Search - Mirage of Blaze: Rebels of the River Edge on DVD

It left me unsatisified. I want more!

T. LaPonte | Connecticut | 09/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Mirage of Blaze OVA is more intense, better animated and has better storytelling than the TV Series.

I do have to say that the storytelling in the OVA does a lot more than the TV series to lessen the confusion of us English viewers who are without the original novels or manga to work from. However, if you haven't seen the TV series you may be a bit confused anyway about what is going on. They don't go into very much detail about the backstory of the characters, what happened between them 400 years ago, or even really what happened in the TV series (particularly between Naoe and Takaya). The only thing they really include from the TV series is the final words between Takaya and Naoe at the very end of episode 13.

The focus of the OVA is threefold:

First, there is the new Feudal Underworld threat, centering around this man, Araki, who bears a striking resemblace to Ayako's lover from 200 years previously. He is under attack from one of the warring clans, who wish to use him as a sacrifice in order to obtain a powerful weapon from a sacred relic. Episode one centers around setting up this story (whereas episode two is Naoe/Takaya heavy, and episode three Ayako dominant).

Second, Ayako. Ayako features dominantly in the OVA. In fact, she practically takes over the third episode with her backstory about this former lover of hers. The most human and sympathetic moments in the OVA center around her. While Takaya and Naoe are off being crazy and mean to each other and everyone around them, Ayako is not only the voice of reason, but of humanity. You're really going to like her in this one.

And third, the continuing battle between Naoe and Takaya for dominance, respect and love. Takaya is particularly cruel to Naoe in this series, and Naoe for his part, is even more crazy than he was in the TV series. It is almost mindblowing how hard they are both fighting for dominance. Takaya's last words to Naoe at the end of episode 3 about what Naoe has to do to "have" him are striking, and leave the door open to not only another series, but also limitless potential among fan circles for inspired fiction.

This DVD is definitely NOT recommended for anyone under at least the age of 16, even though the DVD is rated 13+. Consider that uncomfortable scene between Takaya and Naoe in episode 7 of the TV series and magnify it by ten in the second episode of the OVA. "Unflinching," "intense" or even "tactless" are good words to use to describe what happens. If the homosexual overtones (or for that matter, rape) of the series made you uncomfortable, I suggest passing on the OVA. However, pay close attention to the flashback (if you can avoid averting your eyes, it's pretty intense in itself) that Takaya has during this scene. It reveals at least part of the reason for his reluctance to accept Naoe's affections. It is truely insightful for us viewers to work with who only had sketchy details about what happened between the two 400 years ago when they were on opposing sides, and even less about them individually. The whole thing about what Naoe did to Takaya and this woman that he loved (or something) at the time is sidestepped in the OVA, perhaps unfortunately, since I at least needed some clarification.

As for all the other characters from the TV series there is no mention of Takeda, Ranmaru, the Fuuma ninjas or any of our other favorite badguys. Furthermore, Yuzuru and Chiaka have very small cameos at the beggining of the first episode, and then we practically don't see them at all afterwards. So, any Yuzuru and Chiaki fans may be disappointed.

The DVD includes textless opening, closing, and three separate interviews with the Japanese voice actors who played Takaya, Naoe and Ayako that were presumably originally released with each episode of the OVA in Japan. The DVD also comes with a bonus animeworks catalogue with some sneak peeks at episode 1 of Samurai Deeper Kyo and Twelve Kingdoms.

We can only hope for more localized Mirage of Blaze in the future. Whether that be more series, or yaoi manga translations or even dare we hope, the original novels..."

Even More Than I Had Hoped For...

Jessica Braafladt | Electric City | 09/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly, I'd like to point out that I have been waiting for this DVD ever since I found out that it was in production. I have been a long time fanatic of the Mirage of Blaze (Honoo no Mirage), and I was rather disappointed with the abrupt ending of the first series, Mirage of Blaze TV.

Thankfully, this new OVA picks up right where the last episode left off.

I was immediately struck by how different the characters seemed. This series digs a lot deeper into the real reasons behind everyone's involvement in the Feudal Underworld, especially that of Haruie.

But to be perfectly honest, the real driving point of the story, at least for myself, is the constant battling and overall angst of Takaya and Naoe. Naoe, in particular, seems much different than he was in the TV series. He begins to fight back, in his own way, against Takaya's consistent inability to make a decision regarding his feelings towards Naoe.

This is the part where I tell you that if you're into this series for the yaoi, this is where the getting gets good. The insinuating overtones are a thing of the past, and as soon as you watch the second episode on the DVD, Tiger's Eye, you'll see exactly what I mean. This DVD, by the way, is rated 13+. I am almost certain that it is a mistake. Yes, it is that good. It's no Boku no Sexual Harrassment, but it certainly brightened up my day, week...year, rather.

I've only just received the DVD today, and I'm already in feverish anticipation for the next offering, here's hoping that it won't be another two years. Even so, I'll still be waiting.

Katsuya Kaiba"

OAV goodness

Nova Williams | North Tonawanda, NY USA | 10/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this OAV, Tagetora/Takaya is not the same slacker from volumes 1-4. He has finally come to terms with who he and what he is. Naoe returns and we see a jealous and manipulative Tagetora and finally start to understand what Naoe means when he claims (in the volumes 1-4) that Tagetora is the reason why he acts the way he does. Be warned, though. There is a rape scene between the two where Tagetora/Takaya has another flashback to something disturbing that happened to him.

There is a lot about "sis's" past in this one that ties in with the present. A present-day pocessor looks very like her lover from two hundred years ago, but this new pocessor has a secret."

Great OVA want more!

club_2001 | California | 04/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Your already know what the story is about and from the other reviews. So I'm just going to tell what a thought of the OVA.

I was excited that the story center around another character from the Shigens, Ayako. She tells about her past and how she loved someone who died, but then the man Takaya and Ayako are trying to capture looks like the one she loved from long ago.

Also what excite me was how Naoe was different from the series and so was Takaya. Naoe left Takaya in the end of the series telling him how he feels about him and leaves. He still apart from the Shigen's in the OVA doing his own being a body gard, but then bumps into Takaya during an infestigation. When Naoe meets up with Takaya he goes back as being the same in the series but 10 times worse. He tells Takaya how feels about him again but it leads to rage, witch leads to a rape scene making Takaya flash back about his past life (giving us a clue why he sealed his memories).

I was glad they made an OVA to tell more of the show, but what I didn't like was how Yuzuru and Chiaka only had a small part. I would like to know more of Yuzuru and whats the conection with him and Takaya, and why he has powers which scares the fudal under-world.

I still rate it a five for giving me a little more of the story."