Onigamiden - Legend of the Millennium Dragon

Even if a anime misses the mark story wise, they usually can make up for it by painting up a beautiful world. This film however does not. The character designs are cheap and crude and while the backgrounds are usually pretty good, they're also at time very simplistic. For example, when the protagonist goes back in time to the city in the beginning and the city is attacked by demons, keep an eye on the background stick figures in one of the scenes where people are panicking. Look at the guy who falls into the river. Sheesh.

This anime is for kids who are used to cheap, mass produced Saturday cartoons. If you value quality then look elsewhere.

This movie was another example of excellent story telling. It reveals the struggles of two opposing groups, each vying for the power of a "Savior", the main boy character. But he comes to understand that war is not one-sided, but often disguised by deception and fears. It was especially satisfying watching the child change from a fearful, fragile person, to a strong and powerful young man, though not necessarily in a way one would totally expect.

The one drawback I experienced was that with so many characters put into the story, it was hard to tell them apart, and who signified what. Of course, there is a lot of back story that is not presented and, without some research would be difficult to understand. However, I cam e away from it with a renewed appreciation for this type of story telling.

What can I say about this film? It could have been brilliant, the story line is OK, the setting imagery is very nice, and a lot of detail has been put into it. However, the human characters have a annoying 'Dora The Explorer' nature to them, both crudely drawn in comparison to the settings, and unbelievable in ratio the story line. It turn's a possible classic into a cartoon movie for the under 12's.

Personally, I don't understand why use inferior character depiction when they clearly went to so much effort in the setting and story.

Its the eyes...

Don't bother with the English dub; it will only make you more angry.

If you're looking for action / adventure, good guy vs evil guy, basic story nothing-special anime, this will fill the bill. The animation is so-so, the story very basic, the characters very 2-dimensional, the ending lackluster. It's okay to watch if you're bored on a rainy afternoon. If you don't go in expecting much you might enjoy it.

The recipe is simple and that did the film decent. a middle - school boy as arbiter in a conflict, appearences, impressive fight scenes and the importance of values. sure, not remarkable animation. but one of many respecting conventions of genre, proposing a reasonable story for young public, remembering pieces from ~Neverending Story~ and other classic tales. in first part, the animation seems not brilliant. in the second, the story has more coherent. but not exactly convincing. because the fight of man against nature, theoretically noble, is not served by a story who seems a fruits basket. and Jun is so bizarre in the status of great hero , than something seems missing in profound sense. so, a nice film. but far to be memorable.