Customer Reviews

Scrapped Princess - Anime Legends Complete Collection

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I originally approached this series with a great deal of trepidation, in spite of previous positive reviews. Fantasy titles in anime tend to end up in two different categories. There's the 'Plot? What Plot?' that meander endlessly and switch focus repeatedly, and then there's the 'Epic quest to save the world against the evil overlord/god' that gets so caught up in its storyline that the characters remain two dimensional stereotypes.

Characterization is where this series really shines. The story centers around fifteen year old Pacifica Cassul and her siblings as they travel. Pacifica herself usually comes across as incredibly spoiled and bratty, yet at the same time is tempered by her being very sweet and considerate. These traits often hide the guilt she has buried deep within her for being the Scrapped Princess - the 'Poison that will destroy the world'- and for the pain and upheaval to people's lives she thinks she leaves in her wake. Less time is given to her siblings - the oftentimes whimsical sister Raquel, and her taciturn brother Shannon, but they get plenty of screentime to explore their own motives. The biggest surprise to me came in the form of Chris. I had thought he would be a relatively minor and shallow antagonist, but his own path is explored well and I honestly think he had the best development of any character in the series. The only problem with characters is that there are really too many side characters. This leaves very little time to establish them and their motives. The series probably would have been a little better of by limiting the supporting cast in favor of focusing on the main cast and plot.

The story starts well and proceeds at an even pace through the first two thirds of the series. It never lets itself get mired too much in the seriousness of the plot that it bogs itself down by intermixing some comedy and the lighter sides of life. It doesn't take this too far, however, never resorting to slapstick or cheap gags which would have almost definitely taken attention or effect from the action drama the story is meant to be. The beginning caught my interest in that it is almost the complete inverse of the 'save the world' plot. This kept me hooked long enough to become truly involved in the series. About two thirds of the way through a plot twist puts a new spin on the story, but doesn't actually change the direction. It gets a little bumpy here, as the story has to pause momentarily to setup the new aspects on the situation, but then picks up pace to the end. This is where I was most worried about where the story was going. Far too many anime series become rushed and chaotic at the end, and the terrible endings can spoil an entirely well done anime. Scrapped Princess speeds up at the end, but never becomes too jumbled. It wraps up most loose ends very well and then finishes up well, even managing to add in a short epilogue.

In between great characters, an interesting plot, and an excellent ending, Scrapped Princess has become one of my favorite series to date.

I was hesitant about this series at first, but found it to be quite the opposite of what I expected. The story is interesting with a mix of fantasy and sci-fi influences. The voice acting is superb and alot better than with most animes out there. The animation is clean and fluid, which is to be be expected from BONES (the studio that animated Wolf's Rain and Fullmetal Alchemist.) I liked the sense of humor in this series; it was not all slapstick comedy that is rampant in anime. My only gripe with this series is that it could have fleshed out some of the more important side charcters better. Overall, I would recommend this series to anyone who likes a good story and a great ending.

This is one of the best anime's I have ever seen. Like other reviewers, I wasn't sold on the first episode. However, a few episodes in and I couldn't stop watching. I really love the relationship between Pacifica (the scrapped princess) and her protective brother and sister. You get an incredible sense of human emotion from the characters, and they are all very interesting.

This anime has everything you could want. Great characters, cool magic, a little humor, great plot, great music, and ofcourse great battles.

I really liked this series a lot until the story suddenly changed from Fantasy to full-blown Sci-Fi. (This happens a little further than halfway through the series, if I remember correctly.) Because I loved the characters so much I decided to keep going, but after a couple eps I was about ready to give up on it. Luckily the story soon returns to more of a fantasy emphasis and I was able to finish it up with a fair amount of enjoyment. But unfortunately, it did not recover enough for me to keep the series in my collection.

This has been one on my list for a while. I ran out of items that I considered higher priority and bought this not expecting too much.

Was I wrong!

The story is told very well... and though it is medieval in its appearance it is filled with creative technology.

In addition the classic argument that can be seen in Shirow Masamune's "Appleseed" (and many others) is delivered in a new package, but not really seen in new light.

Is it better to live in ignorance inside the safety of a gilded cage or be free even at the cost of your own destruction?

This take on this age old question is delightful.

The characters have meaningful relationships with each other. The relationships are contrasted with the backstories of the subordinate characters who want this kind of special relationship but can only enjoy/experience it by being associated with the Scrapped-Princess and her guardians.

A story of love, but not a story of lovers. More of a story about someone very special and that person's protectors.

You could compare the relationships to that of Jean Reno and Natalie Portman in the cult classic by Luc Besson "The Professional". The relationships are not sexual but they ARE Powerful and leave you aching when the story is over... like saying good bye to friends.

(Yes, yes... the directors cut of "The Professional" was a little more suggestive... but it still wasn't a sexual relationship.)

All and all this collection is a keeper.

I gave it 4 stars in stead of 5 because the episodes seemed a bit short and the artwork seemed clean but flat (we need more Haruhiko Mikimoto types out there). We burned through the entire set in a few evenings over dinner.

This is short and sweet but very satisfying.

I rented the first disc(ep.1-4)and after watching it I then bought this collection at a great price. I thought the first 6 episodes of Scrapped Princess was really fun. It had a little bit of action, interesting characters and moved pretty quickly. I mean the story rarely fooled around. Then something happened. The characters stopped growing, the fun left and the story took on some kind of matrix feel. The cool side characters left and in came in my opinion dull and boring characters. It was like someone started the story and then gave it to someone else after episode 6. It got to a point where I really didn't care what happened to the characters (and the story) after episode 12. Anyway it looks like I'm in the minority here but I felt I needed to put up my opposing view so as too keep the rating honest. Just my opinion like everyone else.

I really do not want to give away the story so the best description is the main character is being chased by a church since she will supposedly destroy the world one day. Overall it is not a very new concept, but the anime is well drawn and it was easy for me to get into the characters. It is a fairly good mix of fantasy, drama, sci-fi, and comedy so it can attract a wider group of people than some of the more single minded animes. Also it is not to violent for children and I think the writers did keep that in mind. I gave this anime four stars and I really enjoyed watching it.

It's hard to be intrigued by the title (Scrapped Princess), cover art, anime style, or believe the other reviews praising it merits.

However, these are times you should cast aside your doubts (if you have any), and dive into the world of Pacifica, Shannon, and Raquel. Once you become "hooked" at whichever point in the story, it dawns on you how short this series feels; despite it being 24-episodes long.

One word that can describe the quality of the cast of characters is 'calm'. Shannon, Raquel, and the various "villains" they eventually meet are always cool, collected, and convey their points of view in either direct or subtle ways without confusion. If by chance something just flies by your head. Don't worry. All lingering questions are answered by the end.

Of course, the 'calm' is consistently afflicted by the torrent of emotions that is Pacifica. Love her or hate her (you will swing like a pendulum on this one); her extroverted characteristics not only make you understand the 'calmer' cast better, but you will also sympathize with Pacifica throughout her ordeal.

I highly recommend this series for any Anime fan to add to their collection. Or perhaps if this is an introduction to Japanimation, it will shake your believes that all Anime involves: one-dimensional characters, fan-service, mechas, or somebody who wields a katana.

Probably as an interesting tidbit, I would add one interesting fact: Whenever I see a Chrysler Pacifica on the road, I can't help but be reminded of this series. Even to the point where I would actually think of purchasing one, just to paint a smiling silhouette of the Scrapped Princess on the car as a tribute.

I have been pleasantly surprised by this series. Superficially, it is drawn and animated well, a colorful pleasure to look at. The music is fitting for the fantasy-medieval genre, and the Japanese voice acting is great (I prefer Japanese over English dubs so I can't vouch for the quality of the English). Overall, it is quality one would expect from BONES, the studio that brought us "Wolf's Rain" and "Fullmetal Alchemist".

The plot begins firmly in fantasy with magical elements, elements that we slowly come to realize are rooted in advanced technology that was lost in a past "apocalyptic" war. This introduction of a sci-fi element is gradual and not jarring, adding an entire level to the series that most do not expect.

The story itself is never too heavy or serious - lighter than "Fullmetal Alchemist", with plenty of sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek humour that is never slapstick or over-the-top. A fine balance not often found in anime. This crosses over to the characters, too, who are immediately three-dimensional, never what one would initially expect. Characters I thought I'd hate when I first saw them later became my favorites. There are few stereotypes within the main character group.

The adventure is good and never repetitious, the episodes never drag, and the series takes advantage of its 24 episodes where other series feel they could of been cut shorter or feel crammed in that number of eps. "Scrapped Princess" doesn't try to be anything fantastic, and indeed, no particular element really leaps out of this anime, but its all-around solid, good quality makes it a wonderful series that I'm glad to own. I think it is this quality that FINALLY got my "anime-hating" sister to sit down and try some good anime for once - and she likes it. ;)

As for the product itself, this boxed set is solidly produced in a hard-plastic multi-disc box that nicely protects the discs. It is indeed the entire series, 24 episodes, in both Japanese and English languages with optional English subtitles. Definetly a good deal for the money.

Well I ordered this anime collection without any real knowledge of whether it would be good or not. I am extremely glad that I did order it, just the kind of amazing animation I would expect from BONES. The plot was very captivating, characters were very well done and the story was very Matrix esque. This is a great anime to add to your collection and one that I will watch over and over.