Zone of the Enders Dolores, i

Publisher
ADV
Director
Tetsuya Watanabe
Production
Sunrise, TV Tokyo, VAP
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
2001

Zone of the Enders Dolores, i vol 5: Only the Strong Survive

By John Huxley
23rd May 04

After surpassing all expectations can ZOE Dolores keep up the pace as it enters its penultimate volume? Short answer, yes. Long answer...

If you can remember events from the last episode of volume 4, you may recall that Dolores and the Links family had been duped by a vengeful maniac intent on destroying those who he blamed for the death of his brother. Having been killed in battle and respectfully buried by a remorseful Dolores, James Links is finally free to continue the search for his estranged wife, Rachel. But there's no time for a lengthy heartfelt reunion as the conflict between Earth and Mars has reached boiling point and the Links family are caught right in the middle with the only weapon that has the power to stop this war: Dolores.

The advent of total war is a great plot development as it lends a fresh new scenario for the now complete Links family. The ensuing conflict is expertly directed with some of the best action of the series and by far the most compelling storyline to date. It is also sensitively handled, careful to show the madness of war and the consequences which it brings to those involved directly and indirectly. By placing the now familiar central characters right in the centre of this conflict we're given a different perspective on proceedings; one which affords plenty of character building opportunities while still advancing the ever changing storyline. As preparation for the climax of the series I couldn't imagine a better storyline.

Before war breaks out we're treated to a emotional reunion between the Links family and the mother they fought dead. All credit to the writers and the director for avoiding the obvious; this reunion is not nearly as cheesy as it could have been. I must admit it fired up the old tear ducts - not a feat easily achieved when you're as cynical as I am.

Although she appeared during several scenes in earlier episodes, this is really the first time we get to meet Rachel Links. Unfortunately she really doesn't get enough screen time in this volume for us to familiarise ourselves with her character, though first signs appear to be good. My main concern was that she could disturb the equilibrium of the Links family unit, diluting a successful and finely balanced formula. Thankfully this is not the case, and given more time I think she could be an asset to the series.

Having been chased all the way from Earth to Mars by Wired and its manic operatives, this sub-plot finally comes to a (kind of) conclusion. I'll miss the gloriously over the top, facially scarred and mentally unbalanced Chief Inspector, yet the time for comically inept badguys has long since passed. Now we're introduced to a more dangerous (and less camp) badguy in the form of Napth Pleminger, who pilots a rather beautiful, powerful orbital frame called Hathor. His uncompromisingly evil nature is offset by his unusual father/daughter relationship with Rebecca and a deceptively complex background which reveals itself over the course of this volume. This background story ties in with the earlier ZOE Idolo OVA, though it is thoroughly explained for those who haven't yet seen it (such as myself).

Full of comedy, plot twists, action and drama, this volume of ZOE Dolores is easily one of the bests discs of the series so far. My only concern is the lack of screen time given to Rebecca and her cohorts as they've never really been given a chance to properly develop and time is running thin. Regardless, I'm sure the final volume of ZOE Dolores will build on the success of its predecessors and deliver a climax worthy of this excellent series.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English and Japanese 2.0 audio, English subtitles, ADR session with Takefito Koyasu (Napth) & Yumiko Nakanishi (Rebecca), Dolores' diary part 2, orbital elevator, clean opening and closing animation, production sketches, conceptual artwork

Release information: UK release date: 15th December 2003, ADV

Notes: The list of extras should be familiar to anyone who's been collecting this series. You've got the ADR session (interviews) with the voice actors of Napth and Rebecca, the second part of Dolores' diary where she enthusiastically explains the story from her perspective, a technical explanation of the orbital elevator (it seems authentic enough) and the regular clean open/close and the production sketches and concept artwork. It's a healthy set of extras that are well worth perusing after you're finished with the four episodes on this disc.

-- John Huxley 23rd May 04

Zone of the Enders Dolores, i Images