Vandread

I thought this might be another kiddish shoot-em-up anime, and like others here, I also mistook it for a feminist series early on. Well, it ain't either.

Allow me to make a toast to a team of writers who actually seem to understand human emotions! Unlike too many soulless anime series these days, Vandread's actually funny (both the physical and written humor) and its characters have personalities and chemistry. For that reason, the drama works, too, and the series is thankfully free of those forced incidents engineered to conveniently create melodrama. Heck, even the dorky premise that the show rests on -- males and females literally being from different worlds -- is used to good effect.

I'm also a fan of the artwork, and the hot/cute female characters make the fanservice welcome. The mecha action scenes are pretty invigorating, too (even if things move a bit fast to see what's going on). Cinching the deal, both the intro and ending theme songs kick ass.

The second season ("Vandread 2nd Stage") was a bit of a disappointment, regressing to the typical repetitive clichéd humor that defines all too many anime comedies, but to me the first season ranks right up there with Neon Genesis Evangelion in sheer awesomeness.

Pioneer did a fantastic job of making this DVD, as the picture was crisp and the sound was very clear. The story was very good, and you start liking the characters right from the start. Fredrik is right in that it initially seems like a feminist anime, but it isn't. It is a look at two warring cultures that start overcoming their stereotypes in order to fight a more horrible enemy. The music and visual effects as well as the story are worth checking this film out.

I picked up the first three tapes on VHS on a whim. I'm an avid anime fan, and after watching those three tapes, I knew I had to have the rest of the series. At first, I thought it might be a little ecchi, but it turns out to have a deep, and very thought-provoking storyline, and simply amazing battle sequences and character interactions. This series is a MUST for any anime fan. The 2nd stage was difficult for me to find, as I had to end up purchasing it on online, since no local vendors had it. However, it was well-worth the time and effort, as the finale of the series is simply stunning. Hibiki's trials through the series makes him as realistic and lovable as any character.

I would have to agree with the majority of the other commenters. Vandread is a great anime, with some neat CG'ing and some of the best CG/animation mix I've ever seen. I thought Titan A.E. did a good job. There are quite a few good surprises in the series that I had no idea were coming. I would recommend this anime to any beginner or long time watcher of anime.

besides the amazing graphic of the battles ... i think the story is wonderful and it's maybe the best series i have ever seen... i just have to mention that i don't really fan of anime , maybe it's because of the how the characters look like or the graphic at all... but watching this great series just opened my heart... it a great story for my opinion... it's surprising and it's funny too...the tiny little robot just kept me laughing out laud, it truly made me feel something alright i would give it 10/10... and the last episode is just above even what i imagine it to be... give it a shot ...you won't regret it...