Search - Figure 17 - Memories Remain (Vol. 6) on DVD

The End of a great series

Henrik | in the Anime aisle | 09/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Figure 17 is a great series for all ages, and with this edition it draws to a close.

As a heroic story of battle against alien invasion, Figure 17 does not disapoint at all. As an added bonus, we get glimpses into the family life of a city girl who moves to the country, which really fleshes out the characters and makes the viewers like them more (even the "badass" near-bully Kenta turns out as a good guy).

With volume 6, the series winds up in a typically Japanese way-- with a fever pitch and a final sacrifice. But, without giving much more away, the sadness of the sacrifice is tempered with a truly happy ending.

I'm only sad that we won't be seeing more of this excellent show unless it involves different characters. It makes sense that the story closes this way, but I was hoping to be able to leave it open-ended."

A fine story

Robert J. Kang | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 10/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have written reviews for other volumes in this truly wonderful series, explaining how superior production values, vibrant voice acting, and evident love for the story, all combine into discs worth owning, let alone viewing. This final volume does not deviate from those earlier reviews. "Highly recommended" does not even begin to convey my respect for this story.
"

DON'T LET GO

Sesho | Pasadena, TX USA | 10/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I sort of have mixed feelings about Figure 17 but I love the show, if that makes sense. It always seemed a show about a lonely girl trying to find courage and a connection to the world and then they throw a alien monster battle in at the end. It would be nice if they made a version where you could cut all of that out and just deal with the everyday lives of Hikaru and Tsubasa, who are just lovely characters that you really enjoy.

In this final bittersweet installment, Oldeena and DD continue to look for traces of the Mother Maguar, who has been busy producing thousands or even millions of offspring while our heroes have been dawdling at school. It's pretty sad when a newspaper reporter seems to be doing more legwork than an interplanetary police force. As Hikaru senses more and more that her time with Tsubasa is coming to a close, she begins to try to ween her from her codependency. Hey, you would expect a girl whose mother died and her father is never really there for her. Add to that her school crush just recently died with no warning. But I guess it's for her own good to become stronger. The battles are kept to a minimum in the first episode, and while the second descends into some action movie territory and absurdity, it still has power because you know what is at stake.

Like I said, the whole sci-fi aspect of Figure 17 always left me a little empty and seemed window dressing for the beautiful and charming characters. The director really captured the spirit of kids in this show and made the elementary school and country setting one of the most charming and endearing that I have ever seen. You really grow to love these characters! It's too bad that all good things come to an end.

Extras include production art and brief interviews and voice recording behind the scenes."