Gravion Zwei Thinpack Collection - Active Anime
- Active Anime
- Holly Ellingwood
- 07/23/06
- click here
"Gravion Zwei has a vitality to the characters, the story and the animation that make it a visceral joy to watch."
GRAVION ZWEI: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON COLLECTION (ADVANCE REVIEW)
SYNOPSIS: There's a new player in the game of Earth Defense. Enter the elite G-Soldier Squadron, the first of the government's attempts to mass-produce Gravion technology. Led by ace pilot Faye, will the G-Soldiers push the Earthgertz gang out of a job?
While facing a series of stepped up Zeravire attacks, Sandman decides his team needs some time off - at a hot springs resort.¬ What better way to form a cohesive fighting unit than to see everyone in their skivvies? Towels fly and karaoke maids abound as the Gravion team battles a hidden danger deep within a nearby volcano.
REVIEW:I was eager to see where the second season would go and this 12 episode season did not disappoint. With more action, greater intrigue and secrets revealed, Gravion Zwei proves even better than the first season.
The second season begins with some bawdy humor as we are reintroduced to the characters of Gravion. There?s a strip mahjong game, racy laughs at a hot spring and fun at an amusement park proving the show is as boisterous as ever. Nevertheless, unlike the first season where certain secrets were hinted at and never pursued, this season gives its all by unveiling a story with drama and mystery. The introduction of the EFA Gran Troopers to outdo Sandman?s Gran Knights is a point of contention that will lead to several repercussions but also introduces some interesting new characters such as Faye, a beautiful but embittered EFA pilot bent on proving herself to Sandman and to Toga. She won?t be the first, or the last, to reveal hidden ties with our beloved characters. By the midway point in the season, deeply shocking secrets will be unearthed that have the potential to destroy the Gran Knights and the leader both emotionally and perhaps even lead to their deaths!
The build up to the dramatic series of events that unfold is exceedingly well done. Although some of the secrets may be things you guessed at such as what happened to Ayaka or who is the man behind the mask, others are bound to take you by surprise. The consequences leave reverberations that are well thought out plot devices and really drive the series making it hard to put down once you start. It basically begins with laughs, slides into drama, leads to devastation and then a suspense filled action packed nail biting conclusion that will leave many viewers satisfied. With more action, a stronger story and startling revelations, Gravion Zwei ended up being one of the more surprisingly enjoyable series I?ve viewed this year.
The animation is done by GONZO (Last Exile, Chrono Crusade, Full Metal Panic!) which shows in its glossy style. The action scenes are great. They do suffer from being formulaic like most mecha series where when met with the evil forces, they must combine with the same battle cry and series of actions along with prescribed theme music. However, in the final episodes there are new battle moves and new mecha leading to some vibrant fight sequences that offer something new to the viewer.
Having the same cast as the first season, the voices are well matched from the English cast to the Japanese dialogue. The rousing opening theme holds true to the style of most mecha shows along with the overall score, while the lively song at the end is pure fun to enjoy.
Normally, reviews at Active Anime are focused on giving people a look at what an anime is about, not so much on the personal likes or dislikes of the writer. But it has to be said that normally I?m not a big fan of the mecha genre. There are a few that I?m quite fond of but overall it isn?t something I have to see. I tell you this so that you?ll understand therefore that when I say Gravion surprised me by how entertaining it was, you?ll have the context to know that means it must be an immensely enjoyable show. Without giving too much away, I will state that I was disappointed by the lack of follow through on the Mizuki/Ayaka relationship shown so beautifully in episode nine of the first season, yet is never really followed up on in Zwei. Nevertheless, I?ll admit that it is a small complaint compared to the overall joy this series was to watch.
EXTRAS:As with most ADV thinpack collections, the only bonus feature are previews of other ADV titles.
IN SUMMARY:As good as Gravion season 1 was, Gravion Zwei is that much better. Gravion Zwei has a vitality to the characters, the story and the animation that make it a visceral joy to watch."
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 (Archive on Wednesday, August 23, 2006)