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Plot Synopsis

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Story & Characters

Banner of the Stars III (Seikai no Senki III) - 2 OVAs

So, finally I was able to see the long-awaited Banner III. It's not officially released in the US yet but the fansubbers did the great job so that we can evaluate this work now.

The story. First of all, I must mention that it seems useless to watch these OVAs for those who are not familiar with the original Crest of the Stars and its sequels. Banner III is the sequel and not a stand-alone work. So both the story and the characters are the development of the ones of CotS/Banner I&II.
Operation Hunter has been successful, United Mankind's forces are separated or destroyed and the Humankind Empire Abh has things under control. Jinto and Lafiel, who managed to evacuate from the rebellious planet Lobnar II (thanks to the desperate plan of adm. Spoor) in previous part, have been temporarily relieved from their military duties and now head to Jinto's homeworld (and presently his domain) - the Haider system. Jinto's mission is to govern his homeland that was recaptured during Operation Hunter. (You remember that Jinto's father, Rock Lynn, was executed on planet Martine and the new governor under United Mankind was no other than Teal, Rock's best friend and advisor.) And now Jinto has quite a dillemma...

The story is of a high quality. It develops smoothly touching virtually every of our good old friends, including the supporting characters. Yes, the creators stepped aside from space battlefields and tactics and returned to the world of characters. In this way, Banner III is closer to the original Crest of the Stars. I'd say, Banner I and II separate SotS and Banner III. For now, peace has been restored and our precious characters find themselves in another quality. I suppose this is enough to tell.

The story is rich in content and fits to original CotS more than its 2 prequels.

Rating

8 (good)

Art

Animation is Banner-style but its quality is even higher (as expected from OVAs).

In Banner, characters were drawn in a very simplistic way. In Crest of the Stars they managed to use color schemes and 2d lighting effects sometimes, and it made the animation look "cuter", but it was still quite simple. But in Banner1/2 it looked too primitive. It seemed like they were drawing manga for the Banner of the Stars book.

And now, at last, they've brought us the quality animation. It's more detailed and lively. 3D CG is used for spaceships and it looks better this way (than the cel spaceships of Banner I & II).

But you can't say there's something incredible about it.

Rating

6 (average)

Sound

No american track available for now. Japanese acting is the same as in all previous series. Nothing special.

The OST remains the same as original CotS'/BotS' composed by Hattori Katsuhisa. It's the simple-but-cute (like animation in CotS) music that is sometimes sentimental and sometimes - imperial. However it's advantages are used more professionally than in the Banners. I found music more fitting.
The new ending song fits the theme of the film with it's nostalgic "remembering days of youth that cannot be returned" quite well.

Nothing special can be said about the sound effects because they're few.

Rating

6 (average)

Presentation

Banner of the Stars III is enjoyable to watch for those familiar with originals. It gives more sensitive approach to main characters; and the way they interact can not leave one indifferent. There are thrilling moments, there are nice elegant dialogs. There's good Abh-style humor (yes, regarding _the cat_ also). And of course there are sentimental moments: love, nostalgia, sympathy. Banner III is full of vitality and it never stucks in any of those aspects always skillfully shifting from one to another. However if you expect a lot of action - this is what the authors decided to avoid. Action is very few and you may find the film boring.

Also, Banner of the Stars III has the feeling of classics. It revives the spirit of CotS and the fans should enjoy it. Banner III can be placed among such works as Adieu Galaxy Express and... Babylon 5.

Mostly, watching the Crest/Banner series is like reading a book. You are told the story you want to hear. And if you like calm, beautiful, steady, elegent stories, BotS III is for you.

Rating

9 (very good)

Final Verdict

7.67 (good)

Reviewed by Pink1234, 2y 51wk ago