Gonzo has really tried to meet us fans halfway, releasing a subtitled version to popular online video sites such as YouTube, BOSTtv and crunchyroll. First with the Tower of Druaga based on an 80’s game I hear. I think that this may be the right direction for the industry to go in, but I only thought it would work only if the product was solid and the anime used to test this new method was good. I worried before, but not now, I am loving this series already.
Before I begin, I must say I watched this on YouTube. Although the better quality I hear is better at BOST but I hadn’t signed up early enough to be able to watch this. Although, on YouTube the quality is quite decent.
I was expecting this to be a serious fantasy story, but the first episode seems to encompass one of the funniest parody episodes ever contain the best kind of fan service - the parody kind. We had nico video style comments, more cliches in fantasy stories and RPGs than you can shake a stick out and the direct parodies are hillarious - Gundam, Star Wars, Gurren Lagann and I’m sure I am missing so much more.
All I can really say is this is a brilliant starting point even if it has nothing to do with the actual story (somewhat) and I hope the actual serious storyline from here will be as good as this epic start. And the comedy is even quite subtly brilliant, I hesitate to say Monty Python-esque with an Otaku Knowledge to work on. The bit with the tentacles is just hilarious, as is the Dark/Black Knight, revealing you goals = death and Sooooo — — -Nic — — - Blade!
The art direction is top notch, with the designs looking gorgeous and I absolutely love the soundtrack, including the really out of place OP and ED, reminding me of my days when I was into ‘Less than Jake’… Ah, my Ska era!
All in all, this series is looking extremely promising, and I will be hoping to follow it from here on out. This could be excellent for the anime industry if this really takes off. If I had the money and the DVDs were available easily for me, I would so buy this. Splendid Job GONZO! Your subs were actually good too!?
More good news, this can actually be gotten for free in high quality… I would actually pay if I had online funds, dammit. This system rocks, I am so for this. I have reaffirmed my belief that there will be a future for this industry. XD
The system rocks when CR allows you to download what you pay for, not when they tell you “Sorry, legal restrictions prevent us from letting you download this file. =(“, which is the BS they threw at me minutes ago. Guess only certain countries are allowed, and there is no freaking warning or list available.
I haven’t had the chance to properly try since I have no web fund credentials… but the ones who have tried it say it has been alright…
I was definitely impressed with what Gonzo has done for this series. Their business model is so much better than the crap they always try to throw at us in the States. Like they were saying previously, I think this will open up new markets for anime fans.
As for the actual show, eh. Fun stuff but not something that would make the top of my list.
I got the youtube ver, apparent they serve a .mp4 ver now…. about 100mb for the ep. Quality still isnt great though.
Downloaded the HD version earlier. I must say the tentacle rape scene is so much better in it ^^;
Must get episode in HD… what!? I just want to hear Horie Yui’s voice in better quality… I swear…