Solty Rei – Volume 4
Label: MVM
Release date: 7th September 2009
Certificate: 15
Discs: 1.
Running time: 100 mins approx
Video: 16.9 anamorphic
Sound: English 5.1, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English.
RRP: £15.99
Brief synopsis:
As Roy continues to be mired in the past, Solty journeys across the barren desert wastes beyond the city. There she makes a friend who reminds her what it is that makes life worth living, be you mechanical or biological. Over at RUC, an enemy previously considered old news not only returns from the dead but joins the team. Sylvie sees her as a rival, not just in her professional life but in her personal life also, which marks her as someone who must be dealt with accordingly. But unbeknownst to her the target of her affections has other plans of a somewhat drastic nature.
Coments:
An interesting volume for Solty Rei which opens with soul searching and contemplation before quickly moving on to gunplay and arse kicking, and that’s usually not a bad thing. The first two episodes are taken up with Solty and Roy figuring out what’s really important to them. The latter two eps however are more about the girls of the RUC and how they cope with the hunted becoming the hunter, and vice versa.
We’ve mentioned before that the biggest problem with Solty Rei that it doesn’t seem to know what kind of show it is. Is it about a robot girl discovering her own humanity, is it a tense political thriller, or is it just about a quartet of young women in colourful exo-suits knocking seven bells out of rogue boomers… sorry, cybernetic criminals? Well this general theme continues throughout this volume, as it still doesn’t know what the hell it is and is in no hurry to either figure it out or to get the plot moving any quicker. That said, what it does do, it does well. The animation is consistently good, the story is entertaining and, for the most part, the CGI blends in unobtrusively which is good news as production company GONZO are known to be quite hit and miss with their CGI. Dub-wise this is one of the better adaptations as for the most part the English language version is arguably better crafted than the Japanese original. Almost all of the dub cast have settled into their roles nicely with sterling performances from the likes of Colleen Clinkenbeard and Laura Bailey. If it weren’t for Solty’s VA being just a touch too sweet and squeaky I’d have no problem recommending the Dub version over the original version.
Extras:
Textless opening and closing animation, Trailers
Solty Rei: Vol 4 will be available on DVD from most high streets, and online retailers such as Amazon and Play, from 7th September 2009.
Desert Punk – Volume 4
Label: MVM
Release date: 3rd August 2009
Certificate: 15
Discs: 1.
Running time: 88 minutes approx
Video: 4:3
Sound: English 5.1, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English.
RRP: £15.99
Brief synopsis:
When our hero – if you can call him that – is saved by one of the desert’s rarest of commodities, an honourable man, he learns a thing pr two about honour, decency and honesty. Of course, this is Desert Punk we’re talking about here so it’s a lesson soon forgotten. But at least it’s a start though it doesn’t help him none in his next job. Some tasks are figuratively pretty shitty, others literally leave you in the shit and some can even be both. Guess what kind Desert Punk has just found himself signed up for. He’s really dropped himself in it this time and it won’t be long before it all hits the fan.
Extras:
Tokyo Animator College, As Seen On Tv, Textless Songs, Trailers
Desert Punk – Volume 4 is available now from most high streets and online retailers such as Amazon and Play.
Samurai Deeper Kyo – Volume 2
Label: MVM.
Release date: 7th September 2009
Certificate: 12
Discs: 1.
Running time: 150 mins approx (6 episodes)
Video: 16.9 anamorphic
Sound: English 2.0, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English.
RRP: £15.99
Brief synopsis:
Traveling physician Kyoshiro Mibu, the murderous Demon Eyes Kyo and the bounty hunter determined to bring them both in, Shiina Yuya, return in the second volume of action comedy series Samurai Deeper Kyo.
Extras:
Much as with Samurai Deeper Kyo – Volume 1 there’s not a whole lot on the Extras front, not even the text-less opening and closing animations. You do get an interview with the Character Designer and as you get 6 full episodes instead of the more usual 3 or 4 this still sounds like decent value for money.
Samurai Deeper Kyo – Volume 2 will be available on DVD from most high street retailers, as well as online retailers such as Amazon and Play from 7th September 2009.
Blue Dragon: Volumes 5 & 6
Label: Manga Entertainment.
Release date: 21st September 2009
Certificate: 12
Discs: 2. (8 episodes)
Running time: 200 mins approx
Video: 16.9 anamorphic
Sound: English 2.0, Japanese 2.
Subtitles: English.
RRP: £19.99
Brief synopsis:
Barely has their last battle had time to become a recent memory before Shu’s party set off in search of information about the elusive Extra Seven. Unfortunately the best available source is no longer so “available”, having bought the farm in the battle with the Grankingdom. Alternate sources of information are going to be expensive so our heroes need to make some big cash, and fast. Shu takes on the task of slaying the Gaigaurus in exchange for a healthy reward but there are a number of factors working against him. Firstly, he doesn’t have his friends to back him up this time; Secondly, this Gaigaurus is one dangerous monster and thirdly, there’s a lot more to his new employer than meets the eye.
Extras:
Trailers… uuum, and that’s it.
Blue Dragon: Volumes 5 & 6 will be available on DVD from most high streets as well as online retailers such as Amazon and Play from 21st September 2009.
Reviewer: Penfold