Galaxy Angel Vol. #05

By Eduardo M. Chavez     May 04, 2005
Release Date: April 01, 2005



Creative Talent
Writer/Artist:Kanan (Concept by Broccoli)
Translated by:Koji Tajii
Adapted by:

What They Say
The Angel Troupe feels the pressure as Eonia's forces draw ever closer, spreading a reign of terror across the galaxy. When Eonia's legions execute a devastating attack on a military envoy, the annihilation is so complete that only one survivor remains - Chitose. Pledging to fight against Eonia with all her strength, she joins forces with the Angel Troupe. But even with the aid of its newest ally, the deck is stacked against the Troupe as they strive to deliver Prince Shiva safely to the White Moon and uncover its mysterious secret.

The Review
Packaging:
Typical of a Broccoli Book title, Galaxy Angel has some of the highest production values in North American manga. First, the cover is great. This volume features Angel Troupe members Milfeulle and Takuto hanging out in front of a starry background. The Galaxy Angel logo (with kana) is above them and the volume number is on a star gone supernova. The opposite cover has a long volume description, an SD version of Forte Stollen and an image of her Emblem Frame, the GA-005 Happy Trigger. The spine has a framed image of Forte on it, as well.

Inside is where Broccoli really shows off there superiority. They have four pages in full color - the volume header, a two-page spread of the Angel Troupe saluting their readers and the contents page. The printing is perfect, but that is expected since Broccoli uses original source materials for this title. They also have the luxury to be able to include a ton of extras - an SD character art, an afterward describing how GA will be moving to another Japanese publisher and will be continued after a brief break, a 6 pages of four panel manga, a one page extra about Kanan's (or her brother's??) work on the GA: Moonlit Lovers video game, a preview of Galaxy Angel Beta, character profiles for Forte Stollen and Chitose Karasuma and mech file on both of their Emblem Frames and Volume 3 of the Universe of Galaxy Angel. Finally, BroBooks also included ads for Kamui, Until the Full Moon, Galaxy Angel Party and Galaxy Angel merchandise.

Readers can also send in a form with $1.50 in stamps for a dust jacket! Now, that is a service I wish other publishers would try.

Artwork:

Kanan's art is perfect for this series. If you are a Broccoli-phile, you should appreciate Kanan's line-work. Lines are not very clean, but they are strong. Angles are a little sharp, which helps her cast look a little long. Moreover, there is not much detailing outside of lines used for texturing. Characters are very cute, with some interesting variety amongst the designs. Costumes are also really creative, even though they are based on military themes. Kanan has made sure each of the cast has customized their costume so each character looks unique.

Backgrounds are rather stale. However, I have been consistently surprised by how much Kanan uses them. I would have expected much less frequent usage of backgrounds giving the comedic nature of this title, but Kanan makes an effort to use them for the space action as well as to set up comedic situations.

Text/SFX:
SFX are all translated in subs that reflect the art used for the original SFX but in a smaller size. They were all very easy to read but ever so often, some of them were translated into actions instead of onomatopoeias. The translation here is very good. The translation is simple; no overuse of slang or Americanization, but it is still able to maintain the personalities of each of the Angels well. One of the ways they do this is by using honorifics. This shows how these characters interact with each other and how their social structure is set.

Contents: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
In a time of need, another mystery of the Lost Technology in uncovered and has saved the Angel Troupe from peril. Furthermore, the Lost Technology has brought them an option that they have not fully considered - escaping to the White Moon, home of the Moon Goddess Shatoyan. Some day the Angel Troupe will try to find the source behind these mysteries, but for now, their efforts are focused on safely taking Prince Shiva to this holy place.

The only way to get there is by full use of their resources. The riddles of the Elle Ciel and its Lost Technology must be solved. The same can be said about the Emblem Frames. Then there are the hearts and minds of the ships crew that must be focused on this dangerous mission. There is no time for hurt feelings. Selfish acts used to distract from personal problems will only bring up resentment or concern. One team on one ship with one goal is the ideal, the Prince deserves no less and Takuto would like his everyone on the Elle Ciel, from experienced mechanics to new volunteers to the Prince himself, to understand that before the final battle begins.

The White Moon is the start and finish of this story. It is the source of the Lost Technology and the center of peace in the galaxy. Soon, it will become the stage for a great battle that will determine if peace will prevail for years to come. How ironic that a symbol for peace will be the cause for so much destruction. The true irony is that Lost Technology, if used improperly, can cause much more destruction than any war, but because of that must be protected.

Takuto and his Angel Troupe might not be fully aware of the power of LT and the White Moon, but they know that peace must always be maintained, for themselves and everyone else in the galaxy.

Comments
After five volumes, this version of Galaxy Angel ends abruptly as it moves to a new magazine and new publisher. Nevertheless, before this volume ends, the world of GA continues to expand, answering some questions and making new mysteries along the way. Typical of GA, nothing is ever concrete, everything is left to luck, but whatever the outcome readers usually find a smile on their face because of all of the randomness. Whether it is a romantic walk through the Space Whale Room; an angelic new Emblem Frame weapon; the introduction of a new character; or a tragic space battle, each new chapter is uniquely GA, full of sci-fi slapstick comedy that defies the law of averages and will usually end with a tasty dessert or scrumptious meal. So when this series ended, there was the cast hanging out together after a battle grateful they were together again planning on the picnic they would have when all of this war was finally over. Would you expect anything else?

What made the GA manga so entertaining was the difference a character or two makes. Without them, the anime version of GA is more like a slice of life space comedy, where the cast goes about their business trying to figure out the Lost Technology. The premise is simple, but because the LT is "so mysterious" the possibilities for humor are endless. I have to say it is a fun idea, but it can get a little old after a while.

Add a couple characters to the mix and the GA manga gets a plot, a romantic side story and just as much room to be funny (it is just a different style of funny). All of the personalities are there, however, now they must interact with new people and their motivations become more serious and much more personal (almost selfish). They have responsibilities to live up to and a sense of duty for their position. There is much more drama, because of this and in my opinion the story is much better for it. The GA world much less rigid, there is more freedom because the writing is no longer forced to be consistently funny. The cast can take on new traits that are easier to relate to - jealousy, lack of control, confusion, love, honor and sacrifice. All of this is done within the GA format, so there is still room for humor, but the comedy is now funnier because it comes with less frequency. You have to wait for those moments when the characters make fun of the anime, and when they come, it is rolling on the floor funny (heck even the characters themselves laugh at it).

Now there is a waiting game until Broccoli Books releases Galaxy Angel: BETA. Considering how Galaxy Angel is easily BroBook's best series I cannot wait. I cannot wait to see how new Angel Troupe member, Chitose, will influence the current dynamic. I cannot wait to see what awaits the Angel Troupe now that they are on the White Moon. I cannot wait to see how Prince Shiva and Takuto Meyers continue to grow into their leadership roles. I cannot wait to see how far the Black Moon will go for power. I cannot wait for more Space Whale comments, more chess games, more touching moments and more of Kanan's strange humor. I cannot wait for Broccoli Book's great presentations! Must go re-read this now and make the wait shorter. And if you are a GA fan, what are you waiting for?