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[ café reviews ]

ars_o004.jpg

ars_0000.gif

Arislan Senki
Part 4


[ production info ]

Copyright: © 1992 Tanaka Yoshiki/Kadokawa-Shoten/MOVIC/Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., © 1993 Central Park Media Corp. (North America)
Length: 60 minutes
Rating: NR, parental guidance suggested
Format: Dubbed, Subtitled (VHS/LD)

Based on the manga series by: Tanaka Yoshiki Character Design: Kamimura Sachiko Director: Hamatsu Mamoru Screenplay: Miyashita Tomoya, Takada Kaori Producers: Kazama Yasuhisa, Kato Nageteru English Version Executive Producer: John O’Donnell Translation by: Pamela Ferdi, William Flanagan


[ plot summary ]

vhs jacket

In the beginning of episode four, Arislan’s camp is hunting on Chafristern field. When Arislan is accidentally separated from the hunting party he is attacked by Etoile, a religiously zealous Lusitanian. She is a member of the Lusitanian scouting party which was sent from Castle Sammanuel to observe Arislan’s army. Arislan’s friends rescue him from the arrows of the Lusitanian scouting party and, immediately the prince orders his army to charge Castle Sammanuel. Sammanuel, the second outpost on the Great Road, falls to the Palsians in one day. Arislan continues his march west to Ekubatana. Meanwhile, Silvermask reveals his identity to Prince Giskarl in order to gain the Lusitanian prince’s trust. The sorcerer tells Silvermask of Ruknabard, the legendary sword of the kings of Palse. With it, Silvermask can justify his royal lineage and his right to the throne of Palse.


[ capsule review ]

In the exciting fourth episode of Arislan we are again given a quick overview of the previous episode by our now familiar friend the narrator to keep the rest of us from getting lost. The map that Narsus finished for Arislan continues to be used as a reference by the narrator. Wrapped in plots and counter plots, the story excels to the final battle. An exciting sense of urgency and even anxiety for what is to come fills the atmosphere as more Lusitanian soldiers are heading for Ekubatana to wait for Arislan.

Chafristern field is is beautifully green, detailed, and complete with running deer and mist--a good contrast to most of the dirt roads and dust seen in episode three. But, there is some melancholy symbolism in the barren landscape and dusty winds that surround Silvermask and Princess Ilina when they meet during this episode. Arislan is the exact opposite of his steel-faced cousin with the stone cold heart. The young prince continues to be a compassionate person who would rather prevent bloodshed than cause it. Nonetheless, Lusitanian blood spills everywhere in the fight for Castle Sammanuel which makes Arislan’s position all the more pitiable. The blind fanaticism of the Lusitanians for their religion, fittingly displayed in Etoile’s character, get rather irritating after a while. The real intentions of the Lusitanian leaders are masked behind a veil of religious righteousness, which makes them all the more despicable. As for the translations, they have been decent thus far.

The soundtrack contains tunes for marching armies, battles, and even music for the hunt on Chafristern Field. There are a lot less songs for episodes three and four since the story is quickening now, but the music in episode four is still different from the previous episodes. Norihiro Tsuru continues to use percussion, keyboards and an a string quartet to create wonderful music. Several beautiful melodies include the music played during the Lusitanian funeral and the music which accompanies Gieve’s soliloquy at the end of this episode. Episode four is the only episode that does not have its own end title song. It shares the song "Ryoute-ippai" with episode three but it’s such a nice song that it really doesn’t matter. No if only they would release episodes five and six.....sometime before the earth and the sun collide would be good.....
- JCF


[ café rating ]

Original: Subbed: Dubbed:
Story: N/R 4 stars N/A
Direction: N/R 4 stars N/A
Acting: N/R 4 stars N/A
Animation: N/R 4 stars N/A
Music: N/R rate_04.gif N/A
Translation: N/A 5 stars N/A
Overall Rating: N/R 4 stars N/A



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