DVD Review: Familiar of Zero Complete Collection

[Chris Beveridge]

http://cdn-www.mania.com/content_pics/000004/47/43/54ca91e0d4da9aa4_large.jpg


Review by Chris Beveridge (http://www.mania.com/familiar-zero-complete-collection_article_86942.html)


Mania Grade: B+
Audio Rating: B+
Video Rating: B+
Packaging Rating: A-
Menus Rating: B
Extras Rating: B-
Age Rating: 13+
Region: 1 - North America
Released By: Geneon Entertainment
MSRP: 59.98
Running time: 325
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Disc Resolution: 480i/p (Mixed/Unknown)
Disc Encoding: MPEG-2
Series: Familiar of Zero

In Summary:
Knowing nothing about the show prior to watching it, and with the delay in release from when it was initially planned, the Familiar of Zero really turned out to be a whole lot of fun. It reminded me of Kyo Kara Maoh in just how sprawling it could be but also a little of El Hazard in some of the playfulness of it. This season does have something of an overall plot to it that’s touched upon here and there, but overall it’s more of a primer for the larger series as a whole. It introduces us to a fun and engaging world with characters that you like, even when some of them are basic archetypes. It’s not too terribly deep but it has the kind of pacing to it that keeps you completely engaged and looking forward to the next episode. This is one of those series that really does make out well from marathoning and seeing it all quickly. Very recommended for a good fun time.

[The Great Bear]

It definitely was a fun show, and it's good that it finally managed to get released.

The dynamics between the characters work well, even if Louise can be a bit too abrasive at times.

I hope that the later seasons make their way over here.

[naiera]

I've watched the first disc or so and would agree with the overall grade, based on what I've seen so far. I'd never heard of it either, prior to ordering it a while ago, but it was definitely a nice show to 'discover'.

[Suwako Moriya]

It's been awhile since I saw this and when I did it was spread out. If/When I manage to get this, I need to see how it holds up to a marathon session perhaps. If being the keyword since there's always competition and I can never be sure what I'll get next. Still hopefully one day I can make room for this.

[Rev. Doc]

I also watched this title marathoning it (which is something I rarely do these days). Great show and I'm also crossing my fingers that we will get the rest of Zero at some point.

[WTK]

This was really fun series to watch. I watched the the set in one sitting. Like others here, I hope the other seasons will be licensed in the future.

[EyeOfPain]

Plan to pick this up at some point; hopefully, it doesn't disappoint. ^_^

[ooga]

I managed to order this during the DD sale since they forgot to exclude it. I'm thinking I should have it in my hands later today or possibly tomorrow. It's nice to receive a chipboard box from Geneon again. It brings back sweet memories! :catgirl:

[Classical]

This is a show I've been on the fence about, and now I've been leaning toward getting it. It'll be a matter of when I decide to get it though since there are other shows competing with it.

[Talyn]

Yay for me.... My set arrived today with two floaters due to two shattered hubs inside the cases... m-locks would be so much nicer.... :relief: Thankfully my discs weren't scuffed or scratched too bad except for one... I was able to buff the bad one out enough it should be alright... I hope to be watching this set shortly...

[karen0586]

I'll buy it sometime but like others have said, there are plenty of other series on the must order list first :sd:.

[ArcticMech]

I agree that it's a great series to marathon, which is how I watched it initially. Also concur that it's a lot of fun. My copy has been sitting next to my TV for the past few weeks. Hopefully I can get to it before 2009.

[ooga]

Yay for me.... My set arrived today with two floaters due to two shattered hubs inside the cases... m-locks would be so much nicer.... :relief: Thankfully my discs weren't scuffed or scratched too bad except for one... I was able to buff the bad one out enough it should be alright... I hope to be watching this set shortly...

Got mine yesterday as well, but didn't have time to open the package. Hopefully I won't have any floaters.

[Cyber Inviso]

I finally was able to watch it over the weekend and it's a great series. Louise is quite a person who stays true as a tsundere character and the panty humors were amusing to watch. Looking forward when FUNi will get around to license the 2nd and 3rd season for this series. Great review, Chris!

[Foxfossil]

I got mine on the 1nd and there was a floater and also the tab that holds the insert in was broken off on disc2 which scratched it up too bad to play. I'm having to send it back for a replacement. Hopefully I'll get it back before x-mas.

[Darkex]

I received my copy two weeks ago and I didn't have time to watch it yet. :cry:

[Damius]

I received my copy two weeks ago and I didn't have time to watch it yet. :cry:

Reverse it for me. I didn't receive my copy yet but I have time to watch it. :cry:

[GrateSaiyaman]

I finally got my copy. I forgot how much I really hated Louise during the first episode and how much it subsided after some more episodes went by.
I still find that whole world an objectionable place to be but it is a good setting for what is to come.
The show itself is a lot of fun, the hierarchy of that world bugs the crap out of me . . . but it always did.

Looking forward to seeing season two and three . . . unless something stupid happens....

;)

[Rev. Doc]

Looking forward to seeing season two and three . . . unless something stupid happens....

;)

Have they even been licensed?

[UEHacker]

Looking forward to seeing season two and three . . . unless something stupid happens....

;)

Have they even been licensed?

nope

[Classical]

Well, Louise made me cave and buy this show. It's finding its way home right now so I'm looking forward to watching it. I just hope mine arrives without anything broken.

[rg4619]

Were the second and third seasons very disappointing? I've been holding off on this series due to all the negative commentary.

[something]

Were the second and third seasons very disappointing? I've been holding off on this series due to all the negative commentary.
Each season improves on the last. S1 has a really horrible ending, but it's pretty much negated by the presence of S2. Which also has a horrible ending, but that's again negated by the presence of S3. Which actually has a fairly decent ending, to the shock of all who viewed it.

Honestly, even people who like ZnT have a lot of bad things to say about it. I do too. But I still recommend it anyway, because I really like it in spite of all that. I know it's not good, but I can't bring myself to care. It's too fun.

[pianocello]

Were the second and third seasons very disappointing? I've been holding off on this series due to all the negative commentary.

Louise gets worse. In fact in the 3rd season, the only good episode is episode 6. If there's a 4th season, I'm skipping out on it. Unless I hear that Louise dies a horrible, painful death.

[Zombie_Punk]

Louise is one of those types I find hilarious and great at a distance but intolerable when actually associating with them.

That said I hope the other seasons are licensed.

[Vicserr]

I watched this last week, it was a pretty fun show with some good world building although Louise was very grating as the female lead and sometimes basically intolerable...:knowitall:

[Classical]

Having finally watched this a while ago, I must say that I'm really glad that I got this show. I absolutely loved it. I grew to like Louise by the end of the season. I'm hoping that someone licenses the future seasons of this show.

[superdry]

I really like the series. It's nothing serious or brings something new to the table, but it's a cute, enjoyable show. I like Louise, as annoying and sadistic as she is...she just needs some attention and love...well, lots of attention. She also has these large swings of tsun and dere phases...maybe a she has a psychological problem....hehe.

Anywho, I haven't watched the boxset since I got it (I already watched it as a fansub and I have such a large backlog that I generally don't rewatch shows...just snippets if I want to), but I posted a while back in another ZnT thread a cute thing I noticed on the box and dvd. Under the age rating, it says "13+, comedy and tsundere." I found that extremely amusing for some reason.

I'm glad the first season was released here. I do hope the sales of the first season is good enough to warrant somebody to bring over season 2 and 3.