The other reason was that this way anything I review would be easier to discuss (not like that's happened yet, but I can hope
). So here we are. This week the two things that I'm reviewing are Bastard! and Card Captor Sakura (the review for that should be up either later tonight or tomorrow).Bastard!
Bastard! starts off with the peaceful kingdom of Metallica being attacked by a vast army of evil forces. To save themselves they decided to release Dark Schneider - one of the most powerful and evil sorcerers that the world has ever known - from his prison. And that’s where things begin to get interesting, as Schneider’s prison happens to be the body of a small boy! And the only way to release him is by a virgin’s kiss . . .
This is one of my favorite series (which by the way, I have way to many of. The list of 10 that we get for our profiles really doesn’t cut it for me). It’s filled with action, and a good amount of comedy. Also one of the things that I have to point out, is that almost everything is named after various rock bands, members, songs, etc., but don’t look to the version released over here for that. In the dub and in the subtitles they tried to hide it. For instance, the city that I just mentioned becomes Meta-Rikana, the spell MegaDeath becomes Mega-Desu, and Blonde Obsession becomes Blon Dob Session. Yes, it’s lame, but most of the time if you just listen well you can make out what’s actually being said in the japanese language version.
Now, as I’m guessing that you’ve might of figured out by now, that Bastard! is a fantasy series. And a damn cool one at that. And for those of you who are stingy about investing in another new show, there’s nothing to fear! Bastard! is a sweet six episodes that have nicely been put onto one DVD.
In Bastard!, as I have said before, the action is sweet, and features some of the coolest spellcaster vs. spellcaster fights in anime. And besides the cool action, the comedy is rather hilarious (if not just a bit perverted in some parts). And the musical score is just as good. But my favorite part of the show is probably the fact that Dark Schneider is one of the coolest characters that I’ve seen (although he is a jackass at one time or another). He has a ton of flair and style, and wears some very cool looking clothes and armor. Speaking of which, the designs in the show are great. From the characters, to what they wear, to the weapons they weild. All of it is quite excellent.
Before I bring up anything bad with the show, I’m going to have to re-bring up the rock music themed-naming, ‘cuz it rocks (no pun intended). Like I said, most of the things in the show are named after rock music. From the main character (Dee Snider [sp?], anyone?), to the evil god Anthrax, the Judas Preists, and knight captain Bon Jovi. It adds a certain aura of style to the show that’s just plain cool.
Alright, now not everything about the show is great, with the fore-most being the changes from the original version. Other than that, one of my biggest peevs with the show is the opening. It’s crap. And boring after you see it for the first time. This is mainly because that it’s kind of a prologue to the world sorta thing. I for one would of liked to have a good old fashioned opening animation+theme song. Another thing that might be a turn off for some is the perverted nature of some of the show. There is some nudity, but even beyond that this show is perverted enough in some parts that with a small “push” it could have easily been a hentai. Like in one scene a girl is kidnapped and put in a pit with some living slime. She says that she’s not afraid to die or something like that, but is then horrified to find out that the slime isn’t going to devour her, but only eat her clothes.
So in the end, I'm going to give Bastard! 4/5 stars as it's awesome and economically priced.