Cheap Bubblegum Crisis - Tokyo 2040 - Genesis (Vol. 1) (DVD) (Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040) Price

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Customer Reviews of Bubblegum Crisis - Tokyo 2040 - Genesis (Vol. 1)

If I am to judge this series by itself - it's very good anime. One of the strongest aspects of this series, I believe, is the animation. Incredibly sharp images - aided by tons of computer animation I'm sure - tell of the genesis of the vigilante/mercenary group Knight Sabers. In this incarnation, Linna plays a central role (under the "profiles" section in extras, she is labeled as - believe it or not - the "wild card of the group"). Four characters - Sylia, Linna, Priss, and Nene - are all sharply drawn, not only visually, but in terms of personality as well. The fighting is sharp and violent - visually highly exciting and enjoyable, if regrettably tend to be somewhat short in duration. Overall, the atmosphere of the series comes quite close to AD Police - a vision of the future that is very dark and painful. The suffering, the inner turmoil of the characters is almost an tangible thing - it gives them great depth that far surpasses most TV show characters, live or animated. The story is shaping up to be good as well: somewhat Batman-esque (what with the secret hideout and aging loyal servant and all), fighting against the ominous looking "Tower" that is Genom. The opening and closing animation are probably the best I've ever seen. Especially the closing animation - which shows random images on a TV screen that sometimes go blank - inexplicably evokes the memory of the movie "Strange Days" and William Gibson's famous opening line in "Neuromancer" in me.

If - and I'm sure this is what 90% of you are interested in hearing - I'm to judge this series relative to the original BGC 2032, I'll still say this is a very good anime. But no more than quite a few other "very good" animes out there. No, it's not GREAT, like the original. I still remember the first time the stage lights came on in "Hot Legs" and Priss opened the greatest anime series ever with a exhilarating performance of "Tonight Hurricane." You can just feel it - there's something magical in the air. This time? It's like discovering a favorite childhood toy that you had thought you lost years ago: it looks familiar, feels familiar, even sounds familiar - but the feeling, the joy, the magic that enveloped you all those years ago when you first received it, is gone forever.

Many other reviewers have commented on how the characters have changed. I completely agree. Linna is a much better character now: lively, forceful, somewhat insecure but never shy to let her thoughts be known. However, as far as I'm concerned, Priss and Sylia - the two most importantly and beloved Sabers in 2032 - have just been uttered ruined. The Priss we have come to love - passionate, emotional, somewhat of a loose-cannon, a "shoot-first-ask-question-later" but very caring in a "I-don't-want-to-admit-it-unless-forced-to" kinda gal - has just vanished. The new Priss has a face cold as her hardsuit and hardly ever utters a word. Sylia in 2032 is one of most sublime characters ever in anime. She is simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, pulling strings behind the scene while providing a much-needed psychological anchor for the other three. Her beauty emanates from an almost unshakable sense of control, confidence, and subtle strength. The new Sylia not only couldn't serve as a quiet anchor to others, she could hardly get a firm grasp on herself. Seemingly suffering from some form of bipolar disorder, one moment she is cheerful like Nene, another she explodes in inexplicable rage. The only Saber who hasn't changed much is Nene. But this really is a bad thing, since her "comic relief" role here just seems horribly out of place in this world so full of pain and anger. Leon, the happy-go-lucky policeman in 2032, now for some reason constantly displays positively frightening anger. Even the Tower is different now: the old Tower reeks of arrogance, but its color and lights blends in with the rest of the city very well, especially during night; the new Tower seems to have no sense of subtlety. It's practically screaming at the viewers: "I'm incredibly evil!"

One could go on and on about such things. But please don't get the impression that all these add up to be a bad anime. It's just not THE Bubblegum Crisis anymore. I doubt if anything can be THE BGC again. Sometimes when the magic is gone, I guess there is just nothing one can do.

Classic anime series reborn for the 21st century.
BUBBLEGUM CRISIS is one of the most beloved anime series of all time. It features the exploits of four beautiful vigilantes in powered armor-suits battling renegade androids and the evil Genom corporation. BGC 2040 is not a continuation of the original series, but rather a brand-new re-telling of the story with an expanded plotline, more mature themes, a darker mood, and start-of-the-art modern animation. The characters are basically the same, but they are given new appearances and attitudes.

Anyone who loved the original BGC will probably love BGC 2040 even more--it has everything the original series had, but more and better. BGC 2040 is so well-done that even people who didn't care for the original might like this new series. The DVD release doesn't appear to promise much in the way of extras, but it will feature multiple voice channels and subtitles. The Japanese voice actors are so superior that they must be heard for the maximum viewing experience--it's worth putting up with the subtitles to hear them voice their wonderful characters Sylia, Linna, Priss, and Nene.

A nice introduction
I've always been curious about this show, so when I finally took the plunge and bought it, I was pleased to find myself not disappointed.

We are introduced to this series through Linna, who has come to Tokyo under the pretense of getting a job, but who is actually looking for the Night Sabers. Why? She wants to join, of course! These early episodes are a little slow, but still good, as we learn about Tokyo and the Night Sabers through Linna's eyes. It almost feels as if the viewer is trying to join the Night Sabers, too.

Things pick up when Linna goes into battle with her hardsuit for the first time, but of course it's never that easy as her newly-built suit malfunctions, leaving her at the mercy of a rogue boomer.

So far, things are looking interesting, as we are introduced to characters and get subtle hints at future mysteries. I was looking forward to the next volume after this, but the slowness of this volume might turn some people off. If you don't like it, at least give volume 2 a chance - that's where things get more interesting. Recommended.