Cheap Rumiko Takahashi Anthology - Primal Needs (Vol. 1) + Series Box (DVD) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of Rumiko Takahashi Anthology - Primal Needs (Vol. 1) + Series Box

Amazing anthology from a Master Storyteller
Prolific artist/ writer Rumiko Takahashi is probably known by many for her higher profile properties like "Inu-Yasha" and "Ranma 1/2". However, Rumiko has created many shorts stories which have been published over the years in different manga collections and serials. This Anthology collects 13 of her short stories in anime format. All are stand alone episodes however, if you look closely you will see characters from others stories appear in the background. <
> <
>This first volume features 3 episodes "tragedy of P", "merchant of Romance" and "middle-aged teens" - each story a interesting slice-of-life look at modern Japan told as only Rumiko Takahashi could write. <
> <
>In the first story "tragedy of P" we are introduced to a couple and their son who live in an aprtment building where pets are not allowed. The wife is constantly reminded by the Resident Associations President to keep the noise down. She struggles to keep the peace. And then a penguin shows up! <
> <
>In the second story "Merchant of Rmomance" the lead character is a yound lady struggling to keep her Wedding Chapel open in the face of financial struggle.Additionally burdened with the collapse of her own first marriage she decides to give up on love and the chapel. And then a couple arrive who just might change everything. <
> <
>In the final episode "Middle-aged teens" a successful salary-man constantly works hard for his family's well being. A new promotion to faraway Hokkaido and his desire for his family to move with him provokes a mini-rebellion from his selfish wife and son who desire to stay in the city (i can only assume Tokyo). While walking that night an accident befalls him. When his family retrieve him he has amnesia, acts like a teen and is acquainted suddenly with a beautiful high school girl. <
> <
>In each of these stories Rumiko is really able to explore the small idiocyncracies that people have and the sometimes childish nature of people. The stories are never heavy handed or preachy but more of a light-hearted look at issues that are universal to everyone. <
> <
>The show is not a hard watch and the self-contained nature of the episodes makes it a commitment free series- although when episodes are this entertaining it would be hard to pass up future volumes. <
> <
>Recommended!

---

Takahashi-sama delivers another anime masterpiece.
Though not as fast paced or action oriented as Ranma 1/2 or Inu-Yasha, Anthology offers us Rumiko Takahashi's view of everyday Japanese life as only she could tell it. <
>The story telling is more subdued than Takahashi's more well known works, but there is a genuine heartfelt quality to them. <
>Takahashi weaves her tales of comedic misunderstandings, hilarious coincidences, quiet romantic moments, and the bittersweet moments that make up her world. <
>Anthology is a quiet, story-driven set of stand alone stories that is for the true Takahashi fan.

---

Heartwarming and Unique
I picked up disc 1 and the box. First thing to note is that even though it's a 13 episode series, Geneon put 3 eps only on this disc. Guess that means the last disc is a 4 eps disc? The box is typical heavy stock box from Geneon, though the artwork is... meh. Still nice to have I guess. <
> <
>This show consists of a bunch of little stories that don't really seem to have a connection to any of the other stories (at least not these 3 episodes), but have morals and such built into them. <
> <
>As far as the show goes, it's pretty interesting. The first episode is about a family who lives in an apt complex where there is a strict rule of "no pets." What ends up happening is they have to take care of the husband's client's pet... penguin for a week. Stress ensues. <
> <
>The second episode is about a wedding hall that is going to be closed down. You get to see what is supposed to be the final wedding take place there and the behind the scenes workings. <
> <
>The last episode is about a man who is due to transfer for his company to Hokkaido from Tokyo. Neither his son nor wife wish to move from Tokyo, so the man has to go on his own. Before he's set to leave he gets drunk one night, hits his head and has amnesia. He believes he is a 13 yr old boy after this. <
> <
>Overall, it's high quality stuff. I really enjoyed what I saw and it went by pretty quick. <
> <
>One thing I thought was funny were all the "guest appearance" by previous Takahashi Anime seiyuu (I used seiyuu (Japanese voice actor) 'cause it's only the Japanese cast that is "affected", I think). Kagome, InuYasha/Male Ranma, Tendo Nabiki, Shun (Maison) and at least one other, Female Ranma all have their voice actors take up roles in these episodes. Good stuff, and worth a chuckle at the very least. I'm guessing there will probably be more guest appearances by previous casts in later episodes. <
> <
>It's also one of the few Takahashi properties that didn't run forever and a day, though the 13 episodes of this series spawned the "sequel" Mermaid Forest, which I believe Geneon has also licensed. <
> <
>The Japanese title is Takahashi Rumiko no Gekijou, or Rumiko Takahashi's Theatre. I wonder why Geneon went with "Anthology" over "Theatre"? I actually would have preferred "Theatre", but it's not something I'll raise a stink over. <
> <
>Extras are a bit minimal. You have a textless opening and a Japanese opening, and that's it. Each of the endings contain footage from the episode they are attached to, so Geneon did not include textless endings, which is kind of a shame. Because each ending is different, Geneon also decided to leave the Japanese credits alone and put the episode credits at the end of the last episode. I actually prefer this and wish all studios would put the original Japanese op/ed on a series and translate everything after the fact. I may be alone in this though. There are also the obligatory Geneon previews for other shows. <
> <
>Overall this is a great release.