Studio: Funimation Prod Inc Release Date: 02/25/2003 Run time: 120 minutesThis bizarre reworking of the story of Alexander the Great features character designs by Peter Chung (Aeon Flux). It’s a singularly weird mixture of anime conventions, sci-fi and fantasy elements, special effects, and muddled ancient history. Alexander’s comrades and future generals, including Hephaestion and Ptolemy, have been recast as effete courtiers. Bucephalus (“Ox-head”), his steed, is a flesh-eating monster. His mother is a Medea-esque sorceress, and his tutor Aristotle has the inevitably spunky niece, Cassandra. The magician-disciples of Pythagoras appear and disappear, searching for the “Platohedron.” The elongated, mannerist figures bear Chung’s distinctive stamp. The women wear revealing robes; the men run around in bits of armor and codpieces. Reign is slated for the Adult Swim bloc on the Cartoon Network, but editing this violent series to American broadcast standards will pose real challenges. (Unrated; suitable for ages 17 and older: violence, nudity, alcohol use, grotesque imagery, sexual situations) –Charles Solomon
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May 2, 2010
#1
I read some 5-star reviews saying how great this anime is. Great? It’s awful. The worst anime next to Beyblade. “Oh it has gorgeous animation and character designs…” WTF?! Yes the character designs are different…I guess Peter Chung doesn’t like to see men wearing pants. Oh no, he likes to see his men in METAL THONGS! WTF?!!!!! Of ALL the things he could think of, metal thongs? Wouldn’t those hurt like hell? Not to mention how nasty they look x_x I’d rather see them in mini-skirts! Chung ruined Alexander. He made him look like a cross-dresser (o_0) It’s all VERY historically inaccurate and 100% disgusting. Monsters crawling out of navels…gross.
I have no clue WHAT Chung was smoking when he made this. The anime itself looks like it’s on drugs. No kidding, when do you see an anime where guys are wearing metal thongs? Oh and before you tell me, “Dont listen to all those ppl givin bad reviews! Theyre non-otakus (anime fans)!!! this show rox!!” I love anime. I’ve seen Nausicaa, Trigun, Inuyasha, Cowboy Bebop, Princess Mononoke, Inuyasha, Spirited Away, Naruto, and many others. This one is probably the worst (along with Beyblade x_x). DO NOT SEE IT. Not even worth one star. A big fat ZERO from this otaku.
May 2, 2010
#2
I watched this and found myself wondering “Why did I waste my time?” This is just your basic MTV …, just like “Aeon Flux” was. The character design was not very original or stunning. It was like a ten-year old drew it and some adult artists filled in the bodies. The backgrounds are well drawn and look very good. The voice acting on both the Japanese and the English tracks isn’t good at all.
May 2, 2010
#3
I have really enjoyed catching bits and pieces of this series on Cartoon Network (after the excellent Home Movies) and while I’m not an animation nut (having only Akira and Princess Mononoke currently in my DVD collections with Spirited Away, Iron Giant, and The Last Unicorn–whever they get around ot putting it on DVD–soon to be added) I think it would be very cool to have some of this because I was a huge fan of Aeon Flux when it was on Liquid Television and this series seems pretty good.
But what is with only having 4 eps on a DVD? If you are going to have approximately the same length of content as a feature-length movie, then don’t price it above $20!! What’s more, subsequent volumes apparently only have 3 episodes, a running time of 75 minutes, and each is still priced above $20. That’s ridiculous IMO. The 4 volumes will cost about $100 once you factor shipping for 13 eps. I can get Seasons 1 *and* 2 of of The Family Guy for $40, The second season of Babylon 5 for less then $80, a 3-disc Futurama with a running time of *299* minutes for under $40 shipped. Let’s see, 1st season Osbournes uncensored–approx $25 shipped. Complete Buffy seasons $40. Complete season 1 Angel $50 shipped. 1st season DS9–$100. Yah, that one ain’t a great value either. I can see Showtime and HBO seasons costing more because you’d have to subscripbe to get them, but a series on Cartoon Network? Please. If they want to charge $150 for X-Files or Sopranos or whatever that’s fine, but for Reign I think it’s pretty excessive.
Basically, this is the worst value I have seen since Farscape started releasing their DVDs. Disgusting, and I can see why a black market for this programming over file sharing serives has sprung up.
5 stars for Reign The Conqueror. 0 stars for value. Total rating: 2 stars. 2 instead of one *only* because I’ll probably still buy the first DVD so I must think it has some value.
May 2, 2010
#4
First off, I am a HUGE fan of anime and animation. I also find historical pieces interesting and Alexander is as good as any for subject matter. I found the story very interesting and the pacing fairly consistent and appropriate.
HOWEVER, I cannot get over the art direction of this series. Small strips of leather, nut-cups, and hooker booties are the standard fare for the men and their facial structure/hair/eyes makes them appear as women for the most part…then you have the occasional female,monster,ugly little guy, etc. YUCK.
Anyhow, I thought Aeon Flux kinda stunk, so if you liked THAT, you’ll probably like this. Just thought some anime fans out there deserved a fair warning before spending their money.
May 2, 2010
#5
I have really enjoyed catching bits and pieces of this series on Cartoon Network (after the excellent Home Movies) and while I’m not an animation nut (…) I think it would be very cool to have some of this because I was a huge fan of Aeon Flux when it was on Liquid Television and this series seems pretty good.
But what is with only having 4 eps on a DVD?…
Basically, this is the worst value I have seen since Farscape started releasing their DVDs. Disgusting, and I can see why a black market for this programming over file sharing serives has sprung up.
5 stars for Reign The Conqueror. 0 stars for value. Total rating: 2 stars. 2 instead of one *only* because I’ll probably still buy the first DVD so I must think it has some value.