Gasaraki - The Circle Opens (Vol. 2)

Rating:
Summary: The Next Robotech(Macross)
Review: The series is deeper than most out there, and more interesting as well. The storyline and character development are in-line with quality of other great anime titles like Macross. The animation is very good, excellent for an on-going series. The story is the most original of it's type since Macross, due to the overpopulated anime world of mechs. The characters are not cute little furrys and strange looking bug eyed types of alot of anime, but more in tone with mature audiences, characters you can relate to more than just emotionally but physically. The mechs for instance aren't as anime as Macross in that they are more like Metal Gear, military types with restrictions on what they can do. They are not skyscraper size yet agile, they are machines, extensions of the pilots as if they were real. They are under more real physics than alot of other mechs in anime, they actually malfunction when they get clogged with sand in the desert in this particular volume. Very entertaining and very interesting original story as well as well developed characters.

Rating:
Summary: Just as great as the last DVD
Review: The shoe picks up from where it last left off. Yushiro was in shock and the Fakes from Symbol are attacking. Yushiro manages to get back up into his TA, but then a rampid sand storm occurs and the TAs and Fakes draw back. They resume their battle later at an abandoned town in Belgistan. Yushiro gets an even closer encounter with Miharu (a girl who is strikingly similar to Yushro and possess the same powers as he does). The battle is stopped when Tornado Bombers make a pass over the battle and film the battle to show to the world. They then proceed to bomb Belgistan. It appears that Symbol betrayed Belgistan and Belgistan is wiped out of the picture. The JSDF is now in a struggle to get out of Belgistan. However, Yushiro goes wandering off again to find Miharu. He finds her at the stone church of Akura and manage to explain some things. Yushiro and Miharu are soon split up again. Yushiro heads back to Japan and Miharu returns to Symbol's custody. The extras on the DVD are very nice if you like to go in depth on this show. The Japanese dialoge is extremely good and more funnier than the English. Hearing Captain Ataka in Japanese trying to speak English is very funny. Not to mention some jokes about Japanese language. Anyway, dubbed or subbed, either way you view it, its still great. It doesn't have as much action as the first tape, but it still has action and it still is great. A must have DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Almost there
Review: This is a great series, but like most anime, builds to climax near the end of the series. In this DVD there is some action but as usual, not all of the characters have shown themselves yet. So the final battle is not till much later in the series. this dvd still has fighting in it, but you might want to watch the later ones to see the better battles. its a great series and u should watch all the way through in order to get the full effect.

Rating:
Summary: Orginial and Unique...Gasaraki
Review: This is the second installment in the soon to be long running series, Gasaraki. The previous review seemed to be comparing this particular volume to future episodes of the anime. Well, I haven't seen future episodes and can only base it on what I see now. True, Gasaraki isn't packed full of action sequence, after action sequence. But what it is packed full of is a deep and intricate plot. Within the current stage of anime, we see plots that have had crappy cliched story lines and bubbly characters that almost none of us can actually relate to (there just kind of funny to watch). Gasaraki takes a giant step away from this premise and has a deep, serious, and engaging story line. If there's not mechs or tanks duking it out on screen. Your watching the characters interact and watching how this interesting plot begins to unfold. Despite the intimate conversations taking place, Gasaraki does have quite a few action sequences. The action sequences are tense and suspenseful and are animated very nicely. One of Gasaraki's highlights is its animation. After viewing the first two volumes I can easily say this has the best animation I've seen in an on going series. Gasaraki is one of the most unique and original anime's I have seen in a while. I greatly look forward to the next installments. I would recommend the series to anyone who like's deep original plots. The first 2 volumes so far set up the stage for something wonderful. There characters all seem to have many different personalities, I look forward to finding out what they are. After viewing the first two volumes, I can tell you I definitely will be purchasing future volumes and you should do so as well.

Rating:
Summary: Even better than the first
Review: This was a great tape. The animation is still the best. And the dub is still good. The first episode picks up were the last one left off. And we get to see some robot vs. robot action. With Yushiro fighting the girl in his dreams. You will be pleased. We also learn more about the other TA piolets. Then in the second episode we see Yushiro meet the girl. With introducing new characters as well. Even though there isn't as much action in this one until the end, the story will still keep you intrigued. And the action is great to. I am not going to spoil it, But it isn't in the robots this time. The third episode is my favorite. As Yushiro is heading back to Japan, with the rest of the piolets, with the Ta's in a big plane, get attacked. (forgive the run-on sentence) And how they handle it will keep you on the edge. This is a great series, and is highly recomended.

Rating:
Summary: Things are starting to pick up
Review: This was similar to the first volume. Now however, the TA's have fought in real battle and there has been more action than the first volume- slowly things are coming together. Volume 3 is when you'll decide if you like the series or not though- There is a lot more action and more character development than the first 2 volumes. Although Volumes 1 and 2 seem slow, it is important for a basis for the rest of the series so bear through it! Again, I recommend you rent the first 3 volumes before buying them to decided whether or not you'll like the series. I really enjoyed this series and it took the first 3 volumes to figure that out.

Rating:
Summary: Things are starting to pick up
Review: This was similar to the first volume. Now however, the TA's have fought in real battle and there has been more action than the first volume- slowly things are coming together. Volume 3 is when you'll decide if you like the series or not though- There is a lot more action and more character development than the first 2 volumes. Although Volumes 1 and 2 seem slow, it is important for a basis for the rest of the series so bear through it! Again, I recommend you rent the first 3 volumes before buying them to decided whether or not you'll like the series. I really enjoyed this series and it took the first 3 volumes to figure that out.

Rating:
Summary: Well done!
Review: Very impressive I must say. This second DVD is even better then the first one (although you have to buy vol.1 in order to fully appreciate this volume). When i first heared about Gasaraki I though it was just a copy of Neon Genesis Evangelion, this was a mistake. Sure Miharu is VERY close to Rei, the plot, so fare, follows the same path as evangelion's but still it is very different, mainly because Gasaraki has a very reallistic aspect, exept for the mechs there's nothing futuristic. If you like Evangelion you'll like this anime (probably even more). For me it's by fare the best anime of this year. VERY recommended!