Product Details

• Actors: Dead Leaves
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Manga Video
• DVD Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002J58QK
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,170 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #16 in	Movies & TV > Anime & Manga > By Studio > Manga
  #52 in	Movies & TV > Art House & International > Asian Cinema > Japan > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Dead Leaves is the latest installment in the collaboration between Manga Entertainment and Production I.G. that brought viewers Blood: The Last Vampire (2001) and Kai Doh Maru (2003). But Dead Leaves, which suggests a mixture of Ninja Scroll and Inspector Zim designed by Peter Chung, lacks the sensual elegance of the earlier OVAs. Retro, who has a television set for a head, and Pandy awaken with their memories erased. Sent to the lunar prison of Dead Leaves, they contrive an escape with hordes of other inmates. A long, pointless slaughter ensues, with blood, bullets, and body parts flying across the screen. The frame is so cluttered with angular characters, bright colors, Japanese and English words, mechanical devices, and gore, it's difficult to follow the frenetic action, let alone the fragmentary story. (Unrated, suitable for ages 17 and older: brief nudity, extensive violence, profanity, sexual humor, toilet humor, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Close the Door, They're Coming Through The Windows..., October 22, 2004

By	Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This is possible the most frantic anime I have ever seen. Retro and Panda, who look like characters straight out of FLCL awake on a dark street with no memories and a yen for violence. After a violent robbery and chase scene they are packed of to a prison of no return on the moon. They are fed, purges, and packed of into a cell where a momentary indiscretion somehow catapults them into a jailbreak.

From this point the story becomes on long chase and fight scene, complete with escalating bosses at the end of each level. In bits and pieces we find out Retro and Panda's previous history, and the secrets behind the walls of Dead Leaves. Nothing really ever quite makes sense, but it really isn't necessary that it does. Dead Leaves is a 'show off' piece, where twisted creativity and virtuoso animation are the real purpose of the show.

It's hard to believe that this comes from the same people who put together the atmospheric "Blood: The Last Vampire" and the beautifully drawn "Kai Doh Maru." The closest analog would be the aforementioned FLCL, without all the quiet parts. The first watching leaves a chaotic impression and it takes several more viewings before you start to pick up on a lot of the sight gags.

This isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, especially for a US audience which has become accustomed to the new generation of anime. But it is fun in a loud, lewd, hyperactive fashion. At the first viewing the writer confided that what he wanted was for the audience to get drunk and start dancing. I'm not sure if it will take you that way, but it gives you a good idea of the driving force behind the film.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ORIGINAL, INSANE, AND AN ALL-AROUND GREAT TIME!!, September 27, 2004

By	Jordan T. Bryant (Normal, Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The reason the reviewer doesn't understand the beauty of this movie is because they were looking for a traditional anime style movie...DEAD LEAVES IS NOT TRADITIONAL! I own Blood: The Last Vampire and have seen many of this production team's works, BUT I have NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS GOOD! The reason that it is so good is because there is NO STRUCTURE!! If you are looking for a good time, good laugh, and a twisted new look, then this movie is a MUST! If you keep an open mind, you will experience a wicked, memomorable movie. WELL WORTH THE RISK.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tank Girl meets Fooly Cooly !!!, July 6, 2006

By	George Jones "30+years anime fan" (Atwater,CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this anime blew me away! the main characters pandy and retro remind me of tank girl and booga. the pace and energy level of the story are reminisent of the anime Fooly Cooly,but much more anarchic and intense,plus the humorous parts are great! Dead Leaves is not like your standard anime but for people willing to expand their perceptions of what Anime can be,I would say give this anime a try and be prepared to hang on tight!!