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Angel Heart
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Animation - 9.0 |
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Sound - 8.7 |
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Story - 8.2 |
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Character - 8.0 |
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Value - 8.3 |
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Enjoyment - 8.8 |
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Average - 8.5 |
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| Average |
7.5 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| I told myself that I wouldn't write a review for Angel Heart until the series finished. Pending a rather slow rate of watching it, I decided 36 episodes was enough to tell me about the series and more, and let me say that before I come into this series with my opinion that this is not a series for everyone.
Personally, I think Angel Heart is one of the more underrated anime series of 2005, it started off with a lot of steam and had some tense highs and some rather boring lows in its overall progression. It's not a perfect series, I'll be honest about that, but it's also far from terrible if you really follow it for nostalgic humor and a more mature feel than City Hunter. Indeed it does feel more mature AND it has a more linear, progressive storyline in terms of tangible arcs, whereas CH was a series of fun arcs where City Hunter (Ryo Saeba) helped out any person who called him in the XYZ frame, save for some arcs in the series that were so distinct that they redeemed the overall episodic nature of the series.
The main storyline: "Glass Heart" is a code-name assassin whom tries to shed her identity by committing suicide-tired of the constant degradation she feels when killing her targets. The attempt fails, as the organization she works for is desperate to keep her alive. The organization steals a heart that is precious to Ryo in order to transplant it , none other than the heart of his deceased wife Kaori.
As Ryo pursues and finds the girl who has Kaori's heart, he finds himself connecting with her and adopting her as his own (and alongside the visible presence of Kaori's ghost). "Glass Heart" is really the gem in this series as we see her grow from a cold, calculating assassin to having warm, sentimental value towards the people she comes to know and a new appreciation for the things in her life-she's almost like a child in that she doesn't really know how people adapt or love because she's known so little in her past. She changes from the pain she endures to a more happy mindset, and in some modes, it reminds me of something similar to "La Femme Nikita" or "Point of No Return" (if you know neither of those movies, I suggest you look them up)-an assassin who doesn't understand the world given a second chance in life to do something different and given a heart through the experiences she has.
Yet, with Angel Heart, it tries to handle a lot of different things-comedy, drama, action, and supernatural elements that sometimes, like the original series, become redundant and overbeaten to the point of no return (no pun intended :)). Yet, I think it works, because in this series of arcs, there's a large connecting value, especially in the first few. The arc with the little girl and her father who was a cold assassin really connected with me-that was arguably the best arc in Angel Heart to date, and while the current one is much more episodic, it manages to be endearing in its slice of life aspect, but only if you're not already beaten to bits the point that Kaori's spirit lurks within Glass Heart everywhere she goes.
You know what, I'll also mention something about this series that managed to pull me in-sometimes the humor and slice of life aspects of this series feel so refreshing you can't help but smile. And I feel like it's because you fall in step with the characters, even the secondary ones.
Angel Heart has a enjoyable cast of characters. Ryo Saeba is still a first class perv XD, but he becomes more of a fatherly figure and watches out for both the woman he calls his daughter as well as the spirit of his deceased wife. Umibozu is still the same, though he's more settled down as the manager of Cat's Eye, he still harps on Ryo a lot though. Saeko manages the police force and also has Ryo's respectful (...well...maybe not "respectful") affections. But there are also a few new characters to note. Xin Hong is one of the new characters alongside "Glass Heart". As a code-name assassin, he is also taught, in mannerisms, to have a "heart" again, and his chemistry with her is interesting, sometimes amusing.
Animation for Angel Heart is not stellar in terms of character design, but for today's standard in adapting a series that may be 20+ years old, it's very good. I think the characters retain their age well, and it also deserves mention for having some good action sequences. Not necessarily fast and fluid, but tense.
Ryo Saeba has the same Japanese VA as he had in the original series (I think, personally, it's classic XD and what made Ryo as "Ryo"). If you watched the dub first, it may throw you a bit, but that's a part of his character. All of the characters have great VAs, and I couldn't complain in terms of how they play they're roles with conviction, humor, and overall likability. The music for Angel Heart is excellent. I love both openings, but I think "Finally" by Sowelu is probably the best theme for an anime she's done (even moreso than "I will" from FMA). The endings vary in quality, though I think the first and the third EDs are the best thus far. In series themes and instrumentals are nice and compliment the atmosphere well-even almost taking you back to a nostalgic feel consistent with City Hunter's past OSTs, but able to make it distinctly modern.
I would recommend Angel Heart for those who want to see a good action/comedy/drama series, but be warned that this can be bogged down in its own repetitive themes and that may take away some of its sentimentality. Still, I've liked the direction this series has taken thus far, even though some of its elements leave much to be desired, and that it doesn't quite progress with as much steam as it started with. Yet, there are intermingled episodes and senarios that make it well worth following through til the end.
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3 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
8.8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Can you take an already fine anime that's been running for several seasons, and take it to the next level? Well somebody did... and City Hunter a series that started out some 20 years ago just got better. Animation, and Sound got an overhaul. I especially liked Xian Yings fighting moves. Characters improved. And the story idea kicks ass! When I read about the story I thought: "No way they'll pull this off, they'll screw this up". But they didn't. Episode after episode Angel Heart moves along swiftly and sweet (except for the obligational recap-episode 24), never missing a beat. Really makes me happy to watch something this good. I got all inspired and went and started on the old City Hunter series again.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
5.7 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
5 |
| Character |
3 |
| Value |
5 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| I was really looking forward to watching angel heart. everything i read about was positive and stated that city hunter has become mature with an intriguing plot. REALLY? i cant see where it has stepped up to city hunter in comparison. still the unrealistic characters, the usual cool nonsense talk and a story that makes me feel sick instead of making me feel for them. hey!? shall i tell you the story? short before the marriage of city hunter and his beloved girl she gets into an accident where she saved a little girl that was standing on the street while a big truck came her way. she gets hit and dies. how sad. now her heart gets stolen while being transported and is used as a new heart for a cold mass murder who comiited suicide. from now on there are 2 souls in the killers body and she is confused about it.
overall i think this is all ridiculous and i am very much disappointed. they are miles away from touching me with this crap. my fav scene is when everyone shows that they want to die for city hunter because they are friends. what a stupid act. i didnt think that they are cool or anything. they are all just plain dumb without any sign of intelligence. all of this was pretty much enjoyable while the story wasnt too serious but now they try to be serious and fail big time.
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1 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.8 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Angel Heart is a sequel of sorts to the late 80s - early 90s series City Hunter. Definitely a much more mature and deep action drama. Its excellent score, plot and character development, definitely makes it one of my top picks for 2005-2006.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
10.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Wow.
It's been a long time since an anime came and blown me out of the water.
Animation is top-notch, especially with it's moments of heart beats and facial expressions.
Story is set in a semi-alternate timeline from the end of the last season of City Hunter. The story is very well crafted as it can be either watched as a stand alone or as a continuation of the City Hunter story. Saeba Ryo is again a main character in here but unlike in the 4 seasons of City Hunter, Angel Heart is no longer focussed on him. The story is based on an emotionless assassin, raised from childhood, finally going over the edge and commits suicide only to find herself the recipient of a heart transplant that kept her alive, the heart belonging to Kaori, departed partner and lover of City Hunter. Only this time, the heart carries the feelings and memories of Kaori, and has a profound impact on Glass Heart.
Angel Heart carries with it a simple, but nonetheless deep spiritual journey that a woman must travel life-handling positive emotions for the first time, and the support from people that she never had before.
The story follows the manga fairly closely, and captures the mood that the manga presents very well.
This IS a love story, but not between man and woman (at least not yet), but more between person to person. (friendship love)
Again, being placed in a crowded city setting, the urban music and night music serves to amplify the important moments very well.
The character designs were pretty masterful. City Hunter (Ryo) is pretty much a no brainer. He hasn't changed at all from his previous appearances. Or has he? His antics are as funny as ever, until he needs to get serious. However, one gets the feeling his antics are really used to cover up his hurt and loss. Glass Heart, being the new character introduced, was the bold move however, as she alone is what glues the entire story together.
Well, from my high praises, it's obvious why i rated the value and enjoyment the way i did.
Watch it. I'm buying this as soon as this comes to north america.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.2 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Like Metal Otaku said, this Sequel is darker, more violent (I thought the violence was comparable to the old city hunter but its more graphically shown in Angel Heart), more mature (at least in how they act and react with other characters (emotion-wise), it was more realistic I thought) and yes there are occassional moments when Ryou is back to his mokkori ways (you have to watch the old series to understand Ryou's Mokkori philosphy ^_^)but it seems few and far in between to lighten up the mood.
The animation was excellent. It looks very realistic (well, the episodes I watched was in super high qualtiy). The OST, Opening Theme and Ending Theme stays true to City Hunter abit updated for your listening pleasure. I like the POP song flavour of the old city hunter was well as its' updated counterpart. All in all...Angel Heart is a welcome addition to the City Hunter series and an alterantive to those mainstream Harem, Mecha, Otaku, Magical girl, Super powered evil dudes and what not...out there in anime this days.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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