Great review aside from a few minor spelling errors. I was beginning to think I was just about the only person who had even heard of this show too XD. GJ
Mahou Senshi Louie tv Review
Story & Characters
Louie the Rune Soldier, English dub, 6-disk set:
-- The show begins by introducing you to a three-woman team of adventurers: Jeany (a warrior), Melissa (a priestess),
and Merrill (a thief). However capable they are, they still find they are in need of a magician to round out their
team, but are unable to find any women magicians willing to go on adventures, (saying something about how they would
never willingly go somewhere that would mean their certain death). Only Louie, a student at the Magicians' Guild
who is more interested in going on adventures than studying his magic, is willing to help them. At first the girls are
unwilling to let Louie join their team, but later are obligated to include Louie in thier adventures.
-- Louie: Slowly proves himself a worthy addition of the team, but it's a long road. Having an over developed
sense of adventure, Louie often rushes into situations without giving them much forethought compared to the cautiousness
the girls have developed through their adventuring experiences. Yet, somehow, things always seem to work out.
-- Melissa: As a priestess of Mylee (God of Battle), Melissa teaches other followers of Mylee that life is a battle and
undergoing the trials of adventure helps develop the skills required for life. She longs to have a heroic Valiant
Champion revealed to her whom she will follow and aid in his adventures.
-- Jeany: Far too serious for her own good, Jeany is always ready to prove women make just as capable warriors as men;
and she has the strength and skill to do it. Not one to let her true emotions show, something in her past keeps her
from getting to close to others.
-- Merrill: Stingy, resourceful, deadly fast, and hot tempered, it would be unwise to get between Merrill and her
money. While money does occupy a great deal of her focus, Merrill does occasionally show she has a softer side.
-- Each episode is mostly stand alone, telling a complete story on its own, yet they still contain small pieces of a
larger, more sinister plot.
Rating:
Art
-- The artwork it top notch. The characters are well drawn and the animation is smooth. Exagerated characicture is
often used for humor, but doesn't detract from the overall beautiful drawing of the show. Special lighting was
used well, giving water and some shiny objects a bright and believable look. Art re-use was kept to a minimum. Soft
and multi-planer focus was also expertly used to add to the mood and captivity of the artwork.
-- There are a few pantie shots here and there, but nothing explicit. And the fighting isn't really bloody or
anything, so it's okay to let the kids watch.
Rating:
Sound
-- The voice acting is great, too. The voices for the characters go well with their personalites. The English translation is well done. The music is good, working will with the mood of the scene. With only a few songs to use, the music was a little repeatative sometimes, but detracted little from the overall experience.
Rating:
Presentation
-- The series is very funny, openly making fun of common fantasy cliches. It mixes the humor in with action and drama
in perfect proportion to make it just plain fun to watch. Melissa is a bit of a whiner, and the girls are too hard on
Louie, I think. Other than that, the story, art, and voice acting work great together to convey a thoroughly enjoyable
show worth buying and watching multiple times. I've already watched the whole series twice and enjoyed it just as
much the second time through.
-- Though each episode is more or less a self contained story, it wouldn't be as good to start watching the shows
from the middle. I recommend wating from the beginning just so you can learn a little about each of the characters
before watching the later episodes.
-- One of my favorite scenes is when Louie is all tied up with rope, to prove him usefulness he amazingly breaks free of
his bonds in a show of strength, only to immediately ruin the moment by tripping on one last piece of rope and fall on
his face. ^_^'
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.5000 (very good)
Reviewed by NightshimmerGM, Oct 31, 2005
Comments
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Vashreth Oct 31, 2005
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Recon45 Oct 31, 2005
Good review although the show could have been done better, it does what its supposed to do :)
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Legae Nov 01, 2005
Mahou Senshi Riui, aka Louie the Rune Soldier is one of the best and funiest anime I've ever seen ^^
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tareren Nov 01, 2005
Hmm, quite a good review but I do not quite like how you put it in point form...
The show sound kind of good, and you rate everything so high!
Wondering if this is an old anime cos I never heard of it haha.. maybe I should check it out >_> -
NightshimmerGM Nov 01, 2005
I don't think it is too old. I think it has just recently been translated to English, so that is why it's kind of new.
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tsukasagr Nov 02, 2005
It's not too old, and the animation is very good too. I loved this series, especially the little thief. :) And her pot.
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Nismosis Nov 02, 2005
Nice review. I'd seen this anime on the shelves before but was hesistant to pick it up. I may have to check it out now. Thanks for the insightful review. ^_^
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shinsengumi Retired Moderator Nov 07, 2005
As a quick heads-up, because the text of the review did not justify the scores given, each score was reduced by one to 8, 9, 8, and 9, respectively. Remember that scores of 10 reflect work that is more or less perfection itself, and therefore should be awarded only in extreme circumstances.
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NightshimmerGM Nov 07, 2005
:( B+ is not how I would have rated it. Okay, so the 10 can only be given in extreme cases, but the counter points I listed were very minor. I listed them only to be balanced. Overall I would still give Rune Soldier an A, whatever the point value. But I would like to hear what anyone else who has seen it thinks about the show.
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belial Nov 19, 2005
i agree it's a great and funny anime !
alright, it won't stand as an all time classic but it's really fun to watch and, as you pointed it, the artwork is beautiful.for those who don't know and are interested in this anime, it's available at low cost in France from declic image (2 box with 3 dvd each)
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