Search - Kyo Kara Maoh!: Season 1 on DVD

Kyo Kara Maoh!

Stellanima | USA | 11/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
First, a little information about the series itself:

There are two seasons in KKM, 39 episodes per each. Also, there are, I believe, five OVAs as well, exclusively released in Japan (first one came out March 2007, second one is scheduled to be released in early to mid December 2007). However, it is unclear as to whether or not the series will even continue in the US since Geneon has made a public statement that their "sales of DVDs and all related distribution and marketing operations as of 5 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2007" will cease.

However, hopefully the fans can take solace in believing that another big-name corp. will get the rights to continue to distribute the rest of this great anime (maybe Funimation will pick it up? *hopehopehope*).

Unfortunately, there has yet to be any word if the rest of Season 2 will be English dubbed and released. Currently the series is on and has released the English dubbed version of Season 2, Disc 6, and up to episode 62, so they only have 16 more episodes to go until the entire series is finished an done with! (Plus the OVAs).

However, as for the anime itself:

The story centers around a 15 year old Japanese boy named Yuuri Shibuya. A rather awkward teen, Yuuri finds himself transported to another world where people like him (black hair and eyes) are considered royalty! Not only that but they believe HE is their king! Within this strange world that borders a magical theme park (at least in Yuuri's opinion) he meets many people, impacting each to the point of gradual change for the better of the Shin Makoku (Demon Kingdom). He befriends other leading characters such as Conrad, Gunter, Wolfram, and Gwendal, all which start off with a unique relationship with the king.

Filled with intense action-packed adventure, moralistic understanding of prejudice, and the devastation that is war, this anime also has a softer, more humorous side and harbors what's called a "male harem" (where the majority of the characters are beautiful males surrounding a central male), but considered by many as "shonen-ai" since it has brief references to homosexuality (nothing happens, it's just cute and free-minded). Many consider it shonen-ai mostly because the first plot twist consists of Yuuri, the new Maoh (king) of Shin Makoku, getting himself, unknowingly, engaged to a bishounen (beautiful boy) by way of picking up silverware!

All in all, this is a great series to get into, so I definitely recommend it!
"

Kyou Kara Maou Limited Collector's Edition Season One

L. Weiss | B.C, Canada | 06/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first season of Kyou Kara Maou has 39 episodes split up into 9 seperate DVDs. If you buy the limited collector's edition, you'll get a small purple box made out of pretty low-quality cardboard (of some sort). Golden writing makes the box set look pretty cool, although it is slightly off angle. There's a piece of paper with all of the series information:

-975 min
-English/Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 with English Subtitles
-Widescreen

The paper is literally glued on, off angle on the back. A little surprising in its lack of quality, especially for the price. There's a small, plastic latch that closed the box on the side - I don't think it's last long, especially without much care. On the inside, hard plastic sleeves hold the DVDs on either side. The "spine" of the box-book is made out of plastic I'm afraid to open more than three inches due to its britality. The overall quality of the box is rather low for being such an expensive item - I'm not very happy with the packaging, but the series is such a great one, I'm willing to over look it.

I have yet to watch the full season over again - comments on the English cast and Enlglish subbing will be coming."

Maou-heika banzai!!

Kousagi | Arizona | 01/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Imagine if you will... an awkward 15 year baseball minded boy named Yuri Shibuya is biking home from school when he encounters three punks picking on an old classmate. He interferes (against his better judgment) and ends up almost getting a swirlie in the girl's bathroom. Almost because he actually gets flushed into an alternate world where black haired - black eyed people are objects of fear: rare demons. He is saved by a handsome man who somehow already knows his name and is told he is actually the long lost king of the Great Demon Kingdom. That's the first episode in a nutshell.

Kyo Kara Maoh is an interesting, well written, and well cast anime from a series of light novels. While it has its funny, lighthearted moments, there are also many serious notes as Yuri finds his footing in this new world and a path he wants to walk as the 27th Demon King. There are currents of prejudice, vengeance, and the sorrows of war that carry scars and grudges well after the last line is drawn. It has a bit of a "male harem" feel to it, and the shonen-ai elements are light and don't take itself seriously at all.

The draw of the anime, however, is the characters themselves. Yuri is a sweet, naive, and old fashioned in his values which translates even when he goes "Demon King" (a thing which you will just have to see for yourself. It's breathtaking every time.) His male lieges are all handsome, but they all have their quirks, as well, which makes them even more likable. Wolfram (the selfish pooh), youngest of three brothers, is Yuri's accidental fiance (never smack anyone on their left cheek... it's a proposal) and gets used to idea pretty quickly. Conrad, the middle brother, is the shining prince who was there to see the birth of the new king and now serves as bodyguard. He's practically perfect in everyway. Gwendal, the stern older brother, practically runs the Great Demon Kingdom in his abscence. He's very handy with his hands, too. Gunter, the tutor, is easily the most graceful, and fanatic of the lieges. His love for his king knows no bounds and watching his expressions is one of the highlights of the show. The female characters, while not seen often, make quite the impression as well. From Yuri's mother Miko (Jennifer of the Beach) Shibuya, a cute, young looking woman whose advice is never far from Yuri's mind, to Annissina, the determined (and quite frightening) inventor and Gwendal's childhood friend, to Celi, the beautiful former Demon Queen and mother to the three brothers.

The show runs at a good clip, and everything is endearing from the music, to the characters, to the animation itself. It's a good buy, and one you'll be watching again and again."

Excellent Choice of Anime

Heather Enge | 10/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Personally I loved this serise. I use to be a huge anime nerd, had everything that had anything to do with Anime. I quickly outgrew the phase and sold most of the anime merchandise I had purchased over the years. Except this serise. Though I outgrew anime, this particular one never made me loose intrest, and I have no problem with sitting down and watching the serise over and over again. It has a great plotline, and keeps you interested the whole way through."