Customer Reviews

Genma Wars: Eve of Mythology, Vol. 4 - Skull City

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

 

 

I'm talking about the subtitled version here. Of course, I may be a little biased (seeing it was one of my first experiences with anime, I was 10 when I saw it, and Katsuhiro Otomo did the character design), but Harmegedon wasn't nearly as bad as everyone claims it is. The animation was excellent for the time period and is effective at creating a moody atmosphere. We're talking about the early eighties here, and it still looks better than many productions today. The plot, if somewhat familiar ("Troubled, introverted teen gains telekinetic powers"), is fair if a little silly at parts, and is not so far removed from other Japanese productions. Taro Rin, one of the best directors in anime, does his job well. So what's wrong? Well, the character development (except for Jo) was a bit wanting. The ending was somewhat predictable and wrapped up in a bow. The other espers were mostly stereotypes (the wise old yogi, the tall, dark, silent Native American, the 10-year-old black American crimelord) and weren't at all developed, excepting, perhaps, for a small degree, Sonny Lynx (how come so many American gangsters are named Lynx in anime?). Other than that, there's not much to complain about. These people who say it's the worst anime they've ever seen probably haven't seen much. Harmegedon could've been a LOT worse.

I enjoyed this film emensely. Its a great science fiction story from Kazumu Hirai's very long and fabled series of Genma Wars novels. The direction from Rintaro in this film is excelent and visionary. Katsuhiro Otomo's character designs also give this film a nice touch. Hamragedon is the americanized name though. Its real name is The Battle With Genma (or perhaps simply Genma Wars). This film was highly influential in Japan, especially for its realism, and it is considered a landmark among many otaku and those in the industry. The anime tv series Genma Wars is also based on the same novels (and manga by Shotaro Ishinomori), which I also liked dispite extremely low budgeted animation. If only that series had the animation and direction of this film. This special edition DVD is also a very nice package, with a good, remastered transfer, aswell as a very interesting commentary by Rintaro. Highly reccomended.

It's a shame really that many people find this anime very bad. It must be to do with the dubbing. I watched it when I was 10 in Japan. I am 26 now but this anime was so impressive that I have been saying that this anime was definitely one of the best animes I've ever seen! It felt very good to see chidren regardless the race are actually bind together to fight to protect our earth!(Don't forget that this was made well before "Independence Day"!) Well, as a Japanese, I am proud of this anime...

I watched this movie years ago in its original Japanese with English subtitles. Before I decided to buy it and take a trip down memory lane, I read the reviews here and was somewhat taken aback. I definitely did not recall it being as bad as some other reviewers described it. But once I got the DVD, I got a better understanding of what people were unhappy about.

First thing--Keep in mind that this movie was made in 1983. The artwork is great for its time, but it's unrealistic to expect it to hold up to something more modern like Fullmetal Alchemist.

Second thing--The DVD comes with various language options. I have to agree that the English version is quite bad, but watching it in Japanese with English subtitles is definitely enjoyable.

Third thing and perhaps the most important--it has a story that would be the precursor for many future anime stories, both in terms of artwork and storyline.

I am not disappointed that I purchased this DVD.

Yup I gave this 5 stars, deal with it. Yes, this show has horrible animation. Very bad, I agree completely, especially considering when it was produced. However, the I felt was one of the most wonderfully complex and multi-layered stories I have come across in an anime. I've never put too much emphasis animation, although I do enjoy great animation direction, but I can overlook it in some cases including this one. I wish more anime fans could do that instead of being obsessed with how technically advanced the animation is. Obviously this isn't for your run of the mill, immature anime fan who just wants an instant pay-off with flashy animation, instantly relatable characters, and spoon-fed plots. This anime I felt is good because its based on very good source material, and that is why I give it 5 stars. These 5 stars I give less for the producers of the anime and more for Shotaro Ishinomori and Kazumu Hirai who were two of the most brilliant and creative minds that crafted some of the most wonderful stories in fiction. Ishinomori, in particular I consider one of the 3 most important manga-ka in history. This anime is based on Ishinomori's interpretation of Kazum Hirai's Genma Taisen novels. I'm not sure which ones though, since no information is available on them in English. The Genma Taisen series of novels is reportedly incredibly long, having started in the 60's and still ongoing today. The story is said to be one of the most complex and multi-layered sagas ever put to word. This anime relates one of the chapters it this story that follows the lives of the twins, Loof and Jin. I won't go into spoiling the story for you, but subtitle of Eve of Mythology is a good one, because I do believe this is a grand story of mythic proportions. Obviously though, this wasn't the best execution of this story possible with the very badly executed animation, but I still appreciate it much. Perhaps, they had very little budget for animation, but I am grateful I got to witness this story because the Genma Taisan novels and manga probably have a very small chance of making it over the US any time soon. You could defiantly argue it wasn't great, but giving it one star and completely writing it off is just immature and disrespectful. I also feel complaining about the style of the character designs is utterly idiotic. These are the original style of the character designs from Ishinomori's manga. Ishinomori was an apprentice under Osamu Tezuka and his character designs are very similar to Tezuka's. This is the style that all other character designs, including your favorite shows, evolved from. Despite the flawed animation, I enjoyed this show a lot. I suggest picking up the cheap 4 disc collection, which at some places can be found for as low as $23. Also check out Harmageddon which was based on the same series of novels and manga that Genma Wars is based on. However, Harmageddon may be more to the liking of most otaku due to the brilliant animation direction of Rintaro.

i love this anime! its great i saw it a year ago then i got it on vhs its a great violent movie its mangas new masterpiece this animes highly recomended

Okay, this is my 3rd and final try to review this title. Hopefully it sticks THIS time. I'll cut to the chase:

1) Harmagedon and Genma Wars are SEPARATE titles, as far as I can discern from available online resources... They follow different plot lines and characters, but may be derivative works from the same original Japanese novels? They share an antagonist named Genma. That's about it. This review pertains to Harmagedon, NOT Genma Wars.

2) The plot is so-so. The usual "kid develops psychic powers / must save the world from the evil being from space" schlock that some other series/movies use.

3) The animation may be from the 80's or a very good knock-off. In my opinion it didn't age especially well. It looks campy, stereotypical in just about every respect, and uses at least one but maybe more repeated cut scenes. One or two of which take place in the "final battle." That really doesn't play well.

4) Character development? What development? Most characters are just dumped on the viewer all at once with no explanation. Remind me why we're supposed to care when they all team up at the end? There's one main character the rest are just useless fluffy filler.

5) Watch just about anything else. Really... Spriggan, I liked. Akira is a classic. Ghost in the Shell is a "new classic." Ninja Scroll and Wrath of Ninja do fighting better. Even Samurai: Hunt for the Sword I enjoyed more, and I don't know if that's saying much... I guess what I'm saying is money can be better spent on one of the othertitles just mentioned.

If you're really into campy 80's anime, or are an anime "completist" get Harmagedon, if not, any of the above are better. Or try something new: Texhnolyze, Haibane-Renmei, Rahxephon, Wolf's Rain - Collections 1 & 2, Virus Buster Serge, Escaflowne, Legend of Himiko, El Hazard The Magnificent World, The Alternative World & The Wanderers, etc. etc.

This is THEE worst japanimation I have ever seen. I don't think any Japanimation has been so terrible....my God. Badly made and badly (voice) acted. I hate it and you will too.

I think this movie was simply terrible. It had pretty bad animation, retarded voice acting, and the downright worst storyline in the world. I made the huge mistake of buying this movie before I rented it. You should honestly be feeling sorry for me. But hey you can't blame me, it looks cool on the box(sniffle). The altime worst moment in anime history is right here in this movie. But I won't spoil it for you. But it will make you laugh(because it's so stupid), and cry(because you have to watch it) at the same time.

The WORST example of anime I have ever seen. It is only made worse by the fact that the producers tried to cover it up with some computer effects. Non-sensical, boring, poorly animated, and truly a waste of time. I turned it off ten minutes in.