Customer Reviews

The Big O, Vol. 1: Anime Legends Complete Collection

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

the anime itself is excellent. Big O will always be one of my favorites but my one complaint with this is the packaging when i bought it i assumed with the name The Big O: Anime Legends Complete Collection that it would well be...the complete collection all the episodes just not the first season. If it had been named The Big O: Anime Legends Complete Collection vol 1 then i could have assumed there would be a second vol but with out that i just assumed that it would be the entire series and ended up buying vol 2 a week later after sadly realizing i was wrong

Imagine a crumbling domed Gotham City where everyone has amnesia, and Batman fights evildoers using a giant black mecha.

That's a fairly basic description of "The Big O," a strange and action-packed anime with an art deco style, a noir atmosphere and lots of giant robots and strange conspiracies. This is no simplistic action show -- there's a deep central mystery that each episode revolves around, and some deeper meditations on the nature of memory.

Negotiator Roger Smith is hired to get the kidnapped daughter of a client back... only to discover that "Dorothy" is an android, who asks him to protect her. When he starts investigating, Roger learns of her "sister" -- vast mecha "Dorothy 1" -- who can only be stopped by his own mecha, the Megadeus called "Big O." But when Dorothy vanishes during the attack, Roger must find her before a gang of thieves do.

With the help of Dorothy and his faithful butler Norman (and occasionally hardened cop Dastun), Roger uses Big O to deal with a series of increasingly bizarre mysteries. Among his problems: a giant electric eel, a skeletal mecha controlled by the psycho ex-reporter "Schwarzwald," a billionaire's missing son, a piano-playing android, a "sea titan" in a flooded city, a mysterious cat with horrifying origins, a Heaven's Day attack, and a mysterious woman haunting Dastun's dreams.

Things take a darker turn in the last few episodes, especially since Paradigm City's strange past becomes the most important part. Roger is hired to give a severance check to Schwarzwald, but becomes enmeshed in his plans for Paradigm City -- and witnesses the unveiling of another Megadeus, Big Duo.

And when a series of murders are committed by a red-cloaked figure -- who leaves Big O's motto "Cast In The Name of God, Ye Not Guilty" at each crime -- Roger starts to suspect that Dorothy may be involved. And even more confusing, Roger is suffering flashbacks of whatever happened forty years ago... which may be even more ghastly than anyone suspects.

"The Big O" is one of those series that drips with lots of influences -- it hasa lovely classic noir feeling, more than a hint of "Batman," and some tinges of Isaac Asimov (R. Dorothy?). And even the animation has a style reminiscent of art deco, with lots of long clean lines and dark shapes -- even the vast Megadeuses and other mecha have them.

But the real beauty of "The Big O" is in the storytelling: the individual plots are reminiscent of a noir detective's adventures, but with a weird sci-fi twist -- a mad journalist in a haunted subway, a mad geneticist, and giant robots that fly and swim. It's also graced with some explosive slam-bang action, intriguing hi-tech gadgets, and lots of wry humour (Dorothy sets off an elevator's weight alarm) and dialogue ("Did you say 'mama'? As in your mother?").

And running under each episode is the haunting question of what happened to Paradigm forty years ago. The plots drop hints about floating memories and something terrible that turned Paradigm City into a series of half-ruined boroughs. This is especially true in the final episode, which briefly shows the horrifying past.

Dashing playboy Roger Smith is a pretty likable hero -- charismatic, charming, a bit lacking in chivalry at times, but ultimately quite heroic and kind. Dorothy's emotionless attitude makes a nice counterpoint, but she shows some signs of becoming more human ("Even I feel like playing the blues sometimes"). And for the true noir feel, there's a mysterious femme fatale named Angel who keeps getting Roger into trouble, and the likably efficient butler/cook/technician Norman.

While it appears to be just another mecha anime on the surface, "The Big O" is actually a clever sci-fi/noir series with underlying conspiracies and haunting mysteries.

This was a great series. The DVD is great but you should know it has a few shortcomings. The theme music as aired on Cartoon Network is great; the theme music on this particular DVD collection is totally different as it is a rather irritating rock tune that isn't very good (all episodes have this bad opening music). Finding the extas, for what they are worth, is difficult. When the opening menu comes up, you have to use the down arrow to see the extras and audio choices. The commentary by the writer, director and a couple cast members is a typed script you have to read and is spread across the four discs. The commentary is not very enlightening, especially when they reference particular episodes of other (much older, all the way back to "Ultraman") Japanese TV shows. If you don't know those shows, these references go right over your head. The trailers are for other anime programs, not this one. Apart from these "gripes" I've just stated, I love this DVD set. As long as you don't miss the theme music too much and have low expectations for the extras, you'll love this set too -- and you'll want the second season complete. Looks like there will be no third season, so there don't expect the many, many loose ends to be tied up by the end of season two as they aren't.

This is an awesome anime. You can see how the Japanese cartoon production skill in terms of Batman's setting, characters' design. The stories from all the episodes are attractive. You can enjoy while investigating-like emotion in watching this anime. For myself, I could not get away from between the episodes. I sticked on the chair until I had finished all of them. The mystery of the city and people is extremely fasinating.

Really, there's only one reason to watch this anime- an android girl who has become something of a cult idol figure among fanboys....R. Dorothy Wainwright. She is a fantasic character, extremely cool with a very dry sense of humour. Unfortunately, they didn't use her as much as they could have. The series really revolves around Roger Smith, a Negotiator who solves the problems in Paradigm City. Of course, when you have a dirty big mecha to call on when things get rough, "negotiation" with the bad guys becomes a lot easier!

I was a huge fan of the movie Dark City, and there's a definite similarity in the film-noir atmosphere and the obession with memory. Batman is also an obvious influence. In fact, it's possible to list a number of Batman/film noir cliches in the characterisation: the ultra-cool lead, the stoic butler, the femme fatale (Angel), the Joker-like psychotic baddie (Beck), and the shadowy criminal mastermind behind everything. And of course there's Dorothy. There's not exactly much subtlety or even depth to the characters, really, but they fill their roles well. The often funny interactions between Roger and Dorothy alone are worth watching.

However, the plot itself is a big let-down. The first series consists of mostly stand-alone episodes that hint at something deeper, but the series ends just as some of these important plot points are revealed. I was expecting the second series to continue from where the first left off, but it too wanders down side plots and stand-alone episodes, and again seems to end too abruptly. Apparently a further series was planned but never eventuated, leaving 'The Big O' with a rushed, unfinished feel. The plus side is the second series features more of Dorothy, and in a more active role.

Many individual episodes are interesting enough, but it's hard not to wish they formed a more coherent, finished, whole. As it is, the series has enormous potential that it never quite fulfills. However, the cool characters and their interaction do make up for this somewhat, and it is worth seeing if you like Batman, Dark City, or sci-fi/retro anime in general.

Big O is very unique for a mecha anime, not only is the animation and general art design different and stylish, the characters stand out from the crowd when compared to other mecha animes. It's a very refreshing take on the the genre as it focuses more on the characters then the actual mech battles, which isn't to say that the mech battles aren't amazing because they are. If you're a mech fan, or just a anime fan in general, give this show a try.

For anyone who has or has not watched this series before, you should know (and I find this particularly wonderful) Big O's Roger Smith and the series in general is basically the Japanese Batman. Oh yeah, having heard this and not known it before you can watch the series enlightened.
Perhaps someone else has written that on here, whatever the case, there you go. This is one of my favorite Animes and a CLASSIC. They call it an Anime Legend for a reason.

I'll not write a plot summary, you can find a range of favorable to hateful versions elsewhere on Amazon.

I will warn anyone who buys this particular set (made in 2007) that it only contains the first season. There are other box sets from 2003 and 2004 which contain all of the episodes. The 2004 version is cheaper and therefore more accessible.

Ahhhh and now I'm just going to revel in the glory, THE GLORY!

Later though, I'm going to try comparing the 2004 and 2007 versions to see if one has a better quality than the other.

If anyone has done this already I would really appreciate the review, help out the needy and donate your knowledge.

BIG O was a unique show, with a good concept. Having everyone in the worlds memories erased and no one knows what happened, but everyone has clued inside of their minds. It reminds me a little of the movie DARK CITY. It had a nice twist on the Giant Robot anime, instead focusing on the characters and story. The story was great, you couldn't stop watching. All the twists and turns along the way in search of the what happened forty years ago. The story and characters were the best part of the show. The music was great, the animation was pretty good, and the action was good. The ending was great, but I still have no idea what really was going on. That's why I wish Cartoon Network had agreed to a season 3. I guess it just wasn't popular in both Japan and the USA.

Overall I think BIG O is under appreciated by most anime fans. Everyone should check out this series

How can you forget that song? Even after a few years, the story of Big O and the music still remains. The characters are people you can relate with, or understand. The animation is good and the music is fantastic! I can never get the apologize theme out of my head. Though it might be confusing to some people, it really clears it all up in the in. Most of the episodes have a tie in with what Paradigm city is really all about. 5 stars definitely.

The Season that started it all. Season 1 would be a classic to any fan of anime. Though the animation will remind of Batman The Animated Series which is true because it was filmed at the same studio.

Act 1 Roger The Negotiator-The story begins a ex-cop turn Paradigm-City's top Negotiator Roger Smith (Voice by Steve Blum) takes a simple kidnapping case which goes wrong. By saving R. Dorothy Wayneright (Voice by Lia Seargeant) Roger Smith encounters a criminal name Jason Beck who kidnap Dorothy for ransom from her grand father Timothy Wayneright. Though this is a beginning to the series the best part will come in every ep.
Act 2 Dorothy, Dorothy- Dorothy is kidnap once again for Beck to get the money from the bank. Will Roger will save her once again?
Act 3 Electric City which brings a new character into the Big-O play who will require the Negotiator to travel to foreign city outside of Paradigm-City to bring back the power for Paradigm only to encounter a shocking surprise.
Act 4 Underground Terror- One of the more suspenseful episodes of season 1 worth watching for its deep mystery plus revealing a new villain who goes by the name Schwarvald.
Act 5 Bring Back My Ghost- A wraith is killing few of Paradigm's top military police. Plus a very rich mother hires Roger Smith to search for her lost son who died a year ago during a riot on what seems to be the George Washington Bridge.
Act 6 A Legacy Of Ameadues- Fed up with Dorothy's bad piano theme "Run Down" (From the sound score) Roger along with Dorothy goes visit a old friend of Roger an android name Instro. Whats more to meet the eye is another scientist have something more in plan for Instro to fulfill his late father wish.
Act 7 The Call From The Past- Roger and Angel team up in this ep to uncover hidden mystery of memories lying in the sea that lies south of Paradigm-City. What they encounter is more they can handle.
Act 8- Missing Cat- One of the few ep we see Dorothy Wayneright having human emotions which can be clearly seen in this heart felt ep of a lost kitten which Dorothy finds which turns out to be a actual human boy turn cat. A evil scientist plan of requiring money from Paradigm officials which Roger will denied any negotiation on this job.
Act 9- Beck Comes Back- Beck returns in this one after being freed from prison with the help of his goons with a new yellow megaduce. Once again Roger is called in for a kidnapping case which a rich man who son is kidnap for ransom.
Act 10 Winter Night Phantom- A ep involving the military top cop Dan Dastun who having visions of a movie he seen about a winter night phamton. While a terrorist is reeking havoc on Paradigm's high officials it's up to Dastun to uncover the mystery about the mysterious woman.
Act 11 Heaven's Day- This is a Christmas ep of Big-O which some will look weird about a giant megaduce taking on a giant Christmas tree. A enstrange d scientist threatens to destroy the city with a little surprise.
Act 12- Enemy Is Another Big!- The title says it all Roger Smith and the Big-O meets a return villain along with a BIG surprise. One of the best eps of season 1.
Act 13- R.D.- After winning the battle against another BIG Roger Smith is on a case of a killer who is killing those who have memories of 40 year's ago. Roger will discover the mystery's of what happen 40 year's ago only to discover he is next on the list of being killed. Though very intense ep but worth watching which lead to season 2.