Anime
Synopsis:
Neo Hong Kong, 2097: The world has changed.
Advances in genetic engineering and cybernetics have created
an environment full of artificially enhanced humans and intelligent
super-computers that operate using biological software. But
the same technology that has allowed man & machine to merge
has made both susceptible to a new kind of threat - digital
viruses capable of controlling their hosts. The last line of
defense against this insidious foe is an elite task force known
as STAND. Equipped with state-of-the-art armored cybernetic
suits known as "variable gears," only this special law-enforcement
arm can deal with virus-infected war machines on their own terms.
But when a prototype armored gear is infected with a new virus
during its unveiling, STAND has its hands full. Not only must
they contend with the rouge machine, but a mysterious stranger
know as Serge appears on the scene with his sights firmly fixed
on STAND's leader, Raven. Fascinated with the young man's potential,
Raven arranges for Serge to be unwittingly fitted with one of
STAND's variable gears. Not only is Serge's thirst for vengeance
corrected through this gambit, but the young man's latent battle
skills are awakened in time for him to soundly defeat the hostile
prototype. In the wake of the battle, Serge is invited to join
STAND. But what is the secret behind Serge's phenomenal strength
and skill? What secrets do his past hold? And just what is his
connection to the sinister "Incubator" - the self-aware orbital
space station bent upon replacing humanity with its infected
offspring?
DVD EXTRAS:
• Region 1 encoding
• Color, Animated
• Contains the episodes 1-4
• Character Design Boards, Mecha Design Boards, Character biographies
and trailers.
• Full-screen format
KNOWN DVD
SECRET(S): None that I know of
DVD REVIEW:
When
"Virus -Virus Buster Serge-" first came out in 1997,
I was really impressed by the storylines and character designs.
The characters have a feel of something like "Weiss Kreuz"
and the animation style of the "Fatal Fury: The Motion
Picture" or Masami Obari anime style.
I
really enjoy mecha anime such as "Bubblegum Crisis" and when
watching "Virus", it reminded me of "Bubblegum Crisis meets
Gatchaman" and the action is so intense that I couldn't get
out of my seat. It's that impressive!
Almost
six years later, Manga Entertainment has chose to release this
anime television series in the United States and fans of anime
series such as "Bubblegum Crisis", "Gatchaman"
or "Evangelion" will not be disappointed. It's a solid
series about artificially enhanced humans and what happens when
digital viruses start to control their hosts. Sounds like Boomers
from "Bubblegum Crisis" but the difference is the
team known as S.T.A.N.D. who are a group of two men and two
females with a mysterious teammate or rival named Serge.
The
anime is full of action and characters that are very interesting
that you'll want to watch more and more. The theme song "Rainy
Day and Day" by Dragon Ash is awesome and the DVD. As for the
TV series, the series consists of twelve episodes, this first
volume contains the first four episodes of a three volume DVD
series.
What
about the DVD?
Well,
first let me remind you that this is a television series from
back in 1997. The graininess is evident in this anime compared
to other television series and it does show it's age. Why that
is, I don't know but it's not as crisp and clear compared to
other anime television series but it's not terrible but videophiles
may be bothered by it.
The
other thing that will only bother purists of the original TV
series is the change of opening and ending segments. As well
as the chapter stops not being at the beginning of the episode
perse (beginning of opening segment) but after the opening sgement.
Also, the lack of romanizations or translations for the lyrics.
For me, this was a bit bothersome but for those who have never
seen the series, they probably will not even know this or care.
As
for the audio. The DVD features a 5.1 mix of the English dubbed
track and 2.0 of the Japanese track. I watched the Japanese
track and it's great. The dub track, I wasn't crazy for and
I thought that some voices were hard to hear. But I'm biased
toward the Japanese audio track.
As
for special features, like most mecha related anime, you have
your character designs and mecha designs and character information.
All
in all, "Virus" is still one heck of an anime to watch
and a deserves a placement in your DVD collection if you are
a fan of the different mecha anime I mentioned above.
Check
it out!
THE
ANIME: B+
THE DVD EXTRAS: B-
THE DVD OVERALL: B
