ADV Films presents

Martian Successor Nadesico #4: Paradigm Shifts (1996)

"Today's Nadesico is a highlight episode?"- Nanako Kokubungi (uncredited)

Stars: Yûji Ueda, Houko Kuwashima, Omi Minami, Tomokazu Seki, Naoko Takano, Chisa Yokoyama
Other Stars: Kentarô Itô, Miki Nagasawa, Maya Okamoto, Tomoko Kawakami, Miyuki Ichijô, Ryutaro Okiayu, Shiho Kikuchi
Director: Tatsuo Sato

Manufacturer: JVC
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (12+ for mild fanservice)
Run Time: 01h:28m:35s
Release Date: 2001-04-27
Genre: anime

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
A	A	A-	A	C

 

DVD Review

"You get burning..." oops, sorry, you caught me singing the theme song to this wild and wonderful anime series, now on its fourth installment, where we get another four action packed episodes. Having been exposed to these as they've been released, I had no idea where they were headed, and halfway through the series I still don't. I love it! Each episode throws another curve ball, and they get better as the show progresses. I'll do my best to keep the best surprises a secret. This disc we get No Single Truth, Let's Go With Hot Blooded Anime, The Significant Other From A Star Far Away and The Beginning Of Nadesico's War. Hold onto your hats, and as the cover says, expect the unexpected (well, it was supposed to say that...)!

As episode thirteen opens, it's Christmas time aboard the Nadesico, and there are parties planned for the crew, but that isn't all that's in store for them, as the military now wants to officially enlist them all. Well, not quite all. It seems a certain Aestivalis pilot cum cook is getting the heave ho, much to the dismay of some of the female personel—one of whom decides to join him when he leaves the Nadesico. Life, however, as a civilian is not without its own problems, especially now that Mr. Akito Tenkawa (Yˆªji Ueda) is having second thoughts about his role aboard Nadesico, and getting attitude from Miss Megumi (Naoko Takano), who feels he should be content looking after her instead of the whole universe. Matters are further complicated when he is recruited for another secret operation, one that will answer questions about his past, and reveal certain atributes that only he posesses. Things begin to heat up as the Jovians stage another wave of attacks, this time using the UEAF's own experiments!

Since we are now in the middle of the series, it is about time for a recap episode, but things really go on a bender in episode fourteen, and that's all I'll say about that, except that as we move into the second half of the series things are getting a lot more interesting. We are finally getting some of the backstory hinted at earlier fleshed out, and the twists are mindblowing. Can you tell I'm having fun with Nadesico yet?

The worst part about collecting a show like Nadesico is that I want to keep going when the end comes, which isn't possible when the next disc is still a month away. Each episode either fills in pieces of the puzzle or creates a whole new set of questions that need answering, and things you have begun to accept take on new meanings when more details are revealed. We get even more new characters this time around, though some have been seen in passing in the past discs. The sense of humor in this show is great, and they certainly know how to poke fun at themselves and the anime genre, which is priceless. Even the previews are worth paying attention to, as members of the production staff throw in their two bits on what's coming next. There is still lots of mecha action, and the personal relationships are all in full swing, and messed up as expected. You better pay attention, as many of the scenes require some fast reading of the subtitles to get everything. I'm having a lot of fun with this series, and can't wait for disc number five!

"Let's go Gekiganger 3!"

Rating for Style: A
Rating for Substance: A

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Review: There are a few signs of compression problems in dark sky areas, a bit of aliasing here and there, but otherwise this is a great looking disc. Colors are well rendered, and black levels are solid for the most part. The animation style is not that complicated, and it looks like the source has been fairly replicated. Quality is consistent with the last few discs.

Image Transfer Grade: A-
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	Japanese, English	yes

Audio Transfer Review: The original Japanese and dubbed English tracks are available in stereo, though being dialogue, most action is in the center stage. There is appropriate directionality when required. Audio is clean and free of any anomalies. Stick to the Japanese track for the best effect.

Audio Transfer Grade: A 

Disc Extras

Static menu with music
Scene Access with 20 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
1 Original Trailer(s)
6 Other Trailer(s) featuring Spriggan, Arc The Lad, Gasaraki, Generator Gawl AD Police, ADV compilation promo
Packaging: other
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extra Extras:

1. Textless opening and closing credits
2. Character bios

Extras Review: Like the previous discs in the series, we get character overviews for more of the cast, some of which do contain spoilers, though not as bad as the previous sets. Textless opening and closing credits are available as is the Nadesico trailer.

Front end trailers for other ADV titles are only accessable when loading the disc, Spriggan, Arc The Lad, Generator Gawl, Gasaraki, AD Police and the ADV compilation promo. Like most of ADV's front end trailers, these can be skipped through with the chapter skip button, or bypassed completely with the menu button.

The cover features a nice shot of our three female Aestivalis pilots. I'm not too keen on the Protect Case the disc comes in.

Extras Grade: C
 

Final Comments

Now halfway into the action, I can safely say that I'm really enjoying Martian Successor Nadesico. The pace is frantic, the action pretty much nonstop, and the twists and turns are enough to make your head spin. Humor is abundant, but is fairly low key compared to some other series that assault you with sight gags constantly. This is now one of my most looked forward to new arrivals.

Jeff Ulmer 2001-03-11