6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Talk to Me..., December 31, 2003
This review is from: Argentosoma - Annihilation (Vol. 6) (DVD)
This series draws to a close as the Earth faces total destruction by a collision with a gigantic alien. Of course, the alien in question is actually another fragment of astronaut Yurii Leonov, whose last desire to return home converted his death in space into an eerie form of reincarnation. While Earth races to turn an exploratory vessel into a guided missile powerful enough to deflect the impending tragedy, it falls to the disbanded Funeral team and Frank (who is part giant robot and part Leonov) to find the real way to end the crisis.
In the process Ryu Soma has an epiphany that shows him for the first time that his failings are his own responsibility. He has allowed his own fears and blindness to cut off his contact with others. In a finale that includes a vision of Harriet as a woman, Ryu finds the courage to be what he can and try a different approach to his core problems.
When all the shouting is done, the very last episode turns to Sue Harris, who has previously been one of the casts lesser lights. Whether this is filler to bring the series to 26 episodes, or preparation for a second series, the episode provides surprising insight into the mindset Funeral's other loner. It also underlines the core story arc of the series, that there is another way to deal with aliens and humans besides blowing their heads off.
This has been an uneven series, with a story that is a bit too haphazard and full of unexpected twists. These last episodes clear up some of the loose threads, but insert a few of their own. In hindsight, the story does work well as a whole, but falls short of real excellence. There have been so many remarkable entries into the U.S. anime market this year that Argentosoma will be bast remembered as an imaginative second tier tale.
This is hardly a criticism. Not very long ago this same series would have been a leading contender. If you like giant robot space fiction, but are tired of the same old alien invasion scenario, then Argentosoma was made just for you. This is a very solid four star product, and worth your viewing.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Argentosoma..just some thoughts on 'paper', January 2, 2006
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Argentosoma - Annihilation (Vol. 6) (DVD)
As it comes to a close...these are some of the things I liked about the interesting series that is Argentosoma.
One...Harriet's maturity that happens in the middle towards the end of the series. We were subjected to her '7 year old mentality, in a body of a 13 year old' for a long time and the others treating her like a little child didn't help much either. With Commander Innes treating her like a 5 year old, Lt. Sue Harris being a big kid herself, treating her like a playmate, Lts. Dan & Guinevere not paying much attention...to me it was Lt. Ryu Soma who really brought out the fire in her, unintentionally. Even though he was a arrogant SOB at times with Harriet, their little arguments gradually broke her out of her shell, plus her interactions with Frank.
Two...Ryu Soma himself. If this story wasn't about him, it would be boring. Even though his quest for revenge is as subtle as the series, just watching HIM and wondering if he'll get a clue & just let things be ...makes the story interesting. Oh and watching his little bouts of 'insanity' kind of makes you wonder if he'll snap at any moment. :-)
Three...the subtle connection between Maki & Harriet, the physical connection between Ryu & Frank, plus the song that Maki & Harriet sing [and becomes an underlying theme I came to like] has a connection when you watch #21. Looking at Maki, Takuto/Ryu, & Frank lives made me wonder, is there such a thing as coincidences?
and
Four...I, especially, liked how it ended...how things came back full circle if the episode titles in #1 & #25 are any indication only this time we see that Ryu Soma has grown over the 6 years since he left, he FINALLY made peace with Maki's ghost & though, it's subtle, there's a new beginning with him & Harriet...maybe this time they'll be friends and more.
There are a couple things that were inconsistent, the glaring ones being what happened in the 6 years when everyone was apart, what the heck brought Lts. Simmons [Symonds] & Harris together...and was Lt. Green sick despite her determination to live long enough to fly?
Despite those, the series was still engaging to me and had me eagerly wondering what happens next. Also the Extra episode while it WAS out of place after such a good ending, seeing Sue's life was informative BUT the conversation between Dan & Sue during the end credits is FUNNY and, to me, makes the episode worth it.
Anyway, those are my thoughts.
from SP777
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