Anime Review: Tales of Symphonia ~Tethe'alla Hen~

The characters. (Clockwise from right): Regal Bryant, Presea Combatir, Refill (Raine) Sage, Genis Sage, Colette Brunel, Lloyd Irving, Sheena Fujibayashi with Corrine, and Zelos Wilder.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Summary:

Based on the video game from Namco of the same name, Tales of Symphonia ~Tethe’alla-hen~ continues where it left off in its first OVA, the Sylvarant-hen. It continues the adventures of Lloyd Irving, Genis Sage, and Refill (Raine in the U.S. version) Sage, as they find a way to return Colette Brunel, Lloyd and Genis’s friend who is the Chosen of Sylvarant, back to normal. From Lloyd’s hometown, Sylvarant, they are accompanied by the assassin, Sheena Fujibayashi as they travel towards Tethe’alla, the world where she came from. Upon arriving at Tethe’alla, they are welcomed by Zelos Wilder, who is Tethe’alla’s Chosen. Along the way, they encounter Regal Bryant, a noble turned prisoner who was hired to kill Zelos, and Presea Combatir, a girl who lost her heart because of an ex-sphere experiment. Not only must they protect Sylvarant’s Chosen, but they need to save both worlds, Sylvarant and Tethe’alla, from destruction. With more allies now, will Lloyd and company be able to restore Colette and save both worlds from the Renegades and the Cruxis?

Judgement:

Tethe’alla-hen had a very good jump start. The start of the first episode is already action-packed, and it went straight to the point after the brief introduction from where it left off in Sylvarant-hen, in case some people missed it, or forgot it. Though, I can say that there are still probably a lot of differences between the anime and the game, and it is fast-paced. But still, the anime doesn’t divert from the game’s main storyline, and narrates it direct to the point. The quality of the visuals is very good, and the animations are really good, especially the fight scenes. The soundtrack is very catchy, particularly its opening, “Tenkuu no Canaria” performed by Nana Mizuki, Colette’s seiyuu. The ending songs, “Inori no Kanata” and “Tethe’alla ~Tai no Kodomo Tachi~” gives the series an RPG-feel, and with Akiko Shikata performing them, she gave those songs a sort of mystifying feel.

Visual: 10/10

Story: 8/10
Soundtrack: 9/10

(Posted last year from my other blog… XP)

Anime Review: Gundam 00

The protagonists (Gundam Meisters) of ”Gundam 00” and their Gundams. (From left to right) Lockon Stratos and Gundam Dynames, Allelujah Haptism and Gundam Kyrios, Setsuna F. Seiei and Gundam Exia, and Tieria Erde and Gundam Virtue.

Genre: Mecha, Action, Drama, Science fiction, Military

Summary:

     The year is A.D. 2307. Fossil fuels on Earth are depleted, and humans are now relying on a new source of energy: Solar energy. However, the distribution of solar energy is not evenly distributed because it is controlled by Earth’s three major powers, namely: Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations, (Union; United States of America),Human Reform League (HRL; Russia, India, and China), and Advanced European Union (AEU.) Because of this, constant warfare has erupted across the globe. A mysterious organization called, Celestial Being, appears to bring its message of eradicating war — stopping all conflicts and possible causes of conflicts. Celestial Being uses weapons called "Gundam" to fulfill their goal. The story follows the four Gundam pilots, (called "Gundam Meisters") Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism, and Tieria Erde.

The Gundam Meisters and their Gundams four years after the final battle between the United Nations Forces and Celestial Being. (From left to right) Lockon Stratos and Gundam Cherudim, Tieria Erde and Gundam Seravee, Setsuna F. Seiei and Gundam 00, and Allelujah Haptism and Gundam Kyrios.

     Four years after the United Nations Forces won against the battle against Celestial Being, humanity established the Earth Sphere Federation. A private military force known as the Autonomous Peace-Keeping Force, or A-Laws, has also been formed to further unify nations and the will of mankind, and to dispose rebel forces such as Katharon. Unknown to the public, A-Laws is just using their so-called objective as a front for oppressing freedom, doctrines, and ideologies. Celestial Being, aware of A-Laws’ misuse of power, rises again to stop it, aided by Katharon. Unknown to them, another group called Innovators, are the ones who are actually manipulating the conflict, claiming that they are carrying out Aeolia Schenberg’s true plan.

I AM GUNDAM!:

     Gundam 00 is directed by Seiji Mizushima, the same director for Fullmetal Alchemist. The series somewhat resembles Gundam Wing at first, but 00 has a deeper and very intriguing storyline, combining religion, mecha, and current social issues. It shows that even in the future, some of our current social and economic issues still remain. And the issue about fossil fuels running out, and replaced by solar energy, in which nations will start fighting over, is a possibility that could happen sometime in the future. The character development's quite good, too. Not only did the events and their actions caused the world to change, but they also managed to change themselves. The visuals are detailed and the animations are smooth. It has the right amount of drama, action, and romance. Not to mention that the battle scenes are good. The soundtrack is also pretty good.

Visuals: 9/10

Story: 10/10

Soundtrack: 8/10

This has been a republished old review, haha... XD