AoD Advance Review: Gad Guard Vol. #1

[Chris Beveridge]

Review (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2928.php)

[guyver83]

well great review as alwasy chris. I cant wait for this to come in and see how it is..

[alivinglegend]

It's really a shame that this show falls into the "derivative" category later on, because it really showed promise during the first 10 or so episodes, then it just completely falls apart, espacially in the animation department, but the story starts dragging at an incredibly slow pace as well...

[why_i_fight]

[ QUOTE ]
Woody desu said:
It's really a shame that this show falls into the "derivative" category later on, because it really showed promise during the first 10 or so episodes, then it just completely falls apart, espacially in the animation department, but the story starts dragging at an incredibly slow pace as well...

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree completely. I know that there was a plot, but it just never seemed to develope.

[Hayate Kurogane]

Well, this thread sure got a bit lost, didn't it? /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Had the disc for a week, but didn't get to watching it until now. Opinion: very neat.

Let me say this: the story could go nowhere and the characters could not develop, but I would still give this show major points for its music and art. The OP and ED are two wonderful pieces to listen to, and the BGM is a pleasure to take in as well (hooray for Kohei Tanaka!). And the art is a real treat, not only because it's something I can't ever recall seeing before, but because it's just that damn cool. I'm not talking about the animation designs or animation quality, necessarily, but the overall art direction, set design, and backgrounds. Osamu Kobayashi deserves major props for designing such a unique and stylish world setting. It's certainly not the sort of thing you see in your typical anime production; I'd almost call it American, but it's still not typical by any means for animation created for the U.S. either. The box, for those who have seen it, displays Kobayashi's particular style quite well, as do the backgrounds for the covers. I'm really not sure quite how you'd describe it. Kind of a pop art style, perhaps? The backgrounds and settings, in combination with the interesting art design (lighting choices and certain color choices in particular), work to create a show that is stylistically intriguing to take in. If any series could truly benefit from having a score-only audio track, this series is it.

Of course, that's not to disregard the merits (or potential lack thereof) of the show's story and characters. I admit to being cautious, due to a significant lack of positive word-of-mouth for this series, although that didn't stop me from buying and loving shows like L/R, so hey, we'll see what happens. Thus far, the story intrigues me and has my attention, and there isn't any particular character that I dislike. So, I'm calling it a keeper, and planning on more.

As far as release aspects, Geneon has once again delivered us a beautiful product. Reversible (R2?) covers in clear keepcases, a nifty mini-poster insert (plus a second sheet outlining a projected release schedule), a good disc with no apparent glitches, and content with no significant video or audio flaws (the latter only as far as the Japanese audio is concerned). The extras are a little sparse, and I'm not entirely sure how the Easter Egg is supposed to be accessed via conventional means (nor am I sure why the packaging advertises "Easter Eggs" when there appears to be only one: a series of the usual "bleh" Bang Zoom! dub outtakes). However, the box is gorgeous (kudos to Geneon for going with that wonderful Kobayashi piece instead of trying to piece together something from model sheets for marketability or recognition purposes) and sturdy (as usual, and no warping, also par for the course for Geneon), and the cap is really cool. I'm not much for knit caps, but this one may convince me to start wearing them more often. Very nice indeed.

So, all in all, I'm pleased with this release, glad I'm collecting the series, and am eager to see more. Thanks, Geneon!

[Mr. Nail Bat]

Has there been any pre-release hype? I haven't seen anyone talking about this series at all.

[ QUOTE ]
Big Big Duck said:
Has there been any pre-release hype? I haven't seen anyone talking about this series at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I was the only one talking about this show, but then again my voice and Gonzo are kind of synonomous so people just probably ignored it. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Citizen Klaus]

[ QUOTE ]
Sakura Shinguji said:
Well, this thread sure got a bit lost, didn't it? /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Had the disc for a week, but didn't get to watching it until now. Opinion: very neat.

Let me say this: the story could go nowhere and the characters could not develop, but I would still give this show major points for its music and art. The OP and ED are two wonderful pieces to listen to, and the BGM is a pleasure to take in as well (hooray for Kohei Tanaka!). And the art is a real treat, not only because it's something I can't ever recall seeing before, but because it's just that damn cool. I'm not talking about the animation designs or animation quality, necessarily, but the overall art direction, set design, and backgrounds. Osamu Kobayashi deserves major props for designing such a unique and stylish world setting. It's certainly not the sort of thing you see in your typical anime production; I'd almost call it American, but it's still not typical by any means for animation created for the U.S. either. The box, for those who have seen it, displays Kobayashi's particular style quite well, as do the backgrounds for the covers. I'm really not sure quite how you'd describe it. Kind of a pop art style, perhaps? The backgrounds and settings, in combination with the interesting art design (lighting choices and certain color choices in particular), work to create a show that is stylistically intriguing to take in. If any series could truly benefit from having a score-only audio track, this series is it.

Of course, that's not to disregard the merits (or potential lack thereof) of the show's story and characters. I admit to being cautious, due to a significant lack of positive word-of-mouth for this series, although that didn't stop me from buying and loving shows like L/R, so hey, we'll see what happens. Thus far, the story intrigues me and has my attention, and there isn't any particular character that I dislike. So, I'm calling it a keeper, and planning on more.

As far as release aspects, Geneon has once again delivered us a beautiful product. Reversible (R2?) covers in clear keepcases, a nifty mini-poster insert (plus a second sheet outlining a projected release schedule), a good disc with no apparent glitches, and content with no significant video or audio flaws (the latter only as far as the Japanese audio is concerned). The extras are a little sparse, and I'm not entirely sure how the Easter Egg is supposed to be accessed via conventional means (nor am I sure why the packaging advertises "Easter Eggs" when there appears to be only one: a series of the usual "bleh" Bang Zoom! dub outtakes). However, the box is gorgeous (kudos to Geneon for going with that wonderful Kobayashi piece instead of trying to piece together something from model sheets for marketability or recognition purposes) and sturdy (as usual, and no warping, also par for the course for Geneon), and the cap is really cool. I'm not much for knit caps, but this one may convince me to start wearing them more often. Very nice indeed.

So, all in all, I'm pleased with this release, glad I'm collecting the series, and am eager to see more. Thanks, Geneon!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm with you on Kobayashi's style. Very visceral and expressive. Really makes you feel as though Gad Guard is taking place in a real world--more so than, say, Heat Guy J.

All told, this series was something of a pleasant surprise. Bought it on the basis of Arashi's, uh, "charms," and got quite a bit more out of it than I thought I would. It's probably gonna earn a regular spot on my monthly preorders, and with the way my budget's being squeezed lately, that's saying quite a bit.

[bakafoo]

wha~t? noooooooooo... /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif


*ahem.
oh well. Might still enjoy it.

[bctaris]

[ QUOTE ]
Sakura Shinguji said:
... However, the box is gorgeous (kudos to Geneon for going with that wonderful Kobayashi piece instead of trying to piece together something from model sheets for marketability or recognition purposes) and sturdy (as usual, and no warping, also par for the course for Geneon), and the cap is really cool. I'm not much for knit caps, but this one may convince me to start wearing them more often. Very nice indeed.

So, all in all, I'm pleased with this release, glad I'm collecting the series, and am eager to see more. Thanks, Geneon!

[/ QUOTE ]

I made another post (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=531514&page=2&view=co llapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1) about the box (which I should have posted here...) where I give Geneon kudos even for the box in the box holding the knit hat. /images/graemlins/wink.gif Very slick release. You're right, the show's first impression is all about style, and Geneon carried that through wonderfully.

I've watched the show almost twice since then and I like it, really. I suppose there's a story, but the many, many diverse characters are what it's all about for me. What's nice about that is how the pacing of the show has somehow allowed in these first four episodes for most of the main characters to become well sketched out and developed. Their interaction with each other is also very dynamic; only Katana and the little girl Sayuri remaining overtly mysterious, but still oddly engrossing. And once you know the characters, even watching their vignettes in the stylish and enjoyably constructed opening helps to do the same.

All said, fun and flashy are the themes of the day for Gad Guard--other shows have tried for the same simple feeling but have failed on uninspired design and direction. I think this will be a fun ride, and I'm keeping my expectations for the story somewhat low, just in case.

-bctaris

[GHardin]

I enjoyed volume 1, even if it did look....strange to me. But I had a feeling that I'd enjoy it, and sure enough, I was entertained. /images/graemlins/happy.gif *Clicks positive*

[MalrocK]

I'm quite surprised /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. I absolutely loved the show. I've watched it twice already in 1 day and think it's fantastic. I knew I was going to like it because it was a Gonzo show, but I didn't know I would like it this much. Very stylish and I love the character and mecha designs. Good stuff, A + all the way. I was actually thinking this would be more of a kiddy type show ( ie) Dragon Drive), which I wasn't looking forward to but was pleasantly surprised to see that it actually was very mature feeling. Oh, and the music is great too! I can't wait until the next volume, too bad I won't get to see the end until June 2005 /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif. A + on the packaging also, Geneon you & your boxes rock!!!

[Dagger]

Well, I really enjoyed this volume. Gad Guard is just amazingly stylish, and I love the background music. I'm going to pray that it doesn't totally fall apart in later episodes. ^_^;

I loved Gad Guard from beginning to end, and bought all of the PE'Z albums in the process thanks to it, so getting this release was a no brainer for me. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Dagger]

[ QUOTE ]
Famicom said:
I loved Gad Guard from beginning to end, and bought all of the PE'Z albums in the process thanks to it, so getting this release was a no brainer for me. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It's encouraging to know that at least one person enjoyed the ending, heh. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[Nylock]

Just finished watching volume 1 and I'm very impressed. I like how it looks different, the different way the techode's work than the normal mech with a pilot's seat. Plot-wise it did enough to keep me interested, without really giving away what the long-term goals are.

As for the hype, all I ever heard was that it was so bad it didn't finish its TV run (I believe this isn't actually the truth, but that is the impression I got). However it looked unusual enough for me to want to get it, so I don't think the hype made much difference - not every great show is popular.

I'm looking forward to the next volume. And more Catherine /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif (sexy voice courtesy of Kikuko Inoue)

Looks like this is a title I have to check out!

Enhance the Trance,
Curse

[juliant59]

I vote positive for this release. Great volume. Gad Guard's art and music is A plus. The dub rules. The box is so damn cool. Probably my fav box of 2004 so far. The hat is cool as well. If I have one complaint and this is about Geneon in general is the trailers. I liked the way they used to do their releases by having a whole ton of trailers on their discs. I liked that instead of them having only three trailers per volume. I can't wait for more Gad Guard, but it's not til September /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

[I5y2mGC0]

I like the concept of the mech controller having to be outside the mech. And I'm into character driven stories. Typically great characters = great show. I'm looking forward to seeing how each controller continues to "bond" with their Techode. I can't believe the next volume doesn't come out until September. Come on Geneon, speed up those releases!!