Soul Hunter – Complete Collection (Animé TV)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: C+ Episodes: B-
We are
used to TV series that did not work out coming out completely in one boxed set
on DVD, but for an Animé show to do so is amusing. Soul
Hunter lasted only 26 episodes, but a show that offers main characters
riding giant animals that talk to them is a bit of a hard cell. Without oversimplifying things, this is also
thought out, but also has its moments of humor.
Unfortunately, they negate any deep meaning they may have been trying to
make out of the title of the show.
This is
yet another show where an evil (read magical) force in the world must be
stopped, but that an oaf is picked to stop things is the twist, and that oaf is
named Taikoubou. What could have become
idiotic and silly manages to hold back enough to be entertaining. It does not drag, unless you find out you
cannot get into it after the first DVD. It
is odd, even for an Animé show, but it is unique without breaking down, so it
deserves points for that.
The full
frame, color image is a bit soft, and this is a recent production. Nevertheless, the prints are in fine shape
and a few shots are intentionally soft.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is available in English and Japanese, which
have only nominal differences, though the Japanese is as amusing thanks to the
voice actor’s inflected performances.
Both offer Pro Logic surrounds. The
show is so involved that the DVD box case includes a glossary to explain new
terminology for each volume. Other
extras include the opening of the shows without text, notes from the translator
of the show, brief profiles of the English-voice actors, a “relationship tree”
explaining the connections between characters, historical text on the Yin
Dynasty, additional glossary terms not in the DVD case and previews for six
other ADV
Animé
series on DVD on Disc One, while Disc Two offers the closing animation minus
text, then repeats notes from the translator of the show, brief profiles of the
English-voice actors, the “relationship tree” and the glossary. Disc Three has a teaser for the show, more
trailers for other ADV Animé shows and repeats what was already on the first
two DVDs and Disc Four and Five’s extras are repeats again, despite some
different ADV trailers. The final Disc
Six does the same as well, including on those trailers, but adds a Zhou Dynasty
text section. That reads like more than
it actually is, but the repetition has the advantage of not having to fumble
for other DVDs in the set.
Though
the box is recommended for ages 12 and up, some animated nudity and cruelty
might not be suitable for 12 – 14 or so.
The age rating provided is based on the expectation of what ages the
humor is being aimed at. The comedy is
far from brilliant and I never laughed, but it is amusing at least. I have seen comedy in Animé done better, as
in Legend Of The Mystical Ninja
(reviewed elsewhere on this site), but the flawed hero idea will appeal to some
viewers. If only it made sense
throughout, but it is bound to make sense to fans.
- Nicholas Sheffo
