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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to ADV Films for sending a copy for a review for this site. There is something about this series that draws you to watch more of it, even it's very disturning feeling on every ending of each episode, some are good, others are just way too creepy. Kino's back on his journey, this time, a little short story on the first episode in this volume. The title says it all. It's surprising to see what is really going on. There is also a country using stress. It's so highly advance society that technology is use to make life more confortable. However, in fact, peoples can't really live without stress, even it's just a bit. It reflects that. Another country talks about the problems of a democratic system, which is really totally mess up. Boy, those really speaks the truth, in a sense. The two other episodes are actually a 2 parter, the first one of this series! It's like watching Gladiator, except it's one on one. This is where you can see Kino in action & all her skills she knows. She is so cool, so fast. In the end, justice prevails.
Video:
ADV Films did a very great job. I found no problem, the image are clear & the color looks perfect. Just a note, it is very normal if you see the some sort of line effects throughout the series. It was set to make it feel that you're watching a video of Kino's journey. There's nothing wrong. To top things off, the series is feature on Widescreen format. If you got a Widescreen TV, you're going to enjoy this even more. There is some watermarks done for the introduction & ending credits (they are translated in English). Each episodes are separated into 5 parts: the introduction, part A, part B, ending & the preview for the next episode! The episodes are on a different track, so there will be a small loading time when you move on to the next episode. I do note that you can skip all those warnings & logos when you first load the DVD by just pressing the "Menu" button on your remote control.
Dubbing: English:
The dubbing is really great. I think the dubbing is actually better then the original Japanese audio, give me the chills even more then reading & understanding what's going on. It's about 85% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 5.1:
Unable to test it, since I don't have a 5.1 surround system, I can't really say much.
Audio XX: English 2.0:
Just letting you know, there isn't an English 2.0 audio track on this DVD. This is artificially made from the 5.1 audio track, that's why I noted it as "XX". I found no problem with the audio, but I bet it would be alot more interesting with the 5.1.
Audio 02: Japanese 2.0:
No problem found.
Subtitle:
ADV Films have selected a great font, very easy to read. They use yellow for the introduction, ending themes & the Japanese dialogue & white for Japanese signs & text. There are two tracks of subtitling. One track is for the sign subtitling & the other one is for the Japanese dialogue. I might note that every odd numbered episodes, the intro & ending subtitles are in English, while the even numbered episodes are in Japanese on this volume.
Menu Option:
The menu is also in widescreen format, but if got just a regular full screen TV, it will display in that format with no problem. The menu design is still the same, except it's another picture of Kino standing on the right with her motocycle, Hermes. The background is another scenery during Kino's journey. There isn't a "Play All" or any "Screen Access" features, just the selections of the 3 episodes on this volume, "Set Up" & "Extras". The main theme is playing in the background. Other sections, there wll be different scenery & other background musics will be played from the series.
DVD Extras:
I got no idea why the non-credit opening & ending is here once again, as it was on the first volume. Also, you will get some more production sketches related to the episodes on this volume.
Packaging:
The package carries the same style. On the cover, you will see Shizu, a character that Kino will face in a match during the two part episode on this volume. On the back, a nice little poem with a little hint on what's going on on this volume, along with three screenshots from the episodes on this volume. The insert carries the same picture as the cover, along with a list what's on the DVD. However, there isn't any mini-poster this time. On the DVD disc itself, using the same green, a nice bed of roses. Pretty simple.
PC Viewing:
Watching it on the PC is the same as watching it on the TV. Very clean, no problem at all, very little pixel (little squares popping in & out), both normal mode & full screen mode. Just like watching it on TV, there is a line effect throughout the series. Don't worry about it, it's normal. The sound is just great. Since the episodes are on different tracks, it will take time to load when you move on to the next episode. Like on your regular DVD player, you can skip the warnings & logos when you load the disc, just use the "menu" option to go to the menu screen.
Overall DVD Rating:
Honestly, I got used to the creepinest that I felt on some of the episodes of this series & some surprises, too. However, it's very cool to see Kino in action during her battles to the top. It still continued to reflect the human nature within each of us.
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