Angelic Layer - Vol. 1

Angelic Layer is about a small town girl called Misaki Suzuhara that travels to toyko to live with her Aunt. But on arrival the 12 year old Misaki discovers a new game, which the player controls high tech dolls with their minds to battle each other. She quickly makes friends with other kids that are also enjoy playing Angelic Layer. Anglic layer is based on the Manga series which is also available on Amazon.co.uk made by CLAMP(the all girl makers of Chobits) and the Animation is from BONES the same studio that animated Rah-Xephon. The story is great, I was really excited about when it was first introduced in the Chobits. The DVD contains 4 episodes which isn't bad for a first volume. And as always ADV has shoved some not half bad extras in also.

This is an anime that will put a smile on your face! Misaki is such a sweet girl and you just want to see her being happy when she triumphs with Hikaru... The ending theme really enhances happy as well as sad episode endings (especially when it starts) and the soundtrack does a good job too. Personally I prefer the original japanese voices over the english dubs since they are just more appropriate for the various characters than their english equivalents. As an owner of the complete series I can tell you that this first volume is the beginning of a very enjoyable experience, so I suggest "go and buy the other volumes as well"; if you like this one you will love the rest!

Angelic Layer is a lovely anime-a great little gem that has the charm of Cardcaptor Sakura (though not as visually beautiful), and the mecha-madness of Chobits (though not as mature in it's theme), with a touch of Excel Saga's crazy humour thrown in. The music is beautiful throughout (you're gonna want the soundtrack!), and the main character Misaki is soooo cute! ^__^ You just can't help cheering for her! It's also very funny in places-Misaki's insane mentor "wiggly Icchan" adds a lot of laughs to this series. It only lost it's 5th star because, to put it simply, it's kind of childlike and perhaps not that entertaining for older audiences. In conclusion; perhaps not the best that CLAMP has to offer, but definetly worth a watch-it's still very sweet and has a lot of promise...will Misaki ever meet her Mother??! I can't wait to see more of it...a nice little DVD to add to your anime collection.

Came in good condition

could not watch need region coded dvd player gave it to my ex cause he has a region coded dvd player from italy.

...I would be so broke. The idea behind Angelic Layer is kind of like when a player makes their own character for AD&D or any RPG. You make your own Battle Doll, deciding if you want a light weight or heavy weight, speed vs. muscles, so on. But it is still up to you to decide tactics and moves in the layer, the circle in which the Dolls fight(or practice). Misaki, a Middle School freshman is new to Tokyo, but quickly gains friends and also develops a deep interest in the Angelic Layer game, evening buying a Battle Doll, an Angel, of her very own. The four episodes on the DVD are full of action, interesting characters and themes about doing something you enjoy. I found the scene where the father is deciding what his kid's Doll is going to wear in battle very funny. One great extra is the Voice Actors' Commentary for the first episode, but only the first one. Being a CLAMP fan I really enjoyed the DVD and plan to collect them all, as long as my funds hold up. If this was a real game I would be in so much trouble. Playing with Dolls at my age, too! For 13 and up, but I'm not sure why, unless it has to do with Hikaru being nude half the time. She's a Battle Doll!

Angelic Layer is presented as science fiction, not fantasy, but on the basis of Arthur C. Clarke's principle "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic", I think it is proper to classify Misaki in Angelic Layer as a "magic girl". Magic Knight Rayearth was very good, Cardcaptor Sakura was better, and Angelic Layer is the best magic girl anime from CLAMP so far. If you have the earlier series and enjoyed them, don't just get the first DVD in this new collection, buy the complete set and save time.