Customer Reviews

King of Bandit Jing (Vol. 1) - with Series Box

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This series is about a boy named Jing who, as the title suggests, is King of Bandits (as in skill, not through election). His only companion is a bird named Kir who can bond with Jing's arm to form a sort of magical cannon for the attack "Kir Royale". This attack is a little repetitive (as it is his only attack), however, it isn't very long and it looks cool. Jing is an interesting character, very calm and laid back. His demeanor is always that of someone who knows exactly what is going on and what to do. It isn't easy to tell if this is true or not.

As far as I can tell, there is no overall plot to this series. It is a bunch of short stories, most only lasting for a single episode (there are 13 episodes in all). While I would have enjoyed an actual story line (Jing is a fun character with lots of mystery surrounding him), I really liked the freedom that short stories gave. I looked forward to each episode, but it wasn't urgent for me to see the next episode because I just NEEDED to see what happened next. All of the stories excluding one were very entertaining and even that one wasn't too bad.

Both the English and the Japanese dubs were good, though I preferred the Japanese version as Jing sounded more like a kid (as he is supposed to be). The English voice just sounded a bit too old for the character.

All in all, I would really recommend this series to anyone. So go see it!

***Update 11/05/10***
If you enjoyed Jing - King of the Bandits, rejoice to know that the OVA is now available on DVD. King of Bandit Jing in Seventh Heaven OVA is 3 episodes/90 minutes of extra bandit fun. It does not provide any extra background on Jing, it is just another short story to be enjoyed and can be seen without seeing the original series first.

King of Bandits Jing is a new Anime from Yuchi Kumakura's manga. It centers around a young boy named Jing and his friend/partner Kir. Jing is known as the King of Bandits. He can steal anything he wants, but he only goes for things that look good, and are priceless treasures. His past is unknown but he has a strong sense of justice. He also has the looks that make ladies attracted to him. But it's his bird partner Kir who has the eye for the ladies. Jing's adventures including a ghost ship, a town controlled by time, a village of eternal youth, and many other weird and exciting places. Something I love about this series is the music. It rocks. The opening is probably my favorite anime opener. My only complaint about the series is that there is little character development, or any history about the characters or the worlds that exist in this anime. So you just have to go with the flow. Highly reconmended for people who like action, comedy, and sometimes the just plain weird.

Even from the first episode, you can tell that this series is going to be great. Jing, the cute main character, is proclaimed the King of Bandits, though no one believes it at first because of his young looks and carefree personality. He only cares about one jewel in his collection, the one that has an image of a young woman in it. The first few episodes will hook you if you're looking for something funny and with great detail in the animation. I highly recommend this for anyone!

So far, not much story has deveolped (but thats expected from just episode one), the only thing learned so far you learn who the main character and his partner are. You also get to witness some of his abilities, that he and his partner share, which looks pretty cool and seems to have a devastating effect on the opposing side.

In episode one you meet Jing and Kir. Jing comes off as the calm, determined type. He of course turns out to be king of the bandits (as the title suggests), and it's easy to see why. He steals a rare stone that another bandit keeps in his mouth, without the guy knowing. All just to prove a point. Kir, is his side-kick albatross. Kir's main point of the show seems to be your comedy relief, as he wisecracks and has a perverted needs to stare at womens chests.

Breakdown:
The animation is smooth and has it's 'eye-candy' moments. The story seems to be that of a slow developing but entertaining one none-the less. Think along the lines of One Piece, only not as cheesy (that's not to say One Piece is bad, I like One Piece as well, but I think I like this one more. ).

I hope by reading my review, you come to your own decision. As we all know, everyone has their own tastes and opinions.

If you've read the manga (Like me.) you should have a good idea of what to expect from this series. It's about a teenage boy & his talking bird named Kir (That can shoot out bursts of energy.) as they go from place to place trying to find different treasures to steal. In each of those places they alway encounter some cute or beautiful girl. And though Jing never really seems to be interested in them, Kir is always trying to put the moves on them. Which is where a lot of the humor comes from. Though sometimes it can get annoying.
One other thing that will probably annoy some people is that this series doesn't really have any kind of continuity to it. And as far you can tell none the previous stories ever even happened.

And like I said before about the manga, it's no so much about the action, as it is about the intrigue (Even though in the last few episodes there is some really good action.) leading to finding the next treasure, although no as much so as in the manga, because at times things feel more rushed than in the anime.

One reviewer complained about the fact that Jing used Kir for everything, and I can kind of agree with him on that because when I first read the manga I felt the same way. Not only that, but the way the first story comes off in the anime it gives you the feel that the rest of the series is going to be like that, because compared to the manga, the first story feels TOTALLY rushed. Because when Jing busts into the place to steal the "Double Mermaid" we see this huge many armed creature, then Jing busts outs the Kir Royale and blows it away and that's it. And having read the manga prior to that it got me pretty angry, because That whole encounter is a lot more drawn out because of complications with Kir.

But after that intial first episode things go pretty well, and you'll actually see Jing use the Kir Royale in some cool ways. And there are only 2 other parts in the whole series that I can really say felt rushed.

One thing I noticed right off about the anime was that the animation is excellent.
That and just how AWESOME Jing looks compared to how he does in the anime. In the manga he looks like some just some punk kid, But in the anime Jing looks very slick. Which is good because that's the kind of character Jing is.

As far as music goes it's hard to say if I really liked it or not, but I can defintely say that I loved the opening theme. Probably one of my all time favorites.

One other thing I want to mention is that this series is only 13 episodes and for some reason not even all the episodes are pulled from the manga. Out of the 13 episodes, 3 of them are only in the anime. And while I thought this was cool, only one of those stories is really any good.

If after buying the first DVD you aren't sold on the series, then chances are the 2nd DVD wont change youre mind, though the 2nd DVD does have my favorite story in it. But I'll get more into that in a later review.

This show is great!I am so glad I bought the dvd and I am planning on buying all of them!Very Gooooooooooood!!!!!!

If you're pondering about whether to get Jing, just go with yes, because you won't regret it. Seriously. Some parts are funny, some are sad, some parts actually require you to think. And some parts are left open ended to be continued in later episodes...which brings you to buy the rest of the series...but its all good, 'cause its such a great series.

Art:

One thing that stands out about this series is the art. Its GREAT. Its very fluent with vibrant colours, and just get a look at the background art. Pretty.

Sound:

The music is great! The opening and ending songs are the best, IMO, very catchy. In fact, I'm listening to them as I write this. Heh. The japanese AND english voice acting are very good, for a change. Usually the dub tends to suck considerebly, but both version voice actors fit their character perfectly and add emotion or suspense to their voice when needed.

Story:

Most episodes are all just a story on their own. Their isn't REALLY a whole running plot through out the whole series (well, there is kinda, but you find it out a little later), and sometimes you get two-parter to three parter episodes.

In the first episode, you first see a skeleton in a cart wagon, who dramatically says "I...I...I...have nothing to do with the story, farewell!" and gets thrown off screen, THEN you see the real deal. Jing and his avain sidekick Kir are out to get the Double Mermaids, but the real treasure isn't quite what he expects.

In the second episode, the first of a two parter, Jing arrives at Adonis, a town with a VERY strict rule about tardiness. If you're late for ANYTHING, you get beheaded. A great two parted story, featuring a slightly insane long haired albino man, a kitsune by the name of Sherry who knows how to pick a master (just watch it!), and an underground society.

Just trust me on this, you'll like it.

Bad things?

The anime could use a little action. A good amount of the time, when in trouble, a "Kir Royale" is used and end of enemy. Thats it. Of course, there are parts when Jing gets in over his head. Example - well, just watch it and find out.

I give this anime, overall, 10/10.

I start this review by saying, that out of the 4 DVD's this one is the worst of them. Out of the 3 episodes on it only one of them is actually good.

The first episode is "Don't drop the Porvora". In this episode Jing and Kir are searching for the Sunstone which is said to be in the land of Sungria. On their way to Sungria they are given an offer to take 2 creatures called Porvora's to Sungria. These are creatures than can explode if their irritated and are often used as explosives. Jing accepts the offer, despite Izarra's (The girl in this story.) attempts to change his mind.
This single episode was also in the manga, and it was a much longer more drawn out story than in the anime. Which could have easily been a 2 part story here. That would've been much better than including the next episode that was on here. Because as it is packing everything into one episode, things felt WAY too rushed.

The next episode "The Musical Island of Coco Oco" is another original episode and is the worst episode on this DVD. (And in my opinion the worst in the series.) Jing & Kir visit the musical Island of Coco Oco, a place where the people really love music. They are in search of a legendary Ocarina that is said to be found there, but upon there arrival Kir gets irritated with Jing, who doesn't even seem interested in finding the treasure and splits up to search on his own.(And to find some beautiful girls.) And in turn ends up bumping into this episodes girl.
We see a lot of Kir by himself and trying to help this girl out.
While at first this episode does seem kind of promising with the introduction to the musical island as we see virtually everything on the island making some kind of musical sound. But even that ends up falling short, because besides at the end we don't see it epxand upon that at all.

The last episode on here totally took me by surprise. (I'm sorry I can't remember the name of it.) This is the last of the original episodes, and as the previous 2 weren't very good, I wasn't expecting much out of this one.
In this story Jing and Kir accidentally get off at the wrong stop on there way to Zaza (This is the only time you every see any sign of continuity in the series.) and in turn end up discovering Bluwari, the land of the Porvora. Which is watched over by the lovely Elixir ( I wound up really liking her a lot for some reason.) who takes care of the Porvora. But while Jing and Kir are being shown around the place there are thieves at work trying to bust in because they believe there is some great teasure hidden there.
I really liked this episode because it had a lot of mystery to it, and the land of the Porvoras was a much cooler place than I thought it would be.

As with the last DVD this one has a few spelling errors in it. The only major one was getting Izarra's last name totally wrong. It says it Danbura, but it's actually Tumbler.
In that respect though this DVD wasn't really that bad, but be prepared, because it gets really bad in the last DVD.

King of Bandit Jing is a great action/comedy with wonderful vivid animation and a great rockin' soundtrack!! Each episode is about Jing (the King of Bandits) and his quest for some treasured item. He and his funny sidekick "Kir" usually end up helping someone along the way. Kudos to Ron Berry who made Kir's english voice so entertaining and funny!! I can't wait for the next one!! Nice touch to have the Series Box too!

Take a helping of The Nightmare Before Chritmas, add a dash of Charles Dodgeson's Alice in Wonderland, and throw in anything by Hayao Miyazaki, bring to a boil and distill. The resultant delicacy is King of Bandit Jing (that's right without the "s". Why? I have no idea, but it's cool either way). Having salivated over the manga, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the anime (don't even begin to ask about the boxes and packaging that it came in, there's not much left...). I had taken on a gamble on the manga when it came out (hey, it was shiney and it was just sitting there all alone, so how could I not fork over ten bucks and read it?) and ended up loving it. The art direction is fantastic and the elaborate, completely unique, stories Yuichi Kumakura spins are a joy to be in the presence of. So, the anime was a must. While Jing receives a slight makeover in the hair, he is still the unmistakable orange-coat-wearing-bandit-king who steals the show (and a street, or anything else fantastical that most bandits would snub their noses at, either because of difficulty, or uselessness). The episodes play out nicely, leaving out not as much as one would expect (one review had mentioned the battle in the City of Bandits at the top of the tower with the ogre (of sorts)was rushed and much more drawn out in the manga, but, frankly, in the manga we see a few frames of action (albeit cool action) nothing to indicate a long scenario. Heck, most manga is fast-paced as it is to help focus solely on the story (hence, as well, the grayscale pages as color is believed to draw the focus away from the story). Also, most episodes are their own stories from Jing's travels so there is not need to say the previous story happened in another episode. The animation is simply top-notched and highly detailed (take a good look at those backgrounds) as well, very fluid. The voice acting is very well done as all the actors seem to fit their character (thank the heavens a girl wasn't used to voice Jing, I hate that...). The sound is superb, and if the opening credits, don't immediately get you excited (for both the animation and song are stellar), then go home son, go home. Entracing stories, amazing animation, and freaking-cool characters make Jing King of Bandit a stellar anime (if you're cursing me for saying Charles Dodgeson wrote Alice in Wondeland, allow me to say that Lewis Carroll was merely a pen name).