Studio: Bayview/widowmaker Release Date: 09/13/2005 Run time: 60 minutesThe two-part OVA of Gravitation (1999) predates the 13-episode broadcast series. It was aimed at fans of Maki Murakami’s original shounen-ai (“boy love”) manga: the filmmakers assume the viewer already knows aspiring rock singer Shuichi Shindou, novelist Eiri Yuki, and their fractious romance. As the release date of Bad Luck’s new album approaches, Shuichi wrestles with writer’s block and depression. Yuki has been colder to him than usual–and is writing lyrics for the legendary band Nittle Grasper. The OVA offers more self-conscious slapstick than the series, with lots of asides to the audience, and Shuichi’s dreams are more explicit. Voice actors Ozan Uenal (Shuichi) and Dennis Schmidt-Foss (Yuki) don’t quite match the performances of their counterparts, Rich McNanna and Rome Elliot, but they have less interesting lines. Fans of these popular yaoi characters will want to add this misadventure to their libraries. (Not rated, suitable for ages 16 and older: tobacco use, comic violence, sexual situations, including homosexuality) –Charles Solomon
Buy “Gravitation: Lyrics of Love OVA” For Only $17.21
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April 28, 2010
#1
First of all, I had high expectations, since I had just seen most of the TV series and had made the assumption that the OAVs would be of higher quality. I was rather confused when I gave this DVD a spin, because, aside from the more detailed appearances of the characters, the animation and writing were both sort of…lacking. Plus, the original release date was in 1999, a year before the TV series aired!
By themselves, the OAVs are not that bad, although the storyline was predictable and after a while I did want to take a hyperdimensional hammer to Shuichi, who was beginning to drive me nuts. If you did not know the name of Shuichi’s boyfriend coming into this show, you certainly will by the middle of the show for all the times Shuichi is yelling it. The thing I was really disappointed with was that while the music wasn’t bad (I liked “Smashing Blue” almost as much as “Super Drive”), the performance sequences weren’t as dynamic or as well done as in the TV series.
If you have already seen the TV series, you’ve really already seen the best of Gravitation. But, if you have to complete the collection, and are willing to overlook a few things, then it’s not a bad add to your shelf.
April 28, 2010
#2
I would recommend watching the full series first because if you aren’t familiar with Gravitation this anime may be a little confusing. There is little in the way of character intro or development. I really enjoyed this amine even though it is only an hour long. There are some differences between the OVA, series, and the manga some of which are shown in the EXTRAS. The OVA picked up somewhere either during or after the series left off and gave us more of the relationship between Yuki and Shuichi. Also this anime has BL elements so if this isn’t something you like then you also may not want to get this anime or the series.
April 28, 2010
#3
Whoa what can I say about Gravitation then just I LOVED it! This anime is one of the funniest, most touching, and the most fun I have had watching an anime series and OVA in a LONG time! If you love or like Japanese music at all please do yourself a favor and at least see this OVA and the series somehow. You probably will want to own this series as soon as you finished it or even before. The music is just down right AMAZING and the songs will NOT leave your head and buying the soundtracks is almost if not a must!
Now to the actual OVA don’t worry dubbed fans the series cast is all here and do a great job. The only really big diffence is Shuichi looks a little different so that might bother some of the series fans. IMO it’s not that big of deal Shuichi is still one of the cutest and likeable anime charcthers I have ever seen. I’m not giving any of the story away but IMO if you loved the series you probably will love the OVA just as much. Gravitation the series and OVA to me is just down right COOL! ^_^
April 28, 2010
#4
Kinda confusing with all the flashbacks. Still all in all it’s not a bad movie.
April 28, 2010
#5
First off, I wasn’t a finatic about the Gravitation series, but I decided to watch the OVAs anyways. It’s better in terms of animation in my opinion, especially with Shuichi…he looks a lot better without the pink hair.
But also note: If “little” kids were watching Gravitation (for..some reason..), then be warned that the OVAs are a little more mature when it comes to the relationship between Yuki and Shuichi. There’s a minor, but rather funny, sexual scene in the first part that’s only Shuichi dreaming but still, it’s more than what showed up in the series.
But, for once I liked one of their songs…won’t say much about it because I don’t want to spoil it, but I hadn’t really liked “Bad Luck”‘s music…and you people wonder why I sat through the series…
Back to the review: Overall, the Gravitation OVA was good. Not excellent, certainly not the best, but good.