DVD Corner

Soul Eater Part 1 and Rin- Daughters Of Mnemosyne- The Complete Series DVD Reviews

“Soul Eater” and “Rin- Daughters Of Mnemosyne” are both creative and engaging anime series.

GRADES:

Content: B

Picture: A-

Audio: A-

Extras: C

Soul Eater Part 1

In the first 13 episodes of “Soul Eater,” we are essentially introduced to Maka and her weapon partner named Soul and the universe they inhabit. You see, Maka, a student at Lord Death’s Death Weapon Meister Academy, is one of several “meisters” whose job is to defeat evil demons known as the Kishin and acquire their souls. The primary goal is to collect 100 souls so that the weapon partner can become powerful. Stories in this set involve soul collecting, a meister/assassin named Black Star, a mad teacher named Franken Stein, Witches, weapons, Lord Death’s son Death The Kid, etc.

While the basic story itself is similar to “D.Gray-Man,” don’t hold that against it. “Soul Eater” is a fun-filled series that works thanks to the stunning animation. Seriously folks, the animation here is some of the best I have seen. The unique universe environments such as the pumpkin house and grinning moon are vivid and striking and the creatures and character designs are also pleasant looking. Additionally, the battles are quite easy on the eyes since they appear so fluid and lifelike. The animation department simply deserves much praise here for their work as it truly makes the series worth watching.

As an added bonus, the characters here are surprisingly fully developed and engaging (for the most part). I could do without some of them like Death The Kid, but thankfully, the main meisters and their weapon partners are well written and have more to do than just fight (which is more than I can say for many series).

On the downside, I do have to say that I found a lot of the humor rather lame here. Do we really need to hear Death The Kid whining about summetry so much? I will say that some of the humor, mainly involving the goofy Lord Death, can elicit chuckles here and there though. But overall, the series is at its best when focusing on darker moments and battles.

The widescreen picture quality is phenomenal. This is a gorgeous looking anime series full of vivid colors and eye-popping visuals.

The English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Japanese Stereo tracks both deliver. For a change, the English dub gets my approval here as it contains good voice work. The Japanese track also contains high quality voice acting.   

Extras include trailers for “Evangelion 1.11,” “D. Gray-Man,” “One Piece,” “The Slayers,” “Tower Of Druaga,” “Case Closed,” “Sgt. Frog,” “Soul Eater,” “Dragon Ball Z,” and “Ouran High School Host Club,” a laid back but pointless episode 7 commentary by the English ADR director and a voice actor and actress, a “Soul Eater” sticker, textless opening and closing songs, and 13 “Soul Eater Late Shows” segments which are just show clips.

Rin- Daughters Of Mnemosyne- The Complete Series

‘Rin,’ which contains six 45 minute episodes, revolves around a tough, confident immortal private eye named Rin. The series, which takes place from 1990-2055, contains plots regarding an assassin named Laura, Angels (the enemies of Immortals), a villain named Apos who is a hybrid Immortal/Angel, a bio weapon, a mystery involving a man who is confused about who he is, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, and a tree that generates time spores (which is an element that Immortals have).

For several months now, I’ve been hearing rave reviews about ‘Rin.’ Naturally, I was curious to see what all the fuss about. I’m happy to say that the series lives up to the hype. It’s a well written supernatural noir tale, the episodes contain inventive story arcs set in different time periods, there’s an abundance of violence and sex (maybe a little too much), and the series has well developed characters. I ask you, what more can you ask for from an anime series? I wish all series were this bold and original.

The widescreen animation isn’t the best I’ve seen, but it looks fine here on this DVD set.

This is one of the few sets that have both English AND Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks. I’m happy to say that both tracks are worth listening to here.

Extras include trailers for “Claymore,” “Evangelion 1.11,” “Ichi,” “Soul Eater,” “Daytime Drinking,” “Linebarrels Of Iron,” “Black Blood Brothers,” “Sands Of Destruction,” “Darker Than Black,” “and “Burst Angel,” a strange episode 2 commentary by the English voice director and voice actor and actresses, textless opening and closing songs, an interview with 4 Japanese voice actresses that worked on “Rin,” and promotional videos for “Rin.”

February 21, 2010 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 1 | Rin- Daughters Of Mnemosyne- The Complete Series DVD Review, Soul Eater Part 1 DVD Review