I was really shocked at how incredibly nice the video was. This show was made in 1997, back when they still used cel animation (wish they would go back to it, too.). It's first episode included an INSANE amount of cels. 10,000 to be exact, where a normal show of it's running time would only have about 3,000. At ten episodes a disc, I was expecting this to be like the Gundam Wing sets, having some pixelation in most parts. But, luckily, the video was flawless. I saw no pixelation at all. All the lines are sharp, colors look great, and no problems with the video at all. Though, as it's the way the show was made so it's not a fault of the set, the picture is kind of bright, but that's how it was made. The show is sourced from the Region 2 DVDs that were released about a year prior to this set coming out.

Audio is flawless also on this release, too! I heard no drop outs or any other problems with the audio. And they would be very noticeable, as this is a super robot cartoon and there is ALOT (can't stress that enough.) of screaming.

Audio is flawless also on this release, too! I heard no drop outs or any other problems with the audio. And they would be very noticeable, as this is a super robot cartoon and there is ALOT (can't stress that enough.) of screaming.

This is probably the best TV toon series I've ever seen. Basically, it takes everything I enjoyed as a kid about Super Robot toons, and threw in some modern animation techniques and technology that applies more to now, added as much passion burning that should be legally allowed and then some, and ended up with one Hell of a show. This show is just old school goodness. Some aliens come form space, and it's just time to throw down in 49 incredible episodes. But I won't bore you with the show's details. Check it out for yourself! As for the disc: Let me start off with saying that yes, there is about two minutes cut off before each episode. Each episode starts at it's title screen, cutting the little parts that play before the opening. But, don't worry, as everything they show in these parts is either seen in the show twenty times, or is simply a recap. You miss nothing. You still get to see what they are like, though, as the first episode on each disc shows these. So you don't miss anything in the show. Onto more technical things, the show is 49 episodes spread out over five discs. Ten episodes on the first four discs, the final nine on the last one. The case is wonderful. The front shows bascially every robot in the show and the really important characters. The back has some screen captures with correct English text for whatever the screen cap is of. The inside features pictures pulled off of the DVD covers of the R2s this was sourced from. The disc art is the shrunken image of the backing they go on. Each disc opens with the MI logo, and then continues to the menu, which is a static image with your three usual choices of Play All, Chapters, and Subtitles. Choose your poison, and it plays! Discs play out as preshow clip for the first episode on the disc, opening, all the episodes, ending, next episode preview, and then the "Key to Victory" deal, which is a three second static image of an item that will be seen in the next episode. Each episode does retain it's eye catches, which are neat little techinal information on things found in the shows. Each episode consists of one chapter. The opening is one, also, along with the ending. So you can skip through episodes, but not around in episodes. The show has one opening song, and apparently eight variations. I don't know how many you see, since they all seemed the same to me. If a new robot was introduced, I think they stick them into the opening. The ending credits have two variations, and you get to see both. Also, episode 30 and the last episode have a little different ending credits that you can see. There are extras on the last disc! You get the clean version of the final opening variation of the show, and a TON of commercials, along with a few sketches from the then upcoming Gaogaigar Final OVA. Nice stuff. No watermarks or email addresses, for those who are annoyed by them. That's all for this set. I watched it on my now in critcal condition Toshiba SD-1200. She's on her last leg, apparently. TV was my good old Zenith one from the late 80s or early 90s. If you are a hardcore Super Robot fan like myself or just need to see an incredibly upbeat show, GET THIS SET!!!

Disclaimer: This applies only to the 5-disc set. I'm interested in the 4-disc but I haven't seen it yet... Additional Disclaimer: I'm C&Ping this from my AS review since it's exactly the same. Studio: Manga International Episodes: 1-49 Video: 4/5 Soft but clean and neat, probably due to either TV ripping or older, hand-drawn animation. Audio: 5/5 No real problems... all of Guy's shouting was preserved. ^_^ Subtitles: 1/5 This is quite possibly one of the worst HK releases ever. None of the subs make much sense, all the names are incorrect (except for one instance of "Mamoru" in episode 48), and the timing is horribly off. While the meaning is there, it's placed under a layer of incomprehensibility. Buyer beware. Chaptering: Episode to episode, no breaks. Bonuses: None. Menus: Silent and still, in English. Play All, Chapter, Subtitles. Content: The Prologues are cut out of every episode after the first on each of the 5 discs. Impression: Terrible. Hopefully the 4-disc will be better.

I bought this 5-diso set when it was still a new release. I was mad with delight when i found that i'd finally get my hands on the complete series, sub-titled, of one of the greatest Super-robot series ever made! That was until I finally watched. The translation is so piss-poor, it made the show unwatchable. I had headaches from trying to decihper the nonsense being passed off as english in those subtitles. This release in nothing short of anime-terrorism at its cruelest. edited by Vicnuts on 11 Oct 2002 8:52 pm