Queen Emeraldas [DVD]

This volume, released by ADV Films, contains the first two episodes, produced by Studio OLM (Oriental Light & Magic), of the 4-episode 1998 OVA solo adventure of Captain Harlock's frequent co-star and virtual distaff doppelganger, Emeraldas, titled after her famous, dirigible-like spaceship, the Queen Emeraldas.Unfortunately, episodes 3 & 4, produced a year later by a different studio, Multi Access Company, have yet to be licensed here, and at this remove it seems unlikely they ever will be.Thankfully this pair, Departure & Eternal Emblem, comprise a self-contained arc that doesn't leave one hanging.I however am forced to leave the reader hanging, in terms of the story, as even a brief synopsis would involve more cross-references to other 'Leijiverse' anime than I'm prepared to deal with here.And anyway, you wouldn't want me to spoil it for you, yeah?Suffice it say, if you're a Leiji Matsumoto fan, you won't wanna miss this.

"Queen Emereldas" is fun. The OVA is peppered with flaws, preventing it from being more than fun, but it is still a good DVD and a nice addition to the Matsumoto stable.As with most Matsumoto, "Queen Emereldas" is heavy on melodrama. "I am.....Emereldas (accompanied by a fierce wind that blows cape in a dramatic fashion.)" His work is pretty firmly Science Fantasy rather than Science Fiction. Spaceships are re-conditioned pirate ships with flags blowing in a non-existant wind as they sail the silent seas. Weapons are based on archaic swords and heavy dragoons. "Queen Emereldas" has all of these Matsumoto touches in spades. Honor and strength matter more than plot, and every scrappy kid has the right to be a man. The orchestral music is sweeping drama.On the flaw side, as with "Harlock Saga," "Queen Emereldas" has a hard time with computer animation and cel animation. The two styles mix together jaringly. For some bizarre reason, the DVD switches to French about 2/3 of the way through. With a remote control it is easy enough to switch it back, but it is strange that this error got through on a professional DVD.Storywise, "Queen Emereldas" assumes you are up on your Matsumoto. There are no introductions made for characters like Tochiro or the mechanoids. Backstory is never filled in. Someone not familiar with Matsumoto's previous work would be very confused and disappointed by "Queen Emereldas."Still, with so little of Matsumoto's work available on DVD, each crumb dropped from the table feels like a feast. It's a fun series and I enjoy it in spite of it's flaws.

I ordered the VHS and recieved a Sealed copy in perfect condition I couldn't be more thrilled as a collector. Although I am going to unseal it to watch I'm still thankful.

I'm somewhat new to anime, but I can tell you this, Queen Emeraldas is fantastic. My only complaint is that I was left wanting more, a LOT more, as in several more episodes of this story. Anyone who enjoys the works of Leiji Matsumoto will like this one. This is a must see for any fan of Galaxy Express 999 or Captain Harlock. The DVD version is great because you can play it either English dubbed or Japanese with English subs. This movie tells you a bit about Emeraldas' past in a way similar to what "Vengeance of the Space Pirate" does Captain Harlock's past. You will see appearances of several characters from other Leiji Matsumoto anime movies as well.

Don't get me wrong, I love the work of Matsumoto-sama, I have ever since I caught the original Captain Harlock television series while living in France in 1980 and 1981. I also own every bit of his work on video and DVD where available, from the Galaxy Express 999 films to all five of the Battleship Yamato films. I love this OVA, but I admit that it is one that only a Matsumoto-sama fanatic could. If you are not smitten by the Harlock Universe stay away from this DVD, because it will make no sense to you and you will not be able to overlook the technical glitches and poor computer animation.

Thank

One of the more standout "Lejiverse" titles from the 90s was probably this 2-episode OVA series. Queen Emeraldas shows the pirate queen from Captain Harlock in her own solo adventure. Set in the same apparent continuity as Maetel Legend, Galaxy Express 999, and several other Leji Matsumoto anime, Emeraldas is a renegade wanderer fighting for human freedom across the "sea of stars".Set sometime after the events of Arcadia Of My Youth, a runaway from Earth named Hirono stows away on a space freighter which is attacked by Afressian Empire posing as space pirates. They are stopped by the freedom fighter Emeraldas in her space zepplin, the Queen Emeraldas. Hirono then sets off on a old west-type planet to get materials to build his own spaceship so he can live free on his own, like Captain Harlock. The Afressian commander descends to the planet to pick a fight with whoever stopped their attack on the freighter, but is met with Emeraldas herself who brushes him off. The Afressians then launch an all-out assault on Emeraldas after taking the western planet's occupants hostage, along with Hirono. They manage to free themselves, giving Emeraldas the chance to finish the Afressian fleet. She then has a final duel with their leader, Queen Baraluda. After winning Emeraldas hands Hirono one of the five Cosmo Dragoon laser guns made by her "lover" Tochiro, the now departed creator of the Queen Emeraldas.This was a great introduction to the Lejiverse, referencing events and characters from the other anime/manga titles. Although similar to Maetel Legend, the second episode falls a little flatter than the first, and feels like it could have just been a single 45-minute long one-shot as opposed a two-episode series. There's some good animation, even though the CGI used of the Queen Emeraldas at the beginning is clearly better than that used in the actual episodes. Worth a look for anyone who likes a decent space western.

nice dvd

c'est fabuleux la commande est arrivé dans les temps le disque était parfait merci

A short DVD, with only 2 episodes; although it was rather entertaining. I don't know exactly where this one is placed in amongst the entire Harlock Saga, although it was a very good addition. I enjoyed this show, and hope to get some of the other Space priate series' soon.

Le dvd est bien arrivé dans les temps, manque de bol j'ai eu la version anglaise j'ai pas fait gaffe, mais bon ça n'est pas grave. Je l'ai trouvé à 14€ et au vu des autres commentaire, je pense qu'il faut éviter d'acheter ce DVD plus que ça (plus de 100 € ??? Cette blague...).

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Pour les inconditionnels fan de ce type de film. Reconnu par n'importe quel lecteur blu-ray et DVD. Images et son nickel. à recommander