Product Details

• Format: Animated, Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Anime Works
• DVD Release Date: March 28, 2006
• Run Time: 325 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CEV3SM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,018 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Takaya Oogi is a street smart high school student, dedicated to protecting his best friend Yuzuru Narita. The two are wrapped up in an ancient war of darkness and tragedy, begun during Japan’s chaotic Warring States Period. The psychic powers of long ago find new life in the hearts of Takaya and Yuzuru, but rival clansmen seek to destroy them.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Different, emotional and character driven!!!, July 20, 2006

By 

Niko - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mirage of Blaze: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1-4 (DVD)

To begin with, if you are looking for Mechas, CB or stuff like that etc. than you you should avoid this anime.

Also, if someone of you does not like a series that includes, in the broader sense of meaning, man to man `attractions' than you better should skip this one as well.

Well, a few words about the story:

The two main characters (protagonists) are Kagetora and Naoe. In order to understand the story, you should keep in mind that although the main story resolves in our times you will get information and `flashbacks' of earlier times as well. The reason is that:
a) Re-incarnation of souls
b) The two main protagonists used to live in feudal time-periods when war was going on and they are re-incarnated today with `new' names: Takkaya is Kagetora and Yuzuru is Naoe.
c) The war that used to be at earlier times continues still today (by psychic powers etc.).
d) War occurs in both our world and the spiritual world.
e) Power games between Clans etc.

The problem: The warriors do remember their past lives etc. but Kagetora does not (in order to fully awaken his powers he needs to remember). This will lead to an explosive mixture of `switching' emotions; for instance, you will see that Naoe loves and hates Kagetora as well (may sound confusing but when watching it you will understand. Apart from it, when watching the continuation of this series, called `Mirage of Blaze: Rebels of the River Edge OVA' you will see the reason why).

Furthermore, the story is also very character driven. It does indeed introduce you to a lot of information and various other characters but I personally believe that once you watch it you will be able to sort it out.

Unfortunately I cannot write much more about the story or otherwise I would start giving things away which could ruin the suspense when watching it (sorry guys).

As for the story it is very good, interesting, and solid with many twists. Moreover, it is very emotional and has a great character development; therefore, if you are the sensible type than prepare for an emotional rollercoaster. The series could be categorized under the genre of fantasy/action and romance.

The dub is very good as is the music as well that accompanies the story (starts with something like a rock/pop song and finishes with a melodic song); not to mention the fact that the animation is very good, too.

As for bad guys and action you will have more than enough like the Fuuma Ninjas etc.

As for extras: Well the typical stuff like trailers etc. (The second one comes with more fan service and so forth).

Additional:

The story is based on supernatural facts, believes etc. Meaning that the explanations they provide belong to the category of supernatural (something like Anthroposophy or Theosophy 'teachings' and in addition with implication of Christianity, Buddhism, exorcism and all of it combined with magic). Furthermore, the fights that take place belong to the supernatural plane as well but affect tremendously our material world. For instance, if someone sends out to kill an opponent with a psychic fireball (I apologise for the `weird' terminology that I just used) than it will hit our world like an explosion etc.

To sum up:
Is it worth buying it? My answer would be yes, the price is good, and I do recommend them. Apart from it, if you have not yet included a different show in your anime collection than this superb show is worth owning.

I hope I could help you ^_^

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, Engrossing, Romance at its best!!, April 20, 2006

By 

MJ Marin (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mirage of Blaze: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1-4 (DVD)

Mirage of Blaze is a boy/boy relationship centered anime. I had already experienced and loved a similar story titled Gravitation, but where Gravitation leans towards the comedic, Mirage of Blaze is pure action romance drama with its inherent extra dosage of angst. This is one anime that will satisfy those looking for more complex serious adult oriented plots/stories and the fact that the romance centers on two gorgeous male characters makes it all the better.

This is the type of story that requires full attention. No fluffy plot. You need to think in order to fully appreciate it. There are dozens of names/characters and a myriad of information that helps you piece the plot together and that may confuse those with a weak attention span. If you are the type that only wants the romantic couple to get down to business with not much back-story, then this may not be for you. Like I said, there are several characters integral to Mirage of Blaze, however, I will only comment on the two that are the nucleus of the story.

A battle of feudal Japan is still going in contemporary times with the main characters as spiritual beings that reincarnate over and over. Our heroes are Kagetora and his second in command/protector, Naoe. Kagetora does not remember his past, however, the sexual tension between him and Naoe is palpable from the very beginning, something that totally confuses Kagetora...I am hooked. What follows is a slow progression towards a confrontation between the two that gives us a glimpse of the true nature of their relationship and the depths of their feelings. Who would have thought that Naoe who is usually calm and in control of his emotions could become such a violent bursting volcano of resentment and jealousy or that Takkaya (Kagetora) so loving and concerned with his friend Yuzuru could be capable of great cruelty? Especially toward someone that he so obviously loves, even though he may not realize it yet or better said, refuses to acknowledge. When I say romance, I do not refer to the bring me flowers and candy romantic element, this is about love and hate, the need to protect and hurt simultaneously. This is about us the viewer cheering for our two heroes, wanting desperately for the misunderstandings to end so that they may finally open up to each other. This is soap opera at its best and I can't wait for more. I already bought Mirage of Blaze: Rebels of the River Edge OVA, and incredibly it is better than the series, if that is possible. In Rebels of the River Edge we are rewarded with some type of culmination between Kagetora and Naoe and we get a glimpse of the reason Kagetora fights so strongly against his love and desire for Naoe and the reason why Naoe hates and loves him. It is fascinating and engrossing to watch their conflicting emotions and inner battles. It is very seldom that I come across something this intricate, romantic and complex. Like I previously wrote, I am hooked for life.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece of beautiful sensibility and character development, January 30, 2007

By 

L. R. Pierce "Ross Pierce" (Bethesda, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mirage of Blaze: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1-4 (DVD)

I just finished viewing this anime series and was totally blown away by the masterful character development, complex relationships, and emotional intensity of the very attractive characters. It has a compelling and complex plot that held my interest so well that I was quickly hooked and anxious to see what would transpire in each of the next episodes (there are 3 episodes on each of the 4 CDs). The music and graphics are also top rate. After viewing this series, I went out and bought Japanese language instructional CDs and will now review the series in the original Japanese with English subtitles to help me start learning Japanese. The English dubbed version on the DVD is also quite good. I also highly recommend the sequel DVD, "Mirage of Blaze - the River Edge," and am passionately hoping that the wonderful production team that put this series together will delight us with additional volumes.