Banner of the Stars

Publisher
US: Bandai
Director
Yasuchika Nagaoka
Production
Bandai, Sunrise, WOWOW
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
13 episodes
Year
2000

Banner of the Stars V. 1

By David Rasmussen
7th Jan 05

Company - BANDAI
Age - 13 and up
Episodes 1-5 (Vol. 1)
Dual Language (Japanese/English)
Optional Extras? - See Optional Extras (below)
Time 125 minutes
Created by Hiroyuki Morioka (Hayakawa Publishing)
Planned by Shigeru Watanabe (Bandai Visual) and Masuo Ueda (Sunrise)
Art Director - Tomoaki Okada
Directed by - Yasuchika Nagaoka
A Production of Sunrise Inc., WOWOW, Bandai Visual

Banner of the Stars Volume 1
No Turning Back
Previously - (Crest of the Stars) (see "Summary" on this DVD for details of Previously)

Episode 1 - Reunion
Three years have passed since Crest of the Stars, (there's a "State of the Empire" report in the booklet in this Volume, though the information is brief) and the war between the Abh Empire (can the good guys really be called an "Empire"?) and the Triple Alliance is on once again, raging relentlessly across the known galaxy.

The couple from before? Jinto (humanoid, whose world is presently behind enemy lines) and Lafiel (the alien species of the series) now work together after Jinto graduated from Supply Officer Training and is now the Supply Officer to Lafiel (who has become a Captain of her own Assault Ship [the Basroil]).... Funny, though. He's the Supply Officer yet he seems to have that special interaction with the Captain which is usually reserved only for the ship's "Number One"'s (I.e. First Officers). Strange, eh?

The war? Looks like it's about to start up once again after the Abh Empire finally recover from the events of Crest of the Stars (took three years to put their fleets back at full power). But this episode is more to get you up to speed on what's happening between Jinto/Lafiel, what happened previously (Crest) and what is about to happen.

Episode starts off with a Kobayashi Maru type fight scene, which goes into the refresher course from there as to what's been going on. Then we go right into the action from there.

Episode 2 - Operation Phantom Flame
Operation Phantom Flame. A simple name for a bold strategy.

Since the notes I read said some people are confused by it let me try to explain it.
The plan is very Alexander the Great in theory, but in scope it's more Captain John Sheridan (Babylon 5) in depth and planning. Now, mind you, I read this isn't easy to understand so if I screw it up and get the information I'm passing to you wrong, I apologize.

Now, if I understand this right, they're planning to slash a gigantic "line" right through the forces of the Triple Alliance, from their side all the way to a section of space still loyal to their side (which probably includes Jinto's homeworld). This would serve a twofold effect.

1) It would "reunite" the Abh Empire (the main side and the side cut off during the first round of warfare after Crest).

2) This would cut the Triple Alliance effectively in half and make it easier to take them on to end the war.

Yet this strategy (Alexander the Great used this tactic in the second episode of Reign) has its drawbacks as well. Make no mistake, this "cut" has to be strong and solid if it is to be successful. It is not going to be as easy as Alexander's "cut" because it won't end once the cut is made, and the forces along said "cut" have to be perfect lest Triple Alliance forces can cut the "cut" in half and trap wide amounts of ships and people in enemy territory where they can be cut down and massacred wholesale.

This is a bold, perhaps abit reckless, and dangerous maneuver to be certain and it can't be botched in any way lest it's doomed to fail.

The first step - secure lines of supply for the coming invasion and the capture of the Aptic System starts that off. With the defeat of one of the tri-"heads" of the enemy in that sector (The United Mankind), it is now possible to begin to form "launching points" on the march towards forming their "cut" through Triple Alliance territory. It's not near to the frontlines yet, so it might be overlooked - but then again...

Meanwhile the story between our pair (Jinto/Lafiel) goes on - and it looks like they're about to meet another Commander who might have a bit of a grudge against Lafiel... eh? Why is that the case? Well she did, after all, kill said Commander's brother during Crest of the Stars and she might have a grudge to bear against them.

Episode 3 - Assault Ship Basroil
More time to develop the story with Jinto/Lafiel as the situation with Aptic III continues to develop (it's nice that this show takes its time to slowly let the storyline about situations like Aptic III develop without any rush to the storyline).

The main thing here is that you get to know the crew of the Basroil a bit better, and Jinto has his first meeting with that woman I told you about earlier. Surprisingly enough it works out rather well, their first meeting.

But that'll have to be shelved for now because six scout vessels out of Wimpel (Triple Alliance Territory) are making their way incoming (possibly on a recon mission) and the Basroil is thrown into its first major engagement of the 2nd season.

Episode 4 - The First Campaign
Simple enough. Destroy all Scout Vessels incoming from the Triple Alliance so that none can return to report on what they saw. Not simple. This is the first major engagement and this entire episode focuses around said engagement. Lots of action, and proof positive that war is indeed hell.

This first fight of Banner is a big one, and a must-see episode.

Episode 5 - Spectacular Insanity
Did I fail to mention earlier that their new Fleet Commander is rumored to be certifiably insane? No? Did I mention there might be a possible love triangle to deal with? No? Well, I won't say anymore then. I'll stop here, and leave some tasty morsels of viewing for you to watch unhindered.

Region 1 Optional Extras
Newsletter of the Stars
A bit of Q&A concerning the series from the series creator (Hiroyuki Morioka) as he gives "inside information" about Banner of the Stars, discussing aspects of the novels (yes, the series started as a sci-fi novel series) and the making of the Anime adaptation of his works.

When it comes to extras like this I have a "Golden Rule" of sorts which you should abide by. What is that rule? The rule is when in doubt watch the series first before exploring these "notes" extras.

You know, just in case there's spoilers in here that you don't want to be exposed to prior to viewing the episodes.

Crest of the Stars Summary
Recap of the events of Season 1 on DVD 1. Worth reading before watching.

Production Art
Present in Banner of the Stars Volume 2 it's the all-important artwork and a nifty bonus if I do say so myself, and I do say so myself.
Take some time to pan through these and see the images, a must see.

BANNER OF THE STARS Breakdown the 1st
What's Hot? - When you first look at it, you might be tempted to groan "Oh, no! It's a Japanese Anime version of Babylon 5 (or Space: Above and Beyond)!!"- but as you watch it you see how truly great this series is! From beginning of the episode to the end it's a great show to watch, and is high on marks in all categories.

Visually it's stunning with excellent animation and visuals that just are great to watch. The plot is right on, and solid to boot with a great feel to the show and excellent pacing. Without a doubt I can say that fans of series like Babylon 5, Space: Above and Beyond and other sci-fi greats will love this show. It's a definite must-have for the Science Fiction fan(atic).

Now I don't know if it's already been brought out on Region 2, or if it still needs to be brought out, but if you haven't seen it yet then maybe it's high time it was put out on Region 2! Just a thought.

What's Not?
Nothing. Solid show. Solid animation. Solid experience. I definitely recommend making Banner of the Stars (and its first season Crest of the Stars) as a part of your collection!

Moments to Remember?
Way too many to list here. That'd deserve its own review!

What to Ignore?
The booklet inside this DVD is wasted, and I wish I could ignore it. I would have been better served by a synopsis of the episodes (a la Fancy Lala) or a profile on the main characters (a la Meltylancer) but this is wasted space with a brief "State of the Empire" report and that's it? Total waste of space if you ask me. I'd have expected better from such a large-scale series like Banner of the Stars.

Overall?
The series is beautiful and addictive to watch, with a great and beautiful animation style and a story well worth watching again and again. It's a wonderful series that you should give a whirl yourself and try ASAP. Watch it, because it's quite watchable and something I'd think you'd love.

-- David Rasmussen 7th Jan 05

Banner of the Stars Images