Customer Reviews

Gakuen Alice DVD Collection [5 Disc]

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

 

 

Gakuen Alice (or as it's known by its english title 'Alice Academy') is a funny show about a a young girl named Mikan Sakura who willingly leaves behind her normal life in Kyoto to be with her best friend (Hotaru Imai) at a school for k-college students that have amazing inborn 'talents' known as Alices. Unbeknownst to the idiot Mikan she too has an Alice and is accepted into the academy where she has already made an enemy (Natsume Hyuga) even before her application process has been completed. It's zany, wacky, and loveable if only somewhat unremarkable. That being said Gakuen Alice is highly entertaining and watching it reminds me of elementary school all over again... the good, the bad, the ugly, and the weird. I love the story line and the art is passable and cute. Five stars for high energy level and being all round good fun!!! Family friendly, however there is mild language and its also full of childish immaturity (panty stealing, etc.) but it's still worthy of several asian emoticons that will soon be on your face as soon as you start watching:
^___^
>.<
>o<!!!
>.>
o__O?
o.o

I started watching this series online out of boredom, but I enjoyed it so much I not only finished it, I went out and bought the Complete Collection as soon as it was available.

This is the story of a friendship between two very different girls. 10-year old Mikan is bubbly, ditzy, very sweet and ernest. Hotaru, her best friend, is seemingly emotionless, very smart and practical, and obsessed with money. When Hotaru is taken away to attend the prestigious, but suspicious, Alice School, Mikan is devastated. After months with only one postcard from Hotaru, Mikan decides to take things into her own hands and visit her friend. When she gets there, she learns that 'Alice' refers to a special talent unique to each person and that she herself possesses one. She enrolls in the school and sets about learning about the magical world of Alices and the people who hold them.

This series is both cute and wacky. Mikan is not too bright, but is a very lovable character. For those who can tell, her Kansai accent is really fun to listen to. Hotaru is an excellent foil to Mikan, and all of the other characters simply add to the zaniness. I was surprised at the depths the characters were able to show, and how the darker elements of the plot were handled without ever getting too dark, but enough to add complexity to the story. There are almost two plots running at the same time - the mystery of the Alices and the Alice school, and Mikan's quest for the acceptance and friendship of her fellow students. It plays together very well and makes a very entertaining series. I watched it a second time with my sisters (ages 14-20) and they all enjoyed it very much. I've seen it twice and I would see it again!

The manga this show is based on is still running in Japan, so the ending of the anime isn't complete. Still, it was done fairly well, without too much left hanging. The Japanese voice cast (there is no English dub available) was excellent, and the music fit well. The art is cute and unique.

Other series that might be of interest: Ouran High School Host Club: The Complete Series, Fruits Basket Box Set (Viridian Collection), and Special A: Collection 1.

I was so excited when I ordered this on Amazon and got it in the mail. I watched it right away and finished in in 3 days. It's an cute and funny series about a school for students born with special magic abilities, called Alices. There are so many different kinds of Alices-everything from reading peoples minds to being able to create things. Please note that there are also some darker moments, but it's mostly humor and lots of crazy antics. So, if your into Magic and school mayhem, then I highly suggest buying this series box set. It's one of the nicest box sets that I proudly own.