Ergo Proxy: Terra Incognita + Fate/Stay Night:
Medea (Volume 5 each/Geneon)
For a
change, we’ll cover two Animé DVDs in one review…
Ergo Proxy, Volume 5: Terra
Incognita
Picture:
B- Sound: B Extras: C- Episodes: B
The
future Earth is in ruins, people survive in automated citied 'Domes', seemingly
paradise... Everyone, everything is
perfect, no one questions anything... accept for mysterious creatures called
'Proxies' that walk the night. What are
they? What is the truth? What has happened to turn everything outside
the dome into a barren wasteland? As
Re-l, Vincent, and Pino continue on their journey, they discover bits and
pieces of what happened to the world. But even discovering Vincent and Ergo
Proxy reside in one body, there is still much mystery surrounding the proxy,
and it seems it doesn't want them to know the truth....
In a
fallen world, where everything isn't what it seems to be. As the story begins to reach the climax, truth
& illusion begin to surface. The
journey of Re-l, Vincent and Pino becomes a journey to look inside themselves
facing their own desires, fears, and reason why they exist. Even thought Vincent and Ergo Proxy share a
body it seems they don't share minds, who IS
Vincent Law and is he only something that exist IN Ergo Proxy or the other way around? As they discover why the Proxies exist and the
people of the domed cities... but why do they need them? Are Proxies really the enemy, what are they?
A well drawn series, with an unique story, it was amusing
to watch some of the episodes that suddenly take reference to something in the
real world, I especially laughed at the one with 'Smile Land' referencing to a
certain famous amusement park. But even when they are tangents from the main
story plot, they do give hints and clues series to where it is going.
Episode
17: Terra Incognita (Never-Ending Battle)
As the
journey continues, Re-l, Vincent and Pino what happens to people if they live
outside the protection of the domes. But
even within the domes is it better to live outside? Are the people the dome's
citizens or its prisoners?
Episode
18: Life After God (Sign Of The End)
Finally
reaching the ruins of Vincent's home city Mosk, they search for clues to Vincent’s
fragmented past, but even so Ergo Proxy doesn't want them to know...
Episode
19: Eternal Smile (Girl With A Smile)
Pino is
in a city that is like gigantic amusement park, everyone seems happy, but are
they? Only Pino seems not to be part of
the plan, but there is something she must to do...
Episode
20: Goodbye Vincent (Scared Eye Of The
Void)
As
Vincent and the gang return to Romdo for answer, Vincent is suddenly dragged
into a world of his own illusions. Filled with his own desires, fear, and
anxieties will he be able to break free?
Fate/Stay Night, Volume 5: Medea
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C- Episodes: B
As the
Holy Grail Wars continue, fewer servants remain... but the remaining enemies
are just as deadly and dangerous. After
the powerful servant Berserker was defeated, the other Masters and Servants
begin to move. Shiro even with Rin and
Saber by his side must plan the next course of action. But he doesn't even have
time for that when his childhood friend Sakura gets captured and is intended to
be a sacrifice. But from the darkness
where 7 Masters battle with 7 Servants, suddenly emerges an 8th servant, a
mysterious golden warrior, the previous champion of the Holy Grail Wars, and
seems to be some past with Saber as well...
Another
beautifully draw Animé and characters, filled with plenty of action and comical
moments as well. It is a mix of modern
anime with a bit a mythology thrown in. It has an interesting mix of characters along
with not only action, but drama, comedy, and adventure. As the characters fight for the Holy Grail for
their own desires and wishes to be granted, unexpected characters and events
occur as well, keeping things exciting.
Asides a names based on myth, the series is like a mix of
combat, drama and comedy into modern anime. Not only is the fighting scene beautifully
drawn, but the drama between the characters develops as the story progresses
and the characters develop feelings for one another allow comedy between the
characters as well. It has an
interesting mix of different aspects that can appeal to variety of different
tastes.
Episode
17: Mark Of The
Witch
A
powerful Servant/magician Caster is able to summon her own servant as well,
Assassin. Plans to win by sacrificing a magician...
Episode
18: Decisive Battle
Sakura
has been captured, Shirou, Rin and Saber must not only rescue her but face not
only Caster, but Assassin as well. But
time is running out, and they must fight them within Caster's realm.
Episode
19: The Golden King
A
mysterious golden warrior appears and finishes off Caster, the previous winner
of the Holy Grail Wars, but what is his objective? He seems to want Saber for himself as well...
Episode
20: Distant Trace Of A Dream
After
another huge battle, Shirou and Saber gets the chance to take a break, a chance
think and decide what they will do if they get the Holy Grail... so they go out
on a date.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image looks very good in both cases, even with
the stylized approach of the animation.
The sound mixes are well-recorded, including Dolby 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
mixes, but the DTS 5.1 on Ergo is
the one to go with in that case and is still too rare for Animé on DVD as far
as we are concerned. Extras only include
previews on Ergo and Stay has TV CM
and a promo video, which is hardly anything in either case.
- Ricky Chiang
