Search - Genshiken - Premium Collection on DVD

Not to be missed

Jason C. Ditz | Saginaw, MI United States | 01/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What you get:
* The original Genshiken Series
* 3 OAV Episodes of Kujibiki Unbalance

What you don't get
* The subsequent Genshiken OAVs that were released with the KujiUn TV series
* The second Genshiken Series
* The KujiUn TV series

This is a great series, truly one of the rare must-own anime collections out there.

One piece of advice though: I've been told by friends that the difference between my Premium Collection and their Economy Collections are the box. Literally, its the same three discs, in the same three cases, just a cheaper box... considering the somewhat dramatic price difference between the two at times, its tough to recommend the Premium version. The box looks nice and all, but in the end its just a box."

Lacking at the end

Lena LaFaye | Bartlett, TN | 05/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a show that goes into some lesser known aspects of otaku. The difference between toys and models, cosplaying, doujinshi, comic-con, and much more are talked about. Not everything is covered though. Saki is the intolerant member who while harping on the club to get a life and not be so otaku she in reality is too worried over everyone's opinion of her to have a hobby that fulfills her. The point I see from her is that if you have a quirky hobby feel free to enjoy it and dont care what others think. Ohno the other girl member is otaku and despite her nerdiness shes quite nice. Overall, enjoyable and worth a few laughs. Some will understand every joke while others will be clueless."

Anime about the Culture

Battle Cry Creek | Midwest USA | 10/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This series goes a long way in exemplifying why this is a truly great art form. For one thing, the stories are not only about real life, but they're about a particular kind of real life; that is, one who is interested in the culture that produces, among other things, anime. Since there are only realistic elements here, the stories develop real characters who have sometimes very real and important to them (and the viewer since it's difficult not to care), but are also somewhat ordinary. There is a wonderful episode where Harunobu Madarame and Saki Kasukabe are alone together in the club room where Madarame is just so uncomfortable because Saki is an attractive 'normal' girl. He has spent so much time engrossed by his hobbies (as an 'otaku') that just spending time with a person is impossible. Meanwhile Saki is oblivious as she reads her manga.

Also, the art is really great, and the extra bonus of an anime within an anime is a brilliant touch. During the Genshiken show, the club members are often watching, and sometimes discussing the show Kujibiki Unbalance which isn't an actual show. The bonus is that this show is really good, and the episodes referenced appear in full on the disc.

Finally, I have to say that the opening song is one of best openers I have heard. It's definitely a great song in itself while it captures the spirit of the story. The music to Kuibiki Unbalance is highly recommended as well.

In short, I have to say that I rented this disc from a rental place, and ended up keeping it for months because I kept watching it. Even after quite a few viewings, it just never got tiring. When I finally returned it, I started borrowing it from the library. I do recommend viewing it in the sub version, although on this disc the dub is also top shelf!"