This third volume of Haruka:  Beyond the Stream of Timeplays out like the others have; introducing new heroes and having themfight a new demon to protect Akane.  That's not to say it's a badseries just that it's stuck in a bit of a rut.  Part of the reasonis doubtlessly the way Bandai-Visual is releasing the show, with only threeepisodes on a full-priced disc.  Still fans of fantasy anime willbe pleased with the show.  It has been trying to flesh out the charactersand make the world that the heroine finds herself in deep and textured,as so far they're succeeding.

Series Background:

While walking to school one morning, Akane is inexplicably drawn toan old boarded up well.  Almost in a trance she goes to...Read the entire review

Freedom transformed into an almost unrecognizably different series once Takeru and his pal Biz careened towards Earth. The dystopian paranoia and conspiracy leanings to this OVA's first three installments were left behind on the moon, traded out in favor of clumsy teen crushes, some schlub clowning around in an ape costume, and a Spandex-clad big American dance party. The previous volume tossed in a hurricane for a stab at a climax and hoped for the best, but Freedom seemed wholly unable to respark the excitement and intrigue of its earlier episodes, limping half-heartedly towards some apparently bland conclusion. Thankfully, this sixth volume -- the penultimate chapter -- sees Freedom standing on far steadier ground, recapturing much of what had drawn me towards the series in the first place.

This episode leaps back and forth in time, nimbly weaving together the present,...Read the entire review

The Series:

With the second volume of Haruka:  Beyond the Stream of Timeviewers are treated to three whole episodes of the series, without an increasein price.  The MSRP of $30 is still a hefty price to pay for threeepisodes, no dub track and almost no extras but it is a step in the rightdirection.  Hopefully Bandai-Visual will continue to with this trendand start releasing some reasonably priced anime.  This volume ofthe show is solid, though it is still establishing the characters and gettingthe plot rolling.  Akane gets another Guardian, her friend Tenma learnsmore about his powers, and the city Beyond the Flow of Time becomes endangered.

Series Background:

While walking to school one morning, Akane is inexplicably drawn toan old boarded up well.  Almost in a tra...Read the entire review

Super Robot Wars continues with volume six, and the action isjust as fast and intense and the previous few volumes. Withthe Hagwane through the defenses in Earth orbit, the super-ship startsfor its real objective: The Divine Crusaders' headquarters on theheavily fortified Aidoneus Island. It won't be an easy battle byany measure. Even though the plot is paper thin and the collectionof supporting characters grows with every volume this is still a fun action-packedmecha show.

Series background:

In the future the earth is a very different place. After beinghit by two giant meteors and going through a series of wars, the EarthFederation Government united all the peoples of Earth under one flag andrestored the peace.

Then the third meteor struck, but this one was different. Insidewas a ...Read the entire review

Most studios shrugged off their HD DVD release slates after Toshiba bowed out of the format war, but it's to Bandai Visual's credit that they're seeing Freedom all the way through. As I write this, the final installments in the series are scheduled as the very last HD DVD releases on these shores. If this volume and the one before it are any indication, though, it doesn't look all that likely that Freedom will be going out on a high note.

Freedom is literally a world removed from where the series began. The first half of the OVA revolved around a futuristic colony on the moon where an Orwellian government insisted that Earth was long dead, leering electronically at the citizenship for any threat that might topple the consp...Read the entire review

Bandai-Visual continues with their marketing experiment by releasinganime in the US at the same time it's released in Japan, and charging Japaneseprices.  Truth be told I thought they would have stopped by now, somaybe these high-priced discs are selling better than I thought they would. (Though I doubt it.)  Their newest series is Haruka:  Beyondthe Stream of Time.  This fantasy series concerns a young girlwith special powers who is whisked to an alternate reality.  Once she's there she discovers that she's the only one who can save a kingdomfrom certain doom.  The first volumes only contains a pair of episodes(for a $30 MSRP) so it's hard to tell if this show is going to be significantlydifferent (or better) than all of the other 'girl has to save the world...Read the entire review

Freedom's first three volumes wove the story of a dystopian lunar colony and how three teenagers unraveled its most closely guarded secret. The six episode OVA launches into its second half with Takeru and Biz speeding to Earth -- the planet their domineering government had assured them was long dead -- in search of a beautiful young girl who'd blindly reached out for some sign of life.

This fourth volume of Freedom veers sharply away from the Orwellian paranoia, breakneck underground races, and frenzied robot chases that bombarded the first half of the series. It's clearly meant as a bridge to the second act, giving Freedom a chance to exhale. Takeru and the deeply reluctant Biz botched their trajectory in the chaos that closed ...Read the entire review

For some reason, Bandai Visual decided to release the concluding OVAfrom Super Robot Wars first, and then follow that up with the TVseries that actually should come first.  That was pretty confusing,and though the OVA is pedestrian and uninspiring, especially if you haven'tseen the show first, the TV series is actually quite enjoyable.  Involume two the show starts to become more fleshed out and though it isstill a standard mecha show, it has a lot of action and some fun, if typical,characters.  It's unfortunate that BV has priced this disc so extraordinarilyhigh ($50 MSRP) for a three episode disc, that means most otaku won't beable to watch this enjoyable show.

Series background:

In the future the earth is a very different place.  After beinghit by two ...Read the entire review

Bandai Visual continues their experiment of pricing anime in the USat the same price point as they do in Japan with the release of SuperRobot Wars Volume 1. With only two episodes and a running timeof 48 minutes, the $40 retail price is pretty steep. Add to thatthe fact that Amazon, DVD Planet, and DVD Empire have declined to carrythe title, and you've got a receipt for disaster. That's too badbecause the show is a fun, if typical, mecha show and would probably begetting a lot more buzz if people could actually afford it.

In the future the earth is a very different place. After beinghit by two giant meteors and going through a series of wars, the EarthFederation Government united all the peoples of Ea...Read the entire review

Adored by anime lovers everywhere Gainax is one of the most prominent publishers of fine programming around. With titles like Nadia, Neon Genesis, and Royal Space Force under its belt that statement should come as no surprise. Within the past year Bandai Visual explored their Gunbuster franchise but recently they have packed both the original and sequel together for one heck of a science fiction experience.

Entitled Gunbuster Vs. Diebuster Aim for the Top! The Gattai Movie it's safe to say that newcomers and uninitiated may be confused. What Aims for the Top? What is a Gattai Movie? And just why are Gunbuster and Diebuster fighting? To be quite honest I really don't know why it was pieced together like that. In Japan the original Gunbuster was named Aim for the Top! Gunbuster while Diebuster was actually Aim fo...Read the entire review

Background: Long time anime fans have discussed the expansive Gundam Universe for decades now, the multitude of series often exploring alternative versions of similar stories in this futuristic franchise. The stories always center on the military exploits of a number of opposing factions that came about as Earth started to colonize the solar system. Like the planet bound colonies of the past, each side of the conflicts believe that they are right; fighting for survival if not dominance as their own needs suit them. As with any such drama, a number of lead characters emerge as the focal points in each saga, often over the top villains and youthful zealots that express their emotions quite liberally as they fight in mechanized mobile suits that mimic the ...Read the entire review

With a name like SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next it's safe to say that Bandai Visual's latest release is designed strictly for adventurous hardcore otaku. Ironically its creator, Katsuhiro Otomo, was the mastermind behind some of anime's most beloved features (well, one of them is beloved anyway). Akira and Steamboy are household names but does SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next have the ability to be the same?

With a runtime of 40 minutes SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next proves to be a charming little film but it's not quite as epic as Otomo's other works. The show explores several facets of childhood and presents a story rife with a sense of wonder, discovery, and fear of the unknown. It's a throwback to the simplicity of adolescence and it's very offbeat from beginning to end. The movie truly bucks the trend by offe...Read the entire review

I haven't been impressed with Bandai Visual's recent releases (not tobe confused with plan ol' Bandai...they've been putting out some good stuff.) Releasing very expensive anime discs without even going to the troubleof creating an English dub would have been bad enough but what's worstis that the shows aren't that entertaining.  The discs of theirs thathave crossed my desk (Galaxy Angel Rune and Super Robot Wars) have beeneither yawn fests or a waste of time.  That's why I didn't have muchhope for the awkwardly named SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next. I didn't know much about the show, aside from that fact that it was a standalone 45 minute story, and wasn't expecting much.  This show is basedon a manga by legendary comic creator Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) however andthe film itself is...Read the entire review

The first volume of Freedom focused primarily on the culture of underground racing in an Orwellian lunar colony housing the last vestiges of mankind, and the second quietly concentrated on young Takeru's discovery of a conspiracy to withhold the true fate of the planet Earth from the carefully shepherded citizens of Eden. As this six episode OVA series hits the halfway mark, Freedom once against shifts gears, this time into hyperkinetic robotic action.

This third installment of Freedom picks up immediately where the previous volume left off: after sidestepping protocol and venturing far outside Eden's protective dome, Takeru discovers that Earth is no longer the scorched wasteland the Citizens Administration Council has long claime...Read the entire review

Background: Long time anime fans have discussed the expansive Gundam Universe for decades now, the multitude of series often exploring alternative versions of similar stories in this futuristic franchise. The stories always center on the military exploits of a number of opposing factions that came about as Earth started to colonize the solar system. Like the planet bound colonies of the past, each side of the conflicts believe that they are right; fighting for survival if not dominance as their own needs suit them. As with any such drama, a number of lead characters emerge as the focal points in each saga, often over the top villains and youthful zealots that express their emotions quite liberally as they fight in mechanized mobile suits that mimic the ...Read the entire review

Anime has certainly evolved as an art form and there are many ways to enjoy the concept. Most of the time we see a full series released or maybe even an OVA. Every once in a while a film comes along with a much higher budget and refined script. These projects are generally well-received but their success is very hit or miss. Looking back on releases like Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and Princess Mononoke you'll see a defined pattern of quality that helped shape anime as we know it. Another fine example of a high-end production is 1999's Jin-Roh.

Mamorou Oshii is essentially the brains behind the operation with his creation Kerberos being the inspiration for Jin-Roh. Considering Oshii had his hands in Patlabor, the Ghost in the Shell movies, and Urusei Yatsura it's safe to say that he's a driving force in anime as we know it. His st...Read the entire review

Volume 4 of Galaxy Angel Rune brings the series to an end, andnot a moment too soon.  While there were a few laughs in this series,it doesn't live up to the humor found in the earlier incarnations. Added to that is the outrageous price that Bandai Visual is asking forthe discs.  At nearly $50 a pop, the laughs per dollar ratio is waytoo low.

Series Background:

The characters from Galaxy Angel, Galaxy Angel A, and GalaxyAngel Z aren't in this show.  Instead we find a new group of misfitstrying to keep the peace and presumably searching the universe for LostTechnology.  This group of Galaxy Angels consists of five misfitswho are amazingly similar to the previous team.  They include Apricot,the child-like main character, the c...Read the entire review

Okay, I'm supposed to tell you about Bandia Visual's latest release,Super Robot Wars.  Here's what you need to know:

-It's based on a video game (Strike One!)

-The creators assume you've played the games (most of which aren't availablein the US).  Because of this they don't spend any time introducingcharacters or setting things up.  (Strike Two!)
 
-There are only three episodes, which run less than 90 minutes, includedon this two disc set (the other disc is extras) and the retail price is$50.  (Strike Three - you're out!)

Asfor the plot itself, it's incredibly unwieldy though action filled. From what I could make out watching thes...Read the entire review

Bandai Visual continues their experiment with Japanese pricing withGalaxy Angel Rune volume 3. This four episode disc is beingreleased with a MSRP of nearly $50! While this is standard practicein Japan where rabid otaku are willing to fork over that much for theirbeloved anime, the same isn't necessarily true in the US. To makematters even worse, this show is only mediocre. While the originalGalaxy Angel series were funny and enjoyable, this show feels likeits trying too hard and comes across as inferior to its predecessors.

Series Background:

The characters from Galaxy Angel, Galaxy Angel A, and Galaxy Angel Zaren't in this show. Instead we find a new group of misfits tryingto keep the peace and presumably searching the universe for Lost Technology. This group of Galaxy Angels ...Read the entire review

Twenty years have passed since Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise was released. During the span of those two decades people have discussed the film's quality at length and the definitive answer to this debate is you'll either love it or hate it. In all of my years I don't think I have watched an anime project as polarizing as this one.

I begrudgingly have to admit that sitting down to watch Wings of Honneamise for the purpose of this review was my first time doing so. I heard about it frequently over the years but never went out of my way to check it out because I didn't like all the negative comments about it lectured to me by friends. I suppose it's only fitting that I took the opportunity to watch the film later in life because I have found my tastes changed recently. The movie once sounded dreadfully boring to me but now that I have actua...Read the entire review

Bandai Visual continues their release of the six part OVA series Freedom onto these shores with this second volume. Freedom is set several hundred years in the future, well over a century after a catastrophic collision with a space station ravaged the Earth and prompted a series of wars decimating what few survivors remained. The last remnants of mankind were those residing in the lunar colony of Eden, and 160 years later, their descendents continue to be housed in a series of colossal domes designed to mimic the azure skies and lush foliage of a planet that's now smoldering in ruins.

At least, that's what Takeru had been led to believe for all of h...Read the entire review

Background: Despite recent events in the news, one of the most universally recognized heroes is the Astronaut; perhaps even more so than firemen and policeman. As such, it's no wonder that movies like The Astronaut Farmer, Apollo 13, and a great many others have been made to cater to the popular demand such admiration fosters. This level of awe goes beyond our own borders into that of other cultures, even primitive tribes speaking of legends where special members go to the stars, so with technologically advanced countries like Japan, it's not surprising that they consider the profession worthy of their best and brightest too. That said, what if an alternative Earth existed where the idea of going into space was considered foolhardy and the province of crazy people? Well, such a place was the setting for a groundbreaking anime ef...Read the entire review

The first volume of Galaxy Angel Rune was soundly criticizedin the fan press (and in my review) for having a $20 MSRP but only containinga single episode.  Bandai Visual takes a step forward with volume two byincluding four episodes on the disc.  Unfortunately they also takea giant leap backwards by giving the disc a MSRP of nearly $50.  That'smore than many collected series!  It has been stated that prices forthe rights to anime shows has been climbing at an incredible pace, buteven so I can't see even the biggest fans of this series plunking downso much for so little.  On the good side the show itself picks upa bit, this volume is much more enjoyable than the previous one with morelaughs and more outrageous situations, but it still only falls in the averagecategory.
 
Series Background:Read the entire review