Reviewer: Rave Shintaro (Guest)
Based
on: First DVD
UK Distributor:
MVM (DVD)
This animation from Satoshi Nishimura and the
Madhouse
animation studio is a mix of madcap comedy and mental action! You get from
the moment the DVD starts a sense that you are in for a roller coaster ride of
mentality that takes many other anime shows out and hangs them to dry.
The plot concerns a lone gunman on a distant planet who has a $$60,000,000,000
bounty on his head. You'd believe that a fee of this size would be
reserved for the most feared and reviled of villains, catch is our hero - a
hearty fellow with a red coat and a head full of blond hair - is totally
useless. Yep crap at being a murderous gunman and as for bravery goes
you've seen more in a playground brawl.
In the first episode in the volume 'The $$60,000,000,000 Man' our hero is in a
bar which proceeds to get levelled by a gang of bounty hunters who are on the
trail of a legendary gunman named Vash the Stampede. Of course the only
information is spread by word of mouth and the crooks soon find themselves
thinking that our hero is Vash the Stampede based on their sketchy info
(basically look for a man in a red coat that has blond hair) hilarity soon
ensues as our hero bumbles his way through the crossfire pursued by not one but
two bounty hunters - hilarious stuff!
The other three episodes are a treat too, a must for any anime fan. The
animation on this piece is fluid and well drawn, especially Vash, the
backgrounds too are a visual treat and the story an approachable one. This
is a great anime piece and I for one can't wait to watch the other volumes.
The disk itself is pretty basic with minimal extras, these consist of story
boards and credits but all in all you pay for what you get - a great 100 mins of
fun fun fun that's what it is - you don't need to think with this one just sit
back and laugh until your ribs explode! A great action comedy piece worthy
of standing shoulder to shoulder with Ranma ½ and Excel Saga.
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