Texhnolyze

Publisher
Geneon / MVM
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
22 episodes / 24 minutes
Year
2003

Texhnolyze Volume 5: Lies & Despair

By otaku_kei
12th Jul 06

Dark, gritty sci-fi tales have always hooked my interest, and Texhnolyze is no different. As the city of Lukuss is tearing itself apart in a civil war launched by the Class, and carried out by their army of white techno-knights. Onishi, Ichise, the Organo, the Rakan and every other power in Lukuss is rapidly falling apart under this dauntless onslaught. In a world that is devoid of hope, just what lies in store for these characters?

Dystopian visions abound in this latest volume, as the citizens of Lukuss try to halt the inexhaustible march of the Class' force. Onishi is cut off from his connection with the city, Ichise is still struggling to find his place in the world, Ran and the followers of her seer prophecies are staging their own coup d'etat, turmoil is everywhere and it looks as if the characters that we have followed so far have been wholly out manoeuvered.

Texhnolyze has never been the most cheery or light-hearted of shows, but this latest volume is without a doubt the most relentlessly draining episodes of the series so far. These latest episodes have served to turn the whole show on its head. Established relationships are breaking down, and the whole environment has become an unforgiving desolation. This is wrist slitting television right here. The seemingly hopeless situation is effecting these characters, putting them under almost intolerable strain, and the cracks are starting to become readily apparent. The audience are left with little to cling to as each of these characters are cast adrift by the events on screen, so the audience is cast adrift in a show in which anything could now happen.

This latest volume keeps to the same high standard, and levels of gripping drama that have been a hallmark of this show since its inception. From the dirty stained underworld of Lukuss, to the pristine, ethereal top world this volume delivers a visual feast, that only seeks to emphasise how little effect these individuals have within this world. The action scenes are generally as brutal as we have come to expect from this show, and the growth of characters as understated as ever. In fact this latest volume delivers more of the same top quality entertainment that Texhnolyze has provided since the opening volume.

If you have been enjoying Texhnolyze so far then this latest volume will be an obvious purchase. But for anyone after a light hearted, or traditional good versus evil sci-fi tale then Texhnolyze will not be for you. This dark tale continues its thought provoking journey, and if like me you like the shows you watch to challenge and engage then this show is very much up your alley.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English Language 2.0; Japanese Language 2.0; Alternate Dialogue Outtakes; MVM Trailers

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: Another great quality release from MVM that continues the quality already exhibited in previous volumes. This show continues to get the good treatment it deserves. Once again though, the extras are rather light and nothing that will entertain for more than a cursory glance.

-- otaku_kei 12th Jul 06

Texhnolyze Images