Product Details

• Actors: Artist Not Provided
• Format: Animated, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Adv Films
• DVD Release Date: November 15, 2005
• Run Time: 600 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000B5IOPC
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,341 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Set during the troubled times between the arrival of Admiral Perry in 1853 and the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Peacemaker (2003) often feels like a prequel to Rurouni Kenshin, but from the politically opposite side. Tetsunosuke "Tetsu" Ichimura initially seems like an anime stereotype: the irrepressible half-pint who wins out through sheer determination. At 15, Tetsu is stubborn and impetuous, but he's wrestling with personal demons. When his older brother Tatsu becomes a bookkeeper for the Shinsengumi, a group of samurai the Shogun organized to protect the capital, Tetsu decides to join the quasi-military corps. His resolute spirit charms fey swordsman Souji Okita, who coaxes iron-willed vice-commander Hijikata into accepting the boy as a page. Tetsu becomes the unofficial mascot of the goofy but deadly ronin of the Shinsengumi: they call him "Puppy Boy," tease him about being cute, and even speculate that Hijitaka keeps him around for sexual favors. As the series progresses and the conflict with the anti-Shogun forces nears, Tetsu must decide whether to avenge his parents, who were murdered by Imperialist agents, or become a "Peacemaker," as his father desired. The spectacularly choreographed battle scenes show just how grueling a trial Tetsu faces.

Many of the characters and incidents in Peacemaker are based in fact, although the filmmakers take considerable liberties and the story rambles. But it's the interaction of the characters that gives the series its appeal: Even the minor samurai feel like credible individuals. Writer Hiroshi Yamaguchi and director Tomohiro Hirata refuse to offer facile solutions to Tetsu's inner conflict, which gives Peacemaker a satisfying depth. The boxed set lacks the many extras--both on video and in print--that were included with the individual discs. (Rated 15 and older: violence, alcohol and tobacco use, nudity, risqué humor) --Charles Solomon

Product Description

For 15 year-old Tetsunosuke Ichimura, childhood innocence has given way to a blinding thirst for revenge. Haunted by the vicious slaying of his parents, Tetsu joins a group of elite swordsmen to hunt down the rebels who murdered his parents.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love the anime, but the extras are missing from this version!, November 21, 2005

By	Kiwi Bird - See all my reviews

Okay, the price on this is really reasonable, but watch out! There are _no_ extras here. Normally I wouldn't care because I generally just want to watch the anime episodes themselves, but I _really_ liked the short, narrated stories that came as extras with the other DVDs (especially the narrations by Hijikata, Okita, and the trio of jokers). So, be warned!

This version has both the Japanese voices with English subtitles and the English voices.

The anime series itself is wonderful, and it's definitely slashable, if you're so inclined.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect > Complete, March 3, 2006

By	Katrina "life long gamer" (California) - See all my reviews

I imported the Peacemaker DVD set The Perfect Collection still factory sealed. It has all 24 episodes and the extras found on the individual volumes all on only 3 DVDs. I forget if it only offers Japanese and English as audio languages, but it also has Chinese available for subtitles.

I am not a fan of blood and gore in the least, so I was surprised that not only did I enjoy the fight scenes, but felt there weren't enough of them! The action scenes are very well done, in the few episodes that they appear in.

There isn't much nudity. Mostly you can see the chests of certain guys (like Harada). There are scenes with another man naked and it scans up his body from the pelvic area/hip bones to his face, no genitals. Later you see the same guy sitting in his underwear. As for females, there is cleavage and and half covered breasts in ONE episode. So don't expect a parade of half naked people anywhere in this anime.

I'm the type of person to like Sailor Moon, Pom Poko, Spirited Away, etc. But I simply love Peacemaker! If you don't like watching anime subbed, but hate how bad the translations usually are in the dubbed versions, you don't have to worry with Peacemaker. The dubbed translations are very close to the subtitled translations (if only Sailor Moon was like that!).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peace Maker Complete Collection, February 12, 2006

By	Nichole R (United States) - See all my reviews

I first saw this anime on Showtime, and loved it. When I ordered the box, I had only seen a few episodes. Needless to say, I was hoping the whole series would be great all the way through. I am glad to say it is.
I am so glad I only saw this anime now. The Complete Collection is a more practical way to buy this series. Instead of spending $25 on seven DVDs: you get the whole show for $60. Also this is a thin pack, which means it takes up less shelf space. Also there are only five DVDs, with five episodes each. The only problem might be that there are no extras, or inserts. If that doesn't bother you then great. Personally I think the cost can't be beat.
The Review

The story centers around Tetsunosuke Ichimura, who wants to join the Shinsengumi to avenge his parent's deaths. He must spar against the genius swordsman, Souji Okita, to prove himself. At first Vice Commander Hijikata does not allow Tetsu to join, but then he becomes Hijikata's page. As the story progresses you see Tetsu slowly maturing, and eventually getting his own sword.
Sure most of the action is towards the end, but the other episodes are necessary for character development. The swordfights at the end were just wonderfully animated. The Shinsengumi's raid on the Ikeda-ya inn, which was only covered briefly in Rurouni Kenshin, is covered in detail across two episodes.
This series has a great cast of characters. Many of them are based on real historical figures from Japan's history. While Nanae Kurono does take several liberties with the characters: there is definitely some historical accuracy here.
If you are a fan of animes like Rurouni Kenshin, give this show a try. It has become one of my personal favorites.