Search DVJ 2.0

Pull Quote:

The first two episodes on this disc are dull. There is no real suspense, and the outcome is all ready pre-determined.

DVJ Photo

Adverts

Real Bout High School

Netherworld Battle

Review by Matthew Anderson

13 Episode TV Series

Company: TOKYOPOP

Running Time:100 Min (4 Episodes)

Region: 1

Rating:PG-13 (Language, Violence, Partial Nudity)

EXTERNAL EXAM

At a private academy called Daimon High School, Ryoko Mitsurigi is considered the best. Why? Simply because she has won every single K-Fight since defeating the previous champion, Shizuma Kusanagi (whom Ryoko calls the Red Monkey). From Amateur Ninja's to the Rugby team, Ryoko is unstoppable.

In between fights she trains with Tatsuya, the schools kendo instructor, engages in petty fights with her senior, Azumi Kirabyashi, and deals with the zealous Daisaku, leader of her fan club.All is going well until she finds a mystic jewel. The gem transports her to another dimension called Solvania, where Ryoko ends up fighting monsters. The only way to return home is to defeat the monsters.

After her last battle, Ryoko is looking to take some down time at the mall. Unfortunately, her friend Hitomi (who works at Cat Like Fish Restaurant) has other ideas. She needs Ryoko to be Magical Waitress Oyster Lulu, Cat Like Fish's "Sailor Moon" inspired mascot.

At the same time, Shizuma is at the mall, engaged in a fight with three super powered fighters. Sensing what is going on, Ryoko joins the battle. However, things do not go as planned, and now Ryoko, Shizuma, and the rest of their friends are pulled into Solvania. Now, it is up to the Samurai Girl and the Red Monkey to save their friends, before giant lobsters kill them.

DVD VISION TEST

VIDEO: A beautiful looking transfer, TOKYOPOP has done a fantastic job. The colors are perfect, there are no pixels, no wrinkles, no defects.

AUDIO: Good audio mix on both the English and Japanese. With all the fighting on this disc, you can imagine how loud it is. The dialogue is center base, with the music and sound effects hitting you from all sides.

EDITS: Each episode uses the clean open and close animation. No other edits as far as we can tell.

EXTRAS: For the second time, we see some of the promotional material that goes with a TV series here in Japan. They have included the "Special End Corner" series. These are 5 minute, behind the scenes segments hosted by two of the voice actresses. An interview with Iku Kimura (Ryoko), as well as voice out takes, line art, translator notes, and a reversible cover make this one packed DVD.

WIDESCREEN REVIEW

STORY: The series is based off of the manga created by Reiji Saiga and Sora Inoue. However, it is Series Compositor (and writer) Aya Matsui and her group of writers who are giving us this story. Frankly, nothing in the series is new or original, story wise. It tries at times to be a cross between "Excel Saga" and "Street Fighter".

ACTING: The cast on both versions perform very well. Despite the rather mediocre stories and scripts, they do much better than in Vol 1. I really enjoy Satsuki Yukino and Serena Kolb, who both are the voice of Azumi Kirabyashi. They are so similar, it's uncanny.

FAN SERVICE: Well there is, and their isn't. It seems they can't make up their mind , so the panty shots come and go with no rhyme or reason. Mind you, the female characters are all very attractive, with nice bodies. Also, check out the babes on the special end corner segments.

There is also an "Iron Chef" parody that is down right funny.

FINAL EXAM

Real Bout High School is nothing new. In-fact, it borrows from so many different series, that you wonder if the writers can come up with anything original.

The first two episodes on this disc are dull. There is no real suspense, and the outcome is all ready pre-determined. That is the problem with invincible fighters, they always win. Even when they were fighting the giant crabs (don't ask), I knew that Ryoko and her friends would prevail. No one dies in this series, so there are no shocks or surprises.

Now, despite all my complaints of how un-original this series is, I actually found myself enjoying episode 7, the third episode of this disc. The "Iron Chef" battle between Ryoko and Azumi is funny. I was chuckling through out the entire episode as the two women fight to give a box lunch to Tatsuya. The biggest laughs come from Shizuma, sick as a dog from Ryoko's cooking. He spends most of the episode barfing or getting trampled as Ryoko and Azumi's battle spreads to the entire school. A stand out episode in a dull series.

It's a shame that the story is so unoriginal, because the animation is beautiful. Any time Gonzo (Gate Keepers, Blue Sub 6) is a part of the animating process, it looks wonderful. The character designs are attractive, the motion smooth and the style flows freely. However, their cool "shaterwave" effect is missing in most of the episodes.

Also, with the great job TOKYOPOP did on this disc, it's a shame to have wasted all the effort on such a mundane release. With a flawless transfer, great sound, and plenty of extras, they take full advantage of the DVD format. And, we have to admit, the video game theme for the menus is quite clever.

So, besides the animation and the DVD, is there anything else to recommend this movie? Actually, this DVD will be very popular with the little chibis (kids). With the near continuous action and broad physical humor, our kids were laughing and cheering throughout all three episodes. They watch it over and over again. However, since there are plenty of panty shots, some green blood and violent battles, it would be a good idea for parents to review the disc first. TOKYOPOP's rating system (another victory for the company) recommends sharing this with viewers aged 13 and up, but you can take it down a notch or do, depending on your house rules.

In the end, Real Bout High School looks and feels like a Play Station RPG/Fighting Game, and has about as much plot. Despite the negatives, adding this disc to your collection isn't a bad thing. The quality of the animation and the wonderful packaging makes it worth keeping around. Pick up a copy of Real Bout High School (or, as my son calls it, Samurai Girl). There are worse ways to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon!

Return to Top

Back to the DVD Review Page