Search - Stellvia - Foundation I (Vol. 1) + Series Box on DVD

Classic SF theme with a touch of Harry Potter

Matic | Florida | 02/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Heinlein's "Space Cadet" defined the theme - exceptional young students go into space and realize their potential training aboard a space station. It's a premise that works, and Stellvia - Foundation is a good example. There is a nice mix of characters who have interest and room to grow, and our young female protagonist's personality is a nice combination of hopeless with great potential. Stellvia isn't terribly original, and it's not especially deep, but will suprise you on occasion. For instance, the backdrop is that of an earth once nearly destroyed by the energy from a not-distant-enough supernova... now, roughly 200 years later the heavier particles from the same event approach and threaten the planet and its colonies, a plausible threat which could come from a "hard" SF novel and one suprisingly mature for anime. Stellvia is a odd duck, a mix of good science fiction and rather childlike storytelling which in the end combine to make an enjoyable watch for kids and adults alike. You may not be blown away by this title... but I bet you will enjoy yourself watching it."

Surprise of a series!

Emily K. Nelson | Grand Forks, ND | 01/07/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I loved this series, I thought it was done very well in animation and music and the whole picture. This is similar to the plotline of Neon Genesis Evangelion, but not as messy or gory or intense as NGE is.

Watching the first episode, I thought it was going to be a stupid kiddie anime so I didn't watch the second episode for a very long time. When I finally did, it was a little slow but I gave it a chance and I'm very glad I did.

While it is still geared towards the younger groups of anime watchers, the story was universal. A young girl has a dream to help save the world by going to an exclusive school off-world. She gets there, makes friends, does really well and eventually ends up finding love and self-confidence and a way to save the world. There are times where I'm reminded of the age gap I have over the characters, but there's enough in the plot to interest me in continuing to the next episode.

The competition within the school is a worldwide theme and the games and practices for those games are very interesting. The characters everyone looks up to in the series are very interesting. I love the ninja, he is just too cool.

If you are trying to get someone into anime that is younger, or if you're trying to get into anime and don't like lots of violence or gore I would recommend this series. I also recommend this series to someone who loves the sci-fi "We've gotta save the world!" type of shows. I am a sci-fi and fantasy geek and I liked it."