Product Details

• Actors: Jessica Calvello, Tamara Lo, Kelly Manison, Brett Weaver, Guil Lunde
• Directors: Takeshi Mori
• Writers: Takeshi Mori
• Producers: John Ledford, Matt Greenfield
• Format: Dubbed, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Section 23
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304917317
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #469,284 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This four-part adventure combines sword-and-sorcery derring-do with slapstick comedy, in the tradition of El Hazard. The brassy Ihrie wanders through the ruins of an unnamed planet with her partner, the elfin "Wiccan" Fam, in search of three enchanted treasures that can unleash the Ultimate Power. Along the way they're joined by the devious merchant Galuff; the sorceress Racha; the swordsman Migel; and Lyle, prince of the destroyed kingdom of Rehbart. Lyle is seeking revenge on the wizard Rugudorull, whose deadly magic devastated Rehbart. But Rugudorull's fate is tied to the Ultimate Power and the three magic objects: the Proof of Royalty, the Mirror of Truth, and the Sword of Sargus. As this unlikely band joins Lyle in his quest, they forge an alliance, with each character bringing a special strength: Migel, his skill as a warrior; Fam, an ability to talk to spirits and a pure heart; Ihrie, a particularly powerful magic--although using it temporarily turns her into a mouse. The climax is confusing but also suggests the possibility of a sequel, if viewers take Ihrie and Fam into their hearts. The four episodes: 1. "As I Command Thee," 2. "Oh, Spirits that Reside in the Air," 3. "Let the Light of Admonishment Shine Upon the Fools," 4. "The Skies, the Sea and the Woods." Not rated: suitable for ages 13 and up for violence, nudity, and occasional profanity. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better, September 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ruin Explorers - Tales In The Crypt [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I own a lot of anime and have seen even more. Ruin Explorers impressed me with its well drawn art and a story with a few twists to keep you guessing. After I watched the first tape I was glad I had gotten the second tape at the same time. If I hadn't I would have bit me nails until well... you get the picture. My point is this anime is good and that don't buy just one. One is not enough! You will NEED the second tape after watching the first. As a minor note if you have the dubbed version of a Slayers movie the dubbed version of Ruin Explorers is fun to watch since they use some of the same voices. This is one anime not to be passed up.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun-Short-Series, October 16, 2002

By 

relaxinjaxin (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruin Explorers: Quest for the Ultimate Power! (DVD)

Ruin Explores is a very short, 2 hour long, 4-part series that contains everything necessary for a great story. All of the characters are basic, but well developed for the story-line. Nothing is missing, no questions unanswered.

The story goes as this, six companions are in search of the Great-Power, all for their own reasons. Selfish, greedy, personal or for a kingdom. All of the reasons are described in some way or another. I don't want to give anything away. Then comes the "bad-guy", with reasons of his own. A big fight and then the end.

This anime is the reason why animes are fun. It contains a great story that could never really be done with real people, or atleast as fun, well developed characters, Fast-paced as far as anime is concerned, good animation, very good English-Dub for us non-Japanese speaking people, and good sound.

Not a lot of extras, but this doesn't really matter to me.

The only complaint is the ending, it feels as if this series could go on, the further adventures of the Ruin Explorers.

Buy-it Rent-it Watch-it!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, short anime, but the ending's a bit disapointing., May 10, 2004

By 

P. Krug (portland, oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ruin Explorers: Quest for the Ultimate Power! (DVD)

O.K., here's the story: it's set in a fantasy world where adventurers go exploring ruins searching for treasure and any magical items they can find. If this sounds like any D&D game you played, don't let that throw you off. This has enough action and comedy to satisfy most. I mean, it's not DRAGON HALF, but then few shows are.

Our protagonist is Ihrie, a tomboyish sword fighter who due to a curse inflicted on her years ago is unable to use magic, at least not without a price. (You find out exactly what the curse is in episode 2. Let's just say it's simular to Ranma Soutome's.) To make up for this short coming, she brings with her Fam, a ditzy wiggen (half human, half cat creature) who draws her power from the spirits but often blunders in all things, including magic preforming. They are on a quest for the fabeled Ultimate Power, which could supposedly grant the lucky finder whatever s/he desiers. Ihrie and Fam soon run into another team of ruin explorers-Ragna, another sorceress who has a secret phobia of mice, and her arrogant swordsman partner, who start off as rivals but eventually form an uneasy alliance with our heroines. They are joined by a slimey merchant/con artist, and Lyle, a former prince whose kingdom was wiped out by an evil wizard and who has embarked on a quest for revenge.

The only thing that knocks this down by one star is the ending. Read no further if you hate spoilers. Well, lets just say that I thought Ihrie was supposed to be the main hero, but in the final battle she ultimately didn't seem to really do anything useful, despite her efforts. Also, I wasn't really clear exactly on whether she ever got her curse removed or not.

Anyway, this one is highly recommended.