Rating: - Something is lost in translation I think
I'm always on the lookout for new Anime and Manga (I just finished a 50 episode Gundam DVD set for example). I had hoped this might be a bit on the more... adult side. I keep reading that Anime/Manga in Japan is an all ages affair, but why do we constantly see the same theme over and over again: "teenagers thrust into world shattering intrigue who must save the day"?

Well thats where this story starts as well. Unfortunatly, Its also dull as heck. Episode 1 starts with a human planet being blockaded by a massive, previously unknown race called the Ank who demand their surrender. So.. they surrender. Phew! I almost thought there would be some action! Then in episode 2, one teenager meets up with his old school friend, then meets an Ank teenager (humans who look like elves...) who is there to fly him to another world. Episode ends. This goes on for many episodes, then there is some action, then more filler episodes.

Its not bad, its just not that compelling. Also, the translation to english is missing something. To see what I mean, change audio to english, then turn on english subtitles as well. The superior officer says "Well thats good" but the subtitle states "I thought you couldn't handle it" when someone completes a task. A subtle change, but it means something different.

The other problem, (and I wonder if this is also a translation problem) is that the Ank are supposed to be the bad guys. They invade worlds and enslave their inhabitants. They state this a few times and say there is a human alliance of planets against their tyranny, who are fighting against the Ank (when the action finally starts). The problem is, the story is told from the stand point of a human who becomes an Ank warrior and his human (female...) Ank protector (and superior officer). Who am I rooting for? They enslave planets, but the 2 characters are supposed to get our sympathy and emotional investment. For what? So they can enslave more worlds?

The DVD quality is passable, but the navigation is all in japanese so it takes some getting used to. It also seems to be missing some episodes in the middle of the story, but my guess is it was some of the most dull storyline and it got cut.

As a rule, I never, ever review something until I get to the end of it, but I'm not sure I'll make it there... If you're dying for some anime and have nothing else, the price is right, just don't expect seat of your pants action.

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