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This is rare. An anime that is better than the manga it is based on! The anime generally follows the manga with the episodes based on the first two volumes. However, the first episode, although having similar situations, varies a great deal in the storyline and also introduces Dr Chiren, a character who is not in the manga (as far as I have seen anyway). The fight scenes in this film are brilliant with the petite
figure of Gally facing down massive hulking cyborgs – with all of the dynamic
action and speed lines you expect from anime. Unfortunately between the
excellent fights the story is a bit slow moving and occasionally formulaic, so
even this is a little bit too much style over content. However, it is still
hugely entertaining and although it has a bit of an odd ending (it was cancelled
two episodes into the series) the story arc closes better in the anime than the
corresponding story in the manga. The VHS English dub is different to the DVD
and the VHS dub is probably better voice-wise, however, the VHS dub is let down by
being re-written rather than translated directly. In places this works (some of
the new dialogue is great: ‘I have power your dim consciousness couldn’t
possibly comprehend!!’) but it doesn’t explain some of the relationships as well
as the DVD dub. I will point out that for a 15 rated film this is pretty
gory in places, perhaps more so than the Manga, and there are some moments that
are slightly unnecessary. Best Bit: Alita's battle against the rival bounty hunter.
Worst Bit: Alita and Ido's petulant argument about her becoming a
bounty hunter. |