I have to completely agree. I absolutely love this series. And I think as far as a review goes, it's all been said!!!!!!
Read Or Die tv Review
Story & Characters
This is actually a review for ROD: The TV. As many of you may or may not know, Read Or Die consists of an OVA series, a manga series, and then a TV series. The TV series, Read Or Die: The TV, takes place after the events in the OVA, and blends some elements of the manga in as well. While it's not necessary to have seen the OVA and read the manga to understand the story, it makes things much more interesting. Anyway, on to the meat of the review.
Nenene Sumiregawa is a famous writer, who's first work was published at a very young age as a teenager. Since the mysterious disappearance of her dear friend Yomiko Readman (the main character from the OVA), Nenene has been struggling to produce her newest novel. Nenene recieves word from her editor that her first novel is being made into a movie on Hong Kong, and is shipped over seas for a book signing commemorating the event. She quickly becomes familiar with three girls who are going under the guise of tour guides. Nenene recieves a disturbing letter from a "fan" that details a threat to her life, and the three "Paper Sisters", Michelle, Maggie, and Anita offer to act as additional body guards during the signing.
When the "terrorists" do indeed attack, the Paper Sisters end up revealing an important secret: They are "Paper Masters" or, those who can manipulate paper. Having saved Nenene's life twice, the Paper Sisters are signed on to act as body guards for her. After some trials and tribulations, the Paper Sisters and Nenene actually become very close, and form a tight friendship.
However, some shady characters are lurking in the backgrounds. There are dark organizations and plenty of lying backstabbers to go around, and all of them are a threat to Nenene Sumiregawa's life! The three Paper Sisters may just have their work cut out for them this time around!
Rating:
Art
The series was animated by the famous animation studio known as "J.C. Staff," who have numerous popular series under their belt such as Azumanga Daioh, Maburaho, Ikkitousen, and Ai Yori Aoshi. Needless to say, the art and animation are beautiful.
The animation is extremely detailed and fluid, making for some excellent fight scenes, with the hand-to-hand stylings of the little fire ball Anita deserving most honorable mentions.
The J.C. Staff painting crew truely understand their jobs, as they clearly knew when the colors should be bright and loud, and when they should be dark and sterile. The character designs had coloration that was fully able to utilize the full potential of color to bring out someone's personality.
All in all, the art and animation of ROD: The TV is truely part of a dying breed, and stands out in rare form. Animation, painting, and even some amazing visual effects were all pulled off with tremendous skill, and are sure to please even the most seasoned of anime veterans.
Rating:
Sound
For the domestice release, Geneon entertainment was on a mission to please from the very beginning. The DVDs contain lush, vibrant sound as both the Enlish and Japanese versions both boast 2.1 audio, and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround! The surround works wonders for the fluttering of thousands of sheets of paper in the wind, and some spectacular combat and explosion scenes.
The English dub is actually surprisingly good, and may fall into the category of series where the English actors did a better job than the Japanese, like Cowboy Bebop. Of course, the original Japanese track is spectacular as well, but the English dub deserves some major credit as far as domestically released anime goes.
The music is fast and catchy, with a very James Bond-esque feel to it-- Hard and jazzy, but soft enough to get your groove on and relax in your chair at the same time. The music does nothing but heighten the drama and action in combat scenes, and from the first time you hear the opening theme, you'll have it in your head for hours to come.
Geneon is also planning to release the OST from this series and the original OVA states-side, so don't hesitate to run out and pick them up, if you like what you hear!
Rating:
Presentation
ROD: The TV definately brags a sense of originality, as you don't find many anime where the heroines deflect bullets with books and sheets of paper. Using paper, the girls are able to slice through even the toughest of surface, such as reinforced concrete and solid steel. While most anime typically have the main characters wielding guns, impossibly large swords, or fancy giant robots, the Paper Sisters need only a stack of 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper to take down an army of fully-armed assassins. When the girls do decide to use weapons, they are constructed purely of paper. The weapons can range from a bow and arrows to razor sharp index cards, and even giant beasts! Truely a treat to see.
The character designs look fresh and new, but somehow feel familiar enough to get comfortable with, like a good pair of old shoes. All of the characters each have their own quirks, and these differences between them often bring in some very fun moments. While the girls are cute and spunky at times, they can always be counted on to kick some serious butt and get the job done.
While focusing mainly on some good ol' action, the series is able to pack in a good amount of humor. There are even some romantic and/or heartwarming scenes, but don't let those scare you off! There's plenty to be desired in this show's script, and is truely a joy to sit through, episode after episode.
For me, this show has yet to get old, and literally overflows with potential for many, many reviewings. One of the few anime where everything feels right and clicks in to place. ROD: The TV is a rollercoaster ride that is sure to please even the most seasoned of anime veterans. It'd be a shame to miss out on this one, so get it while it's still hot! It'll leave hungry for more and coming back for second helpings; heck, maybe even thirds. So give it a try! What have you got to lose..?
Rating:
Final Verdict
9.6667 (excellent)
Reviewed by ShinjiIkari32, Oct 12, 2004
Comments
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ange-argente Oct 16, 2004
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BatosaiRyu Oct 28, 2004
I have just started watching this series and seeing the review you gave it, it makes me want to continue to watch it so that I may experience the greatness of this anime too! Thanks for the review!!!
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djfoozman Dec 13, 2004
wow stole words from my mouth ROD the TV is very original and im addicted to it
However it would probably be very helpful to watch ROD the OVA first
plus its really cool too
i cant figure out which one has a better opening theme !?!?!:) -
Burton Dec 22, 2004
My sentiments exactly, Shinji, very nice review. I've already begun to watch the series (and am thoroughly enjoying it, mind you), but you're review was very well written and highly detailed so I imagine it would have made me want to watch if I hadn't already done so.
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MSG Dec 30, 2004
The review is great. I completely agree, the show is awesome. It's actually kinda funny to imagine a seasoned, billion-dollar worth, professional, government-funded agent go down at the hands of a simple printer paper. Who'd ever think paper-cuts could be so dangerous? Hmmm... gonna go test something...
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angelbell00 Restricted Member Sep 24, 2009
i loved what i got to see
but was left hanging at the best part -
nainoi Sep 26, 2009
oh! great anime.
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angelxxuan Banned Member May 23, 2012
very well structured review, nicely done indeed ! probably wouldn't have given it such a high rating, but can't argue with what was written.
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back07 Jan 26, 2014
nice review, i want to try to watch it
:) -
UberDog Mar 23, 2015
What a great review here, as I have yet to see the series, I have seen the movie and found it to be good and this review makes me curious to watch the TV series sometime in my future. Good job on the review.
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