Search - Elf Princess Rane on DVD

This anime isn't exactly for everybody...

Rowena Wendy Lim | Asia | 08/09/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Elf Princess Rane is a pretty bizarre anime. It's not really plot-driven, and it relies mainly on slapstick humor to keep things moving. I surfed around a bit prior to watching this and most of the reviews are positive. I'm going against the grain here but I can't really say I liked EPR. Somehow, a full hour of characters scampering around, bickering, and tripping over themselves is not my idea of a good watch. Half of the dialogues are utter nonsense. There's a language barrier between the elves and humans, and sometimes the elves end up saying silly stuff like "A taxi runs in my tummy delivering sheets with that look.". Think of it as when people trying to speak a foreign tongue use the wrong terms or intonations. There's also this guy named Zenshuin who loves talking cryptically, so that unauthorized people won't understand him (or something to that effect). The main chunk of the humor is comprised of the weird dialogues, drastic changes in the characters' facial expressions, and exaggerated actions. The art and animation are okay -- a bit better than average, but nothing really special. I can't comment on the English dubbing because I got the subtitled version. The conclusion is equally strange. After the credits, some character appears and thanks you for buying the video. He also says that how much support (i.e. sales) EPR gets will determine if and when a third episode will be released. Some scenes from what's supposed to be episode 3 are then shown. Judging from the fact that up to now there are only two eps out, I guess sales aren't so good. EPR is not bad, and it does have some entertainment value. It's just that I'd rather blow my budget on something more worthwhile."

Parody runs wild in Rane!

eva-01ibyek | Death Zone, Gallifrey | 07/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"God, where do I begin? Take one over-adventurous, thick-headed treasure hunter named Go Takarada, a cute mini Elf Princess, add a language barrier for maximum comic effect. Plus, a jealous girlfriend, kamikaze elf hunter (after the Princess of course) and three sisters who work for various factions of the town, and mix together on high comic heat! Did I mention the Fire Dept w/ high-grade weapons systems? Go's inability to do anything useful? Anime hair jokes? A bishounen who talks backwards? (Trust me on this. You need the DVD w/ the English subs to get this joke, but it's worth the effort). The only bad thing about Rane is that it's short. Only two eps (as far as I know). Ends too soon as we were having a great time until then. Highly recommended for all anime fans, especially those of you who are tired of the Sturm and Drang aspect of anime. All should be enlivened by the spirit of this anime. Until next time, Gotchabagoose!"

Too bad there's only two episodes

eva-01ibyek | 08/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Elf Princess Rane is a very slapstick, very random, and very entertaining anime. Most everything else has been said by other reviewers, and it was a series with potential. But there are only two episodes. No more. I believe that these were OAV's that were being released one at a time instead of being a TV show, and it was cancelled for whatever reason after the second episode. Despite that, it's still very funny and a good way to kill an hour or so. Unfortunately, the extras aren't very good, so once you've watched the movie that's about all you can do."

Manic Absurdity

John Evans | Huntington, NY United States | 03/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In Elf Princess Rane, the absurd action goes at a breakneck pace. There are all sorts of interesting and likeable characters, except that none of them really seem to know what's going on. There are also a lot of parodies of other anime (one character even breaks into a Child's Toy-esque rap). Highly recommended, if you can handle silliness.
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