AoD Advance Review: Angel Tales Vol. #1 [Archive]

ape2020

05-29-2004, 03:13 PM

Watched the first volume and Chris nailed it on the head. Its a very mild bland comedy. I sorta like the characters especially the rabbit and cat, but its cute girl over load. I'm undecided if I really want to continue this show. Does it get any better? Or is it dull and bland the rest of the way.

-ape2020

Suwako Moriya

05-29-2004, 03:30 PM

Actually the pattern for Angel Tales is slice of life-Plot Point-Slice of Life-Plot Point and the end. So it really doesn't change much. The first plot point is the better of the two as it fits in the shows theme. The second seems like it is mainly there to end the show.

Also the sad part is they handle the number of angels by shafting many of them. Midori and Akane hardly get any screen time. They get more in Angel Tales Kiss (As it will probably be called here if licensed), but still. Mainly it's nice if you like the feel of slice of life over all and cute girls. But if one expects a major plot forget it.

mikedude

05-29-2004, 04:01 PM

A couple points:

- The original Japanese title is "Otogi Story: Tenshi no Shippo". "Otogi Story" is loosely translated as "fairy tale". I figure Bandai wanted to combine the two into one, which I think was actually a good move on their part.

- The series is actually 14 episodes, not 12. Episodes 5.5 and 13 were DVD only eps. I'd assume Bandai also has these, and given that the first volme only has 4 episodes, I'd imagine this will be a 4 volume release.

I, for one, enjoyed this series. The idea that they were all animals previously is interesting, though admittedly weird. I think all the girls had interesting personalities (with strikingly different appearances, and most notably hair colors), even if some of them didn't necessarily get a lot of screen time. I also enjoyed the 'plot twist' towards the end of the series. Some thought it was out of place for the show, but I thought it actually gave some PURPOSE to Goro having 12 angels.

I happily purchased the vol1+box, and it should be at my apartment by the time I get back from Memorial Day weekend. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

Suwako Moriya

05-29-2004, 04:17 PM

The second volume seems to have a running time of 100 minutes. So it should be 4/4/3/3

See this PDF (http://bandai-ent.com/retailers/BEIWeeklyMailer5-27-2004.pdf) and scroll down.

ape2020

05-29-2004, 05:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Seiko Rikiishi said:
Actually the pattern for Angel Tales is slice of life-Plot Point-Slice of Life-Plot Point and the end. So it really doesn't change much. The first plot point is the better of the two as it fits in the shows theme. The second seems like it is mainly there to end the show.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, I don't mind slice of life shows as I got Niea_7, Neo Ranga, and hell even Risky/Safety. But this show doesn't show much chemistry and then what spark it did have is killed with new characters showing up all the time. Which is pretty sad since all the girls seem interesting and especially with their unique phobias. For me a Slice of Life show only really works if you follow and get to know certain characters. Not throw tons of new characters every epsisode.

But since it looks like a short release I guess I will stick with it. The show would have to be a total bomb for me not to continue with it.

-ape2020

Jigen_Daisuke

05-30-2004, 04:52 AM

This show isn't the greatest, but I'll be getting it.

06-01-2004, 02:56 AM

Despite it's obvious shortcommings... I say positive. Goro may be a dork and somewhat incompetent... but I found his character at least a bit enjoyable. Really though, the characters themselves aren't what fuels the show at all. I think the interactions between all the gals are what keeps it fun for me.

Seeing how they get along or don't get along is what makes it worthwhile to come back to. It's a cute girl show, and it has it's own way of goin' about making the characters adorable. It's more slice-o'-life than rip roarin' adventure and what not. Rock on.

The extras were nice. I forgot about the plush mini-dolls (are those UFO catcher-esque... or am I totally off mark?), Ran and Kurumi are good picks for idolization in the cloth. Though, the Venomous Tales kinda scared me. I'll never watch those again... 'cuz they freaked me out too much.

In the end, it's all good.

MalrocK

06-03-2004, 08:41 AM

I just feel icky watching this /images/graemlins/depresse.gif. I have a real big soft spot for animals and a show that constantly shows or talks about animals dying is a real big negative for me /images/graemlins/depresse.gif. I know they come back and live happy angelic lives and such but what the hell is up with Goro?????!!!! Is he the freaking grim reaper or something? He's killed off like 200000000 animals in his life time. I don't think I'll continue getting this series after the next disc, which I already have ordered. For 1 the show isn't lol funny like I thought it would be, the only parts I really laughed or smilled at were the chibi SD parts. It was just kinda, blah. I might start back up again with the second season which is supposedly better. This show is just too damn depressing for me

kabael

06-03-2004, 08:51 AM

I voted negative because the world already has enough insipid harem shows to choke a horse with, and we certainly don't need another average-at-best entry into the field, especially when all the characters were pretty much boiled down to 2-dimensional cliches so that they could make sure to include all the fetishes or predilictions any viewer might have.

It's not the worst ever or anything, but there are definitely far better ways to spend time and money.

06-03-2004, 01:15 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Malrock said:
Is he the freaking grim reaper or something? He's killed off like 200000000 animals in his life time.

[/ QUOTE ]

We are not even going to discuss all the pets buried in my parents back yard. /images/graemlins/wink.gif Dogs, cats, birds, mice, hamsters, rats, fish, turtles, etc. Some of the bigger cats and dogs stayed at the vet (they would still get a service and a marker), but there were a heck of a lot of pet funerals held over the years. Lots of kids = lots of pets.

Interestingly enough, my parents never tried to shield us from it. They just considered it to be part of teaching us about the cycle of life. We had a special cemetery corner we built that we kids all took care of (planted flowers, weeding, rock decorations). We kids would dig the hole and make a marker and the owner of the deceased pet would lead the service. My mom or dad would always say a few words at the end and then we would all help fill in the grave, with the owner setting the marker.

Funny the stuff you strongly remember from way back when you were a kid. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

treatment

06-03-2004, 01:21 PM

hmm. not having seen this title, yet, but your review sold it to me. getting it soon.

Suwako Moriya

06-03-2004, 05:02 PM

Actually in a lot of cases the pets were not even his pets anyway. Ie Yuki was just a snake he saw at a shrine. So apparently even pets he does not own love him and die for him or because of him.

michaelwb

06-08-2004, 09:17 AM

[ QUOTE ]
FunktasticMatt said:
Despite it's obvious shortcommings... I say positive. Goro may be a dork and somewhat incompetent... but I found his character at least a bit enjoyable. Really though, the characters themselves aren't what fuels the show at all. I think the interactions between all the gals are what keeps it fun for me.

Seeing how they get along or don't get along is what makes it worthwhile to come back to. It's a cute girl show, and it has it's own way of goin' about making the characters adorable. It's more slice-o'-life than rip roarin' adventure and what not. Rock on.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got this yesterday and I watched it last night, and I ended up voting positive. Overall it's really pretty average, but I enjoyed it.

Goro is a non entity to me, but I actually like a number of the girls right away and others are growing on me. I'm slightly intrigued by the elements of the story being hinted at by the two mystery men are clearly up to something.

I don't think that this series will ever reach my top ten (or heck top 20), but it's short and kind of fun.

mikedude

06-09-2004, 03:44 PM

Did anybody else notice a large amount of pixellation during the OP sequence for the 2nd episode, about 40 or 41 seconds into it?

MrDisco

06-09-2004, 04:23 PM

based on these comments i will pass on this series.

Rev. Doc

06-09-2004, 05:08 PM

Overall, I have to give this one a thumbs up. It has a nice story behind it and each of the girls has a unique personality that adds to the series. I really enjoyed the fansub and I'm collecting the DVDs. Glad to have it in my collection.

GyBaNO

06-10-2004, 04:56 AM

I'll wait for the cheap 2-disc set in 2006(07), thank you very much. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

michaelwb

06-14-2004, 08:23 AM

I watched this for the second time last night and I enjoyed it even more the second time around. I think knowing more what to expect and having a clearer understanding of the characters helps a lot.

Knowing the origins of the angels in advance caused me to watch more carefully and appreciate how well the character designs and behaviors mirror their origins.

Anyone else think that the Goddess is hot?

Little tidbit: Am I only one who was amused about Ran wanting to eat the fish cake?

Suwako Moriya

06-14-2004, 08:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
michaelwb said:
Knowing the origins of the angels in advance caused me to watch more carefully and appreciate how well the character designs and behaviors mirror their origins.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's actually one of the cuter aspects of the show. To see the way the hair reminds me one of the animal.

[ QUOTE ]
michaelwb said:
Little tidbit: Am I only one who was amused about Ran wanting to eat the fish cake?

[/ QUOTE ]

That is kind of funny. But they do kind of have human tastes in food now.

Innotech

06-16-2004, 12:33 PM

I just bought vol 1 and the box. I saw the show last night and honestly, although its not much out of the ordinary, it was cute, it was funny, and for me, it was addictive. It also inspired me to draw all 12 girls together at once in a giant fanart. Now If I can only FIND pictures of the girls somewhere. Any suggestions?

malazar

06-16-2004, 01:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Malrock said:
I have a real big soft spot for animals and a show that constantly shows or talks about animals dying is a real big negative for me /images/graemlins/depresse.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the volume 1 rental on the way to me now. Sounds like I won't like this one very much either. Thankfully it will just be a rental.

Innotech

06-16-2004, 02:32 PM

[ QUOTE ]
malazar said:
[ QUOTE ]
Malrock said:
I have a real big soft spot for animals and a show that constantly shows or talks about animals dying is a real big negative for me /images/graemlins/depresse.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the volume 1 rental on the way to me now. Sounds like I won't like this one very much either. Thankfully it will just be a rental.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dunno, Im enjoying it rather a lot. Its something you should definitely watch and decide for yourself, but honestly, while it isnt the deepest show, there is a very neat bit of character development for each girl and the way they interact with other animals ex. cat > goldfish, hamster, parakeet, rabbit> turtle (think tortoise and the hare), dog and fox (think fox and the hound). Basically, the IMO saving grace of the show is that it is really cute and the characters are so likeable and each has a deep fear of something related to their death that they must overcome. It is this focus on the characters and their relationships that makes me reallyl ike htis show, and I think some of you who havent seen it might be surprised to like it for that reason.
In fact regarding that very thing: the 2 mystery men that show up in early episodes seem to be some form of guidance for the angels because htey always setup Goro in danger to where a girl must overcome her fear in order to save him. A nifty little idea if you ask me.

michaelwb

06-16-2004, 03:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Innotech said:
I dunno, Im enjoying it rather a lot. Its something you should definitely watch and decide for yourself, but honestly, while it isnt the deepest show, there is a very neat bit of character development for each girl and the way they interact with other animals ex. cat > goldfish, hamster, parakeet, rabbit> turtle (think tortoise and the hare), dog and fox (think fox and the hound). Basically, the IMO saving grace of the show is that it is really cute and the characters are so likeable and each has a deep fear of something related to their death that they must overcome. It is this focus on the characters and their relationships that makes me reallyl ike htis show, and I think some of you who havent seen it might be surprised to like it for that reason.
In fact regarding that very thing: the 2 mystery men that show up in early episodes seem to be some form of guidance for the angels because htey always setup Goro in danger to where a girl must overcome her fear in order to save him. A nifty little idea if you ask me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm actually enjoying it a lot too. I find the characters of some of the angels very endearing. I'm rather sad that it's two months to the next disk.

I'm not sure if it will turn out to be what's going on but what you mentioned in the spoiler occurred to me too. We'll have to see more to tell I suppose.

Jigen_Daisuke

06-17-2004, 04:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Innotech said:
I dunno, Im enjoying it rather a lot. Its something you should definitely watch and decide for yourself, but honestly, while it isnt the deepest show, there is a very neat bit of character development for each girl and the way they interact with other animals ex. cat > goldfish, hamster, parakeet, rabbit> turtle (think tortoise and the hare), dog and fox (think fox and the hound). Basically, the IMO saving grace of the show is that it is really cute and the characters are so likeable and each has a deep fear of something related to their death that they must overcome. It is this focus on the characters and their relationships that makes me reallyl ike htis show, and I think some of you who havent seen it might be surprised to like it for that reason.
In fact regarding that very thing: the 2 mystery men that show up in early episodes seem to be some form of guidance for the angels because htey always setup Goro in danger to where a girl must overcome her fear in order to save him. A nifty little idea if you ask me.

[/ QUOTE ]
It'll be revealed in later episodes who those guys are. Gorou's past will also come into play.

Nylock

06-17-2004, 08:40 AM

I found this really difficult to watch at the start - it just didn't grab my attention when it was just the first 3 angels. It picked up a lot with the cat and the animal personalities came through a bit more clearly. By the end of the disc I was really enjoying the way it was working out. The animal traits of the angels are used really well, and so are the traumas they all had. I'm not sure at this point if the series is really about helping the guy or helping the angels overcome their fears.