VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE

Anime Review by Ztefrock



Vision of Escaflowne was shown in GMA 7 years back. I think it was 1999 or 2000.After a decade, I was able to finish the series and I am more than glad to write a review about it.

Plot Summary

Hitomi kanzaki is a High school girl who is also a member of the track team and quite hooked with tarot reading. But her normal life changed when one day she finds herself running from a dragon, and being saved by Van Fanel . Thus she finds herself thrust into a world at war between the powerful empire of Zaibach, with vast fleets of airships and floating castles at its command, and the many kingdoms who oppose the emperor's dark plans. Hitomi's mysterious abilities land her with a group of misfits, including two deposed princes—Allen Shezar, a gallant swordsman, and Van, the headstrong pilot of the mysterious and mighty Escaflowne--in a fight against destiny age.



Review.

What caught my attention were the names of the characters. The name Dilandau is quite strange but it sounds interesting, pleasant and bold. The protagonist’s full name is Van Slanzar de Fanel, a name very suitable for a prince. The name Allen Shezar is a handsome name for a handsome character. When I was a kid I was just fascinated with the names because they were pronounced quite differently with how they were spelled.

Folken- Vulkan

Millerna- Malerna

Van fanel- Von Fenel

Belgus- fergus

Dilandau- Dilandal

I like the character Hitomi. I find most female anime characters annoying with that entire gothic Lolita image (e.g. Miyaka of Fushigi Yuugi, Misa-misa of death note). Hitomi represents a typical talented Asian girl. She wasn’t an encumbrance all throughout the story. I also like the contrast between Van and Allen. It is like choosing between Dao Ming Tsu or Hua Tzi lei of Meteor Garden.

Escaflowne is a metaphysical sci-fi-fantasy with an awesome twisting plotline.

“I have fathered this kid.. Would you still love me, Hitomi?”- Allen Shezar.

In spite of the bravura plot, the ending is not up to scratch . I was watching the last episode on my laptop. I was wondering why the episode was half way through and the story was still on its climax. The last part was obviously rushed and quite disappointing. On the last part Hitomi went back to earth and left Van. Both accepted their fate. If you’d look back on the earlier episode when Hitomi went home, Van ran after because he loves her so much. It doesn’t make any sense at all! Hitomi should have stayed with Van. In the end, after being torn among three men she ended up empty handed.

The Official Sound Track is nice. I had it downloaded in my Mp3.

Yakusoku wa Iranai

Kimi wo kimi wo Aishite, kokoro de mitsumete iru

Kimi wo kimo wo shinjiteru, samui youru mo

In my translation it means.. I love you, My heart is looking after you. I believe you even in the coldest night.

As a whole Vision of Escaflowne is a great bishounen anime. I recommend this to everyone but just a heads up on the last part. There is no point to watch the movie. It has nothing to do with the series .