AoD Advance Review: Le Chevalier d'Eon Vol. #1

[Chris Beveridge]

[float:left] [image]http://www.animeondvd.com/images/boxart/chevalier1.jpg[/image] [/float] Review

Released By: ADV Films
MSRP: $29.98
Running time: 100 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Resolution: 480i/p (mixed/unknown)
Encoded With: MPEG-2
Release Date: 02/20/2007
Review Date: 01/11/2007
Date Announced: 11/29/2006
Region: 1 - North America
Reviewed By: Chris Beveridge

In Summary:
When a production studio moves outside of some of their more normal areas, not that Production I.G. has really kept to just one area, they can either produce something stunning or incredibly weak. In its first four episodes, Le Chevalier d'Eon is moving quickly up on the stunning chart. While its first episode felt incredibly rushed and poorly paced in some ways due to how much it was trying to do, it settles in nicely after that and begins its expansive storyline. Similar to their work on Otogi Zoshi, they've done a ton of research on the period and locales and it adds so much more to the atmosphere. Combined with the real life nature of many of these characters, you get a greater sense of them having truly walked these streets and interacting with each other.

There is a lot to like here with a straightforward storyline that has much more richness hidden underneath and it. I can see this as serving a similar kind of need that one of Production I.G.'s previous series did all while standing firmly on its own. Sometimes it's nice to get away from the very Japanese centric stories when it comes to the historical dramas and Le Chevalier d'Eon handles it exceptionally well. Very recommended for those who are tired of high school lads saving the world or magical princesses that never seem to grow up.

[mighty_vespa]

Well, big props to ADV for [finally] releasing two titles---Le Chevalier and Kurau---that I will happily drain my wallet for, in '07. It's been a long, long time since you've earned some of my cash, ADV, back when you dropped RahXephon and Kino. :D

As a Tomomi Ozaki fan I thank you.

[karen0586]

This might actually make the must-buy list that I have for this studio. I love this type of anime show. I'll probably get it in singles, and even a box set if the consequent reviews continue to be satisfactory.

I also love the picture... hopefully it will be kept for the actual disk case that comes with the release. It has an old-world book feel to it that corresponds with the type of world it portrays. :D

[Darkseid]

Maybe I missed something but you didn't post your usual letter grades for content, audio and the like...?

EDIT: Scratch that. They're up now.

I like what I've seen of this show so far. Hoping decent sales will lead to another French based historical anime being licensed and imported to R1 in the future. :D

[Dicrel Seijin]

Good review.

You've made me seriously reconsider this title. I was going to avoid this like the plague after seeing the pages from the manga.

:sigh: I'm just a sucker for the supernatural/occult.

[akcoll99]

Still playing wait and see a little with this one, mainly because I'm buying enough titles as it is right now, but this sounds like something I would be enjoy. Probably rent it first and see what I think...

[christianlf]

I didn't realize until I looked it up, but this is based on a manga by the same guy that does Pilgrim Jäger? Between that and being from IG, my interest is certainly piqued.

[Jarred]

Originally Posted by Christian

I didn't realize until I looked it up, but this is based on a manga by the same guy that does Pilgrim Jäger?

Yes, and the manga will be published by Del Rey starting in June. :neko:

I believe this all started from a novel he wrote, then he did a script for the manga and contributed to the screenplay and plot for the anime. He's a busy man. :D

[christianlf]

Originally Posted by Jarred

Yes, and the manga will be published by Del Rey starting in June. :neko:

I believe this all started from a novel he wrote, then he did a script for the manga and contributed to the screenplay and plot for the anime. He's a busy man. :D

Yeah, I was rather ignorant of his works until I looked that up. It appears he's a rather prolific writer. Seeing as we may never get more PJ, I'm extra motivated to check out more of his (available) stuff.