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Noein Complete Series Boxset [2007] [DVD] (starz home entertainment uk ltd - 2007-10-22) 5 Discs (604 minutes) Region: 2 - Suitable for 15 years and over Usually dispatched within 24 hours Customer Reviews (Average 4.5 from 14) : A Classic Series. Rating:5 I picked this boxset up after being recommended it by alot of friends on the neomag forums and have so far loved every second of the show!! i higly recommend this series for its intriguing storyline and different take on Alternate Realities and Quantum Physics. Exceptional anime Rating:5 There are a couple of interesting features that make Noein an exceptional anime series. For a start, each episode is made up of over 6,000 animation cels - twice the number of a normal series - which gives it a wonderfully fluid appearance. Making use of extensive reference materials for its setting in the Hokkaido city of Hakodate, the backgrounds are wonderfully detailed and given depth through 360 degree spins and 3-D computer rendering. The series also has an almost operatic music score played by a 40 piece orchestra. While all those elements contribute to the overall high quality of the animation, ultimately however it's the strength of the storyline and characterisation that make Noein something special. The series has an ambitious storyline that blends teen angst with a science-fiction end-of-the-world scenario. That's certainly nothing new in Japanese anime or manga - far from it - but what is interesting about Noein is the direct correlation between the character and relationships of the young protagonists and the futuristic visitors from a parallel dimension in the future who have dropped into the remote port of Hakodate in Northern Japan trying to locate the Dragon Torque - a powerful tool that will give them the ability to control movement between dimensions and perhaps save the people of Lacrima from the threat of Shangri-la and dangerous entity known as Noein. Having reached an age where they are about to become teenagers and take the next big step into an uncertain future - some of them unsure whether to remain in Hakodate or leave to study in Tokyo - there are important decisions that need to be made that will form character and affect the rest of their lives. They probably don't realise just how important the decisions they make now are, since a number of the visitors from the future are in fact their own future selves from a parallel dimension that has undergone an apocalyptic destruction. This blending of teen-drama and science-fiction works surprisingly well then, mainly because it takes the time over its 24 episodes to develop real characters, show their family backgrounds and make the challenges that they face - whether small scale arguments between them, romantic leanings or bigger decisions - seem really important. Ambitiously, the series takes these decisions into the realm of quantum physics, chaos theory and causation, relating it to questions of freewill, destiny and cause and effect, and while in the latter episodes events can become confusing with the overlapping time and dimensions, it's all to a meaningful purpose. Brilliantly paced, with engaging characters, strong character designs and outstanding animation, Noein consequently is one of the best animation series of recent years. The entire series is contained on 6 discs, the presentation of the episodes is widescreen and the quality of the image is almost flawless. English and Japanese soundtracks are included in both 2.0 and 5.1. English subtitles are white for a change, and initially appear to be dubtitles, i.e. they are identical to the English dubbed adaptation, rather than being a strictly literal translation, but although it always remains close, this isn't consistent across all the discs. There are good extra features including an entertaining 3-part feature where the director and lead voice actor visit the real city of Hakodate. Disappointing Rating:2 I'm an adult, long time fan of animé - both films and series - and I enjoy stuff made for a younger audience as much as the more mature things. I love Ghibli, I had great fun watching Evangelion, and I'm a sworn fan of Mamoru Oshii and Satoshi Kon. Noein was highly disappointing. It lacks the intriguing, complicated characters and dirty humor of Evangelion. The quantum physics theories (putting man in the center of the universe as the driving force of all) are a fun pick-and-mix some serious thought and some far-fetched blabber. The plot is actually quite simple in the end. My wife fell asleep during one of the first episodes and I watched through it mainly because it really takes a lot for me to walk out on a film/series (I'd have to be bored out of my wits not to want to see how it all ends up). On the bright side the animation and design is quite all right, although some of the CG shots are quite badly integrated (especially the ones of Haruka's house from the outside) - not as much recycling of frames and long shots without motion as Evangelion. One of the things I loved about that series, though, as well as G.I.T.S and some others, are the episodes dedicated to elaborate on one of the characters and give you a better understanding of why things happen as they do. They try some of that here as well, but it seems like they didn't put their hearts into it... On the whole I wouldn't recommend this unless you're desperate for some animation, have seen everything else, and are in the mood for something that you can watch with your brain turned off. It's no fun, not very engaging, and the story could have been told better in just a couple of episodes (like the mini-series Read Or Die, for instance). Strongly recommended! Rating:5 To put it simply this is one of the most refreshing anime series to have come out in the last decade. Original ideas, vibrant story-telling and visceral animation. Noein is an absolute treat and at this price there's no excuse for missing out! Way better than it's price may suggest.... Rating:5 When I first purchased this set (2 years ago) it blew me away. Just yesterday I decided to dust this set off and give it a second veiwing. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed it just as much, maybe even more than the 1st time. When you watch this series for the 1st time you will probably notice that the animation is a little different from a lot of mainstream series' like Naruto or Bleach- but don't get me wrong it's different in a good way. The visual style is sort of flat but it still somehow manages to look hauntingly beautiful. The fight scenes are fast and frantic and look both spectacular and chaotic- every fight has very epic feel to it with some awesome music backing up a lot of the action. But don't go thinking that the action is all there is to this series- it also incorporates slice of life with a touch of romance here and there. These scenes are just as mesmerising to watch as the rest. I found both the English dub and original Japanese voices good to listen to (with the exception of one character in the dub sounding very whiney) so I would recommend you try to watch the 1st episode with both before continuing (just to decide on your favourite). I've found that this series has great replay value and I'm sure that if you buy this set you will find yourself watching it again and again for many years to come. And now for the best part- this set is DIRT CHEAP so buy it now!! Trust me its quality far exceeds its price. Thanks for reading! |
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