Angelic Layer Volume 1: Divine Inspiration - Underland Online
- Underland Online
- Mike
- 01/01/01
- click here
By now, especially if you?ve been hitting the site long enough to check out anime reviews, you undoubtedly have figured out that during my courting of my Japanese wife, I managed to stockpile quite a collection of imported anime, some of which is now domestically available, whereas others are still in a state of limbo. And while I have been a huge fan of the genre for countless years, in fact dating back to when I really had no clue that it was anime, just that it looked different from the usual afternoon cartoon trite, there are some series that I?ve never had quite the attraction to as what others have. Angelic Layer, for whatever reason, has managed to gain quite a following in the US even before it?s official release from ADV, but it sadly fell into that category of ?don?t video tape this again please.? However, my initial viewing of the series actually came later in the shows run, and since I have found a few series that I enjoyed a bit more after seeing them the second time around, and subtitled no less, ZOE comes to mind, I thought maybe I?d go ahead and give Angelic Layer a second chance.
Angelic Layer, despite what you may be thinking if you haven?t already indulged in the numerous fan subs that are floating around, isn?t really about angels at all. Instead, Angelic Layer is the latest game craze that?s sweeping Japan, fictionally speaking of course. The angels are merely dolls that players buy and then customize to their liking and although they are lifeless outside of the combat ring, tossing them into what is known as the layer, and then mentally controlling their actions with a sophisticated VR style helmet is where the action comes alive.
That brings us to Misaki Suzuhara, a 12-year old junior high student who has only just recently come to Tokyo from Wakayama to live with her aunt, Shoko Asami. Misaki?s departure off her train is where she first tastes the world of Angelic Layer, and she?s immediately infatuated. Leave it to Icchan, a strange scientist who just happens to be n the area to point her in the right direction, as well as to the nearest store that caters to the Angelic Layer crowd. Icchan acts as Misaki?s instructor, teaching her what he can about the popular sport, and Misaki it seems, may have the makings of a champion.
Unfortunately, my initial feelings on the series were absolutely correct. I really can?t see exactly where the true appeal in this series lies. The idea itself is slightly novel, but then again owes itself a great deal to may other series, as well as games, that have been released over the past few years. Angelic Layer, as a tournament, immediately brings to mind thoughts of what else, Pokemon. However, the difference here isn?t that you?ve got to catch them all, fortunately, and we?ll leave that instead of Disney to try and redesign with their new Lilo and Stitch series, and then claim that it was a series they?d never heard of. I suppose it?s the whole tournament battle, something that goes outside of just Pocket Monsters, and has been seen in other series like Medarot, or Medabots as it?s known outside of Japan, and even Monster Rancher. The battles themselves are won generally by depleting your opponent?s health, but in the case that there isn?t a KO, whomever has the most health wins, and of course, a ring out will score an easy victory. This really is the same concept from just about every fighting game known to man, and the desire to play Soul Caliber II instead of finishing the first volume because ever so tantalizing throughout the course of watching the four episodes.
I will give the series a bit of credit however. This is yet another in the continuing string of series that comes from the creative efforts of CLAMP, a name that really needs to introduction at all. However, much like another of their recent series, Chobits, Angelic Layer sway away from their usual styling and isn?t quite something that you can immediately point to and say, ?Oh, this is CLAMP!? That?s due to quite a few things though. With the exception of the opening scene, thus far, the series is devoid of the trademark feathers and cherry petals, something that may look great the first few times, but it?s also something that CLAMP themselves have abused to the point where I had thought they may be on the way to becoming a one trick pony. The overall animation isn?t the usual CLAMP variety either, all thanks to BONES, one of the newest names in the world of anime. By now, anyone who watches even a bit of anime has to at least seen one thing done by this outstanding company with their works ranging from yet another popular ADV title, RahXephon, as well as the latest Cowboy Bepbop film. It?s also no surprise that Takahiro Komori, who also worked on the previously mentioned titles, is onboard as well, serving as the animation director and character designer. From this standpoint alone as well as a very standout soundtrack written by Kouhei Tanaka, who has also worked on series such as Sakura Taisen as well as the classic OVA Gunbuster, Angelic Layer is a pleasure to watch.
Even the characters aren?t too bad either, although there are a few similarities to some from other series. Misaki herself isn?t too bad, and coming from a small town, her lack of knowledge of just about everything in the big city is very forgivable. In fact, she?s a very likable character. Icchan on the other hand reminded me a great deal, at least in appearance, of Love Hina?s Seta, and where likeness come into play, Misaki?s ?friend,? Hatoko Kobayashi, looks like the merging of Cardcaptor Sakura?s Tomoyo as well as Meiling. But even with their similarities, these characters aren?t too bad, especially the highly entertaining, and slightly perverted Icchan. The other main cast members, the martial arts using and often times, although unintentionally, abusive Tamayo Kizaki and Hatoko?s older brother, the all too submissive Kotaro, act as both moral support and occasional comic relief. Even the dolls, especially as each has their own individual look, are entertaining, and thus far, none of the battles have gone on for too long. But, good characters, at least in this case, don?t always help out a series.
The extras take aim at something ADV has been trying to add recently, or so it seems, and that?s episode commentary. Of course, it?s not with any of the original Japanese voice cast, something that I imagine isn?t an easy task due to scheduling on all sides, and instead we have Jessica Boone, the voice of Misaki, and Andy McAvin, Icchan, on board. I may not be a fan of dubbing, but their commentary is fairly well done, and although they do tend to stray a slight bit from the general purpose, something that actually is an inherent problem with any commentary track no matter what the genre is, they do have some humorous comments as well as some that are very thought out. Aside from that, there is the usual clean open and close to round things out, and I?ll admit that the ending theme is far too catchy, enough so that I think a search for the CD single, assuming there is one, is on the horizon.
It?s not too often that a series comes along from ADV that I don?t care for, and this is one of the very rare exceptions to the rule. Again, I do know that the series really has a tremendous following already, and while the show does look very good, it?s the story that really isn?t something that?s quite to my liking, although it certainly will appeal to others, especially if you want something that?s along the lines of Pocket Monsters, without all of the cuteness that runs rampant in every episode. However, with all that in mind, the last thing to bring up is that this is in fact the start of the series, and the opening four episodes don?t always have a good bearing on the true direction that the series will take, so with any luck, Angelic Layer can go from being simply bearable to a series that?s enjoyable.
Episode 1 ? How Do You Do? My Very Own Angel
Misaki Suzuhara thought that she was prepared for life in Tokyo, that is, until she got her first look at the latest game sweeping both young and old alike: Angelic Layer. The concept itself may be a foreign one, but a strange scientist named Icchan is more than happy to point her in the right direction. And so, Misaki?s angel Hikaru, is born.
Episode 2 - Let's Try Out Best, Hikaru! The First Fight
Now that Misaki has her first angel, she?s going to have a few more things to learn. The main trick is how to control her new angel, and once again, Icchan happens to be around at just the right time to help her out. It seems, Misaki has quite a knack for these things, as she quickly proves.
Episode 3 ? Who Are You? Misaki?s Nervous Lesson
It isn?t just winning battles that make a good Angelic Layer participant; it?s all about the training. True to form, Icchan happens to be in the right place at the right time to offer a little more friendly advice. And while Misaki seems to have mastered her newest lesson, another player is more than eager to take her to the ropes and teach her yet another lesson.
Episode 4 ? The Day and Angel Flew Down
Icchan seems to think that Misaki is ready to enter her first real tournament, but the competition is going to be fierce. While Hatoko easily wins her match, Misaki may not be so lucky, and it?s going to take everything that she?s learned, and then some, to overcome the odds.
Posted on Monday, January 01, 2001 (Archive on Thursday, February 01, 2001)