legend of the crystals Based on FINAL FANTASY

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

legend of the crystals Based on FINAL FANTASY

I heard about this anime back when it was just being released in Japan before I was even interested in anime. Once I heard it was coming to the States I had to check it out. It's not as good as the games (no s***), but it's without a doubt the best game to anime translation I've seen (despite not playing FFV, but I own Chocobo Dungeons), and everything in it is of excellent quality.

Even if you never played the games (and if you haven't your one of the people preventing good RPGs from reaching American video games consoles) you'll find this enjoyable. I'm not quick to buy volume 2, but its not a waste of your money to check this out especially since FFV wasn't released in the U.S.

The Wind Chapter

Two hundred years after Final Fantasy V, three of the four elemental crystals of Planet R have been stolen, and only the Wind Crystal remains. To prevent the loss of this crystal, Lenaly and her grandfather go to protect it while trying to avoid the arrogant, reckless Prettz. After an attack by a giant spider, the old guy is to exhausted to continued, he has to trust Prettz to protect his granddaugter which may be tough since the sky pirate Rouge has an idea of a new treasure for her collection.

It is humorous, runs at a good pace, has great animation, has a great soundtrack, and a decent story. Hell, it even made sure to put in the trademark Chocobos. This title just seems to be a little to tame, even for Final Fantasy. One of the few times I wanted more rude humor, but of course the final joke makes up for what it lacks.

The Fire Chapter

Our two heroes are first captured by the kingdom's air force. Then Rouge's pirates attack and capture them a long with the ship's captain. Despite unorthodox torture, Prettz will not tell the interesting location of the crystal, so the three are imprisoned. Here the spirit of one of the original guardians of the crystals, appears to tell the group of there destiny, and to embarrass the hell out of Prettz.

There's a lot of action, but its still able to keep everything that made the first episode so much fun. The humor even improves (comedy wise not taste wise). The action sequences seem to be like the video games' which is an additional touch. I can't say its better than the first episode, but it comes close, kind of like FFII(U.S.) and FFIII(U.S) by many critics.

No comments:

Post a Comment

The Bus's Transit of Anime Reality

This is how I became a rabid otaku. My first website was not suppose to be strictly dedicated to anime, but all things that were a 17 year-old Russ (Star Wars, Red Dwarf, and Highlander).

It became my first lesson in website design. Don't try to cover too much because you are going to be left disappointed. So I kept it to anime, and it wasn't till college took up most of my time did I ever feel disappointed by it.

I was also the creator of a fairly popular Neon Genesis Evanglion site: EvaUnit03's Tokyo 3 Station. This is where I took Danielle Scott's idea of incorporating alternative rock with the series for a critical and musical look at Evangelion.

The anime reviews for the show can be found at http://evaunit03.homestead.com/. The manga reviews can be found at Russ's Online Home.

A Critique of the Chinese Subtitled Version

Evangelion: Death

Evangelion Death is basically a review of the entire series up to Episode 24 that uses the rap around device of the first four children playing classical pieces on stringed instruments. For each kid who joins in, his story is told. Through Shinji we also learn the story of Misato and Ritsuko. Since I don't know Japanese as well as I thought, maybe that hurt my opinion on the editing. Maybe I just prefer chronological order.

There are a few enhancements to the animation to set up the second film, Rebirth, but everything else is from the T.V. series besides for the rap around device. If your like me and saw Eva through A.D. Vision, they did a lot of unreasonable editing (allegedly restored), so we missed a lot via this company. If you enjoyed the series you'll enjoy this, but if you're overly anxious for the conclusion like I was since I felt the T.V. series ending was perfect, you could get bored with the Death, and fast forward 45 minutes to Rebirth.

Evangelion: Rebirth

All of the angels have been destroyed, so what is there left for Nerv to do? On that thought, Seele decides its time to take Nerv back from Gendo Ikari by hacking in and taking over the Magi. Luckily, Ritsuko creates the 666 program through Casper which stops this invasion.

Before the hackers stuck, Misato had been searching for answers about the concept of the Third Impact. Shinji is looking for sympathy after killing Kaworu, and Asuka has become almost totally unreceptive to anything. Unfortunately, the cast can't go back to these plans because Seele has launched an assault force to kill everyone in Nerv to make sure Seele is absolutely in control.

Obviously this film sets its self up for a sequel, especially since we find out what Seele now has as their secret weapon. I don't support why the films were made, but this is a beautiful piece of animation which surpasses the quality of Gainax's last big film Wings on Honneamise. The story is superb, and I was actually impressed in the emotional performances of the voice actors. It has some of the most superb sequences I've ever seen in an anime, and its sound track lives up to the series's. Love the end of the T.V. series or not, this 45 minute film will blow you away.

On that note about the soundtrack, here's the theme song in midi form.