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Gasaraki - The Circle Opens (Vol. 2)

Gasaraki - The Circle Opens (Vol. 2)

List Price: $29.98
Your Price: $26.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: disapointment in Belgistan
Review: After purchasing the first in this series of DVDs, I was eagerly awaiting the next one in the series. However I was disapointed in this vid. Their were less episodes on this disk than the first one and fewer extras. I will admit that the story is still excellent, although frustrating at times, and the animation is superb. ... I would rather buy the Robotech legacy DVD or even Fight Club instead of this vid.

Sincerely:

David C. Eberhart II

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: disapointment in Belgistan
Review: After purchasing the first in this series of DVDs, I was eagerly awaiting the next one in the series. However I was disapointed in this vid. Their were less episodes on this disk than the first one and fewer extras. I will admit that the story is still excellent, although frustrating at times, and the animation is superb. ... I would rather buy the Robotech legacy DVD or even Fight Club instead of this vid.

Sincerely:

David C. Eberhart II

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Do yourself a favor and buy this tape
Review: After the new TAs known as Fakes arrive on the scene, a batle starts and ends in a sand storm. That fight is continued later in the episode as the team of TAs walk right into the Fakes' trap. The battle concludes leaving the TAs with a sample of the Fakes. The second episode is even more intense as the JSSDF scuries to get the TAs out of Belgistan, but then Yushiro runs off again to see Miharu. Miharu and Yushiro become targets of Symbol, but get rescued by a man named Phantom. Phantom gives them a place to stay and Yushiro gets picked up. The crew of the JSSDF takes off back to Japan and are then forced to take on Armekistan aircrafts with a TA latched to a steel teather. Seeing Captain Ataka trying to talk in English was a very funny part of the subtitled version. There is a lot of funny stuff on this tape that you can only get in the subtitled version. If you can afford it, get it. Its worth it. Action, intrique and little bits of humor. The perfect show.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: So much to like about Gasaraki yet at times it frustrates
Review: Gasaraki is a futuristic, war-time tale utilizing "mechas"; or "Tactical Armor", as the weapon du jour. Gasaraki is an unfolding type of story whereas plot points are doled out sparingly and new characters are introduced frequently. Think war epics from the 1960's with dozens of movie stars as an example.

It is refreshing to see an anime that strives to be adult in a more geo-political and character driven way rather than by the over use of sex. The writers here worked very hard to create a refreshing storyline that creates a multitude of conflicts rather than focusing on a simple conflict as most animes do.

The plots are many encompassing not just the war, the politics, and social interaction but Japanese spiritual themes are included as well. A heavy use of Shinto religious themes and icons gives the story a mystical edge.

The story plays out by immersing the audience into the conflict by showing it from different points of view. You see this war from the media point of view, such as a "live CNN-like" report from the front lines with its grainy footage and color commentary, from the Generals' war room, from within the Tactical Armor itself, and the "mecha's" support crew as well.

The Character design is very good, especially the hardware though one particular annoying choice the designers made was the use of long hair on a particular "Tactical Armor" pilot. You have a story line here that rarely dissapoints and takes military and political protocol as accurately as it can but a particular T.A. pilot has hair that is way too stylized for the type of detailed story. This could be my particular quirk but it bothered me that his fellow crew and mostly every other soldier had military looking short hair.

The english Dub is very good. Generally speaking the actors did an above average job. The DVD interface is hassle free though I wish they would of included more extras.

A final point that frustrated me about Gasaraki is the animation frame rate. At times it can be to static or the walk cycles can be choppy. Obviously the budget was spent on the designers, actors, and director rather than the "in between artists".

This is a must see anime but don't expect it be flawless, just expect to be entertained.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good but slow
Review: I am finding the series very interesting. But it does have it's flaws. The plot as to what is really going on is very slow in being shown.
There was a little more character development in these episodes which was good and alot more action. This series is far from perfect. But it is interesting enough to warrant veiwing.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good but slow
Review: I am finding the series very interesting. But it does have it's flaws. The plot as to what is really going on is very slow in being shown.
There was a little more character development in these episodes which was good and alot more action. This series is far from perfect. But it is interesting enough to warrant veiwing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The perfection of anime
Review: I have seen both DVD, and both are excellent. The animation is perfect, they don't miss any detail and the robots are the best. The characters are very similar to REI and Shinji, but I don't have nothing against that. The giant Robots meet in combat and also the characters, and we have the first image of the "TERROR" (KUGAI). I recomend this DVD because of the cuality of the anime, the story and the development of the series is extremly exciting.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: As realistic as giant robots will ever get.
Review: If you saw the first tape, you know the drill. If not, that's what Gasaraki is in a nutshell: if you want cool acrobatics, ninja action, or see the whimpy hero grow a spine to save that good looking girl you'll have to pass this one up. It's not how it works in real life, and Gasaraki closely follows the way things are in our world. The show to this point is about real people living in a real world, politics, blurry lines between right or wrong, battles where you survive by luck as much as by skill. In this world, sandstorms will affect tanks and mechas, just like real life.

What it means, though, is that when something weird happens, it really feels weird! When was the last time you were surprised in Tenchi Muyo? There's many tidbits that will leave you wondering. Half glimpsed images of things that just can't be. Strange people with secret agendas. The fact that the main characters aren't invincible really add to the suspense though.

I've seen later episodes, and I can tell it gets even better, if you hadn't checked this series out, do it. It's unique.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: I give it a full two stars because of the great artwork.
Review: It offers nothing but mystery. The first volume was left me a bit clueless. I had bought this hoping it would answer some of the questions of the first volume, like what is up with the ceremony, the main charector or even what does the TA's have to do with any of this. It appears to be extremely slow. So far there is nothing much more than talking with a little bit of action in the 2 DVDs. It makes it seem like you need to buy the next DVD for the answers, but they do not give enough episodes per DVD for price and I usually do not buy any more of a series if I did not enjoy the first few episodes, more of less the first 7. This DVD make me feel like I would be wasting money if I were to finish the series. I recommend watching one of the Gundam series, at least that might offer more action, plot or even comedy.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Gasaraki sub!
Review: Now this is interesting because not only does one get more episodes of a cool series, Amazon.com seems to be secretly offering sub VHS editions even after ADV has announced the cancellation of sub VHS Gasaraki releases. Yes! Amazon.com rules!


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