Customer Reviews

Last Exile - First Move (Vol. 1) With Collector's Box

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What do you get when you apply GONZO's trademark combo of CGI and cell-animation to a steampunk world of flying airships and 1800's mechanical devices? Well, how about you toss in a Harlock-style captain, a stoic ace, an evil organization or two, a cute little girl with mysterious powers, and two of the most likable lead characters you are likely to ever come across? (and that's not describing the half of it)

Indeed, studio GONZO has been hit-and-miss for me for a while now. I greatly enjoyed Blue Submarine #6, while I HATED Vandread. Since Mecha and sci-fi is really my thing, I've been holding tight till now. Stellar reviews made me check out Last Exile. It has definitely been worth the wait.

While much has already been said about the absolutely astounding quality of the animation of this show, really I don't think enough can be said. It's more like an OVA or a movie than an animated series, with few still shots and very consistent quality. The CGI and cell-animation blend better than any other show GONZO has ever made. And the use of light and color is captured just right, being neither bland, nor too flashy. Perfect.

The soundtrack is also quite amazing, making me think of some of the better work of Yoko Kanno. It's a beautiful mixture of old-style European themes, drum rhythms, and orchestral magic. Kind of makes you want the soundtrack...

Of course an anime is ultimately worth watching because of its story and its characters. As I said before, this series has two fantastic lead characters. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. As the show goes on and more main characters are introduced, we come to know them largely from their actions (at least for the first few discs). That is to say, the character devlopment is well done. So is the dialog (somebody give the script-writer a raise). Again, it recalls a well-written novel or a great movie more than an anime series. And the voice-acting is superb. The English dub is quite good, but the Japanese is just perfect.

As for the story, it's largely just another version of "chase the girl" and "find the place" that we've seen over and over again. What exactly is Al? What exactly is Exile? Patience gentle anime-viewer. There isn't really a central plot at first (unless you consider a series of mysteries to unravel a plot) , but the awesome alternate universe and well fleshed-out characters MORE than make up for it.

This DVD is only the first few episodes, and really just sets up the world and the main characters (as well as tossing them together). It's a good start, but if you aren't intrigued yet you might want to stick around for the second dvd. For anime connoisseurs and sci-fi fans this is definitely one to keep.

(Oh, I forgot to tell you, the opening and closing animations for this anime are AWESOME, featuring some breath-taking animation and SWEET music!)

Last Exile - First Move is the beginning of an amazing, wonderous tale of truth, deceit, bravery, failure and success. The three main characters, Claus, Lavie and Alvis, are all characters everyone can relate to. They are young, naive, caring and loving, but they must face the real world of back stabbing, betrayal and intrigue.

The series starts off a bit slow, but with each episode you begin to find out more and more about the world these three young people live in. It is a world at war with itself. We know very little about the the "enemy", only that they "fight without honor or chivlary". We begin to realize the real "power" behind all that is happening is the Guild, a race of advanced beings who seem to have fun causing problems for the people of this world.

Claus and Lavie become involved in the war accidentally when the pilot of another Vanship crashes after hitting Claus and Lavie's Vanship during the "big race". That is when we first meet Alvis, or Al, as Claus and Lavie know her. Al is a innocent child who holds a dark secret that the Guild wants. But we are left wondering what that "secret" is.

The animation is first rate and the sound tract is fantastic. I recommend you get the soundtract along with the DVD.

"Last Exile" is a top notch thriller and first rate example of the Japanese of Anime.

Last Exile is one of the best anime series I've ever watched. It's not a series really, but one long movie. Meaning, the episodes are not just connected - this is one continiouse story. There are no monsters of the week or such.
The closest thing I can think of is "Crest of the Stars", but with a vast sky instead of the space. And with a top-notch animation and design. The main characters are a couple of kids, working as couriers on their vanship (a kind of plane). They try to earn their living and while delvering a "package" they get mixed-up in the war. There is a race in the second episode, which reminded me of pod race in "Phantom Menace", only it was more exciting.
The weak point of this DVD is that it doesn't yet give you the real feel of the series. This is really only "First Move". It sets the board and only hints at the great game ahead of us. And two months is too long to wait before the next several episodes.

If you liked "Crest of the Stars" or books like Tad Williams "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn Trilogy" try out this series.

There has been so much good anime come to the USA in that past year or so that I'm only now getting to Last Exile. Frankly, my reason for putting this series of was that mech/tech war anime is not my favorite genre. That, and the fact that I had no clue how good it actually was. So here I am one DVD later wondering what dark closet I was hiding in.

About three seconds into the opening animation you are going to realize that this is a no-holds-barred, no dollar left unspent production. Set in an alternate history at a point that would be just after World War One, the settings and machines are fantastically detailed, animated with a classic combination of CGI and artwork that will perpetually amaze you. There are whole sections of these episodes that are so well done that you wouldn't even mind if there was no plot at all.

But a plot there is, and a good one as well. Two young vanship pilots, Claus and Lavie make their living as messengers, trying to win glory as racers. On the morning before a race they accept a mission to deliver a message to David, Duke Mad-Thane, the commander of the Anatoray fleet at Minagith, where a battle with their enemies the Disith is taking place under the auspices of the Guild. The Disith break with traditional warfare, and Claus and Lavie must deliver their messages in the middle of a battle gone wrong.

The story continues with the vanship race, where Claus and Lavie's valiant efforts are wasted when they witness the crash of another vanship and come to the rescue. Suddenly they are drawn back into the intrigue of the Guild as they accept a mishion to deliver Alvie, a mysterious young child, into the relative safety of the great ship Silvana. And thereby hangs another cliffhanger or two.

This combination of artwork, music, believable characters, and interesting plot is hard to beat. In many ways this is one of the most extraordinary works I have seen come out of Gonzo, targeted as it was for their tenth anniversary. Even if this genre isn't your cup of tea, you should look at the first DVD for its level of accomplishment. You just may find yourself compelled to see the series through to the end.

Rarely have I found such an excellent blending of the "blowing stuff up" and "heartwarming" genres as this series. The "look" is very compelling, with a successful blend of CG and traditional techniques, and the design of the world is intriguing and inventive. The character development may seem slow at first, but keeping in mind that it's a 26-episode series, I don't find the pacing a problem. The curlicued roads that the plot twists take you are each well worth the journey.

The dub is easily an A-, but if you want the full A+ experience, go for the subtitled version to get the amazing nuances that the Japanese actors put into the show. For example, you get a whole different picture of Alex Rou (captain of the Sylvana, a man with a mysterious and troubled past) in the Japanese version--in English, he's just one of many characters, but in Japanese, with each terse word, the arctic winds that chill Alex's soul send shivers up your own spine.

My only criticism of the series is that the ep. 26 is a little unsatisfying--they really needed a double-length hour-long show to wind up all the plot lines that had been so meticulously spun over the previous 25 episodes; a minor issue, to be sure.

This series deserves a place of honor in the library of anyone who appreciates the artistry and beauty of anime.

Having watched the japanese broadcast of Last Exile, I was at first intrigued by the first three episodes, which lead me to continue watching the series. Gladly Gonzo provided a remarkable experience so far, a show that mixes with great balance a consistent plot, character development, great music and eye candy 3D/2D animation.

Claus and Lavi, two vanship riders, are caught in the middle of a war when they find Alvis, a little girl that was being transported as cargo to Sylvana, the most powerfull battleship known on Earth. Of course, things start to heat up when the Guild enters the scene, providing one of the best characters an anime studio could provide these days, the reckless and carefree Dio.

The plot features many twists (including even a coud d'etat), which guarantees, in the event it's impossible nowadays to write something completely new, that the events are told and combined on a unique way.

Of course, it's impossibile to talk about Last Exile without looking to its three main features, great animation (DVD is a must for this one), awesome soundtrack and Dio with his friendship to Claus. These alone are enough reason to watch Last Exile, combine that with a fine tuned plot, great character development (many directors should learn from this one) and you have a must watch title.

This is undeniably the anime series of the year. I would go much farther: it's not just the best anime of the year, not just the best anime of the decade, but in fact the best show ever to air on any television network anywhere in the world.

Most people wouldn't got that far. But all concede that this series is outstanding.

On to the (massive) review. Note that I'm reviewing the whole series based on a fansub released earlier this year, because it seems pointless to buy the first few episodes without some idea of the overall quality of the whole anime.

The Setting is utterly atypical of anime. Escaflowne had similarities of sorts, but an entirely different premise. The world features technology in some ways more advanced than ours, and in others considerably behind our current level. Most of the gadgetry looks Victorian, Industrial or WWII era, except for the bits of it that look something like Stargate but with more of a white palette. Most of the nobles dress in Renaissance style, however (although there is another culture that dresses in a fashion best described as... indescribable). This barely hints at the eclecticness of the series' style. You are unlikely to see another anime that draws on so many disparate cultural elements and makes them seem to naturally cohere.

I honestly can't imagine that the Amazon reviewer of this series paid careful attention to it. The level of thought put into every aspect of Prestale is astounding, from the body language of different cultures to behind-the-scenes politicking to the very nature of Prestale itself. They don't throw the details in your face, however. They just exist in the background, providing an immense depth to the series. Some aspects, such as the ways in which Sophia uses her political influence in early episodes, are never shown at all. They're merely inferred by casual comments and seemingly out-of-place events. Or perhaps the reviewer simply expected more time on the ground. Most of this series takes place in the air in one way or another, but don't imagine that this means you won't learn or care about the world.

The Characters are deeply engaging and original. This is quite rare in anime, where there's usually at least a couple vaguely cliche members of the cast. More importantly, the characters are developed with consumate skill. The ways in which dialogue elements expose the natural degree of unspoken understanding between the two main characters, for example, is brilliant. Dio's personality is totally unlike anything in anime, so far as I know, and yet extremely plausible. The villain of the piece is the most genuinely, believably evil charcter I've seen in a fantasy/sci-fi series, not that the series is black and white by any means. Alex Rowe's intense mystique will fascinate many viewers Perhaps Last Exile's greatest strength in character development is the competence with which it gives depth to its cast.

The Plot is deep, well-constructed, and epic without being cheesy. The pace is perfect in my opinion, although some complain that the last episode is too compressed. You also won't even begin to glimpse the real substance of the plot until episode 14 or so, but don't worry; you won't realize what you're missing until the twists start showing up. There's no single, defining, sudden moment of revelation. Rather, your understanding of the plot is gradually molded, with some developments revealed as significant only in retrospect.

The Music is very well done, although not invariably well-matched with scenes. Nonetheless, it adds incredible power in a number of places, not to mention being beautifully composed and recorded. The opening soundtrack is a perfect fit for the series. The ending is similarly apt and well-constructed. During episodes, the anime draws on everything from jazz to harps to trumpet fanfares to bagpipes. It sets moods from the cozy domesticity and lightheartedness to sorrow and awe. I can think of two annoying tracks, each used only once, in this series. One is rather Engrish-y and the other repeats a trumpet fanfare six times in a row. I could name another dozen tracks that are outstanding, and the rest are just very good.

The Animation is the best you can ever hope to see on a TV series. It easily surpasses Titan AE. Last Exile takes every other anime and administers a severe visual beating to it. No more need be said on its quality.

To top it off, the style and palette perfectly complements the unorthodox setting. Characters are done in muted tones, and strong contrasts in color are rarely apparent in the hand-drawn elements. The CGI, however, uses lighting and ambience to create stronger palettes while avoiding the garishness of other series.

Each element in the series is excellent, but the interplay between them makes this series... well, you know how I feel. The detail of the art aids the detail of the world, the characters propel the immersive plot, the music hightens the impact of it all.

This anime is a gem. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Personally, I never rent anime. I just use my most trusted reviews and intuition, including reading the story, of course. I bought Last Exile out of immense curiosity, and oh my goodness, I was well rewarded. Last Exile is the story of two imaginative Vanship pilots named Claus and Lavie, who take on star-based missions in order to make a living. During a race, they run into an injured Vanship pilot on a 7 star mission, 10 stars being the highest. With him, he carries a little girl named Alvis. Claus takes on his mission, and he soon realizes that in doing so, he has drawn himself into the mysterious world in the skies. Sound's cliched? It's not. No matter what you are looking for, Last Exile is sure to please. Want eye candy? No cheap still-shots here. Gorgeous 2D and 3D animation blend flawlessly in a watercolor sky background, with fluid fight scenes that are only some of the amazing stuff that awaits you. My favorite would have to be the artwork. Very stylish outfits, especially from the Guild, and realistic looking features and eyes without losing that anime touch. Crave music? A lovely, traditional, European-type musical score with soothing violins and cellos that will make you buy the soundtrack. And to round it all off, a beautiful, mysterious story with strong, touching characters gives you a major release. The story doesn't pick up right away, but keep watching. It gets better. The 6th DVD gripped me deeply, but no spoilers here. This is the first anime my mother got into, and she was instantly hooked. Not too gory, not too silly, with bits of humor littered about to lighten the mood. Any flaws? I admit, the ending does take a bit of prying and thinking to understand, but don't let that scare you away from this amazing anime. Strongly suggested for sci-fi/fantasy fans.

Japanese animators have come teasingly close to perfecting the integration of computer-generated images into anime as evidenced by their work in such series as "Full Metal Panic" and "Initial D." With "Last Exile," anime has taken the next step into mixing the realistic look that computers have to offer, with the fantastic, energetic images of hand-drawn art.
Welcome to Prester, a planet of two warring kingdoms--Anatory and Disith--separated by the Grand Stream, a violent atmospheric level where airspeeds reach well over 100 knots. Therein lies the Guild, an alien race whose superior technology gives them judge-like authority over the battling Anatory and Disith kingdoms.
This volume opens in Anatory, home to 15-year-olds Claus Valca and Lavie Head, vanship pilots orphaned when their fathers attempted to cross the Grand Stream to deliver a letter of peace to Disith. Think of Anatory, and the general air of "Last Exile," as "Star Wars" meets "Pirates of the Carribean." Rules of Engagement are strictly followed; nobles rule prominently, and shadier characters loom in the background in their own areas. Prester is a desolate land, with houses built into canyons or mountainsides, with water being an extremely important commodity (the purest water is sold at bars like expensive wine).
The main technology can be seen in vanships, World War II-ish hovercraft/planes that one can immediately equate to the pod racers in "Phantom Menace." Claus and Lavie use their working for a courier service; during an important race, however, they come upon a fallen vanship, its dying pilot requesting they take on and finish his mission. The cargo? An 11-year-old named girl Al (Alvis) Hamilton.
The pair develop an emotional attachment to the child; it just happens that the infamous Silvana warship is her destination. The two perform a daredevil maneuver to land their vanship on the Silvana to get her back, eventually impressing the crew. Claus and Lavie are then stuck on the Silvana, and their adventures begin.
The animation in this series is superb. Experienced viewers will be in awe of the way the artists have used CGI to great effect in the littlest of things: billowing smoke, the movement of grass in a field, a giant ship snapping in half and "sinking," or the tracking angles of the camera. It's not overwhelming CGI, it's necessary and well-used. Perhaps the best animation I've seen to date.
Fortunately, the story doesn't fall to the trap of most other series that sacrifice the first few volumes to setting up the rest of the series. The action begins right away in this very first volume, with the story tempered by slower personal moments which add to the tension and atmosphere of the series. It's anime's equivalent to "War and Peace," a long, multi-character war epic, that reduces the idea of massive conflicts to a select few people and events. Relationships are built and characters grow at a satisfying level for a 26-episode series.
Viewers should get the mood and idea of where "Exile" is headed from this initial volume; if you don't like where this is headed, don't buy it, but at least view it for its stunning look. Those who brave the series will feel like they, too, have completed a journey, when the series concludes.

Last Exile is a beautiful anime, blending CG and drawn anime seamlessly to create characters that stir you into feeling their successes and mourning their losses and a storyline that is moving and easy to follow. Looking at the quality of the trailers and clips, it seems that Pioneer has done this series justice in providing the dvd with clean visuals and a stunning dolby digital soundtrack.

Last Exile is about Claus and Lavie, a boy and a girl who struggle to follow in their fathers' footsteps and be the best Vanship pilots in the world of Prester. By delivering a curious little girl called Alvis to the battleship Sylvana, they enter a world and a war where their skill and courage will be the key to not only their survival but of all.

You'll wish you were a part of this world in the sky...

Please disregard the editorial review that has been provided by Amazon. I could only imagine that someone who had fast forwarded through the first few episodes could possibly say the things that Charles Solomon wrote.