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Strange Dawn
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Animation - 8.0 |
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Sound - 8.5 |
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Story - 9.0 |
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Character - 8.3 |
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Value - 7.8 |
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Enjoyment - 8.5 |
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Average - 8.3 |
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petran79 |
(2008-01-14 19:57:32) 2007-01-12 14:46:39 |
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| Average |
7.2 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| (Dybex R2 DVD version, Japanese cast)
No wonder this title has so few reviews here and elsewhere, despite its popularity. Not only because the US release by Urban Vision had one of the worst marketings, targeting this show mainly at children and delaying every DVD's release (they still havent released volume 3 and 4). The dub was also mediocre and nowadays it is hard to find this title in English complete. Fortunately it is available in other languages, so I got the French box-set version relatively cheaply and could enjoy this strange indeed series. It was also broadcast in the UK!
As it is stated in other reviews the series may from the concept look deceiving. Similar animes that deceive from the surface like Alien 9 and Narutaru had some psychological tension and excessive violence, despite the kiddy cover and music.
Strange Dawn features some of the mature elements of the above titles but adds a heavy to grasp story with politics and warfare involved, complex characters (despite the SD and cute style) and some violent moments as well. The way of introduction to the world of Strange Dawn with the various alliances of each tribe and the tribes themselves is hardly appropriate to be comprehended by children. I had difficulties comprehending the story myself in some episodes.
The story is one of the best I've seen. Only the abrupt start and ending take a few points but from the end credits I saw that this was based on a manga, so probably the two heroines prolong their stay in the manga, since some issues remained unresolved. If I ever get my hands on the manga I highly doubt it though. It isnt of the most popular and was never released in tankoubon format
Animation is good considering it depicts a fantasy world inhabited by dwarves. Colourfull and the battles are sufficient. The peculiar character design makes this series also worth watching. I have no complaints.
The sound makes Strange Dawn one of the best. Beautiful intro (by Record of Lodoss War composer) , nice ed theme, fantastic BGM, nice battle fx, very good voice acting. The viewers cant demand more from a title like Strange Dawn. If you ever find the CD OST of this title it is worth buying.
As for the characters, I admitt that it is a mixed bag. Some times I found them effective, especially in the tragic moments. But most of the times I couldnt stop laughing by seeing a midget (especially Mani) crying or being angry. But this made the anime by no means unwatchable. Funny moments are also necessary, even if not in the moments the anime intended.
The Japanese cast were excellent. I'll watch also the French dub whenever I rewatch the title.
As for the two main characters, their actually overshadowed by every other character in the series and I hardly felt any sympathy. Of course that was intentional since the adults here were the midgets and the children were the giants.
If you've read the popular book by Jonathan Swift, you'll surely understand the meaning.
Overall Strange Dawn is one of the best and most original animated titles I've seen and worth a look if you like strange titles. It has one of the best OP songs too.
Too bad it has only 4 reviews. More opinions are necessary, especially for a title like that. If you liked 12 Kingdoms for the story and Escaflowne for the characters, I dont see any reason not to like this title too.
Not to be missed.
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xxnn |
(2004-09-29 06:30:51) 2004-08-15 09:05:29 |
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| Average |
7.5 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| i know for sure, this anime won't appeal to everyone. But i like it, cause the concept is quite interesting and amusing. It makes you wonder what will you do if you have the power to make peace. My only complain is how the 'little' characters look so... disjointed. Otherwise, this anime is kewl!
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Cauldron |
(2004-04-29 04:07:52) 2004-04-29 04:06:15 |
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| Average |
9.2 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Well, that's an enigma, why such a good anime has only 2 reviews after 4 years of existence?
Maybe it's linked to that kawaii look a lot of characters have, it looks like it's for small children. But Strange Dawn is not for small children. It has a complex non-manichean political setting and characters, bloodsheds, near-rape scenes, betrayals, revenges, impossible loves, deaths, ... it has ALL!
I really liked it, and I won't forget the characters and story soon.
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| Average |
9.5 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Here's a question for you: "What would you do if you were sent to a world half your size?" No, in Strange Dawn, an answer such as "become the king of that world" is impossible. Besides, how could you rule a bunch of aggressive little midgets armed with cute but deadly weapons? OK, so you're regarded as the Guardian at least. An ordinarily smart person would exploit the status, but for schoolgirls Miyabe Yuko and Natsuno Eri, it's a different story...
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