SUMMARY
The year is 2097. The city of Xenon is the pinnacle of
technological innovation. Living there are the three best virtual
gamers in the world; Bebefau, Mint, and Pseudo. The three of them
have been "headhunted" by the famous programmer Moderado to help
him with a little problem.
Nine years ago, Moderado created "The Lemon Game".
While a breakthrough in cyber gaming, something went very
wrong. He was forced to shut the game down, yet he hasn't
given up fixing it. Moderado's hopes that the three members of his
"Spearhead Dream Team" will help him fix the problem, from the
inside. Once everything is cleared, he can present the "Lemon
Game" to the world.
This is easier said than done. Someone or something has possessed
the system. Damage from the battles fought in cyberspace are being
translated to the real world. Players in the game can physically be
hurt, as well as overcome by the sickly sweet smell of lemon. Is it
the resurgence of the Bastof Syndrome that's causing this, or is it
something more?
DVD
VISION TEST
VIDEO: The video quality is well done. There are
no pixels, wrinkles, noticeable edge enhancement, or color bleeds to be
seen. Thanks to the show being recorded digitally, the transfer is
free of defects.
AUDIO: Naturally the English 5.1 has a fuller sound
and better directionality than the Korean 2.0. Yet, the 5.1 isn't
nearly as loud as the Korean 2.0. Also the music is really muted on
the 5.1, making it a little hard to enjoy the techno soundtrack.
EDITS:
Clean open and close were used with English text. No edits to the
episodes were noted.
EXTRAS: All we get is the clean open and close. You would think
that with the first DVD, there would be a little more in the extras
department.
WIDESCREEN
REVIEW
STORY: This is a pretty "family
friendly" title. Similar to "Code Lyoko", Young-Ah
Choi's script is your basic "super smart kids save the world"
type story. He also keeps you guessing on what exactly is going on,
which forces you to watch each episode so you don't get lost.
ACTING:
The Korean voice cast is pretty good. Won Hyung Choi has the right
voice for the cocky and arrogant Pseudo. For the character of Mint,
Do Young Song matches the screeching done by many Japanese voice actresses
pitch by pitch. I like how Hyun Sun Lee plays the obnoxious
Pudding like an old woman trapped in a 12 year old body.
The English
cast decent as well. It's a surprise to hear Chris Patton give a
little more energy in the role of Bebefau. Normally he plays uptight
characters like Yushiro in Gasaraki.
Cynthia Martinez is just as annoying as Do Young Song for the character of
Mint. Sayuki fans can enjoy Greg Ayers playing the least obnoxious
character of the series, Bomb.
FAN SERVICE: Not a single bit of fan service to be found here.
Like I said, it's pretty family friendly.
CONCLUSION:
A mysterious orb. The water of a sacred temple turning into
blood. A girl with no memory, and the smell of lemon. What do
these seemingly separate events have to do with the corruption of a video
game? I haven't a clue, but it's going to be fun figuring it out.
This is "Bastof Syndrome", the first of ADV's Korean
imports. It may not break any ground as far as story, it is an
entertaining first step from the land of kimchee and "Volcano
High".
Bastof Syndrome is a series that kids can have fun with, and parents
don't have to worry about. The violence is all "robot vs.
robot", with no one being killed or viciously maimed. The
characters are not that far removed from shows like "Code
Lyoko". There is the cocky skater, the tomboy brat, and the
cool guy girls go for. While they may not like each other, they do
respect each other enough to get along. Even the pushy brats Pudding
and Bomb are good kids, who just want to do the right thing. Well,
maybe not Pudding.
The computer aided animation looks great, although it moves a little
choppy at times. I give them credit for not going the 100% CG route
for the robots. Too many times, the CG will clash with the
traditional artwork. The animation style also works well with the
character and mechanical designs. The only thing I don't like is
that the girls all look a little too butch for my tastes.
This is one series you can't just pick up at any point in the
series. Each episode builds on the previous one, so sequential
viewing is a must. There are also some references to past events
that feel out of context. It's almost like BastoF Syndrome is the
sequel to another series. I think they are trying to add an air of
X-Files paranoia to the show. Instead it makes for a rigid narrative
with missing pieces that may cause some confusion.
I was disappointed with the haphazard presentation of this title.
As most US audiences know so little about Korean animation, you would
think ADV would provide more information. Trailers, commercials,
even a text history of Korean animation would have been better than the
clean open and close and a 5.1 English dub. Usually, you
don't see this weak of a presentation unless the company doesn't expect
for it to do well.
BastoF Syndrome is a good first step into the world of Korean animation
. While it does have it's hiccups, overall the series drew me in,
and kept me interested. I will be looking forward to the next
volume, and many more Korean titles from ADV Films.
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