Escaflowne - Light & Shadow (Vol. 7)

Starring:Kirby Morrow, Kelly Sheridan, Brian Drummond, Jocelyne Loewen, Andrew Francis, Paul Dobson, Richard Newman, Terry Klassen, Venus Terzo, Ward Perry, Don Brown, Saffron Henderson, Lisa Ann Beley, Nicole Oliver, Alvin Sanders, Dillon Moen, Willow Johnson, Sean Smith, Rice Honeywell, Scott McNeil
Director: Kazuki Akane
Studio: Bandai
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In the penultimate collection of this popular series, various conflicts approach their resolution: not only the battle being fought over the fate of the alternate world of Gaea, but the standard rivalry for the affections of this "magical girl" series' heroine, between a dashing, rough-hewn suitor and a more elegant, polished one--in this case, Van of Fanelia and Allen Schezar. Dornkirk, the evil emperor of Zaibach, continues his plan to alter the fate of Gaea using his semi-magical/semi-technological device. Dornkirk's lieutenant, Folken, is pitted against his brother, Van, the pilot of the mecha Escaflowne and a leader of the anti-Zaibach alliance. Much of the struggle hinges on the psychic abilities of Hitomi, the girl from Earth who unwillingly finds herself at the focus of the storm. At times, the story by Hajime Yatate and Shoji Kawamori seems to be careening out of control, as characters appear, disappear, and undergo radical changes in personality. Suddenly the filmmakers try to build sympathy for the psychotic villain Dilandau, and the heretofore utterly noble Allen confesses to numerous romantic indiscretions. Hitomi sets a new standard for ditziness, even for a magical girl, when she offers first aid to her human-animal kidnapper, rather than escaping from her. Rated 13 and up for violence. --Charles Solomon
Description
Hitomi surrenders to the fortune-enhanced soldiers Naria and Eriya, but the fortune-enhancing process has some unpredictable side-effects. After her escape, Hitomi and Van are summoned to the ruins of Fanelia by Folken. There, they face the menace of the dragons and the shadows of the past that have haunted Van's older brother since the days of his dragon-slaying ceremony. DVD Highlights: DVD Interactive Menus, Dolby Digital Audio, English/Japanese audio tracks with English subtitle option, Extras - Club Escaflowne/Staff Interviews/Bonus Materials/Trailers. "An Amazing Show" - Animerica

Escaflowne - Light & Shadow (Vol. 7)
Average customer rating:

The Precious Strength

Whoa.

A wonderful series.

Dilandau's back!

Great Anime series

Escaflowne - Light & Shadow (Vol. 7)
Starring: Kirby Morrow , Kelly Sheridan , Brian Drummond , Jocelyne Loewen , and Andrew Francis
Director: Kazuki Akane
Manufacturer: Bandai
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Escaflowne - Angels and Demons (V.3)

ASIN: B00005B1VV
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Amazon.com

In the penultimate collection of this popular series, various conflicts approach their resolution: not only the battle being fought over the fate of the alternate world of Gaea, but the standard rivalry for the affections of this "magical girl" series' heroine, between a dashing, rough-hewn suitor and a more elegant, polished one--in this case, Van of Fanelia and Allen Schezar. Dornkirk, the evil emperor of Zaibach, continues his plan to alter the fate of Gaea using his semi-magical/semi-technological device. Dornkirk's lieutenant, Folken, is pitted against his brother, Van, the pilot of the mecha Escaflowne and a leader of the anti-Zaibach alliance. Much of the struggle hinges on the psychic abilities of Hitomi, the girl from Earth who unwillingly finds herself at the focus of the storm. At times, the story by Hajime Yatate and Shoji Kawamori seems to be careening out of control, as characters appear, disappear, and undergo radical changes in personality. Suddenly the filmmakers try to build sympathy for the psychotic villain Dilandau, and the heretofore utterly noble Allen confesses to numerous romantic indiscretions. Hitomi sets a new standard for ditziness, even for a magical girl, when she offers first aid to her human-animal kidnapper, rather than escaping from her. Rated 13 and up for violence. --Charles Solomon

Description

Hitomi surrenders to the fortune-enhanced soldiers Naria and Eriya, but the fortune-enhancing process has some unpredictable side-effects. After her escape, Hitomi and Van are summoned to the ruins of Fanelia by Folken. There, they face the menace of the dragons and the shadows of the past that have haunted Van's older brother since the days of his dragon-slaying ceremony. DVD Highlights: DVD Interactive Menus, Dolby Digital Audio, English/Japanese audio tracks with English subtitle option, Extras - Club Escaflowne/Staff Interviews/Bonus Materials/Trailers. "An Amazing Show" - Animerica

Customer Reviews:

The Precious Strength.......2003-06-22

Eriya and Naria, Folken's loyal feline warriors, try to kidnap Hitomi but their luck intensification fails. This triggers a grand rescue chase to foil the Zaibach Empire. But the tragic results leave Folken convinced that Emperor Dornkirk may have the right idea, but is going about it in entirely the wrong way.

Van finds himself torn between his childhood loyalty to Folken, and his anger over his brother's loyalty to Dornkirk. When Folken arranges a meeting, Van finally sets out to gain revenge for Folken's desertion of Fanelia. But the struggle between Van and Folken ends inconclusively, and Folken determines to turn himself over to Asturia to bring an end to this horrible war. Now the struggle truly begins in earnest.

Another relationship, that between Hitomi and Allen Schezar also seems to be developing cracks, as the young knight reveals his controlling side. Hitomi's is uncomfortable with this but is even more uncomfortable with Van's angry willingness to fight and kill. This triggers a spectacular cliffhanger of an ending sure to please the most jaded of watchers and leave them grabbing for the last DVD in this series.

As you can see, the fact that this series is drawing to an end means that there will be no lack of plot twists. And no lack of shifts in character development either. This is never a simpleminded series, but a complex weaving of the themes of destiny, human nature, war, and the value of relationships and love. It is always reaching beyond the story line for higher values, even as Evangelion did. Whether the story moves quickly or slows down for an introspective moment, it remains compelling.

Whoa........2002-02-15

I have to say, Vision of Escaflowne is one of my favorite series ever. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. It draws you in from the very first episode. The art and animation is pretty. Great music scores. ^_~

A wonderful series........2001-08-24

While I haven't seen the DVD, I *have* seen the entire series (subtitled), and these episodes are excellent, heck, the entire series is excellent, the music, the storyline, the brilliant animation, the characters, both minor and major contribute to this great series. The dubbing however (i've seen most of the dubbed series) was okay, not excellent like the dubbing in "Please Save My Earth", but it was alright, tolerable. As for what the editorial review says, I don't think Hitomi was being a ditz at all. She saw the good in her kidnapper and offered first aid to her because she's a kind and compassionate human being. Okay, so maybe you wouldn't and shouldn't do that if you were in her situation, then again, who knows. There's always two sides to the coin. But anywho. I highly recommend this series to anyone who's a fan of anime or action/drama/romance type movies.

Dilandau's back!.......2001-07-20

Yey! I was really excited to see the return of the evil Dilandau, he rocks. Anyways, I read a spoiler so I know who he really is.. Then we are at this mysterious scene where one of the 4 generals is looking out at a courtyard. He sees a girl who is innocent and really naive looking. She grabs a flower off the ground that has a snail on it. Then we see her about to eat the snail, like nothing's wrong with that. Well the general sees this and about ..., until this humanoid dog creature stops her from putting it in her mouth and shakes his head at her like "No you're not supposed to eat that.." Well, guess who the girl is..... I can't tell you! You have to wait! Hitomi and Allen get in their first fight over Allen being jealous about Hitomi and Van going to Fanelia the last night. There's a lot of Folken in this one, you discover that he is not all bad, because you find out his cause for all the mayhem. The reason he ran from the dragon wasn't because he was a chicken! hehehehhe..

Well, I am watching this one currently, and I can't seem to get it out of the player. -Seph.

Great Anime series.......2001-07-08

I have seen everything from Bubblegum Crisis to Wicked City. This is a great Jap-Anime for teens and adults. Not as much violence and gore as Bubblegum and no nudity. Has great humor as a girl from earth getts in trouble with everyone on a mistical planet that has 2 moons in the night ski (our moon and the earth). Well stuctured plot will keep adults and 2 girls takeing pot shots and pokeing fun at each other will get the kids. If you see any part of this video you will agree buy one, must have all.