The Anime Cafe - Your complete source for anime reviews

previous
top
next

[ go to homepage ]
[ what's new - editorials, calendar, to-do list, news articles, mailbag and archives ]
[ episode-by-episode anime reviews, how we review ]
[ a parent's guide to anime, title list, titles by category ]
[ the anime encyclopædia ]
[ café trivia - anime trivia ]
[ anime humour, the laws of anime, light articles, etc ]
[ serious articles, essays, anime guides, etc. ]
[ message forum for the discussion of anime, manga, reviews, etc. ]
[ faq about the café and contributors, awards given to the café, etc. ]
[ feedback forms, error reports, or e-mail the café ]
[ links to other resources on the internet ]
[ site map ]



Help


[ café reviews ]


Virtua Fighter


Episode 4: Kessen Chinatown
(Showdown in Chinatown)



Copyright: ©2000, SEGA/TMS, AnimeWorks
Length: 22 minutes
Rating: 3+ (suggested rating), PG (Parent's Guide Rating)
Format: Original Japanese Dialogue, English dub (VHS)


synopsis:

Akira and Pai run to the restaurant, Jacky and Sarah following, and they find the Koenkan and a trashed restaurant. Jacky is reluctant, but Sarah convinces him to help. Pai's decided she has to fight the Koenkan but Akira stops her and goes himself. Jacky decides to help him and the two infiltrate the Koenkan and wreak havoc inside the compound. Pai and Sarah join in with this showdown in Chinatown.


capsule review:

Oh great, more bad acting by the Koenkan members. Don't get me wrong, the acting in this series is better than average. Yan is still just laughable. Also, the dub version of the opening is beginning to grow on me. The animation is still not too bad with good action. The character designs are also still quite solid.

Story-wise, this is very simple and straightforward. This is a major turning point in the direction of the series, as Akira and the others leave Los Angeles. They are now a group of four, which I'm sure will mean plenty of more action. While it's still early in the series, not much character development has happened. However, all four members are showing some development. Despite the occasional weak story, I am actually enjoying this series. It is by no means deep, but what fighting video game based anime is? I'm interested in seeing where the series leads.
- JDA, 2001.03.17



café rating (english dub):

Story:

2 stars

[2 / 5] - This episode seems to be nothing more than constant fighting, with not much plot.

Direction:

3 stars
[3 / 5] - Despite the weak story, the direction is still satisfactory. There is a major change in the story.

Acting:

3 stars
[3 / 5] - Still good, but the weak points are the Koenkan members.

Animation:

3 stars
[3 / 5] - Animation is still good for TV, but by no means impressive.

Music:

2 stars
[2 / 5] - The music is still very unimpressive.

Translation:

[ N/A ] - Based on the English dub.

Overall Rating:

3 stars
[3 / 5] - Straight forward, some good action, and surprisingly enjoyable. It's not for everyone's tastes, though.



[ << prev ] [ top ] [ next >> ]

[ home ] [ what's new ] [ café contest ] [ café reviews ] [ parent's guide ] [ encyclopædia ]
[ café trivia ] [ café latté ] [ café espresso ] [ about the café ] [ feedback ] [ links ] [ site map ]

© 1997-2001. All rights reserved. The Animé Café logo and the Crystal Kyoko award are original creations of the Animé Café. Please do not use any of the materials on this site without the expressed written permission of the Animé Café.

Page last modified 2001.03.17