Arc the Lad - Fireball (Vol. 2)

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In this second collection of the series based on the video game, flashbacks reveal more about Elk's background. After seeing his father murdered while protecting a sacred statue, Elk was taken by soldiers to White House, the site of sinister human experiments. But Elk has enough in the present to keep him busy: Lieza is being followed by sinister men in dark suits, apparently on the orders of the Mayor of Prodias City and his oily assistant. When the Mayor unveils a huge statue of a Peace Goddess, Arc attacks in his air ship, the Silver Noah. Although Elk blames him for his past mistreatment, any anime fan can tell that the nobly taciturn Arc is no villain, and that the real explanation will be more complicated. After an aerial chase, Elk, Shu, and Lieza crash on the remote tropical island of Dr. Vilman. Lieza reveals an ability to heal wounds with her touch, but Shu vanishes without a word, setting the next adventure in motion. Arc the Lad sometimes threatens to degenerate into a formula action series, but the filmmakers maintain enough of an edge to keep it interesting: the images of Elk and Shu walking through an otherwise modern city in medieval costume are as engagingly incongruous as Prince Valiant strolling through Times Square in chain mail. Parental guidance suggested: suitable for ages 13 and up for violence and minor profanity. --Charles Solomon
Average customer rating:
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Arc the Lad - Fireball (Vol. 2)
Starring: Joshua Seth , Dorothy Elias-Fahn , Steven Jay Blum , Dave Mallow , and Wendee Lee Director: Toshiaki Kawasaki Manufacturer: Adv Films ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005BCJL Release Date: 2001-06-12 |
Amazon.com
In this second collection of the series based on the video game, flashbacks reveal more about Elk's background. After seeing his father murdered while protecting a sacred statue, Elk was taken by soldiers to White House, the site of sinister human experiments. But Elk has enough in the present to keep him busy: Lieza is being followed by sinister men in dark suits, apparently on the orders of the Mayor of Prodias City and his oily assistant. When the Mayor unveils a huge statue of a Peace Goddess, Arc attacks in his air ship, the Silver Noah. Although Elk blames him for his past mistreatment, any anime fan can tell that the nobly taciturn Arc is no villain, and that the real explanation will be more complicated. After an aerial chase, Elk, Shu, and Lieza crash on the remote tropical island of Dr. Vilman. Lieza reveals an ability to heal wounds with her touch, but Shu vanishes without a word, setting the next adventure in motion. Arc the Lad sometimes threatens to degenerate into a formula action series, but the filmmakers maintain enough of an edge to keep it interesting: the images of Elk and Shu walking through an otherwise modern city in medieval costume are as engagingly incongruous as Prince Valiant strolling through Times Square in chain mail. Parental guidance suggested: suitable for ages 13 and up for violence and minor profanity. --Charles SolomonCustomer Reviews:
Has it's ups and downs..........2004-07-22
As far as dubbed VS subtitled goes...I'm generally not faithful to one or the other. I admit that I often try the dub first, but on my second run through (assuming the dub was good enough to keep watching) I try the subtitled version. The dub of Arc the Lad is not bad. It's just...not that good. The actor's voices aren't annoying, which is a plus, since they quite often are. But, they just deliver their lines without emotion, or with the wrong emotion for the scene. The subtitling is much better. And if you watch the dub with the subtitles, the conversion is actually pretty acurate. There are a couple of things here and there, but nothing glaringly obvious.
OK. Now for the episodes. Since the first DVD was just picking up by the end of the disc, I assumed that the 2nd DVD would go right into the action. And while, in a way, it did, I still found it a little too slow paced for me. At least in the begging of the disc. Even by the end of the 1st episode it had picked up, but I find the quick start/stop pace of the action a little jarring. The animation is gorgeous. This is my favorite kind of animation. Big faces, big eyes...not at all realistic looking, but nice to look at. The music is OK...nothing too spectacular. The other plus to the series is that it is (at least so far) only rated 15+ for violence. There seems to be no sexuality, or mature content to speak of.
With the length of the series not requiring too much of a commitment (under 6 hours long), funny particulars such as midieval dress in the modern world, a few good fight scenes, a decent plot, and moments of humor, I would say that Arc the Lad is an anime that is worth a shot. As long as you don't expect too much from it.
BEST ONE YET!!.......2002-05-24
Even better!!.......2002-04-12
Great :).......2001-07-09
By the way, I believe the series is of 26 episodes, not 14.
Slow paced, but must pe patient........2001-06-24
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