Customer Reviews

Steel Angel Kurumi - Complete Collection

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Steel Angel Kurumi" is not for everyone; I often have questioned myself as to why I like it. But I do...it's a guilty pleasure.

Set in the 1910's, the story revolves around a "steel angel" robot/weapon named Kurumi with the personality of an innocent, scatterbrained, clingy young girl, who is activated/brought to life by the kiss of a young boy mystic. The adventures that follow...the relationships that develop, the introduction of Kurumi's "sisters" (steel angels sent to destroy her), and the gradual revelation of Kurumi's incredibly distructive powers...draw the viewer to the inevitable nearly catistrophic climax.

Now ADV has issued has issued this "Complete Collection", containing the original 4-disc, 24 episode first series, the single disc 4 episode encore OVA, and the 2-disc, 12 episode second series, with a plethora of extras. However, if you already own any of the original DVD releases, you'll find that this collection is just a re-issue of the currently available DVDs. All of the information here has already been issued.[...]

The first 4 DVDs contain the original "Steel Angel Kurumi". It's an unusual series; cute and sappy as much as it is action filled, sweet and innocent as well as loaded with sexual overtones. The charaters are well drawn and the animation is top notch. The storyline drags a bit, but develops well, as do the characters. Some great stuff here. It's campy, but highly enjoyable.

The extras on the first 4 discs are exceptional; interviews with the English dub cast, translator's notes (which helps clarify a great deal), background information relating to the setting and time frame in which the series is set, and more. ADV makes a great effort to help in the enjoyment of the series, and the material presented is quite interesting.

The good quality continues with the single disc encore OVA. The 4 episodes are well done and add to the original series. The extras are plentiful here as well, including a running commentary with some of the English actors.

It's the last 2 discs that drop the ball a bit. The second series in general is basically a re-hash of the first, and a not real good one at that. A few decent ideas are launched (a modern setting, the mystic that awakens Kurumi this time is a young girl, which boosts the already palpable lesbian overtones), but some of the ideas are just plain bad. The delicate balance of comedy, camp, action and character development that existed in the first series is totally upended in the second. It can still be fun, but pales by comparison. Plus the extras on the DVDs are minimal at best.

Still, at this price, it's better to get the whole package for the price of buying 2 seperate DVDs, and it is definitely worth it for the first series alone. A great value and a fun anime.

Personally, I have the collection myself and have gone through it a dozen times. Although I still don't know all the important people who played a role in bringing Steel Angel Kurumi into our lives; I still can truly say that it is a gift from heaven. It's a story for all time which contains a little bit of something for everyone: action, suspense, comedy, romance, history, and plenty of extra features. This collection contains detailed backgrounds and details on the era Steel Angel Kurumi takes place in and explains how this fiction ties in with the history of Japan in the 1900's skilfully. It also has detailed production sketches with mini-comidical explanations, and loads of other goodies. As for the series itself, it has some amazing characters and artwork you'll instantly fall in love with. Kurumi's comedic devotion to nakahito, Karinka's "kiss my a**" attitude, Saki's sweet yet "fruity" nature, nakahito's down to earth attitude, and an even more extensive amount of likable if not lovable characters. The artwork is simply amazing and gives you a feel of 1900 Japan. There's a good amount of action in the show almost portrayed in a comic book fashion; lots of hilarious lines, puns, and actions; and also other things which I'm sure will delight people. Overall Steel Angel Kurumi is a definite must have for any anime lover and even for those who are just getting into the genre. I give this instant classic 5 stars.

To start off I will be dividing up this review in three sections.
1)Steel Angel Kurumi [Season 1]
2)Steel Angel Kurumi [Encore]
3)Steel Angel Kurumi [Season 2]

For the season 1 let me just say that.....IT WAS AMAZEING!!! I fell in love with kurumi instantely. The way she acts and the love she has for her master. It's like watching saber marionette J all over again. The first seasons story was also a work of art, although the series only had 12 minute episodes it still was able to string together a amazeing story that just grabbed hold of me and didn't let me go until the end. With the premanition of the black wings and the mysterious "Demon Kind" race, and the whole Mark II Heart scenarios, this anime is true genious sent by the angels of heaven.
-I give Season 1, 5 out of 5

Moveing on now to the Encore dvd. The encore dvd is just a simple four episode countinuation of season one. With cute fillers and lots of fights over Nagahito, the encore is a nice cherry on top of a amazeing sundae.
-I give the Encore, 5 out of 5

Now for the bain of the set unfourchounetly. Season two was a huge disappointment to me. There was just something missing in this series and it was a good thing they only went on for 12 episodes instead of 24. The second season takes place 75 years after the first season and this dicendent of Nagahito, most likesly his great grand daughter, awakens Kurumi. The series eventually progresess and awakens the other steel angels who now have mark II Hearts as well. The whole scenario with Nako's friend's farther useing his private military to kill Kurumi and bring his daughter happiness is really stupid, although the series did make me laugh and the fact that everyone is a lesbian may have been some redeaming qualities, but over all I feel that the second season was totally uncalled for and shouldn't have aired. However, they were able to keep the orignal voices, so props to them for at least doing that.
-I give season 2, 3 out of 5

All in all the collection is a must have even if you just want the first season, which in my personel opinion is amazeing. Anyone can agree that the heart warming story between Nagahito and Kurumi is truely wonderful and is just a classic anime of a human falling in love with a machine.
-average score 4 out of 5, but since I love the first season so much, this review gets the full 5 out of 5

First off let me say that I've been an anime fan for a long time.Yet rarely have I seen a show that I instantaeously fell in love with.Based on the original manga by KAISHAKU,Steel Angel Kurumi is an awesome series.The characters like Kurumi,Saki,and of course Karinka(voiced by Hilary Haag.)are very well developed.Kurumis' charming childish personality,Sakis'lesbian feelings for her sister,and last but not least Karinkas' psycho "I'll down the ..... when I'm good and ready", attitude.
The animation and characters are extremely well done,and the music and the voice acting is superb.I believe It's some of ADV's best yet.As for the extras ADV offers interesting historical notes,art galleries,and even printable fortune tellers.All in all Steel Angel Kurumi is a worthwhile buy for any anime fan,especially for those of us,like myself, who enjoy a great story with a side of eye candy!

I'm new to anime and picked up disc 3 at my local Blockbuster. Ended up getting hooked on the first series and figured I'd pick up the entire collection. Series 1 and the encore disc are very good. The story has humor and relationship between Kurumi, Nakahito, Saki & Karinka is fun to watch. It got a bit dark and morbid towards the end of the first series, but overall well worth the money. The encore disc continued the stories as little one shots, and was a good addition. However, Series 2 was terrible. Had no plot, wasn't cohesive with the first series at all (except for the characters) and they took all of the sassyness our of Karinka, which provided some of the best stuff in the first series. I would suggest you buy the first series and encore only, or get this one and let your dog chew on the last 2 discs.

Season 1 of Kurumi was the most cute anime I have ever seen. The story was great. The characters were all lovable and memorable. I give it 5 stars.
Encore 4 extra episodes DVD: Gave a heart-warming ending to the charming love story of Kurumi.
Season 2: Was so disappointing and be letdown to a great series. The story was bad, no memorable characters. I wish the same writers for first series did the second. 1 out of 5 stars. I recommend not to watch second season.

steel angel kurumi is based in the 1900's with its beautiful art of the japanese culture and the wonderful animation i give it a 5/5 *'s. The series is based on so called steel angels which are beings for the purpose of military use only. when fate brings them together young mystic, makihito incounters the first of the steel angels with the mark II heart and has life takes its course she is awakened by one simple kiss. nakihito is no longer known as nakihito to kurumi he is know as 'master'.

Starring the voice of
kelli cousins- as kurumi
monica rial- as saki
hillary hagg- as karinka
and
claudia black- as...well you'll just have to watch the series now wont you!!!T_T

First, the first season and encore discs are really fun.Second, dear sister321, this show was not made with christians in mind.Third, the second season is not very good at all.Fourth, the show is worth getting, just ignore the second season.Fifth, the series is not for everyone, so i recommend renting the first disc and seeing if you like the series before buying this collection.Last, i would give more of a review, but it's 1 a.m. and im tired.

I originally bought this title because it looked very cute to me after watching a commercial for it on one of my other DVDs. I immediately enjoyed the artwork, and the characters were very cute in their own ways. However, I didn't find the story terribly gripping. The military comes looking for the main character in hopes of obtaining her heart because of the power it contains. It sounded interesting, but with each episode being 15 minutes, and 24 episodes in this part of the series, it doesn't cover much ground. I didn't find it very interesting until the end, which - for me - made it worth watching. After that you get 4 mini episodes which take place around the time frame of season 1 which are very cute. They don't really have any significant plot, but they aren't supposed to. They seem to just be there for fun, and I liked them. And finally we get to season two... When it comes to this one, I think I can only reiterate what many of the previous reviewers have already said: This season is complete and utter crap. You can watch it if you want to, I suppose, but you'll only find yourself wasting your time. But, on the whole, I'd say Steel Angel Kurumi (minus season 2) is fairly enjoyable, and would be good as a light hearted series. If you don't like slight indications of lesbianism, I wouldn't suggest this title. Otherwise, though, I'd say you're pretty much set

Lets see what does Steel Angel Kurumi has to offer well check this out: comedy, romance, action, suspense, history, lesbain, drama, and extras features on the dvds. This is a mature anime and parents should let their kids watch it it will show them what a naked woman looks like.