Search - Blue Dragon, Vol. 1 on DVD

Excellent Anime Series From Toriyama

T Boz | USA | 08/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a fan of the animation style of Akira Toriyama, you really need to see this series. Toriyama, of course, gained worldwide fame for his Dragon Ball manga and anime series, but his creations go far beyond that, creating such manga as Dr. Slump, and being the character designer for the Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger video game series. Toriyama is something of a national treasure in Japan, and anything he puts his name on is sure to sell millions. So it's with this preface that the anime series for Blue Dragon hits these shores. Based on the Xbox 360 game of the same name, and developed by the "holy trinity" of director Hironobu Sakaguchi, designer Akira Toriyama, and musical composer Nobuo Uematsu (all of Squaresoft fame) this anime retells the basic storyline of the game, but with added exposition. For example, the beginning of the game starts with a land shark attack, and quickly moves into the main storyline, whereas this series sets up the characters more, then shows their hometown being attacked by the evil armada, before the lead discovers his ability to summon his dragon. Overall, an excellent series from Japan that retains the game's light atmosphere while displaying the beautiful designs of Sensei Toriyama. A definite must buy for fans of his manga, anime and game designs.

EDIT: I had to deduct one star because this English release from Viz Video has chopped the anamorphic widescreen format of the original Japanese broadcast, to a lame fullscreen edition (to save money I'm sure) which sucks for hardcore fans."

Lousy English dubs galore

lain4ever | Los Angeles, CA | 01/12/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I don't mean to deter people from an Akira Toriyama anime such as "Blue Dragon." However, with awful dubs which could have been ripped off of a Pokemon anime, "Blue Dragon" just didn't cut it for me.

And even if the anime was good in its original subtitle format, the "Blue Dragon" looks like just another Dragonball clone.

Like I said, I really don't mean to deter anymore from watching this, but the 4Kids-style dubs are TERRIBLE. If anyone wants some good family-friendly anime from Akira Toriyama, just watch the original "Dragonball" series.

Not "Dragonball Z." Just "Dragonball." Just anything except for this."

Particularly recommended for fans of fantasy, anime, and dra

Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 12/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Based on the hit role-playing game for the Xbox 360, Blue Dragon Volume 1 collects the first five episodes of the Japanese animated fantasy-adventure television series. Featuring the main characters from the game (all of whom were designed by Dragonball Z creator Akira Toriyama), Blue Dragon follows the plucky young hero Shu and his friends - his cool-headed rival Jiro, the sensitive girl Kluke, the boisterous Devee Marumaro, and the icy warrior woman Zola in their quest to combat the spreading evil of Nene and the Grankingdom. The titular Blue Dragon itself is Shu's shadow come to fierce life, the better to fight for courage and justice! The plot of the animated Blue Dragon series differs significantly from that of the Xbox 360 game, to the extent that it could be considered an alternate universe; anyone who has played the game is sure to enjoy the surprises in this new story. Blue Dragon Volume 1 is a family-friendly DVD, particularly recommended for fans of fantasy, anime, and dragons! English, 100 minutes, color.
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