R. O. D. The TV Series
Publisher
Geneon / MVM
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes / 25 minutes
Year
2003
R.O.D. The TV Series Volume 5: The Darkest Hour
By otaku_kei
10th Mar 06  R.O.D. The TV continues to demonstrate the absolute best of what anime can achieve. This blend of comedy, emotion, action and characterisation really does shine a light on just how lacklustre some other titles are at the moment! This show has moved on from the episodic, introductory phase of the show into the more substantial plotline in which the British Library is manoeuvering to re-establish the British Empire under the rule of Mr- Gentleman! As this plot builds towards the inevitable showdown Maggie, Michelle, Anita and Nenene find themselves caught in the middle of this plot when they hook up with former British Library agent Yomiko Readman! But with all the extensive resources of the British Library in the hands of the calculating Mr. Joker, the girls will not be able to hide for long! Already on the run from Dokusensha after being involved in the utter destruction of their HQ, the Three Sisters and Nenene have finally tracked down the log absent Yomiko Readman. Yet unaware of Readman's own troubles the girls end up targeted by the British Library as well. After being flushed from their Tokyo safehouse, the girls flee the city to get a respite from the hunt and try and piece together the truth behind this conspiracy! Mr. Joker has no intentions of giving the girls this opportunity and sends Junior to retrieve the book that Yomiko stole, and eliminate the girls! But just whose side will Junior be on when he finds out what the British Library has planned for him? But just why does this show work so well? Quite simply - it is the characters! The characters are vibrant, engaging personalities, sure the action is amazing to behold, but it is the emotional involvement with these characters that the success of this show rests on. They breathe the life into this show, and make it worthwhile viewing. From Anita's deep rooted fears of fire, Junior's growing doubts about his so called allies, Nenene coming to terms with her writing and inspirations, and the close bonds that all of these characters have formed, it is this heart that the rest of the shows success is founded on. But this volume sees events turn against the girls and tragedy is always on the horizon! These episodes see the fracturing of the group as Michelle, Maggie, Nenene, Nancy and Mr. Drake are betrayed into the custody of the British Library! But with Anita and Yomiko still out there hope remains. Whilst these two demonstrate that they can work together, will the undercurrent of distrust eventually tear these two apart as well? Without a doubt the close of this volume tugs on the emotional heartstrings, and leaves the viewer bereft of any hope for the future. What has happened to the kidnapped girls? And just why does Hisui not remember Anita at all? Once again I found myself completely captivated by this show. The plot continues to move along at a great pace, and yet never forgetting to give time over to character development. Of all the titles that I am currently reviewing this show has been consistently entertaining, ad I think is fast becoming one of my favourite shows around! These characters have gotten under my skin, and I think anyone who has been watching this show from the start will be just as captivated as me! So to stop myself before I start sounding like a broken record: R.O.D. The TV - Good, other stuff - Bad! This show continues to deliver the top class quality that has marked his show from the start, and this volume is no different. It comes down to your choice though: Read, or Die!
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English Language 5.1; Japanese Language 5.1; Japanese Language 2.0; English Subtitles; Commentary with Voice Director Tallison Jaffe; Art Gallery; Textless Closing #2; Previews Episodes 17-20; MVM Trailers
Release information: COMING SOON - 13th March 2006
Notes: R.O.D. The Tv is once again given the top quality treatment that MVM lavish on all of their titles. Not only is the A/V quality everything that we have come to expect from this companies releases, but we also get a healthy dose of extras that are worthwhile watching! I always find the commentaries are worth watching and this one is no exception as Jaffe manages to cover a whole range of topics. The previews are still entertaining as the main voice actresses just get to have a lot of fun and get to say some of the stuff in character that they cannot get away with in the show!
-- otaku_kei 10th Mar 06
R. O. D. The TV Series Images          
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