Thus far, Glass Fleet has been a less than stellar example of a space opera anime. In my previous review, I stated my low opinion of the series and how I “…wish, fervently and often that the Glass Fleet universe gets sucked into a black hole. Now that I’d watch.” Turns out, someone was listening….
plot summary
The Holy Emperor, Vetti Sforza, now has all the pieces in place to fulfill his secret purpose. All the pieces except for Cleo, who languishes in a dungeon, unbeknown to Vetti.
Cleo was captured and imprisoned after the end of the treacherous battle with Vetti’s fleet, which crippled the glass ship and left Michel a prisoner of Vetti. Michel waits patiently for rescue or death, whichever comes first, and Cleo fights to gain his freedom from his jailers and his shrouded past.
But Cleo’s past catches up to him and he’s forced to face the truth about his birth and his destiny. Will Cleo be able to embrace the past and live up to his family’s name?
review
I’m so used to how bad this series is, I barely noticed it stopped its downward free fall and is now circling the drain rather than going directly down it. The series by no means improved, but there was less blatant badness. Bad dialog and crappy animation still floated around, but to a slightly lesser degree. The gods of anime have granted me a temporary reprieve! Whoohoo!
Character Development
I have zero connection with any of these characters and couldn’t care less if they spontaneously poofed outta existence, which is a very real possibility given the bizarre laws of physics in this series. Yet, in one episode, there’s something approximating human interest. Enough so I, wanted to learn where this particular story would lead. After the episode ended, I decided, I still don’t care about theses characters, but I’m a tiny bit more inclined to learn what the end result of the series will be. Too bad I have to watch the whole thing to see how it’ll end. I did say I’d watch the series get sucked into a black hole.
Even though Cleo is given a brief bit of background, he’s still a shallow character, just like the rest of the cast. On an opposite note, a character appears in this volume, who in less than one episode has more interest and depth than every single previously introduced character combined and squared.
Character Design
Keeping up the consistently bad character designs, Volume Four flaunts its poor fashion sense on the very cover of the DVD! The designs defy anyone with taste to take them seriously. C’mon, I dare you to take these designs seriously, double dare you! Sadly, the cast of this anime, and the studio who penned them, take these horrible designs dead serious. Gimme a break, how can I not laugh at a guy with a clock on his crotch?
Animation
I don’t know if Gonzo fired the guy who made the bulk of the wretched shots in previous volumes, but the animation is the one facet of the anime which has improved a teensy, minuscule, microscopic fraction.
There’s still a handful of shots which left me going, WTF?! The one shot which stands out the most as horrific, is the shot where Hysak is running and shouting “Don’t sell the royal family’s secret dashing ability short!”He looks like the frick’n road runner in that scene.
Cleo and Vetti seem to be morphing into plastic dolls, at least as far as I can tell from the animation. They reflect light where normal people wouldn’t, making them appear to be plastic. Or is this the studios sly way of bishi-fying these characters? Is this how we tell a character is supposed to be sexy, by their shiny plasticine heads?
Music
Note to studio: Just because it sounds like a space opera, doesn’t make it a space opera. Once again I was stupefied by the grandness of the soundtrack for this tiny little anime.
Conclusion
This volume of Glass Fleet was bad, but wasn’t as horrible the previous three volumes. I’m not saying it improved, but it’s become easier to bear. Even if I try to look at this anime from the angle of pure camp, it still overshoots camp and goes straight to bad; Plan 9 From Outer Space bad. However, trying to see this anime in a different light does take the edge off.
Rating
Glass Fleet, Volume Four gets 0.5 outta 4 Hammies!
Retail Info
- Publisher: Funimation
- Release Date:February 12, 2008
- Retail Price: $29.98
- Number of discs:1
- Episodes:15-18
- Run Time: 100 minutes
- Rating: TV-PG
- Language: English, Japanese
- Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
- Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Thanks for the review.
http://www.cosplaytoday.com/
I want to watch this now, just because it seems so bad. This is a good one to watch I am sure with copious amounts of sake…
@ViciousWarGoose, Don’t say I didn’t warn you after you watch GF and you decide you want:
A.) Your money back.
B.) Your time compensated for.
C.) An apology to your eyes for the visual smackdown the character designs’ll give ‘em.
Glass Fleet actually seems to be a divisive anime. The guys at IGN gave it a 10, while you give it a half a hammie. I’ve only seen this disc here, but I actually thought it was pretty intelligent. In fact, I think it was the most enjoyable disc out of the entire box funimation sent. Sure, the costumes may seem strange, but they’re a very odd mix of 17th century french fashion and Aztec/Mezzo-American wear. Lot of stuff going on in Glass Fleet, but you just have to be receptive to it.
Still, good review, Rachel.
@Chris N, “The guys at IGN gave it a 10…” Really? Are they seeing the same thing we are? Even David, who’s most excellent and unbiased criticisms can humble me in their eloquence, found this series abominable. I’m sorry, but this series is bad, bad, bad. Now I feel compelled to check out what the folks at IGN have to say about this series….
I read IGN’s review of Glass Fleet Volume 2 and I must say we simply cannot be watching the same anime:“That being said, the show’s visuals are impressive enough, boasting intricate and absolutely striking character designs and wide, sweeping camera pans of beautiful French-styled castles and countrysides. Bit rates are solid and fast, and overall, the transfer is up to FUNimation’s usual high quality. I can’t agree at all with James Musgrove’s take on the animation.