Search - Martial Arts Pack - Ayane's High Kick/Grappler Backi on DVD

More fun than most fighting anime - or movies

Michael A. Johnson | 08/11/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ayane's High Kick is a smart, entertaining comic anime. It doesn't really break new ground in the genre, and its ending leaves you hanging, but the character designs are appealing, the plot doesn't become boring, the humor is effective, and the fighting scenes are remarkably devoid of the flashy stuff found in yawners like Fatal Fury. The story's about Ayane -yet another Japanese high school student- and her goal to become a professional wrestler. But before this turns into Metal Fighters Miku, a Muay Thai kickboxing coach tricks her into training at his low-rent 'dojo.' The result is Ayane ending up in two kickboxing matches that play out more like a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie than a typical anime fight, with a surprising amount of drama and attention to technical detail. Of course, like a Van Damme movie, the ending is predictable, although you end up wishing Ayane could have pounded on her annoying B-ko-like opponent a little longer. Mostly Ayane's High Kick stands out because its characters and situations are just a bit out of the typical anime mold, and its offbeat humor sometimes takes you by surprise (like the coach's day job and Ayane's brother playing Tekken). Unfortunately, the two episodes that make up the DVD are a pilot for a TV series that never happened - according to U.S. Manga Corps, there are no sequels. This, unfortunately is typical for anime. And this would have made a cool series, too. Notably on the DVD, there is an option to view only the fighting scenes (a useful bonus), although this disk continues USMC's bad habit of not crediting the Japanese voice actors. Really tacky. Still, Ayane's High Kick is one of their best offerings on DVD. Not brilliant, but really entertaining, and better than Fatal Fury - or the latest Van Damme flick."

Very good but short

Michael A. Johnson | San Jose, California | 06/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very good, and clean set. No foul language, nudity or other junk so prevelent in anime these days. Really good story of a girl trying to become a female wrestler and tricked into being a kick boxer, who must hide it from school, family, and so on. Complete with blackmailing little brother who finds out. The only reason I don't rate it higher is that it is only two episodes."

Cute anime

Michael A. Johnson | 04/25/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with other review that said this show was rather tame in the violence area compared to other animes, and sometimes that's nice. Yeah, it's about kickboxing, but it is not too excessive or over the edge as so many animes are. The storyline is ok; there's some character development, but it's pretty simple stuff. I felt that I enjoyed the show (I hesitate calling it a "movie"; it appears to be a TV show to me), but it was kind of like eating candy rather than a whole meal -- kind of a light meal. Anyways, it's nice for a quick anime fix. Not too bad, not too outstanding. The dubbing wasn't distracting to me; I don't know how purists would like it.Perhaps this would be a better show for a teen?"

Good for viewers of all ages

Michael A. Johnson | 04/14/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"So, I'm the first person to ever review the movie on amazon.com. Not many people have seen it, I see. The best thing about it was that it was a nice break from the "mature" content in most other anime. It's not that I can't stomach some animated violence and nudity, but sometime's a person just needs a vacation from it. The story was nothig to write home about, but it was extremely cute and I liked the art. (esspecially the eyes) Hard-core anime fans might laugh at it. I did. (but that was most the fun) Anyway, this one was worth my time."