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[ café reviews ]

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lod_08.jpg
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Episode 8: Senshi No Requiem
(Requiem for Heroes)



Copyright: © 1990 Kadokawa Video (Japan), 1995 US Manga Corp / Software Sculptors (North America)
Length: 40 minutes
Rating: NR, parental guidance suggested
Format: Subtitled (VHS/Hybrid Quicktime CD-ROM)

Based on the novels by: Yasuda Hitoshi and Mizuno Ryo Executive Producer: Kadokawa Tsuguhiko Producers: Tamiya Takeshi, Ikeda Kensho, Maruyama Masao Screenplay: Watanabe Mami Director: Kawasaki Hiroshi Character design: Izubuchi Yutaka Music: Hagita Mitsuo English version producer: John O'Donnell Translator: Neil Nadelman


[ plot summary ]

volume 4

The empires of both Falis and Marmo are in mourning with the loss of their leaders. Ghim has no time to ponder such things -- his personal quest beckons to him, and takes him to Karla's castle in an attempt to free Leylia from the Grey Witch's grasp. Parn and his party have no time to mourn, either, as they race to help Ghim. But when Parn challenges the witch, she makes a tempting proposition: to guide the fate of Lodoss with her. For the past five hundred years, Karla has been causing wars to erupt, preventing any single party from gaining control over the lands. The destruction of her homeland, Kastuul, the Kingdom of Sorcery, has convinced her that power must never be allowed to accumulate with a single entity. To Ghim, this is of no consequence -- the circlet around Leylia's head is the essence of Karla, and he must remove it at all costs.


[ capsule review ]

This episode showcases Sakaguchi Yoshida's (Ghim) acting ability. Sakaguchi has the ability to play a very emotion-filled role, without over-acting. Almost brings chills down my spine. I wish I could say the same for Kusao Takeshi (Parn). This is also the episode where overacting becomes painfully obvious, and here, he certainly doesn't pull in the reins. Urg! Yamaguchi Kappei (Etoh) is almost as annoying as well, though thankfully, he has few speaking parts in this episode. Despite the weak voice acting, the plot and screenplay is wonderful. This episode is exactly how I would expect a D&D rescue mission to turn out -- seemingly insurmountable challenges that take teamwork and sacrifice to overcome. Sounds somewhat like real life, doesn't it? Perhaps that's why I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The improved animation over episode seven certainly doesn't hurt, either! - AN


This is probably the weakest of the stories in the series, and where I lost interest in the series when we first bought it. We are introduced to two new characters Shiris and Orson who play little role in the OAV series. What their roles may have been in the original manga however may be very different. I found the meeting between Parn's group and the two merc's to be somewhat weak and Shiris' character a touch overacted (as is Parn's). The other half of this episode deals with the story of freeing Leylia from Karla's power. This part of the story was much more interesting and attention grabbing than the part dealing with the two new characters. Karla's character as usual is excellently portrayed, and is rather ominous. We also find out a bit more as to what she does and why she has caused wars throughout Lodoss these past 500 years. This is the last time we see all six of the original group fighting together which may also have contributed to a loss of interest in the story after this point. However, with over one month between tape releases, it is not difficult to see how I lost interest at this point. - JYN



[ café rating ]

Original: Subbed: Dubbed:
Story: N/R 3 stars N/A
Direction: N/R 4 stars N/A
Acting: N/R 3 stars N/A
Animation: N/R 3 stars N/A
Music: N/R 3 stars N/A
Translation: N/R 4 stars N/A
Overall Rating: N/R 4 stars N/A



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