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Kaleido Star ~ Legend of Phoenix Layla Hamilton Monogatari ~
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Animation - 9.5 |
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Sound - 9.0 |
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Story - 9.0 |
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Character - 9.0 |
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Value - 9.5 |
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Enjoyment - 8.3 |
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Average - 8.2 |
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petran79 |
(2007-11-30 06:54:16) 2006-03-04 03:39:00 |
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| Average |
6.0 |
| Animation |
0 |
| Sound |
0 |
| Story |
0 |
| Character |
0 |
| Value |
0 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| (Hikari no Kiseki fansub)
Fortunately much better than the first OVA as it adds something new to Kaleido Star, namely a more serious undertone and a little more mature characters. Kaleido Star cant get better than this.
This time it focuses on Layla Hamilton and her perspective on some events of the series. This time though things are better organized thanks to the 50 minute duration of the OVA.
Some further info about her background, previously undisclosed in the series is revealed. She isnt the serious, calm and decisive Layla of the series. I found that difference in character something that makes it worth watching the OVA. Unfortnately the other characters have a secondary role but lets not forget that Layla is the only adult here so the others can hardly compare to her life's experience.
And in the ending there's finally some amazing stage animation, even though it lasts hardly a minute. The animation is up to the standards of 2005. Clean, sharp and shining.
with that OVA the circle of Kaleido Star closes as well as it opened. A unique anime that deserves to be one of the best of 2003/2004 for the enjoyment it offers and considering it is 51 episodes.
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De Baer |
(2006-02-12 13:53:29) 2006-02-12 13:45:47 |
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Kaleido Star ist nicht nur eine Spaßgranate mit tollem Zirkus-Hokuspokus, die Serie versteht es wie kaum ein anderer Titel aus dem Ganbatte-Genre die Botschaft “Sei stark, steh auf und mach weiter“ zu vermitteln. Niemals plump oder aufdringlich sondern immer verwoben mit mitreißenden Momenten in denen sich die Charaktere selbst oder gegenseitig von dem Boden erheben auf dem sie durch die verschiedensten Tiefschläge gelandet sind. Und genau DAS ist es was diese OVA ausmacht und im Vergleich zu allem was man diesbezüglich in der TV-Serie miterleben durfte am hellsten strahlen lässt. Allein das mit Layla eine meiner absoluten Lieblingsfiguren die Hauptrolle übernimmt ist für mich schon ein Garant für einen hohen Unterhaltungswert gewesen aber vor allem WIE dieser Charakter in dieser Episode präsentiert wird ist so unheimlich sehenswert das man als Kaleido Star-Liebhaber unmöglich an dieser OVA vorbei kommt. Ich war schon etwas traurig das Layla in der 2. Staffel der TV-Serie nur noch selten auftrat, denn auch wenn neue tolle Charaktere zum Cast hinzu stießen und Soras weitere Entwicklung nach wie vor sehr interessant zu verfolgen war, ohne Layla fehlte einfach irgendetwas und da kam diese OVA gerade recht. Laylas Entwicklung in der Serie war schon absolut top aber in dieser Episode ist sie noch einmal ein ganzes Stück besser. Vor allem da man völlig neue Seiten an ihr kennen lernt und tief reichende Einblicke in ihre Gefühlswelt bekommt die uns eine Layla zeigen die innerlich mit sich selbst hadert und verzweifelt nach der Antwort auf eine Frage sucht mit der sie sich selbst in die Ecke drängt. Inklusive sehr emotionaler Rückblicke in ihre Vergangenheit die Antworten bezüglich ihres Verhaltens geben und dafür sorgen dass man sich noch enger mit dieser Figur verbunden fühlt. Auch ihre Beziehung zu Sora wird nochmals bestärkt und somit das Band zwischen diesen beiden Charakteren noch enger gebunden, was in einer wirklich bewegenden Szene ihren Höhepunkt findet. Wie sich diese Beiden gegenseitig beeinflussen, inspirieren, motivieren und den jeweils anderen in die richtigen Richtungen lenken ist so unheimlich schön zu verfolgen dass es mich tief im Innersten berührt hat. “Auf der Suche nach einem neuen Ich findet Layla zu ihrem alten Ich und somit zu sich selbst zurück und erstrahlt am Ende heller als je zuvor, wie der Phönix aus der Asche“…Gänsehaut, aufgewirbelte Gefühle und feuchte Augen, all das weiß diese wunderschöne OVA zu vermitteln. Ganz klar ein absolutes Muss für all diejenigen die die Serie gesehen haben!
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| Average |
9.5 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| The Layla Hamilton Story puts on the greatest period of one of the best shows in recent years, Kaleido Star. It is made of win and deities. It features superb dramatic moments and wonderful lesbian undertones. It has two unforgettable insert songs. For Kaleido Star fans everywhere, this is an OAV no one should miss.
[b]Animation[/b]: Gonzo proves that they still have the stuff. From the very beginning, the art design stays very consistent throughout the whole show. Characters blink, move, and do amazing acrobatics with such amazing fluidity that I was not able to even blink. Imagine the original TV series on hyper-steroids. The natural wind-blowing-on-hair scene during Layla`s introspection has to be one of the best wind-blowing scenes in all of anime. Layla`s bike ride down the steep incline, along with the ending animation, just makes me want to cry out in happiness that God gave me eyes.
[b]Sound[/b]: Two superbly fitting pieces, one as the opening, and one as the ending, round out the amazing soundtrack. Old songs from the TV series were brought back, bringing the emotional scenes to a climax. The sound effects are just as jarring as the original series, especially the very last scenes of Sora`s and Layla`s respective performances. The voice acting also did a wonderful performance, especially Layla`s soliloquies and May`s comedic commentary. What`s strangely missing was a line from Leon, one of the key characters in the original series.
[b]Story[/b]: Before I watched this, I was given the impression that the OAV was going to be a big long flashback on Layla`s past. Boy was I ever so wrong. Well, some of this was a flashback on Layla`s past (where we get to see the cute little Layla Hamilton), and some was flashback of the whole Kaleido Star series, but mostly the OAV was dedicated to Layla struggling to find her future and come to terms with her dad. May was added for comedic effect, and so was Ken. A very solid story; the best part being the part where Sora cut Layla`s hair. That one scene spilled over so many lesbian undertones along with deep morals and themes that I was showered with happiness.
[b]Character[/b]: Layla was the main character here, so all you Mia and Anna fans will probably be a bit disappointed. I learned quite a bit about Layla in this OAV, from her severe phobia of failure to her hidden past of being a weakling and a crybaby. All this makes me appreciate her already beloved character even more. Sora was her usual happy-go-lucky self, so not much development there. But there was no need to, since Sora did fulfill her purpose as Layla`s pillar of support. All the other characters only had cameos, and somehow (I don`t know why), Ken started wearing those fruity glasses. It makes him look more pimp, I guess.
[b]Value and Enjoyment[/b]: If you have not watched the original series, stop right here. Don`t even think of watching this. That`s like reading the epilogue of a book without even looking at the table of contents nor the pages in between. That`s like watching Advent Children without even knowing what a Buster Sword was. In order to fully enjoy this OAV, watch the original. All in all, I was truly amazed at the quality and enjoyment I received while watching this. Jyunichi Sato is a genius. But I do feel a bit of sadness, knowing that this will probably be the last period of an amazing show. What a great ride it was, all the way to the end.
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