|
Tetsujin 28, Vol. 1: Akira Senju
Anime Soundtrack Review
Of all the anime reviewed last year; only Tetsujin 28 stood out as the "the" series that made this reviewer stand up and take notice. Marvelously retro with a grand dramatic flair, even the music was appropriately nostalgic that evoked the wonders of a bygone era from yesteryear.
Lovingly composed by Akira Senju (Saiyuki: Requiem, Mobile Suit Victory Gundam), this 20-track CD infuses the retro-world of Tetsujin 28 with a classy and sentimental arrangement that aims at stirring up the cinematic cliff-hanging aura of Saturday morning film-serials. Listen and you'll note that his composition rings with a down-to-earth simplicity and beauty, while it evokes feelings of high emotion and adventure into the music.
From the nostalgic main theme song to the highly polished symphonic canvas conceived by composer Senju, this soundtrack is sure to delight both old-school anime fans of "Gigantor" and newcomers alike. Tetsujin 28 rocks hard, and this soundtrack is proof that retro is in.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, March 2007
Tetsujin 28 Volume 1
Anime DVD Review
Holy Freaking Catfish! This is NOT your father's Gigantor, this is a deeper, darker, dramatic, compelling, kick-ass version of Gigantor. Taking place just ten years after the end of World War II, Tesujin 28 tells the story of desperate times calling for desperate measures and how good intentions gone awry can lead to more suffering. Shotaro questions his father's motives, questions the wanton destruction in the name of progress and ultimately he must question himself. The situation gets more dangerous as the secrets of the Tetsujin project unfold.
Taking the playbook from Giant Robo, it's classic 60's era designs with a high-tech glossy treatment. The animation is movie-quality, even using letterboxing to make it look like film-screen ratio. The quality of the production holds nothing back, it looks amazing, sounds astounding — basically, this is easily one of the best DVD's we've seen in quite some time. Wow!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, January 2006
Gigantor -
Boxed Set 1 (Episodes 1-26)
Anime DVD Review
Gigantor the Space Age Robot, he's at your command, Gigantor the Space Age Robot, his power is in your hand! How can you not sing that song any time you even make mention of the name? It's as classic as Astroboy and possibly even more fondly remembered among American audiences. Baby Boomers and Generation X alike claim this series as their first exposure to anime (until Speed Racer dominated our childhoods).
 This excellent release from Rhino (those wacky guys with the cool audio compilations and who also gave us the Battle of the Planets DVD), includes the first 26 episodes, PLUS, interviews with filmmaker Fred Ladd and anime historian Fred Patten, a photo gallery and lots of other cool extras. It's bigger than big. The video quality is excellent, being a new transfer from restruck 16mm original prints. This box set will take you back in time and make you laugh and enjoy cartoons again. Dig those crazy bongos, man....
Below: Scenes from the robot packed 1960's anime classic Gigantor.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, January 2003
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
