Video:

Nice. Very nice. At some times it looks almost DVD quality, but it usually is a little more grainy and a little faded maybe. There is some pixilization, but as this isn't exactly the most action-packed show in the world, it doesn't matter. I have no idea what the source for this was, as all of the DVD's haven't even come out yet in Japan. But whatever it is, it's real good, and you won't have a problem with it.

Audio:

I noticed nothing wrong. Very clear and loud (but not too loud ^_^). The music in this anime is for the most part very quiet and pretty discreet (although it is very good). All of the slow piano music came out great, as well as the more up-beat OP's and ED's.

Subtitle:

The translation for these was perfect, absolutely wonderful. Assuming these are HK originals, which I'm almost sure they are, they are probably the best translated I've ever seen. They're entirely Engrish free, with only an occasional oddly phrased line here and there. The names are for the most part correct, although Haruko's name is constantly spelled as Hayuko, but that's just a one letter difference. Also, occasionally they would use the person's last name when their first would have been more appropriate, and vice-versa, but that's not really a problem. Where these subs take their toll, though, is the timing. The timing starts out perfect, and continues as such until around ep. 9 or 10. Then, during the opening theme of that episode, the idiot they had timing this thing skips one line. Just one. But what he does is he puts the translation of the line he skipped in the NEXT LINE. Therfore, all of the lines FOR THE REST OF THE SERIES are off. They are perfectly timed...to the next line of dialogue! It's a headache, and makes you have to use your brain, something you don't want to have to do on such an emotional and spiritually powerful series. What's so sad though, is that they didn't catch themselves for the entire rest of the series. Another problem is, the subs were too perfect, and with every single hai or hmmm translated, there wasn't a single cut line (because if there was, the subs would have naturally fallen back into place). It is apparant that the person timing this did not know Japanese OR English, and was just timing each line to what he thought was the corresponding line of dialogue. However, he was such an idiot, he made one mistake, and didn't ever notice that it was maybe a little strange that characters would suddenly start saying "Episode 11" at random times. It makes me so mad, because these would have been the best HK originals, if not for such a dense timer! GAH! However, after about two episodes with these senile subtitles, you sort of start to get the hang of it, although you will have to start using your brain and not just your soul (ok, that sounded really stupid, but you'll see what I mean if you get the set) when you watch this series, and that's really annoying. Also, while you'll still understand everything, there will be some lines you'll just have to forget about.

Comment:

This is a great series. Very nice. It's extremely emotionally powerful, and you become really attached to the characters. It's like a soap opera without the cheese (a dairy-free soap opera, if you will), but with an extremely realistic, emotional storyline and real characters. This also would have been a great set, if not for the timing problem. It's extremly watchable until about ep. 9 on, but because of that crappy timing, it adds a slight burden. Overall, this is the first time I've had to decypher poorly timed subs, and it's easier than expected. But this series especially is not one where you want to be cyphering anything while you're watching, so unless you've put up with timing problems before, and really think you can handle it, go for it, because everything else in this set is good. However, if you at all are hesitant about the timing problems, fansubs are definitely the way to go. However, regardless of how you see this show, it's one you must not miss and you really must see, and no matter how you do see it, you will really enjoy it (I mean...the timing problems aren't THAT bad).