Search - Carried by the Wind - Tsukikage Ran - Big Trouble in Little Nippon (Vol. 3) on DVD

She's Good - For a Parody!

03/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD series seems to be a sleeper but I really enjoy it. On the surface the stories of Tsukikage Ran are definitely parodies of the Samurai Epic Films like Ran, Kagemusha, Seven Samurai, and other long-running series like Lone Wolf and Cub. Deeper, beneath the amusing facade of obviously recognizable storylines, there is a much more engaging message. Because both the main characters are female in a primarily male dominated genre, seemingly predictable stories often come to surprising conclusions. On more than one occasion this series has been deeply moving. Volume 3 begins the slow exploration of Ran and her companion Meow, starting with Meow's past in one of these episodes. Like anything hinting at Zen, there is much beneath the surface here. Expect laughs but also expect to realize that 'nothing is permanent' and those laughs will fade to some surprising emotions every now and then as you watch this series. One technical note: I enjoy the fact that you don't see blatant re-used footage (in the way of flashbacks or such tricks) in any of the eps of this series. And the fight scenes are fantastic. Ran is a powerful samurai and excellent with a sword. She's fun to watch and after your first few eps you won't take her lightly! Meow, too, but of course, she's the exuberant side-kick, so expect and enjoy comic fight scenes with her -- but not always. Enjoy!"