Search - Divergence Eve: Complete Collection on DVD

Not what I was expecting

The Anime Adict | St. Cloud Mn USA | 12/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before I start my review let me say that I picked up Divergence Eve hoping to add a nice fan-service anime to my library. This was because the series has been hammered due to its extremely well endowed female leads. To be hoenst the only series I know of with women that are even in the same league being Eiken an eihii series. I thought I knew what I was in for when I popped in the first disc. Mainly being a show more concerned about showing panties and cleavage then story line and such. However I was pleasantly surprised. Divergence Eve is actually a really good series.

One last thing before my actual review. Divergence Eve outside of jiggle shots, which there is no opportunity lost for, it only has the normal amount of fan fair. Meaning on two or three shots of a character naked and maybe one or two pantie and braw shots. In fact doesn't take a few chances for fan fair.

And finally my review. Yes I know it took me awhile. firts and most importantly Divergence Eve has an interesting story line that keeps you guessing and wondering what is actually going on. The characters, though mostly beautiful women (no complaints there), are actually rather human and likeable. Voice acting is some of the better I've heard. The music is good and well suited to the series. The animation outside of the mechs is really good, smooth, fluid and realistic.

Now to the bad parts. Well first complaint that comes to mind is that for the first five minutes of the series there is no talking, lips are moving but no ones talking. This leaves you wondering is you got defective disc. Second is that the first episode shown is actually the second to last, which kills a great deal of suspense and serves to severely confuse. Next would have to be the rather lack of an actual end forcing you to buy the sequel series to find out what happens. Lastly major flaw is the mech designs, the doable I guess they look plain and quiet frankly dorky in this day and age especial compared with the baddies which look spectacular. In the end I would suggest buying this series as it is worth the money.

Before I go a review of the actual box set itself. The box set is one of ADV's new thin pack packages. Best thing about the box set is the cases are small and don't take up much space. The box for the case is sturdy and well made with nice art work. But that's really all the good things I can say about the box set. In the end I wouldn't recommend getting the box set, like most of the thin box sets. Why you ask? Well for a simple reason is ADV goes threw each disc and removes all of the extra content with the exception of a few trailers on the first disc. This means the textless opening and closings, cast interviews, insert pages even the reversible covers are all gone which sucks big time. So if you have the money use it to buy the disc separately and keep the extras it'll cost you a little extra but I think its worth."

4 stars for story, but minus 1 for no extras!

David C. Matthews | Orlando, FL USA | 06/24/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I rented the original release of Volume 1 of Divergence Eve from an online service, and even though the disc was defective (preventing me from watching the second half of Episode 3 and all of Episode 4), what I was able to see entertained and intrigued me enough to want to spring for the "Collection" when it was released.

Unfortunately, this is not the complete collection. Yes, all 14 episodes are here - but nothing else! Instead of simply duplicating the original discs for this release, ADV actually took the trouble of pressing new discs that don't include any of the bonus materials! No clean opening and closing animation, no audio commentary, no mini-manga, nothing but the episodes themselves. Sure, it's more economical to buy this set than the three original individual volumes, but it still boggles my mind that ADV went to the trouble (and expense!) of removing the extras from the "Collection".

As for the story itself: it's "hard" sci-fi (by which I don't mean the science is necessarily accurate, just that there's a lot of it in here, from hyperspatial travel to genetic experimentation), it's a suspenseful, complex plot that contains overtones of psychological drama as well as horror. There's a bit of "Alien" in the design of the Ghoul, and the Watcher's Nest space station looks to be heavily inspired by the titular space station from "Babylon 5". And the notorious bouncing bosoms do get a little distracting sometimes, but not overly so (but maybe I'm just a dirty old man who likes fan service a bit too much...) My main complaint with the series itself is that the CGI is not as well done as it should have been (I've seen better from students still in digital-animation schools), and very poorly integrated with the cel animation.

Overall, I'd recommend this series to anyone who likes sci-fi in the style of "Babylon 5","Battlestar Galactica" (the new series), or "Neon Genesis Evangelion". Just don't expect any extras."

Do I Love It? Well...But Mainly Should You buy it?

D. SCHOOLER | SomeWere, In Milky Way | 10/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"since I first heard of it from my friend I went and picked it up and by the end of the first episode, I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat for the bulk of the remaining episodes. This series has managed to do things I didn't think Hiroshi Negishi was capable of doing anymore. In a way, I've already been to the end of the series due to the way the first episode is done here but the rest of this journey and hopefully an epilogue will prove to be just as interesting as the start of the series is. So I must answer my own question would I buy it...YES. Do I love it well it a great but not GREAT!"

Good story, poor execution

Ugur Galatali | 03/26/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm kind of indecisive about this series. I mean, there is a great story, and even greater potential than just 13 episodes, yet it is handled so badly, now even 13 episodes is too much.

The reason they start the show with the second to last episode is to hook you to the series by showing the part with the most action. First thing you have to know is, this series is a story driven anime, not action driven. What I mean is, there is not much action in this series. This is partly due to computer generated Mecha and Creature designs. Their movements feel very limited and clumsy, thus action is also feels very limited.

Next in line is fan service. Well, I like it if it fits the series, like Agent Aika, mmm. This series has a serious tone, yet from the scene one boobs started to jiggle stupidly unnatural. With a plot like this they didn't even need any fan service but I guess makers of this series didn't have much confidence in their story, which, by the way is a shame.

Animation is very nice and colorful, and characters are drawn nicely, although, as mentioned above, unnecessarily well equiped. Only thing troubled me was the lack of detail in the background, it's almost nonexistent.

I have to say, this series has one of the best plots I have seen in recent animes but it's put together so badly that I wouldn't recommend it to a serious animefan. I guess in the wrong hands even the most valuable gems turns into a rock."