Customer Reviews

Angelic Layer - Seventh Heaven (Vol. 7)

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Wow. What an ending...

Misaki Suzuhara, the "Miracle Rookie", has defeated
Ohjiro and Wizard in the semifinals, and now watches
from the stands as Sai and her angel Shirahime battle
the legendary Athena and her Deus Shu. But at the
finish of this fight, the challenge thrown out to
Misaki by the victor shakes Misaki to her core...

Will Misaki forget the lessons she's learned so far?
Will Misaki remember the friends she's made, who have
helped her to get where she is?
And can Misaki face what is certain to be her toughest
opponent ever?

All will be revealed in the final disc of Angelic Layer!

I have previously stated in reviews for other discs in this series how much I like it and that I've watched it at least annually ever since purchasing it. Although by now I know exactly how it will end and even much of the dialogue, I still feel a sense of regret and loss whenever arriving at the final episode. I think Angelic Layer is almost perfectly plotted to fit its 26-episode frame, much better than most other TV series. There's neither the rush at the end to suddenly cram in and tie up loose plot threads, nor does it seem unduly dragged-out and loaded with "filler" episodes; indeed, even the inevetable filler invariably contains at least a little plot or character development.

This final trio of episodes contains only a couple of ( intense ) Angelic Fights, allowing plenty of time for the inevetable confrontation between Misaki and her mother Shuko that has been building throughout the series. When it comes an entire episode is devoted to allowing both to finally say all that has welled up within them over the past seven years of separation in a very believable way that doesn't seem at all forced. This paves the way for the ultimate stunning battle between Hikaru and the Object of everyone's desires, Athena. I'll admit this is somewhat drawn-out, containing maybe too many belief-straining happenings; but I wouldn't have it any other way! This DVD also incorporates most of the best of the many outstanding musical themes composed by Kohei Tanaka for the series. I cannot recommend this DVD and the entire series too highly!