II: Prologue

Original Title: N/A
Romanized: II: Prologue
Literal:

Plot Synopsis

On a faraway world, the crown prince has run away from home in search of a great treasure... and that's just fine with the king, since the prince is the bearer of some of the worst luck on the planet. The king's going to need all the luck he can get, since he's in the process of trying a new tactic to battle an age-old foe... a shiny new spacefleet manned by librarians. Were will all this lead? Who knows...

Quick Review

Rating: 2 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2004-06-29

II: Prologue is, as the title implies, a single episode introduction to what is promised to be an extended animated action-comedy series somewhat along the lines of Tenchi Muyo. At this point, it is all that exists, and it's a promising start: it combines a large-scale (but rather silly) space battle, some classic bickering kids, and just a hint of bigger things to come in a lively little production. The 3D animation is a bit crude by modern standards, but it is used quite effectively to tell the story, and the voice acting is top notch.

I can't say I recommend it as a purchase on its own merits yet, since there's just not enough of it and it doesn't go anywhere (yet), but it holds its own (an impressive feat), and if more is produced some day it'll be a solid foundation.

US DVD Review

None exists.

Content Guide

A rather destructive space battle, but no onscreen death, and essentially no other objectionable material. I'd call it 10-up, though even younger viewers are probably fine.

Violence: 2 - Lots of people die, but it's all abstract.

Nudity: 0 - Nada.

Sex/Mature Themes: 0 - Zip.

Language: 0 - Nothing that I remember.

Notes and Trivia

The prologue is an introduction to the world of II, which (if the creators' plans pan out) will be an epic, light hearted sci-fi fantasy story, apparently in a Tenchi Muyo vein. Unfortunately, there's been little motion on the production in the two years since the VHS release of this OAV, but who knows. Conceived and written by two Americans (who also, I believe, did the visuals for the prologue), this is the first product of their startup anime production company, Pseudome Studio. If you're interested in details on the production and more, their website (pseudome.net) has plenty of it.

Availability

Was (may still be) available on English-language VHS direct from Pseudomé Studio.

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