DVD Corner

Oh! Edo Rocket Parts 1 and 2 DVD Reviews

Oh! Edo Rocket is one weird anime series.

Part 1 of  “Oh! Edo Rocket” (which contains the first 13 episodes) basically introduces us to the main characters who live in the oppressive Edo in 1842. There’s fireworks maker Tamaya Seikichi and a young woman named Sora who also happens to be known as the White Beast/Princess Moonbeam from the Moon. Other characters include Ginjiro the locksmith, a policeman named Akai, a villain known as the blue beast, the government officials known as the “Men In Black” who are looking for the beasts, and a character who acts like a puppy (don’t ask). The basic storyline involves the white beast coming to Earth to find the criminal blue beast. The only problem is she can’t get back and home and so she asks Seikichi to build her a rocket that will reach the moon.

In part 2 (which contains episodes 14-26), Seikichi continues to build his rocket. Other eventful plotlines include fights between the white and blue beasts, the introduction of MORE blue beasts, and townspeople (outside of the main characters) learning who Sora is.

To be honest, I have no idea what to make of this anime series. Tonally, the show is all over the place. It’s part comedy (complete with modern references to “Star Wars” and jokes directed at the viewers), part drama (mostly with the blue beast), part action (with the beast battles), part period piece, part alien centric anime series with a jazz score. If that doesn’t make you scratch your head, I don’t know what will. What’s even more puzzling is the bizarre, uneven animation style. I realize it’s a stylistic choice, but the fact that certain character mdoels and environments look very rough and unfinished really threw me off. Luckily, a good portion of the show has fairly solid animation, but those flaws do take me out of the show.

Tone issues aside, the story is midly interesting. While there are several filler episodes near the end, the plot turns out to be fairly engaging albeit drawn out. While I personally would have rather scene a show focused on the oppressive laws of Edo and the rebellious firework maker Seikichi trying to make a statement, the alien story adds an odd if predictable twist. Plus, it does provide for some intense action sequences.

The widescreen picture quality is consistent, but the animation itself is not. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is ok. The dub could have been stronger I think. The Japanese Stereo track is the one to listen to here as the voice acting is vastly superior. 

Extras on the Part 1 set include textless opening and closing songs and trailers for “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” “Dragon Ball Z Kai,” “S.A.V.E.” titles, “Hong Kong Connection” series, “Gun X Sword,” “Le Chevalier D’Eon,” “Blassreiter,” and “Kamui Garden.”

The extras on the Part 2 set are basically  the same except for two additional trailers for “Sengoku Basara” and “Initial D.”

November 14, 2010 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Oh! Edo Rocket Part 1 DVD Review, Oh! Edo Rocket Part 2 DVD Review