Final Fantasy: Unlimited

Publisher
ADV
Director
Mahiro Maeda
Production
Gonzo Digimation, Square
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
25 episodes
Year
2001

Final Fantasy: Unlimited Phase 1 (eps 1-4)

By John Huxley
28th Apr 04

Final Fantasy fanatics reading this review will most likely be wondering if this anime adaptation is worthy of the hailed moniker. There are many things here that will please fans of the videogame series - chocobos, summons, guns & swords, bizarre monsters, magic, Cid, fantasy locales, camp badguys and, of course, that ever-present music. On the flip side of the coin there are a few elements that may alienate the Final Fantasy hardcore - most notably the inclusion of our own real world that exists alongside the fantasy land in which most of the action takes place. While this may seem like a strange inclusion given the purely fantasy-based origins of the videogames, it's really not as sacrilegious as it may first appear (more on this later). In short, this is every bit a Final Fantasy adventure.

Our story centres around a pair of twins, the flame-haired twelve-year old Ai and her younger brother Yu Hayakawa as they begin the search for their parents who they believe to be missing in Wonderland; a mysterious alien world inexplicably linked to our own. After hearing rumour of a phantom subway that takes passengers to another world, the Hayakawa twins seize their chance and hop aboard the demon train as it whisks them away to Wonderland.

There they meet a whole variety of inhabitants, both friendly and not-so-friendly, that populate this fabulous yet bizarre world. Lisa, whom the twins met aboard the phantom subway train, is a kind young girl who offers to aid the pair in their quest; she is also an accomplished practitioner of the magical Kigen Arts (which can come in handy when you're being attacked by a giant mushroom monster!). The newly formed trio soon meet a dark, cloaked stranger called Kaze (he looks a little like Vincent from FFVII) who uses his right arm as a weapon he calls the Magun; a gold, metallic gun that can summon creatures to fight in battle. Our heroes assembled, they must journey through the kingdom of Wonderland and fight the evil forces of Earl Tyrant and his underlings as they search for the Hayakawa's parents and hope to unlock the mysteries of Wonderland.

The story, though it doesn't bare a resemblance to any Final Fantasy game I've played, is wholly generic and uninspiring. We're given very little reason to sympathise with the Hayakawa twins' predicament as the characters themselves don't appear to be particularly distraught over losing their parents, so why should we care? Equally, it's easy to feel indifferent about the rest of the characters because they seemingly lack even the merest hint of motivation beyond idle curiosity or blinkered revenge. Admittedly Final Fantasy: Unlimited is only four episodes young, so there's plenty of time left to introduce some revealing background information or perhaps a few new plot devices to spice things up a little.

Although our cast of characters are unfortunate enough to be involved in an awfully bland story, they're at least a likeable bunch of misfits. Of the Hayakawa twins, Ai is probably of the most interest with her impromptu mood swings and cynical attitude, while Yu fills the more predictable nice guy role. Being schoolchildren as they are, Ai and Yu are hardly typical Final Fantasy fare, something which may displease the few fans expecting a totally authentic experience. However, the inclusion of two characters from our own world does let us share in their sense of wonderment at being introduced to the strange landscape of the aptly named Wonderland, so their inclusion isn't totally unwarranted. Besides, the remaining cast members are every inch Final Fantasy.

From the pretty Lisa to the tall and handsome Kaze right down to the evil and manipulative Earl Tyrant, these guys look and feel as if they've stepped right out of a videogame. Their design is more FFIX than FFX, though what they lack in detail and realism they make up for with plenty of style. The cute, simplistic artwork is versatile and carries the various designs well, even if it is a little too reminiscent of Pokemon and company. This is backed up by some good quality animation and adequately detailed backgrounds, although the overused and unsubtle use of CGI has an adverse effect.

While the action sequences make good use of the stylish artwork and decent animation, they soon become all too predictable, inevitably ending with Kaze using his Magun to summon yet another beast to quickly dispose of the enemy. Couple this with slightly ridiculous use of the videogame battle music and you can't help but feel the production crew of Final Fantasy: Unlimited were perhaps trying a little too hard to please the fans. Still, the appearance of Kaze's nemesis, the white haired, sword wielding Makenshi towards the end of the last episode promises greater things to come.

Though it appears to have been primarily aimed towards a younger audience, there's really something for everyone in Final Fantasy: Unlimited. A smidgen of action, comedy and plenty of adventure, it should please fans and non-fans alike. An uninspiring story and a few niggling problems prevent it from scoring any higher, yet it's still a whole bunch better than the misguided motion picture.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English 5.1 audio, Japanese 2.0 audio, English subtitles, voice actor commentary, production sketches, key animation backgrounds, preliminary FF:U illustrations, reversible cover

Notes: This is a well presented package with plenty of extras. As well as all the usual audio and subtitle options you've got a voice actor commentary of the first episode that makes for a good listen, a set of production sketches and background designs to flick through and a gorgeous selection of preliminary artwork commissioned for the series. There's also a reversible cover with two equally striking designs and a four page colour booklet with character profiles and other useful information to keep you busy.

-- John Huxley 28th Apr 04

Final Fantasy: Unlimited Images