Customer Reviews

Unico in the Island of Magic [VHS]

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Few films in history have the ability to touch a person life so much that decades later, the search continues to find them. The "Unico" movies, are two such films. I first saw the second movie first, and had it for many years, but it was lost when I moved. I saw the first film some years later, but it dissapeared as well. Then a few months ago, I was feeling nostalgic and went online in the hopes that I might find someone with an old copy. And lo and behold, I found not one, but both films in mint condition. And Now, I HAVE THEM BOTH!!!! MWHA HAHAHAHAHA!

Okay, past my meglomanical monologue, Unico was the very first Anime I ever saw, back before I even knew what Anime was. I find it sad that it is out of print, but if it gained enough support, I am sure the Anime companies would give the go ahead for a DVD release. If anything, it would allow a lot of people to relive a simpler time, when a cartoon could touch a person so much that it would stay with them for so many years. And even after so much time, I am still in awe of the magic of these stories. A fond memory, of a forgotten treasure.

HEY OUT THERE!!! ADV!! Animego, PIONEER or anyone else. Fans demand. BRING UNICO BACK!!!!!

This movie was more or less my first exposure to Anime when I was a kid and I have still have very fond memories of this movie even now as an adult. Not having seen the movie for SEVERAL years, my memories about the characters and events of the story are somewhat scattered but I do remember that "Unico In The Island of Magic" was nothing like most of the cutesy "kiddie" cartoons that were heavily promoted when I was a kid. Although I was raised on Disney like just about everybody else, I developed a deeper appreciation for "darker" movies with more mature and serious themes such as "Unico," "The Secret of NIMH," "All Dogs Go To Heaven," movies that, in my opinion, better reflected "real life" with their mixture of happiness, humor, tragedy, and sadness and and movies that did not always have a "happy" ending. I still recall "Unico In The Island of Magic's" bittersweet ending scene with Unico (once again) being taken away by the West Wind without having a chance to say goodbye to Cheri with a tinge of sadness even now, which I believe is indicative of just how good the movie actually is. It is a rare movie that is able to touch me in such a way, especially several years after seeing it for the last time. While I believe that kids would definitely enjoy the movie, I think that many adults would enjoy watching this movie as well and us fans are already hooked. If you can get ahold of a VHS copy of this movie, grab it and hold onto it with all of your might, but hopefully SOMEBODY over here will give both of the "Unico" movies a proper DVD release, hopefully sooner rather than later. I am encouraged by the current rate of release of 80's cartoon shows and I am hopeful that the recent DVD release of Unicorn-related movies such as "The Last Unicorn (also originally produced and released in the early 1980's)," might prompt some more studio interest in the "Unico" movies. Sanrio, who released this movie as well as the first movie, "The Fantastic Adventures of Unico (which I have NEVER seen but would like to)," has unfortunately indicated that they will NOT ever re-release these titles on DVD here in the US so it will have to be up to other anime companies to look into this. I know that I would love to be able to share these movies with my kids! If there is anybody out there reading this who works for an anime production company looking for new products to acquire and release reading this: PLEASE Release the "Unico" movies On DVD!!!!!!!

This was my favorite cartoon movie as a little boy. My parents recorded it and I still can't stop enjoying this movie, even for a 20+ year old man.

One lady asked for information about this movie. Here it is in a nutshell.

In order to avoid being sent to the Land of Oblivion, by order of the Gods, the West Wind hides a small unicorn in a fishing town without any memory of where he came from. Unico only knows his name and an annoying cat quickly tries to kill him. The cat is mainly the comic relief for this movie. A wizard uses a magic flute to "Pied Piper" all the forest animals to one spot so he can turn them into "Living Puppets". After finishing the animals, the wizard's master, Karuku, orders him to start on people. All the people are taken to an island that Unico and a girl escape. The soon learn from the Trojan Horse that Karuku must be defeated with love and care. They soon return to the island to confront Karuku to a bitter end. Not much of a good ending but a good movie overall.

This movie is one of my childhood memories that I will forever remember. Unico defeated evil with love and I loved him for that. I'm crushed that this movie has stopped being released. Please e-mail me if you know anything about obtaining this movie or any Unico movies, I would love to hear from you.

The little unicorn continues his adventures in this spectacular sequel. This time around, West Wind leaves Unico in a strange forest where he meets some pushy cats and a mysterious, musical magician...

Classic delights of children, like toys and candy, can be twisted into garish tales of horror and yet hold us enthralled. Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and Gene Wilder's performance in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" are two examples of such ingenious films.

"Unico in the Island of Magic" is another movie that can capture audiences with its fairy-tale story and charming wit. This is from a time before the razor-sharp sarcastic media have to modernize fairy tales. (Remember "Grimm Fairy Tales" from Nickelodeon? That's the long-lost quality I still crave for.) This is Anime working at its best: creating worlds of children's imagination while providing interesting that amuse adults too.

Our adorable noble magical unicorn has been dropped off near a quaint village that is soon to be attacked by a troublemaker. With the help of a plucky girl named Cheri, Unico must use his powers of love and friendship to stop the evil Kuruku and save the villagers. Brave little Unico's courage shines through in ways that sappiness does not and the film holds strength from start to finish.

Cheri is straight and honest as Unico but some other less-than-perfect characters really flesh out the movie. Melvin Magnificat is a bullying feline whose massive ego is quickly deflated when he's recruited by Toby, Cheri's older brother, to do his master's dirty work. Toby is also interesting. He's a misguided magician with a strong thirst for magic but his conscience is torn between love for his family and love for his work. He is reluctant but must carry out his master's orders to a tee.

The movie's plot revolved around the diabolical plans of Kuruku, a psychotic sorcerer who delights in turning humans into puppets and toys for his own amusement. With his bulging white eyes and a maniac high-pitched laugh, Kuruku ranks up there with the Joker's gleeful insanity. Yet he has a sympathetic side, as the audience learns that Kuruku was once a neglected puppet rejected by his masters. Unico, ever the hero, pities Kuruku but must stand up to the fight and they battle as Kuruku's castle crumbles all around them.

I enjoyed this movie even more than the first one because the story flows smoothly and the bewildering scenes are equally enchanting. A vast burning desert keeps Cheri and Unic from their destination. Human puppet-droids move like building blocks in time to Toby's eerie flute music. The toy dragon, with his whizzing, screaming, and snapping mouth, is witty and horrific. Cheri and Unico undergo a temporary transformation and dance for Kuruku's pleasure. Even decades later, this film remains a breathless wonder in the eye of every person who can imagine when dreams and stories come to life.

I am lucky to have the tape of both movies, I watched as a child, from over 20 years ago. I loved it and still do, my neices and nephew loved it. This movie was and is pure kiddie movie magic. According to sanrio it is owned by the original maker of the movie. At the time it was originally released it was under the sanrio license. After the death of unico's creator it was sold back to his company. There are no plans to re release any of the movies or any merchandise. So good luck in your searches!

I'm not sure about all these reviews on Unico-The one I had recorded was about unico,kattie the cat,and beazil the little devil?Does anyone know anything about this one I'd love to find it for my Granddaughter?Anyone?

I was terrified, yet fascinated by this movie when I was young...that's why I had to find it to see if Kuruku really was that scary. And you know what? He IS. Beware...only watch if you are ready!
I love this movie!

For 9 years I searched for this video. I'm 17 now, yet I still remember how this movie thrilled, frightened, and enticed me as a child. My father and I watched it together once on tv. I fell in love with it, but I forgot the title, and so it dissapeared. I remembered the story, asked every video library about it, but no one knew what I was talking about. As a freshman I met some other girls who also vaguely remembered how much they had loved it, but not the title. I looked everywhere, and had just about given up. Then, one day, I came across it on Amazon and anipike. There it was! My long lost beloved movie. I finally feel closure, as if I found a long ago buried treasure. It is an amazing movie, and once I convince my dad, it is the first thing I'm gonna get from amazon!
I recommend it to all children and grownup unicorn lovers (as well as lovers of great simple anime) for it is heart warming. Just don't forget to write down the title...:)