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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to ADV Films for sending a copy for a review for this site. Here is another cool series, called Prétear. Himeno is just an ordinary girl, until her father remarried with a very rich wife. Very lucky, I say, but they are really in love, so don't worry! Her new home is like a small country & also got two step-sisters, which doesn't really accepted her. She just really want a normal life. Not things could get any worse, a bunch of strange group called Leafe Knights shows up & found out that she is a Prétear they are looking. Himeno & the Leafe Knights went out to stop the Princess of Disaster, who escaped & begins to make havoc in our world! As a Prétear, Himeno has the power to merge (or to prét) with a Leafe Knight, taking control of their powers. Becoming one, now that's funny! I really did enjoy the series. Very cool music, especially during the transformation part. There is even funny parts, like when Himeno whacks around Hayate, as well a very happy ending.
Video:
ADV Films did a very great job. I found no problem, the image are clear & the color looks perfect. The episodes are on a different track, so there will be a small loading time when you move on to the next episode. Each episodes are separated into 6 parts: the prologue, the introduction, part A, part B, ending & the preview for 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. ADV Films really capture the funny parts like the original Japanese dialogue. 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 starts off with looks like crystal roses, then the selections appears. There isn't a "Play All" feature, just a selection of one of the 4 episodes, "Screen Access", "Set Up" & "Extras". There isn't any special effects if you select any options. The main theme is playing in the background in the main menu, as well as other sections, except for one, which they use the ending theme as the background music.
DVD Extras:
There isn't much extras on it, just a non-credit opening & ending, as well a production sketches. The cool part of the extras are the behind the Anime with Luci Christian (Himeno) & Illich Guardiola (Hayata), which gives them a little what they do & about themselves. It's more of an interview, but there is a little commentary as well on the series.
Packaging:
I love the packaging of this series, very cute. On the cover, you see Sasami with Himeno, wearing the Prétear clothes when she rrét with him, as well the same crystal roses you see on the menu around. In the back, you get three screenshots. Though, the description about this series, the fonts is a little too small & it's hard to read if you don't look closely. The insert is pretty simple, just the same picture as the cover, as well a listing on what's on this DVD, the episodes, what's in the extra, though no chapter list. On the DVD disc itself, it's just simple, snowflakes with a greenish background. It should have a cool picture to match the awssome package.
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. 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:
I find it cute & I love the the transformation music. Who is this Princess of Darkness? This series is funny & cute, worth it to check it out!
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