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Karas
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £3.89 (subject to change)
Blistering Animation-bit thin on the plot though
Review date: 2006-08-08 Rating: 8 out of 10
Karas is set in a contemporary Tokyo where demons co-exist with the totally unaware humans. One demon (the former Karas) wishes to remind humans how good they have it and gives several demons powerful machine bodies to torment the humans with. Karas is the name of the defender of humanity against the demons. A type or Techno-Samuri(with resemblances to Guyver), it is the mission of the Karas to save humanity. All in all, a fairly standard plot, not disimilar to dozens of other animes out there(eg Guyver).
However, due possibly to poor translation, editing, or the fact that there may exist in Japan many more episodes or mangas of Karas (the Japanese DVD has 8 episodes, rather than the 6 of the Western version), it is evident that a lot of backstory is missing to the point where the plot is a tangled mess with characters being randomly introduced and then dropped and scenes seeming jumping about at random.
So what does Karas have to recommend it? Possibly the best high speed action anime since Macross, seamless integration of CGI and ink and impressive enemies for Karas to fight. The plot may lack substance and cohesion, but for any western anime fan that is something they should be accustomed to given how much we miss in untranslated material and mangas. What you get is a visual tour de force, backed up with an impressive muscial score.
One not to be missed.
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Reviews
Anime Fans, Prepare for Disappointment...
Review date: 2006-08-04 Rating: 4 out of 10
Firstly, let me say that I have given this anime 2 stars (rather than 1) purely because of the high quality animation. Although even that doesn't compare to the likes of Advent Children.
The plot (such as it is) seems to consist of a single, half thought out idea stretched into a movie. If it gains your interest then you'll lose it within minutes, as it serves no purpose other than to justify watching identical fight scenes over and over again.
The characters are even less thought out than the plot. They are totally uninteresting and, like the plot, are just thrown in to justify repetative fighting.
Also, I lost count of the amount of times i recognised something from The X-Files. There was the EXACT copying of the scene where Scully is first assigned to the X-Files. Two characters have similar personalities to Mulder and Scully (although they are far less interesting as characters). And of course, it wouldn't be an X-Files rip-off without a character actually saying "The Truth is out There" now would it? I'm just grateful that (as far as I'm aware) there was never an X-Files story about 'Water Goblins', unlike this trash.
Oh, and for those of you who sit through this expecting some big reward at the end, forget it. This film didn't even have an ending as far as i could tell. It just stops.
Instead of this, I recommend you spend your money on Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children if you want action, or Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex if you want stories.
The Batman & The Crow have met their match
Review date: 2006-07-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
The most amazing & the most brilliant film I've ever seen, a new generation of anime
The animation is so sharp, well detailed & beautifully done with ease & class to make it a memorable moment for all anime fans to enjoy, plus a brilliant fusion of both hand drawn animation & 3D Animation
Excellent swordfight scene, brilliant storyline & animation, & a new hero thats both cool & can kick-ass, Karas is truly the anime of the Year
If batman were Japanese...
Review date: 2006-06-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
"Karas: The Prophecy" is not a movie to see on a whim, but it is a movie that absolutely everyone must watch. I'd even go so far as to say that you cannot appreciate movies until you've seen this, and if you're a otaku who hasn't seen this....you must be a little bit dead on the inside.
Karas is a mind-blowing tale, (and this is just the first part), which is part-rendered in amazing 3D, and part-traditional animation, blended to perfection. Where rendering is employed the characters look superb, and loving attention has been lavished upon the tiniest details to produce the perfect character models. Even better, the bulk of the 3D animation is limited to the absolutely amazing fight scenes, (all the more amazing since there was no motion capture used).
In terms of story i can think of few other features which have challenged their viewers to such a degree. the plot is complex, woven around a cast of some twenty or so characters, each of which has their own voice and perspective to add to proceedings. But this is not a story that surrenders itself easily. To have even the slightest hope of understanding events you need to watch this feature several times, (and every time will be pure adrenaline, and delight!). If you watch Karas, and you have a problem with the story, I suggest you stick to "Dragonball" in future.
I could go on for hours, instead I'll finish by raving about how stylish this whole production is. The soundtrack is bursting at the seams with moody passion, and melancholy evil. the design is nothing short of amazing, and the best elements of any number of other successful series have been melded into something utterly phenomenal.
This series must be watched.
Amazing
Review date: 2006-06-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
I first saw a trailer for this on the AD Police Dvd and i was intrigued...so when it was released i bought it and i was not left dissapointed. i was speechless watching the opening sequence it was amazing. and the orchestral score reall does the film justice.
this is the manga version of the crow with samuri swords.
if your into this kind of action manga then you have to buy it, my only complaint is you dont learn enough about the characters but hopefully vol 2 will solve that. a definate must buy for any self respecting manga fan
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Prague Symphony Orchestra
Piper Perabo
Jay Hernandez
Matthew Lillard
Creators:
Jay Hernandez (Primary Contributor)
Matthew Lillard (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Manga Entertainment
Manufacturer: Manga Entertainment
EAN: 5022366500043
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Animated, PAL,
Release date: 2006-04-24
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 90 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)