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Angel Sanctuary Director: Kiyoko Sayama Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Pan & Scan Format: Color, Animated Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 90 minutes Studio: CENTRAL PARK MEDIA Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2005-05-24 Buy from Amazon

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 72 Average rating: 4.5 "Unappealing at best" Despite numerous positive reviews, this show did not grab me. After watching enough anime, I've become less tolerant of seriously flawed anime. Here are the major problems I had with Angel Sanctuary: - It's difficult to identify with the characters. They seem very flat and undeveloped--about what you'd expect from a typical soap opera. The main character's infatuation with his sister, while unappealing, could have been an interesting plot device if it had been handled better. As it is, it comes off as simply lecherous. - Though the character designs are attractive, the animation is poorly done. This is one of the worst examples of digitally painted cell animation I've ever seen. The characters move unnaturally, and sometimes look *too* computer animated. Good animation should give the impression of a three dimensional world, but Angel Sanctuary looks peculiarly flat in some scenes. It feels like the characters are stuck to the background and should be peeled off. "Setsuna Mudoooo!" This is quite possibly one of the best anime features I have ever seen. It's a bit confusing @ first and leaves a lot for the viewer to understand, but it's VERY intriguing. Not to mention that Setsuna is HOTT! but that's beside the point. It may be difinitely shojou anime, but there's so much crossover that anyone can enjoy it! My best guy friend even liked it! It's dark, gothic type artwork is gorgeous and captivating. Definitely an A+ in my book. The incest is only a sidepoint. Once you get into the story, you seem to forget about Sara and Setsuna's family ties and the ambiguity of some of the characters. It's definitely a masterpiece! "Unbelievable - provided you watch it subbed, not dubbed" Good grief, where to begin... This is to date the only love story I really like. It seems to me in a time when mawkish sentimentality a la 'Titanic' *spits at having to mention it in the same breth as AS' is the norm, the only real emotion is found in somewhat twisted relationships. That said, there's no 'somewhat' about this relationship. Setsuna - reincarnation of the Organic Angel Alexiel who rebels against God - is deeply in love with Sarah, who happens to share this love. The problem? In addition to this, they are brother and sister. Essentially, this proves Thomas Aquinas's point that incest makes family relations even more helishly complicated than they already are. Furthermore, this is not for you if you hold strong religious convictions, for it depicts angels who are so far round the twist that you could use them as corkscrews, as well as manifesting many human failings such as lust, anger, jealousy etc. etc. Although if you're going to throw something out on those grounds, there goes _Paradise Lost_, too. Essentially, I consider this second only to Ghost in the Shell in quality. But I will say one thing: The dubbing is terrible. I'm sorry, but Kurai's voice just sounds so wrong. Watch it subbed. The only voice hit dead on was Rosiel's. "Setsuna Mudoooo!" This is quite possibly one of the best anime features I have ever seen. It's a bit confusing @ first and leaves a lot for the viewer to understand, but it's VERY intriguing. Not to mention that Setsuna is HOTT! but that's beside the point. It may be difinitely shojou anime, but there's so much crossover that anyone can enjoy it! My best guy friend even liked it! It's dark, gothic type artwork is gorgeous and captivating. Definitely an A+ in my book. The incest is only a sidepoint. Once you get into the story, you seem to forget about Sara and Setsuna's family ties and the ambiguity of some of the characters. It's definitely a masterpiece! "Looking for decent anime? You found it." As most other reviews will tell you, this anime is one of the finest you'll find, but certainly not for younger viewers or those who don't have an open mind. Based on a manga by the same name from mangaka Kaori Yuki, the story involves a battle between angels and demons, some graphic violence and a love story which includes incest. Still with me? For once, the story sticks to the contents of the manga rather well, and although real die-hard fans will be able to pick out some obvious differences, they don't have much effect in the end. The animation is top-notch, the main characters (i.e. Bishounen, Kira and Setsuna) looking lovely as ever and the voice actors do a fabulous job (in Japanese that is.) The only bad thing I have to say, is that it stops rather abruptly after the third episode, leaving you wondering what the hell is going on. Nevertheless, it's still worth it, so splash out.