Rating: Summary: "I am ailing myself, you see." Review: In much of these three episodes, director Yoshiaki Kawajiri explores the human dimensions of his characters and their histories. But, do not be mislead into thinking that, since the focus is on character development, the stories are slowly paced. Entirely the opposite is true. Pacing is excellent, moving from intense dueling scenes to elegiac memories. Nor are there no sharp edges in the remembrance of things past. Unlike the film, which paid only the most minimal lip service to internal dialog, the series allows the story to develop in its own time. The result is a whole vision of the progress of the story instead of a fragmentary whirlwind.'Cyber' is a character study of one of the coldest of the Dragons. In a set of flashbacks played against an effort to capture her, we are introduced to Satsuki Yatouji - computer genius and Dragon of Earth. This episode is interesting in how much it finds to say about Satsuki, unlike the film, which made her out to be a pure villain. Instead, we find a lonely person who finds the world inside a machine far preferable to the boring and messy life of us humans. 'Gemini' opens with a short glimpse of Karen Kasumi, a Christian of many contradictions and Dragon of Heaven. Then comes the revelation of the identity of Kamui's twin star, or opposite, who is prophesied to be the balance to Kamui. Two destinies, one ending. 'Onmyou' introduces Subaru Sumeragi, leader of the Onmyouji, Japan's Yin-Yang masters. His opposite is assassin Seishiro Sakurazuka, who killed Subaru's twin sister, Hokuto. Many of the themes and characters developed have strong ties to Japan's underlying Shinto faith. The ideas of polarity and balance pervade this series, playing in almost every relationship.
Rating: Summary: "I am ailing myself, you see." Review: In much of these three episodes, director Yoshiaki Kawajiri explores the human dimensions of his characters and their histories. But, do not be mislead into thinking that, since the focus is on character development, the stories are slowly paced. Entirely the opposite is true. Pacing is excellent, moving from intense dueling scenes to elegiac memories. Nor are there no sharp edges in the remembrance of things past. Unlike the film, which paid only the most minimal lip service to internal dialog, the series allows the story to develop in its own time. The result is a whole vision of the progress of the story instead of a fragmentary whirlwind. 'Cyber' is a character study of one of the coldest of the Dragons. In a set of flashbacks played against an effort to capture her, we are introduced to Satsuki Yatouji - computer genius and Dragon of Earth. This episode is interesting in how much it finds to say about Satsuki, unlike the film, which made her out to be a pure villain. Instead, we find a lonely person who finds the world inside a machine far preferable to the boring and messy life of us humans. 'Gemini' opens with a short glimpse of Karen Kasumi, a Christian of many contradictions and Dragon of Heaven. Then comes the revelation of the identity of Kamui's twin star, or opposite, who is prophesied to be the balance to Kamui. Two destinies, one ending. 'Onmyou' introduces Subaru Sumeragi, leader of the Onmyouji, Japan's Yin-Yang masters. His opposite is assassin Seishiro Sakurazuka, who killed Subaru's twin sister, Hokuto. Many of the themes and characters developed have strong ties to Japan's underlying Shinto faith. The ideas of polarity and balance pervade this series, playing in almost every relationship.
Rating: Summary: X Volume 3 Review Review: The best volume so far. I would give it 6 stars if possible. It tells about Satsuki's past and how she found out she was a Dragon of Earth. Meanwhile, Fuma's father tells him that he is Kamui's twin star. Fuma then has a vision of him and Kamui fighting. Then he has another vision of Kamui killing Kotori. There is an intense, cool fight between Kamui and Seishiro Sakurazuka. Fuma steps in and Seishiro flees. Sorata and Arashi go looking for Subaru Sumeragi, one of the Dragons of Heaven, but Seishiro finds him first and the two engage in an intense battle. But Seishiro leaves during the fight and Subaru then meets up with Sorata and Arashi. Subaru and Seishiro are my favorite X characters, and the fact that they are in it makes this volume excellent. I suggest everyone to buy this awesome volume of X.
Rating: Summary: I'm still in love with this series Review: The X TV series continues to be one of the best anime releases in recent months. These three episodes focus more on character development than continuation of the overall storyline; but they manage to do it without loosing momentum or the viewers' interest. Without giving any spoilers, let me say that the third episode, focusing on Subaru, stands out as one of the most memorable anime episodes I've ever seen. This is one of the few points, in my anime-watching experience, that I've thought to myself "Wow, this is really well directed." The pace of the episode is slow and deliberate, with a lot of attention to shadows and reflections; which provides an interesting segue into several memory and dream fragments. Overall, it's a rare example of true artistry in anime. For those who are disappointed by the low episode count (three episodes per disc), I would say that this one episode is well worth the price of the DVD alone. After three discs, I'm still in love with the X TV series; and waiting impatiently for the next disc to be released. While I can understand the argument that this series is too stylistic, and broken up with too many visions, dreams, etc... I would say that there's some real substance behind the style, and that the many fragments do a good job of keeping the, otherwise fatalistic, story interesting. This is an example of a story that should be enjoyed as it unfolds, not simply for a dramatic climax. Finally I must say that, the comparison of the characters to Shinji in Evangelion (above), is totally unfounded. While many characters do come off as alienated, it's clear that great pains have been taken to make them accessible and give them room for growth. If you've seen Evangelion, you'll know that character growth is not it's strong point... but that works well in the context of a larger message about human fallibility. Suffice it to say that X is not the same sort of show; one of its great strengths is that it does focus heavily on character development.
Rating: Summary: Excellent, but it's no X [One] Review: This DVD is just another DVD of a great series. The DVD X [One] blew me away and I immediately bought this DVD as well. This was almost a let-down. It's not a shot at the series, but to the people who are organizing these DVDs for American release. I am seriously sick and tired of 3-episode DVDs. We all know they can put at least 5 episodes on one DVD and when they put 3, they're trying to scam more money from me. For our [item price] we at least deserve 4 episodes! Great series, but these DVD's aren't really worth the money unless you're really into it. I can't justify [that much] to an episode.
Rating: Summary: X Volume 3 Review Review: This volume is great. I would give it 6 stars if possible. I think it is the best of all the volumes at this point. It talks about Satsuki's past and how she found out she was a Dragon of Earth. Fuma's father tells him that he is Kamui's twin star. Fuma then has a vision of the two of them fighting, and then Kamui killing Kotori. Kamui has a cool, exciting fight with a Dragon of Earth, Seishiro Sakurazuka. Fuma steps in and saves them both and Seishiro vanishes. Sorata and Arashi go searching for Subaru Sumeragi, one of the Dragons of Heaven, but Seishiro finds him first and the two have an intense battle. Seishiro leaves during the middle of the fight and Subaru then meets up with Sorata and Arashi. Subaru and Seishiro are my favorite X Characters, and their battle made this volume the greatest. Buy it, it's amazing.
Rating: Summary: Kamui help us! Review: Well, this is gonna be breif....I am kinda dissapointed in the choppy animation ... and weird coloration... BUT I JUST LOVE THIS SHOW!!! I love X/1999 I kinda love the X movie and now I can have a moving version of the the book (of sorts). Too bad they sliced and diced the actual script of the book....and they twisted the characters around a bit....which I am deeply sadden by....But this installation of the DVDs kinda got me happy again. These are not filler epsidoes (I don't think any of them will be..thank the Dragons of Earth-ahem-Heaven) these are character insights from another point of view. I don't really like the director for twisting around the characters (Kotori) and plots....at all....BUT LO AND BEHOLD...SUBARU!!! This is a great insight (and eye candy) from Tokyo Babylon's Subaru Sumeragi. This is a really cool DVD cuz of him!! It really shows off Subaru's improvement from the Tokyo Babylon Subaru. That's all that I liked from X tv series so far though... I hope to see some keeping with the actual Clamp script soon....and the Dragon's of Earth are not evil!!! They just have a diffrent view on things!!!
Rating: Summary: Continuation Of This Epic Series Review: X #3 starts right where #2 left off. The Dragons of Heaven and Earth are still assembling to get ready for the final showdown and the battle for Earth. This is really cool series. It's got a lot of what I like: epic plot, lots of characters, and some cool fighting. The animation is magnificent -- it's hard to believe that this is a T.V. show and not a big budget movie and the music is quite good as well. This disc covers 3 more episodes and basically serves to introduce more characters as the two sides start staffing up so they can fight it out. In terms of plot, having seen the series in its entirety already, things really start to heat up once the seven warriors (on each side) get together which happens in another disc or two. For now, be content with episodes focus on the individual characters and their background and motivations. I would have given this disc 5 stars if it had four or five episodes instead of three and some extras (there really isn't any). Overall, I'd highly recommend this series.
Rating: Summary: Continuation Of This Epic Series Review: X #3 starts right where #2 left off. The Dragons of Heaven and Earth are still assembling to get ready for the final showdown and the battle for Earth. This is really cool series. It's got a lot of what I like: epic plot, lots of characters, and some cool fighting. The animation is magnificent -- it's hard to believe that this is a T.V. show and not a big budget movie and the music is quite good as well. This disc covers 3 more episodes and basically serves to introduce more characters as the two sides start staffing up so they can fight it out. In terms of plot, having seen the series in its entirety already, things really start to heat up once the seven warriors (on each side) get together which happens in another disc or two. For now, be content with episodes focus on the individual characters and their background and motivations. I would have given this disc 5 stars if it had four or five episodes instead of three and some extras (there really isn't any). Overall, I'd highly recommend this series.
Rating: Summary: SUBARU-KUN!!! Review: X is a beautiful series, which seriously attempts to be an epic in a heartfelt manner (and I only say "attempt" because I'm an english major and have read the real epics). X doesn't just show, it reads. The viewer leaves every episode feeling fulfilled and craving more. This DVD made me especially excited, however, because of the first serious appearence of Subaru-kun, the star of one of my favorite animes, Tokyo Babylon. If you've gotten this far in the series, seriously consider purchasing Tokyo Babylon, to fully understand the tragedy of the encounters of Subaru-kun and Seshiro. If you haven't seen X at all, what are you waiting for, silly? Get Vol. One NOW!!! :)
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