Really good, R1 quality in most places. Maybe a little bit blurry, but that's probably just because it's an old series. I deducted a point for other reasons though. The picture seems to be a bit shaky and wave a little bit. I don't know if this was how the series was originally made or if it has to do with the compression; it's hardly ever noticeable. But still, when the scene is very still, you might notice it. Also, I have reason to believe that it is this DVD's transfer that caused the shakyness. See, this set is a rip of the MI one, just compressed onto 5 discs instead of 6. The smart thing to do would have been to distribute the 50 eps. evenly on all 3 DVDs. But for some reason, they left the first three discs exactly the same as on the MI set, w/8 eps. each, and then crammed 13 EPISODES on the last 2 discs!! The last two discs are still perfectably watchable, but the extra compression is noticeable, since you're just not supposed to fit 6 1/2 hours on a DVD-9!! Therefore, if the ultra compression of the last two discs could result in more shaking and waving of the picture, than I think the original waving and shaking on the first 3 discs was also the result of compression, just not as much. Overall, fine video quality, and part of it is probably because of the age of the series. But don't expect perfect w/13 eps. on the last two discs.

Overall good. Basic sterio I believe. A little snap-krakle-pop, but that's probably also due partially to the age of the series. More kudos for the series, not the DVD, is that even though this was done in the '70s, when anime was notorious for having annoying music, Anne presents an excellent orchestral and vocal music score. It's some of the best I've heard in anime, even though it was done in the '70's.

Overall good. Basic sterio I believe. A little snap-krakle-pop, but that's probably also due partially to the age of the series. More kudos for the series, not the DVD, is that even though this was done in the '70s, when anime was notorious for having annoying music, Anne presents an excellent orchestral and vocal music score. It's some of the best I've heard in anime, even though it was done in the '70's.

A great set of a great series. This one's also cheaper than the MI one, so I'd go for it if you can put up with the compression of the last two discs. This is a great show. Done by Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies) and partially by Miyazaki (lots of movies, recently Spirited Away), before they formed Studio Ghibli. Surprisingly enough, it's actually more true to the book than most movies or tv series of any books I've seen, anime or not. Most of the dialogue and events are straightforward from the book, which is nice. It's the only televised show of AoGG ever, anime or not, that hasn't played it up as a kindergarten girl's dream come true. Like the original novel, it's about coming of age, and isn't gender or age specific. If you're a gore-only fan, you might just not be interested in the subject matter. But if you've read the book OR like drama anime OR like Takahata OR Miyazaki OR good HK sets, this one's a definite!!