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Ceres, Celestial Legend - Destiny (Vol.1)

Ceres, Celestial Legend - Destiny (Vol.1)

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not as good as Fushigi Yugi
Review: (I wish I could rate this 2.5 stars, actually)

I basically felt this series was a bit forced. While the premise of the series is interesting, and based on numerous actual legends, it's not enough to compensate for the other failings.

The pacing felt akward, at times. Also, various events throughout the series didn't maintain a very good flow or strong continuity of plot. I sometimes thought the characters' actions weren't well motivated, and the character development was thin, in places. I think much of this is due to the entire story being condensed into 24 episodes.

The beginning is very strong, and quite promising, but by about the 3rd disc, it just starts to drag, as I think I was starting to get frustrated with the above issues. It's like there's all sorts of supposedly exciting stuff going on, but I found it difficult to really get involved. It just failed to maintain my level of interest and I found myself beginning to have little empathy for the characters (perhaps because they felt flat and unrealistic).

Anyhow, I've seen the first season of Fushigi Yugi, which is also based on manga written by Yuu Watase. I just found it to be more lively and compelling than this (for comparison, I'd probably rate it 4 stars).

All in all, I just don't feel that Ceres is anything special, and I've seen quite a bit of anime (~10 hrs. per week, for the past 5 years, with no repeats - and I'm not talking about the dubbed, edited versions you get on Cartoon Network, either). I'm actually a little annoyed that I bothered to watch it all the way through.

BTW, if you like FY, check out Escaflowne or the first 2 seasons of Kenshin (Samurai X) - IMO, they're much better than Ceres.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: By The Creator of Fushigi Yuugi... Another Masterpiece
Review: Ahh, the glory that is Watase Yuu... All hail her..

This is Watase at her best, and Studio Peirrot brings her story great honor (especially since they successfully condensed a 14 volume manga into a 26 episode tv series). The animation style is much like that of Fushigi Yuugi (if you're familiar with that series, you know what I mean), based on the fact that the bishounen (gorgeous "pretty" boys) of the series look remarkably like those of FY. But in Ayashi no Ceres (Celestial Legend to us) the animation "quality" is much nicer and more outstanding. The storyline is more mature, violent, and graphic than that of FY, and the overall mood is much darker. An extremely compelling series!

If you're familiar of the story of the tennou (nymph) bound to earth because of her stolen hagoromo (robe), then Ayashi no Ceres is right up your alley because that is what it is based on. If you do not know the story, it is a very famous legend told in Asia and around the world about a nymph who's robe was stolen by a man. The loss of this robe meant that she could not return to heaven. She marries the very man who had stolen her robe, and bears him children, although eventually (according to Ayashi no Ceres' version) she returns to heaven declaring that every generation she will return to seek her revenge on the one who had taken her robe. In Ayashi no Ceres, the chosen one of the present generation is Aya, the main character.

The story starts out right away, and soon becomes so complex that it grips your mind as well as you heart. Having some of the same themes as Fushigi Yuugi (i.e. two people who once were so close are torn apart because of destiny, as well as romantic triangles), Ayashi no Ceres not only succeeds as a outstanding anime, it also far exceeds any storyline that you could see in many anime now-a-days...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Captivating Anime! A must buy!
Review: Ayashi no Ceres (a.k.a. Ceres: Celestial Legend) is a beautiful and captivating anime. I wouldn't expect anything less from Yuu Watase; the creator of the famous shoujo (girl's) anime: Fushigi Yuugi (Mysterious Play). The animation quality is superior to that of Fushigi Yuugi even though it carries tha same characteristics like the pointed faces and very circular eyes. But Ayashi no Ceres's story line is more mature and 'dark' than Fushigi Yuugi's.

Ayashi no Ceres is another anime-turned-manga and was 14 volumes long. Like past reviewers have said, they did a good job in fitting the 14 volumes into only 24 episodes. The anime does have many differences from the manga though.

Ayashi no Ceres revolves around the story of the Tennyo (heavenly maiden or fairy) whose hagoromo (feathered robe) which enabled her to return to the heavens, was stolen. Ceres is the tennyo which lives in the bodies of the Mikage family's females. She wants revenge and to kill the whole Mikage family. Some of the women have very strong tennyo power, while others have very little. Aya just happens to be unlucky, and inherits the strongest power.

Aya is the 15-year-old heroine of the story. She loves to karaoke and do things every normal teenage girl does. On the day before her sixteenth birhtday, she is out with her twin brother and a couple of friends, and gets her fortune told. What the fortune teller says surprises her and is completely unbelieveable. She says quote: "When the sixteen stars and moons come around, you will know where your fate will lead you. What I can foresee are blood, anger, and tragedy. Everything in the society will be off-balanced. Your fate will be strongly influenced by a dark star. Your energy and strong will might change the course of your fate. It all depends on you."
Aya becomes upset because of this.

Later on, Aya sees a robber trying to steal someones purse. She immediately rushes in to help, but ends up falling off the side of the bridge. But as she is about to hit the ground, she floats and lands softly. Unfortunately, a car is speeding towards her at this same moment. But in the knick of time, a man appears and saves her and disappears afterwards.

The next day, Aya and Aki go to their grandfather's house to celebrate their birthday. When they get there, what they find is not a party, but the anticipated death of the threat to the Mikage family. What is this new power that Aya obtains? Why does Aya's family want to kill her suddenly? What do they want from Aki? And how is that mysterious man who saved her associated with her family? Watch the series and find out. It's definitely worth the money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Ayashi No Ceres is the best!
Review: Ayashi No Ceres is about a spirit named Ceres(Fancy) whom flew away from the skys of heaven onto earth.One day when she was on earth a man named Makagi found her haromago(a feathered robe(Also can be known as her mana.According to the legend with out the haromago The Celestial spirit Ceres could not return to the heavens.)At first makagi and Ceres were happy . But then one day Makagi came back from a battle and had no strenth and lost. So Ceres thoughht that you need to be protected,so i'll give you a part of my power. After that day All Magaki cared about was strenth and power and nothing else.Ceres was becoming weaker and asked Makagi for her Haromgo or mana back,but Makagi Refused to give it to her.Ceres insisted that if she didn't have it she'd die.... Ceres decided to leave Makagi and taking her children with her. But as she was leaving Makagi caught her. He wouldn't let her go. And didn't care if it meant killing his own children. So Ceres got really angry and told herself where was the man that used to be Makagi.And She Killed him. She left her Children hooping that they will one day find happiness.Ceres died,but her spirit still lived and passed on to many women on thier 16th birthday. This time Ceres is awaken into Aya one of the Mikage. And Ceres will do anything to kill the Mikage.And For the rest of the Mikage, they have to kill Aya in order to stop Ceres from killing them. Mikagi is awaken into Aki, Aya's twin brother.And now Aya's fighting against her own family. Ceres is deteermined to kill the Mikage. But will Aya let her.Find out by Watchiing. This is one of the best!

Kristin

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: decent but not the best
Review: Ayashi no Ceres or as known in the American version, Ceres, Celestial Legend, did not appeal to me personally. I fell in love with the first Yu Watase series I'd watched, Fushigi Yugi, and I had very high expections for AnC; perhaps too high.

The series, while somewhat interesting, just did not have the magic that Fushigi Yugi had. I found Aya to be one of the most irritating female protagonists I've ever seen in an anime series; as Ceres she was much better, but I could not get rid of my dislike for her character to enjoy this anime much.

Watch this series if you just want to be entertained for a while; if you want a beautiful series that's thought-provoking, tear-inducing and absolutely lovely to watch, I suggest you get Fushigi Yugi first. I guarantee you'll love it.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Anime version of Ceres is paced too slowly
Review: Ceres is about a super natural being that shares a 16 year old girl's body in modern day Japan. Most of the girl's extended family is trying to kill her in order to subdue the super natural being. At times the story is somewhat interesting and with the exception of the model for the old woman, the art work is very good. Unfortunately, there are too many long panning scenes that show the side of a building, a wall, a car on a road, or a character's face. In those scenes, nobody says anything and the pictures don't do anything to develop either the characters or the plot. There are also too many shallow reflection scenes where a character reflects back at scenes that were shown earlier without adding any new perspectives or ideas to the scenes. The plot is decent. However, the anime version of Ceres feels like it is played in slow motion.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best anime I've seen yet
Review: Ceres is one of my favorite anime. The beginning of the series is very strange, so just stick with it until it gets a little more normal (well, I don't know if you could really call this series normal). The music is beautiful, and I especially like the opening theme, "Scarlet." The Ceres soundtrack is great, and in my mind, second only to Yoko Kanno's wonderful Cowboy Bebop score. There are two ending theme songs, the second one replacing the first in the middle of the series. Try to be mature about the opening theme animation; it includes some nudity. There is very little nudity in the series itself, though.
I'm hesitant to tell anything about the plot for fear it might spoil other episodes, so I won't say much. Aya, her twin brother Aki and their friends are at a karaoke bar. Upon returing home, Aya and Aki are told that they are to spend their 16th birthday at a "party" at their grandfather's house. This party begins a rather confusing sequence of strange (and sometimes creepy) events that you won't really understand until you see some more episodes, so, like I said before, just try to be patient with the plot.
The dubbing is pretty good. I really like Aya's voice actress (I've forgotton how to spell her name- it's pretty complicated), who also played Lime in "Saber Marionette J" and Meifon Li in "Angel Links."
Ceres is an awesome anime and I highly reccomend it.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Eh.
Review: Even though I liked Fushigi Yugi (to a point... all that "Tamahome!" "Miaka!" stuff gets on your nerves...), I didn't much care for this series. It wasn't BAD, but I was a bit bored with it. I thought the romance between Aya and that one guy is contrived, and starts out a bit too early (the first kiss in the tree scene). I just know this is going to be a gushy melodramatic romance.
The best thing is the plotline about Aya's special powers, and her wicked family, but I thought that could have been better too. One scene that didn't make sense was when Aya's mother attacks Aya in a hospital... why was her mother cutting apples in the hospital room?! It would have made more sense if they had the scene at Aya's house... how would her mother be able to bring a big kitchen knife into a hospital in the first place??
This isn't a series I would care enough about seeing again, but my sister will probably make me watch it anyway... she loves this sort of stuff...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The most amazing anime I've seen`
Review: Finally! Dubbing that doesn't stink! I absolutely adore this anime. The storyline is so twisted it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time, and it's not all mushy mushy either. Definitely recommend it to any anime fan, particularly the fan that enjoys a tainted love story!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Absoultely amazing anime!
Review: From the author and artist of fushigi yugi, Yu Watase, comes another wonderful series. Ceres: Celestial legend. This volume was actually kinda creepy *laughs*. It was verrrrry good, though. I really recommend it, and it was certainly money well spent.
16 year-old Aya Mikage and her twin brother Aki are having their birthday with the whole Mikage family. Aya starts to get worried when there's no cake, food, or decorations. Not to mention the grim looks on everyone's face. Aya's grandfather gives them an odd present, which triggers a memory flash that Aya can't recall. suddently their gift explodes and Aki has blood spurting everywhere. Once he's taken away, about 15 guns are pointed at Aya's head. Again, something odd happens and the next thing Aya knows, she's in a tree with the Mysterious Toya comforting her. I won't give away any more details of this story *whoops*, so buy this series! I'd never heard of it until I saw it on the store shelf, with the sticker "from Yu Watase". Considering Fushigi Yugi is one my favorite shows (and books), I figured I'd give it a shot. WOW! The next day I went back and got the second volume, which was just as good as the first. This series is awesome. Really, it sooooo good! ^_^ But don't take my word, buy it and find out what Ceres is all about!


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