SUMMARY
For failing to follow orders, Eclair and Lumiere have been
branded as traitors of the GOTT. On the run from their friends
and former co-workers, the two fugitives head for deep space.
Yet, for every move they make, someone is one step ahead of
them. Whether it's an old foe from the past, or a new friend
from the present, Eclair and Lumiere's future looks very bleak.
When the GOTT forces two of their closest friends to kill them,
Eclair and Lumiere decide to take the battle to Eclipse, their
former boss. The foundation of the GOTT will shake under the
might of a very angry pair of ES members.
Little do Lumiere and Eclair realize that their attack has become
the perfect opportunity for another group to take control of the
GOTT.
No matter who wins, the citizens of the Galactic Union shall
loose.
DVD
VISION TEST
VIDEO: The quality is excellent.
There are no pixels or errors noted. The colors are solid, and the motion,
fluid.
AUDIO: The English 5.1 is a good mix, with plenty
of surround sound effects during the action segments. The music is
blended quite well, and does not over power the dialogue.
The
English and Japanese 2.0 is pretty evenly matched. It too has a
decent surround sound mix. It will depend on your system which is
better.
EDITS: The best of both
worlds. Thanks to the use of multiple angels, you can watch the open
and close with English titles, or the original Japanese versions. No
edits to the episodes have been made.
EXTRAS: Pretty much the same as the previous volumes. There is an
art gallery consisting of a montage of scenes, the clean close animation, a
profile section and a reversible cover. No cards
in this one either.
WIDESCREEN
REVIEW
STORY: If you loved shows like "Dirty
Pair" and "Noir", then you are gonna love "Kiddy Grade".
Based off the concept by gimik Gonzo, series planner Hidefumi Kimura's story is full of
over the top action, and sinister plots. While the earlier
volumes were light and airy, volume 5 takes a 180 degree turn,
taking the story into all new territory.
ACTING: The
cast is very good, on both tracks. On the English dub, we have the
always entertaining Monica Rail as the cute Lumiere. Her voice is a
little stronger than her work in other titles like
"Excel Saga" and "Noir". I enjoy Colleen
Clinkenbeard's youthful and energetic voice
for the hyperactive Éclair. I also have a soft spot for the deeper
voice of Clarine Harp, who plays the stoic Tweedledee.
Let's not forget the Japanese
Cast. I love Ryoko Nagata's mix of sexiness
and playfulness for Éclair. As Eclipse, Miki Doi's strong vocals is
exactly what you expect for the leader of a black ops team. Aya
Hirano low key voice is perfect for the cold and aloof Lumiere.
FAN SERVICE: Yep, there is plenty of fanservice, but as the
action is so intense, you really don't notice it.
CONCLUSION:
Anytime
you do something wrong, there is always a level of retribution that
goes with it. One hopes that the "punishment will fit the
crime", and you are given a chance to learn from your
mistakes. This lofty ideal does not apply at all to members of
the GOTT. You screw up once, your dead.
Lumiere and Éclair have broken the golden rule of command,
follow orders or die. While the reason for their betrayal was
noble and just, this doesn't matter to Eclipse and her
superiors. As far as they are concerned, a traitor is a
traitor. She sends two ES members with very close ties to our
two heroines, who know not only how to fight them, but every single
idea that pops into their head. The stage is set for a no
holds barred, knock down fight.
Things get even more desperate as more ES members are sent after
them, using some rather underhanded tactics. As I mentioned in
the previous volume, working for the GOTT isn't all fun and games. It
seems that everyone is in fear of loosing their life, doing the GOTT's
dirty work. This goes all the way up to Eclipse, who knows that her
time as head ES agent is limited. Yet, unlike Eclair, none of the
other ES members have any real problem with following orders they
find abhorrent. The only one who seems to be
secure in their position is Mr. Armburst. So confident of his place
in the pecking order, he isn't afraid to tell a bold face lie to
Eclipse, even though you can tell she doesn't believe a word he
says.
This volume is a nail biter of a DVD. Just when you think
things can't get any worse, they do. Like a really kick ass
game, the further you go, the more dangerous the situations.
If your not out of breath by the last episode, then there must be
something wrong with you.
The only issue I have with this volume is that the writers are
still keeping the details of Eclair and Lumiere's past very
vague. True, we do get to see more of their past, but it's all
flashback and out of context remarks that just don't make any
sense. Perhaps I'm over thinking things.
"Kiddy Grade: Freedom of Truth" is a rocking end to the
care free and fun days of the old Kiddy Grade. This is the
start of the new, and even darker chapter of this roller coaster of
a series, and I can't wait to see the next volume.
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