoto is irked whenever she runs into a guy named Toma Kamijo, a teenager who has a high sense of justice and despite having a psychic rank of zero, has a mysterious power of the Imagine Breaker which nullifies all magic, psychic or divine powers and unfortunately, his good luck. But because of his sense of justice, each person he comes in contact with develop respect or love towards Toma because of his willingness to protect them.   For Mikoto, she is unaware of her feelings but knowing that for some reason, Toma bothers her.

Meanwhile, the girls begin to work with Dr. Kiyama, but is she friend or foe?

The main characters of “A Certain Scientific Railgun” are:

• Mikoto Misaka – A powerful Electromaster who is known as “The Railgun”. She attends Tokiwadai Middle School, a school for the wealthy and one of the elite schools of Academy City. She also has a strong sense of morals and hates injustice.
• Kuroko Shirai – A level 4 psychic and a member of Judgment.  She is an eser that can teleport and has a big crush on Mikoto.  She gets very jealous when others get Mikoto’s attention, especially Toma.
• Kazari Uiharu – A student at Sakugawa Middle School and a member of Judgment.  Best friends with Ruiko Saten and is known for wearing flowers on her head.  Often shy and humble, but known for her sweet tooth.
• Mitsuko Kongou -  A student at Tokiwadai Middle School that can utilize the “Aero Hand”. She is Kuroko’s rival.
• Ruiko Saten – A student at Sakugawa Middle School who does not have an esper ability.  Best friends with Kazari Uiharu and is addicted to urban legends.
• Mii Konori  – A member of Judgement and senpai to Kuroko and Uiharu.  She is also the Chief of the 177th Branch of Judgment and has the power of X-ray vision.
• Telestina Kihara Lifeline - The head of the Multi Active Rescue unit (MAR) and is currently investigating earthquakes happening in Academy City.
• Toma Kamijo – The main protagonist for “A Certain Magical Index”. A teenager who has a high sense of justice and despite having a psychic rank of zero, has a mysterious power of the Imagine Breaker which nullifies all magic, psychic or divine powers and unfortunately, his good luck. But because of his sense of justice, each person he comes in contact with develop respect or love towards Toma because of his willingness to protect them.
• Dr. Harumi Kiyama – A Cerebral physiologist who tends to want to take off her clothes when she’s hot.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“A Certain Scientific Railgun” is an anime series presented in 1080p High Definition.  Art backgrounds are well-detailed, with some environements looking very beautiful and character designs are well-shaded.  For those familiar with “A Certain Magical Index” will be familiar with J.C. Staff’s style to this anime series.  But for the most part, the series looks very good and surprised it was not released on Blu-ray.

Audio is presented in English 5.1 surround and Japanese stereo. The English soundtrack has better dynamic range as one would expect form its 5.1 soundtrack compared to the front-channel driven Japanese stereo track. Voice acting for both soundtracks are well-done!

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“A Certain Scientific Railgun – Season One, Part One” comes with the following special features:

• Episode 3 Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Brina Palencia (Ruiko) and Cherami Leigh (Kazari).
• Episode 6 Audio Commentary- Featuring audio commentary by Brittney Karbowski (Mikoto) and Alison Viktorin (Kuroko).
• Textless Opening and Ending Songs – Textless version of “Only My Railgun” and “Dear My Friend”.
• Trailers – FUNimation trailers

For those who have watched “A Certain Magical Index” and enjoyed the anime series, will find “A Certain Scientific Railgun” to be a show that continues the fun and humor of the series but also its action and that is one thing viewers can expect from this series, to be action-packed!

While I enjoyed “A Certain Magical Index” for its darker tone, “A Certain Scientific Railgun”, for its first half of the season, is primarily character building episodes.  Featuring a variety of female characters who are friends of Mikoto and how each of them are around her and how they get involved in a variety of cases or happen to be in the wrong place in the wrong time.

There is a difference between the two series.  With “A Certain Magical Index”, there was this back-story revolving around Index and people trying to capture her and of course, Toma being a low level Esper but actually having a special ability that makes him even more powerful than other powerful Espers.  But we get to see how Mikoto ends up running into Toma and the correlation between both series.

But for the most part, this is a series about friendship and a group of girls with abilities that somehow get involved in situations involving criminals or bad people.  We see both Mikoto and Kuroko get into the thick of things but we eventually learn each other’s character traits.  Mikoto’s naiveness, Kuroko who is from Judgment is still a girl with a teenage crush on Mikoto and then other characters who lend their expertise (or somehow get involved in the trouble), getting themselves involved.

And of course, the humor with Kuroko always wanting to glomp Mikoto or Dr. Kiyama always wanting to take off her clothes when hot, is quite funny because it always happens in the most unexpected situations.

But the series does start to get a bit darker and more complex around episode 9.  Especially when the girls become intrigued with a “Level Upper” that levels up a person’s skills.  But is it real or a myth?

As for the DVD, the animation and art background by J.C. Staff is very well done. It does surprise me that there is no Blu-ray release of this series but for the most part, the series is well-acted on both English and in Japanese with the English getting a better treatment with its 5.1 soundtrack over its Japanese 2.0 counterpart. But fans should be pleased with the animation, art and voice acting of “A Certain Scientific Railgun”. Also, you get two audio commentaries included in part one.

Is there anything negative about the series, really there isn’t anything that I can think of that is negative unless one compares it to the more action-driven “A Certain Magical Index”.  But it’s good to keep things different and “A Certain Scientific Railgun” is more upbeat and fun, but you can also expect a good dose of action as well.

Overall, “A Certain Scientific Railgun” is a humorous, fun and action-packed series that is recommended for fans who enjoyed “A Certain Magical Index”!

 

Next Page »