Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution

Publisher
ADV
Director
Yoshimitsu Ohashi
Production
Broccoli, Madhouse, TV Tokyo, Victor Entertainment
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
13 episodes
Year
2002

Aquarian Age Volume 2: Troubled Dreams (episodes 6-9)

By noghri
19th Feb 06

After the slow start from the first volume of Aquarian age, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this volume, especially seeing how it was such a long time between seeing the volumes. I was certainly intrigued with the story line, despite the fact that the characters were a little bland and the band got signed while being one of the most mediocre amateur bands I’ve seen with only two poor songs to their name. This was not off-putting to me personally, and I actually looked forward to seeing the next volume of the series. I may not have raced out and bought it but I bided my time and picked it up none the less.

As I was saying I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was hoping this wasn’t going to be the same content as the first volume, slow character development and little discernable plot that was worth of being a new anime series, except the crazy off the wall magical battles between beings with very little introduction and an amazing ability to hide what they are actually trying to achieve. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised by the content of the second instalment of this series.

It looks like the introductions of a long line of characters are almost at a close, and the producers kicked it up a gear into overdrive. Kyouta while still in the lime light of showbiz is now distracted by the yearning to see Yoriko his long term friend and romantic interest from the first volume, his busy schedule makes this virtually impossible, plus the fact all these weird occurrences are causing friction between the band members.

With a faster feeling pace to the show the action seems to flow and a greater understanding to the overall plot develops. The different supernatural factions are explained and a little into each of their backgrounds. I don’t want to spoil things for people, but if you want to know more read on.

Episode Content (may contain spoilers)

While the 5 episodes of the first disc concentrate on the rise of Kyouta’s band and its members (Kyouta, Junichi and Shingo) to semi stardom, this disc takes more of an interest in Yoriko. By the end of the last volume we discovered that Yoriko holds the key to the mystery and is destined to play a key role as the leader of the Arayashiki and that her path followed a different kind of future to the fledgling band and their music careers, even if it appears to be beyond her choice. Although these episodes concentrate on the situation of Yoriko’s live, it does not actually show that much of her.

Kyouta has settled into the new world of showbiz with his friends he is still being ‘looked after’ by Kanae, as we discovered in the last volume she is a successful singer and is featured in many magazines. She is under the management, and at the same time enslaved by Abuto. We later discover that Abuto is what is referred to as a mind breaker. Abuto sets into motion a series of events to ensnare Yoriko and her new awakening powers.
Abuto approaches Asumi and suggests that she begins a career under his management in the arts. She is taken aback, but agrees to try. The friendship between Kyouta and her blooms and this leaves Kiriko feeling betrayed, as Kyouta’s biggest fan. Matters are not helped by the fact that Asumi promised she harboured no feelings for Kyouta and now she says that she does like him.
Kiriko runs to Cosmopop and begs for a job, and is awarded with a position within the company so she can keep an eye on Kyouta and Asumi.
Yoriko meanwhile is experiencing her awakening and has her first feelings of power. A Dark Lore attacks her, she struggles and is about to lose the battle when she is saved by a mind breaker. Little does she know that this attack is a faint staged by Abuto to gain her trust and to feed her the seed of doubt.
When Yoriko returns home she packs and leaves and is caught in the act by Rumiko (her younger cousin), and despite explaining that she needs to embrace her powers and become Benzaiten, the leader of the Arayashiki, but she flees into the night. With the help of Abuto she comes to the conclusion that she is being lied to about her destiny.
Abuto arranges to manage Yoriko in her new acting career and sets up for her to live in the staff apartments. Yoriko sees this as her new chance at a new life, but she is in a very fragile mental state as her life has turned upside down.
Abuto tells Kanae to take Kyouta out to celebrate Traffic light signal’s (the band) debut. And after a fun night the return to the apartments that all Cosmopop stars seem to share. At the exact moment they return home Kanae grabs hold of him and steals a kiss, this just happens to coincide with Yoriko’s return home.
She witnesses the act and with this she breaks down completely, and at that point she becomes Saravasti, Benzaiten’s alter ego. Benzaiten is associated with the Arayashiki, and Saravasti is associated with Dark Lore. However, Benzaiten and Saravasti are apparently considered to be two interpretations of the same goddess.
There is a massive release of energy when Yoriko embraces Saravasti and turns her back on Benzaiten, windows explode into the street and Kyouta is left staring at Yoriko and calling her name.

This is when the action really starts, Kyouta is suggested to be a mind breaker, this explains why the battle started at the concert in episode five. They were all drawn to him by his music, luckily I am not a supernatural being and could see the music for what it really is, but that’s another story all together.
Rumiko approaches Kyouta, and it is suggested that he could still save Yoriko from become a Dark Lore if he could attract her and control her, he is reluctant to do so at first but he seems to decide she needs help. By this time the council of the Arayashiki have met and disputed the wisdom of trying to enlist the help of a mind breaker.
As if to emphasise the point one of the avid believers it is wrong seeks out Kyouta to try and eliminate him from the scenario by killing him, this is stopped by Rumiko, but Rumiko is outmatched and at the last minute Kyouta uses Rumiko’s powers to defend both of them. Rumiko is shocked by this and seems to withdraw until she realises this is the only thing keeping them alive.
Kyouta actually restrains the would-be attacker by embracing his newly discovered powers and she flees. Rumiko explains about the roots of the feud and the different factions involved. Kyouta and his band mates get attacked, Shingo is hospitalised and Junichi appears to feel alienated and aggressive as Kyouta spirals into a depression.
Yoriko embraces her new career and quickly eliminates any competition in the production of the new motion picture. Asumi gets given a chance at the new movie and quickly appears to fit right in. But as with her previous co actors, Yoriko is not going to take Asumi’s intrusion lying down and she quickly finds herself in deep water.

Summary

There is so much that happens in this volume it’s a bit of a blur to be honest, but I think I have covered most of it, this disc is another creature entirely from the first volume. The band story is put on a back burner and the actions picks up so quickly. I understand the reason for the pace of the first volume as the vast list of characters are introduced, but It appears that this series may have taken the slowly, slowly catchy money approach to reel the viewers in, I think it was worth while it certainly worked on me.

If you watched the first volume and thought it was intriguing, but had reservations then get this one and make sure. Its as though Aquarian Age has decided what to concentrate on, and really pull out all the stops.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: The features are similar to the first volume, but with a couple of changes. There is a behind the anime segment with John Duckworth (audio engineer) where informative and interesting insight into the post-production and voice acting of the show is given. Clean opening and closing sequences and production artwork and Japanese DVD spots are available also and there is an original trailer. As well as the ADV trailers.

Release information: This DVD is available now for purchase

Notes: The packaging although simple the cover appears to be much better than the first volume we get a clear focused shot of Yoriko donning her new get up as a professional actress, surrounded by close up head shots and partial body shots of other main characters on a gloss black background. There are also two reversible covers available in case this is not to your liking, the additional covers feature artwork from the series and while not the best covers certainly a nice extra to throw in. there is also an insert booklet feature numerous comments by cast and staff involved in production and a helpful glossary of terms used in the series. For further information you can try out the Aquarian Age mini web site at ADV it features most of the characters and a breakdown of episodes and factions involved in the story, its well worth a visit and also boasts interviews, wall papers and screen shots from the series.

-- noghri 19th Feb 06

Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution Images