s-CRY-ed

[areaseven]

s-CRY-ed ( スクライド )

Sunrise/TV Tokyo/Bandai Visual, 2001

Bandai Entertainment, 2003-2004

Directed by Goro Taniguchi (Infinite Ryvius, Planetes).

Rated 13-Up for violence, mature situations and strong language.

Based on the manga by Yosuke Kuroda (screenplay writer for Excel Saga, Puni Puni Poemi and Trigun) and Yasunori Toda, s-CRY-ed takes place in Lost Ground, an island separated from the rest of Japan by a mysterious phenomenon 22 years ago. On the island live a new breed of humans who possess an extraordinary ability known as an "Alter". To keep track of these Alter Users, the Japanese Government created an organization known as HOLD. In this organization is an elite group of Alter Users known as HOLY.

Kazuma is a native Alter User with the ability to generate armor on his right arm and fin-like attachments on his back. With this Alter, his punches guarantee total destruction all around him. But after being captured by HOLY and escaping shortly afterwards, Kazuma swears complete hatred towards Ryuho, an HOLY member who uses a mecha-like entity as an Alter.

Story: B

s-CRY-ed is a bit confusing at first, but after a couple of episodes, it grows on you with its deep character development and non-stop action. Too bad the ending sucked.

Animation: B+

The artwork and animation are not very groundbreaking, but still impressive for a mid-budget TV series. s-CRY-ed's fight scenes are very well-choreographed and more fun to watch than Dragon Ball Z. Character designs by Hisaishi Hirai (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Infinite Ryvius).

Soundtrack: B+

It's pretty good. Just not much to talk about other than the exceptional use of Spanish-style guitar music.

Sub vs. Dub

s-CRY-ed features Souichiro Hoshi (Kira in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Kei in Please Teacher!) as Kazuma, Hikaru Midorikawa (Heero in Gundam Wing, Zelgadiss in The Slayers) as Ryuho, Yuko Nagashima (Rina in Saint Tail) as Mimori, Masayo Kurata (Shinobu in Love Hina, Karinka in Steel Angel Kurumi) as Xeres, Yukari Tamura (Asuka in The Soul Taker, Kasumi in Labyrinth of Flames) as Kanami, Kyosei Tsukui as Straight Cougar, Yuji Takada (Frank in Argento Soma, Paion in Brigadoon) as Martin, Takumi Yamazaki (Isamu in Macross Plus, George in Mobile Fighter G-Gundam) as Kunihiko, Tetsu Shiratori (Yuu in Brain Powered, Yasushi in Boogiepop Phantom) as Kyoji, Tetsuya Iwanaga (Makoto in El Hazard, Kensuke in Neon Genesis Evangelion) as Asuka, and Norio Wakamoto (Coach in Gunbuster, Vicious in Cowboy Bebop) as the narrator.

I haven't seen the English dub (by Bang Zoom! Entertainment), but I've read that David Lucas (Spike in Cowboy Bebop, Roger in The Big O) did a good job as the voice of Kazuma.

DVD Extras

Coming Soon.

The Bottom Line

Sick and tired of Dragon Ball Z? Pick up s-CRY-ed. It's anime with a serious punch.

Links

Bandai Entertainment's Official s-CRY-ed Homepage

Reference

Anime News Network

Edited July 28, 2004 by areaseven

[Commander McBride]

I've really been wanting to see this series. Guess it's another for the list of things to buy...

[DestroidsRage]

I saw the entire series around the same time if finished airing in Japan.

Awesome show. I cant imagine how awefully sucky it would be dubbed, so if you get it, stick with the subs. The story is rather intriguing. The characters are awesome. And the fighting is ludicrously top notch. One of the final fights will leave you wincing at what the characters are doing to eachother.

Definitely a awesome show. Check it out Im surprised there hasnt been more replys to this post!! I was under the impression this show was getting rather popular.

-BEN-MAN-