Customer Reviews

Space Pirate Captain Herlock - The Legend Returns (Vol. 1)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Last year in Japan a monumental event took place. Over the course of one year the thirteen part series Space Pirate Captain Herlock: Endless Oddessy/Outside Legend was released on DVD. The DVD's were released once a month on the 21st of every month in 2002-2003. Now the series has come to America. And it has been well worth the wait.

The Space Pirates have been rounded up. All except for one. The legendary Captain Herlock (prononced "Harlock"). He is currently in exile on the Planet Of Rubble. When his friend Professor Daiba is killed by the entitys known only as the "Nu", Herlock once again sets sail on the Sea Of Stars to get to the bottom of these mysterious beings appearance.

Directed by Taro Rin, this DVD collection surpasses Harlock Saga released two years ago by Central Park Media. The first volume contains the series initial four episodes. The animation is superb. It still retains the classic Matsumoto look while being very modern. The CGI animation has been refined dramactically and now looks better integrated into the classic 2D animation. No more of the plastic looking ships like in Harlock Saga. The one complaint I have is that sometimes the transfer looks a tad on the grainy side, but that has only been in a few places. The sound on this DVD is also excellent. Both language tracks are presented in 5.1 Stereo Surround Sound. The default language setting is English with translated Signs. This sounds like it would be obtrusive but Pioneer/Geneon has made sure that the subtitled signs would not be placed so as to be a hinderance. The quality of the English voice acting is also top notch. Herlock has always been a very powerful character and his English voice conveys that very well. When he speaks, you listen.

The Extras on this disc are a little sparse. There's a character gallery, Japanese Intro, trailers, and that's about it. Hopefully future volumes will include more.

There are not enough words to describe what a fantastic series this is. For Matsumoto fans this is a must have. For anime fans this DVD will make an excellent addition to your library that you can proudly display.

Yes indeed. He has returned........

Over the years the one anime series which has left a long impression was the "Space Pirate Captain Harlock" sequences from the "Captain Harlock and the Queen of a Thousand Years" series that aired on TV. Until then, only the Galaxy Express movies and Arcadia of My Youth have lived up to my initial expectations of what Harlock is about: sacrifice, heroism, and the coming of age.

I first saw this DVD at a friend's house and was more than pleasantly surprised as it really does seem to capture what I loved about the initial series. The artwork, sound, and dialogue are terrific. The story is reminiscent of the first series, though this is not a remake.

What can I say? Five stars.

As this first volume of Captain Herlock opens, the last of the crew of his ship, the Arcadia has been captured. The authorities believe that the era of space piracy has finally ended. But they've forgotten one thing. Captain Herlock is still numbered among the missing. He's only come out of hiding because he was summoned by a scientist who has vital information about a great threat to the whole universe, the demon Noo. Arriving too late to save the professor, he is able to keep his son, Tadashi, from being taken by Noo's undead minions. Herlock must gather his crew from an unpenetrable prison in order to have any chance of fighting this great evil!

The production on this title is top-rate, giving it a film-like quality. The designs try to emulate a 70s anime but the look always seems natural, not forced. All of the main characters radiate enigmas and chew up the scenery with intensity lacking in most live actors these days.

This DVD is a must have for anyone who knows about the TV series in the 80s (in my case, the French version called "Albator").

PROs: The quality of the animation is great and bring up tonnes of good memories. The characters are very well done. Great music!
Matsumoto had many years to rework and redefine what he wants to say with these characters and settings.

CONs: To much emphasis on the "look" of the main character (Captain Herlock). Might be slow at times for people who wants lots of action.

Overall: Content: A, Video: A, Menu: B, Packaging: B, Extras: C.

I didn't know what to expect with this DVD since there wasn't any information available when I ordered it. It was better than I expected in its quality, but was a disappointment with its content. I was expecting 70's style animation (I have seen "Albator" on TV as a child), but was pleased to discover that it is contemporary (and quite spectacular). I also liked the music. The story is quite good, but you will be left wanting at the end; apparently the story will be continued in part 2: "The Tendrils of Fear". I'm not sure if I would have spent so much money on a DVD if I knew that I needed to get at least one more to get the complete story. This is a disk that should be part of a set, not sold on its own. So, if suspense bothers you, then my best advice would be to wait until part 2 becomes available and buy them both together. Or if you're really patient, wait to see if they get put together in a boxed set and save yourself some money!