Comment # 1

Ooh, great – gonna download the episodes now, thanks… looks great!

Posted by Helen Hodson on January 13th, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Comment # 3

“Not available in your region” – I hate that message!

Posted by Tiptop on January 13th, 2010 at 2:21 pm

Comment # 5

I actually enjoyed the the anime well enough, and I agree that Morte and Kyrie’s English voices actually did a pretty good job in English, even though I didn’t think Kyrie’s actor would fit the character very well, it came out nice. I wish Agan showed up more in the anime though. D:

Posted by Sarah on January 13th, 2010 at 2:25 pm

Comment # 7

This series has a lot to like, and at the same time a lot to hate. It’s probably the first time where humans are actually the oppressed race in a fantasy-series, especially if they’re oppressed by a bunch of cats. The different races that walk around the world are full of imagination, and the idea of a bunch of humans (and a bear, okay), joining together to destroy the world has some definite potential for the second half of this short series. The animation is really messy at times, but it looks excellent. Yoshihiro Ike, one of my favourite composers is behind the background music, and he delivers as usual, though perhaps it’s not his best work. Agh, if only the messages of this series weren’t so blatantly obvious! The lead characters themselves are fine, but it’s the way how they’re presented that gets me. This is one of those nationalistic anime that tries to shoves the message “humans rock, the rest sucks” down your throat, and the rest of the episode really need to work to develop the other races in this series. It would be interesting if through this series, the lead characters will actually be portrayed as the bad guys who will in fact destroy the world, but for that to happen, the cats need to stay away from stereotypes. Right now they’re funny, but I can already see this series go south in a couple of episodes if it doesn’t try to develop them… all in all, I was really impressed by those first 2 episodes!

Posted by Dahl on January 13th, 2010 at 2:32 pm

Comment # 9

A very good write up, Dahl.

The cats are pretty much done after the first episode, where the focus slowly begins to become more serious, and the combat more fierce as you progress. There are still some good comedic moments throughout, but by the last episode things get dark – in a good way.

What’s interesting is the situations that will soon show up in the following episodes – stories that are less about saying “Humans rock” and more about the differences between the beastmen themselves. Personalities, in fact, that aren’t so far removed from humans, after all…

Again, great comment, thanks for posting. It’s not technically #1, #10, or #20, but you’ve earned yourself some Sands swag regardless.

Posted by RubyEclipse on January 13th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Comment # 11

The story line is interesting; I have often wondered what if animals where as intelligent as humans? But then I remember opposable thumbs…I think the anime has a nice style to it as well. The voice acting is good sometimes I prefer Japanese, but in this case I wouldn’t mind the English. Characters look true to the game, and overall it seems like a good start lets see how they go with it.

Posted by Rustin Foroutan on January 13th, 2010 at 3:02 pm

Comment # 13

this game is very good, ill check out the anime after i beat the game!

Posted by Syed H on January 13th, 2010 at 3:46 pm

Comment # 15

I’m very impressed Funimation would offer whole episodes as a preview, and ten times more impressed the streams work in Canada! I wish more entertainment companies would do this. (Canadians are people, too, eh?!) Anyway, I liked what I saw, and I’m sold. I’m totally gonna buy the DVDs when they come out. Thanks, Funimation and SEGA!

I love the character designs, especially Morte’s. (Great name for a world destroyer, huh?) I haven’t seen a female protagonist this strong since Alys Brangwin from “Phantasy Star IV.” Well, maybe I have, but she rather reminds me of her. I love how straightforward and frank she is, especially about destroying the world.

Kyrie is refreshingly and hilariously ordinary. There’s nary a heroic bone in his body (well, not in episodes 1 and 2, anyway). His undramatic, mundane character is an amusing contrast to Morte’s grave demeanor.

Toppy made me chuckle. (Sorry, Toppy.) Here’s a character design I’d expect to see in cuddly, cute kid’s shows, except here, it’s that of a gritty Hero’s Guildsman. He can clearly kick butt, but he’s got the kind of look that makes me want to hug him, squeeze him, and talk baby talk to him. Well, nobody in episodes 1 and 2 actually treats him quite like that, but they do condescend to him. What’s a teddy bear hero to do? (Incidentally, Toppy reminds me of Boss from “Hamtaro.”)

The world of “Sands of Destruction” is quite interesting. With its twin moons and sand seas, it’s probably not Earth. There were lots of beastmen, like the show intro said, but the most interesting for me were the ones who looked like humans with minor animal features. That got me wondering: how did these people and their dominion come to be? Why do some beastmen look half human? How did humans end up in this world? I like a show that gets me thinking this much in just its first episode.

Then, there’s the gimmick of the protagonists setting off to destroy the world, not to save it. Call me a sucker, but I love the concept! And the ragtag band of a one-woman army, a hero for hire, and a café waiter have a sparkling dynamic I’m starting to enjoy. Who knew the road to Armageddon could be this much fun?

Episodes 1 and 2 are fantastic, but that’s kind of a problem. Once I’ve seen the entire show, should I buy the game, too? Even if each has divergent stories, I can’t help but worry one’s gonna spoil the other in some way. I’m paranoid that way. Also, now that the anime has spoiled me with its gorgeous visuals, scaling down to the game’s low-res DS graphics may be a difficult transition.

I wish storytellers would decide on a single medium to tell their story rather than retelling it in a second, third, or even a fourth form. This diversification may rake in more cash for them, but it makes it frustrating for me. I’ll let the “Sands of Destruction” folks get away with it this time, since they seem to be spinning an interesting yarn. I just hope the game will be as fun as the anime has been so far.

Posted by Deco Bryl on January 13th, 2010 at 6:55 pm

Comment # 17

I used to be one of those “JP with subs ONRY” elitists out there. I’ve recently grown to appreciate some of the better localized anime out dub-wise and this is another addition to my rather short list.

I never really gave the anime a chance since I wanted to wait for the game as I’ve had my fair share of “original game > anime” experiences. A couple of hours into the game, I decided to give it a shot.

Anyone who enjoyed the Druaga anime, will not be disappointed.

Posted by Joman on January 14th, 2010 at 12:05 am

Comment # 19

This is good stuff!

Posted by Mudkip on January 14th, 2010 at 4:20 am

Comment # 21

I would watch them but the company doing them doesn’t like Europe watching…

Posted by Chosenoneknuckles on January 14th, 2010 at 5:19 am

Comment # 23

I watched both of them and I must say I really like it. I was not going to buy the game but after watching these I think I will

I really like Taupy, he is an awesome little bear (just don’t tell him I called him a bear, he doens’t seem to like it much )

I think Morte is an interesting character as well, I want to actually know more about her.

I kinda find it cool that the story is about destroying the world instead of saving it and I am curious to see how that will end.

Posted by Shadow on January 14th, 2010 at 8:11 am

Comment # 25

I actually watched this when it first aired in Japan. An interesting series with a new twist on the ‘hero saving the world’ genre that has become a little stagnated. It seemed odd though that for a world where humans were discriminated against, there were so many places were beastmen got along with them.

The animation was the biggest let-down though. Generally felt like it had pretty low production values. Plus there were lots of plot points that seemed rushed or glossed over and it was annoying having the series end with no real conclusion.

Still, I’ve been looking forward to the game for a while now, especially knowing that Naja is playable!

Posted by Funkmaster on January 14th, 2010 at 2:56 pm

Comment # 27

Damn i missed my chance. I’m really looking forword to this game though, and the anime. I’m glad that you and FUNimation were able to work together. Can’t wait to get my hands on the show and game. I have both ordered XD

Posted by LordRoto on January 15th, 2010 at 11:52 am

Comment # 29

I just watched all the japanese subbed episodes

Only 13 episodes?? and that since 2008, what the hell this anime is great. I even like it more than bleach. Seriously sega should consider to make a new season. Its such a great IP and it would be a waste. I cant w8 for a much better deeper season because in just 13 episodes ive grown to be attached to the beautifull world they created

SEGA DO It!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Jaouad on January 18th, 2010 at 3:22 pm