Search - Zipang, Vol. 2 on DVD

Zipang

Dyssan Sylvan | Lost Angels, CA | 12/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Zipang is the story of a modern-era Aegis cruiser built by American contractors after the year 2000, in the hands of the Japanese Defense Force, being thrown back in time to 1942, into the midst of the Battle of Midway.
Zipang is unusual in Japanime, which is usually rife with action constantly. If you're looking for a Guyver or Gundum, this is not it; in the first four episodes there is exactly one battle, and even in it they do their best NOT to destroy the enemy vessel.
The crew of the cruiser are torn between their allegiances, on one hand they were trained to be allies of the American Navy, on the other thousands of Japanese sailors are dying before their eyes.
Despite the relative lack of action in this series, it is likely the very best Japanime I have ever experienced. the historical details of the era of WWII are flawless...as are the technical and operational details of how an Aegis class cruiser operates.
If you're a fan of both anime and WWII (as I am) this is a total win. Especially if you watch it in the original Japanese voices, (with English subtitles if needed). I say this quite seriously, the Canadian/English voice-cast is the one truly vulgar and broken thing about this series. But that's not the fault of the Japanese writers and animators, who made this one a win."

DECISIONS THAT ARE BAD AND WORSE

Sesho | Pasadena, TX USA | 11/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Mirai is running low on fuel and supplies so its officers have to start contemplating what options are left open to them. In addition, some of the crew are showing the first signs of becoming a bit mutinous as they contemplate drifting alone on the seas till the end of World War II. Some think the best thing to do is turn the ship over to the Japanese military. At least that would be some kind of life. After perusing the ship's history books, Kusaka, the Japanese Navy Officer that was rescued from a sinking plane, offers a third choice, which might be the most dangerous. He suggests going to one of the southern Japanese colonies where a lot of oil is produced and where they will attract less attention. The problem is that Kusaka's true motives are unknown. Is he going to throw in his lot in with the Mirai crew, or is he plotting to somehow use the ship to change the course of the war? Kadomatsu is sent along with him as he uses his military authority to procure fuel and provisions.

The cliche about any time travel show that becomes annoying is the constant fear of changing the future, thereby cancelling it a la Back to the Future. The problem with this plot device is that nobody REALLY knows what would happen. Can anyone please bring forth exhibit A, the butterfly that flaps its wings and changes the severity of El Nino? To me, the time travel aspect is pretty boring. The thing that makes Zipang a good show is seeing the characters struggle to make important decisions in situations that most people could not even comprehend. The writing really shows the crew struggling with every action, wondering whether they are wiping out their own future. Kusaka is a great character because even the viewer is left in the dark about his true intentions, so we come to identify with Kadomatsu, who is as ignorant as we are. So I guess the strength of the show is in its ability to make the viewer feel the character's uncertainty about whether the course they are taking is getting them any closer to returning to their own time or whether that time will even exist to return to! Good show. Very suspenseful and well-acted."