| PICTURE: Full-screen. I was actually surprised to find out that this series was done in 1997. The quality of the animation looked maybe, ten years older than that. Although, to be fair, it all depends on the studio and it is only in the past five or so years that the animation quality of anime has been on a steady rise. Still, it looks okay, and the DVD presentation does a good job. But, like I said, it was a bit grainy and had an overall look and definition that made me think the series was older.
SOUND: Dolby Digital Stereo English or Japanese language with optional English subtitles. Overall the sound is good and the subtitle translation seemed faithful and nuanced. I watched three of the four episodes in Japanese and the other in English. The English dubbing wasn't very good, very hackneyed over-acting, and the slightly muffled mix on the dub made the sound fx and music settle into the background more. The Japanese dub didn't have as much low end, was brighter, clearer, and better mixed
EXTRAS: Chapter/Episode Selections--- Trailers (none for Berserk though)--- Outtakes (8:39) Flubs and goofing around by the English dubbers. Some of it seemed forced, most weren't funny, but there were a couple of good bits. Amusing , but it could be cut to half the length and be more entertaining. Interview with producer Toshio Nakataui (17:58). Pretty interesting and detailed look into producing the show. Hampered by the interviewers constants "Ahhh's"--- Toycom Preview of action figures.
CONCLUSION: Well, for me, I thought it was a bit leaden- like characters square off for a duel, but we are then treated to long takes of every characters inner thought on the duel instead of getting right into the fighting. But, as I said, I admit I cannot correctly judge a show 18 episodes in with no idea about what has already happened in the series. Anyway, being whtat it is, obviously the disc is out for pre existing fans of this medieval action/melodrama. In that case, the DVD presentation is fine, good pic and sound, and a couple of okay extras. |
Technical Notes:
