Aura Battler Dunbine, Vol. 5: Return to Byston Well (1983)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Hajime Yatate
Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino

Features:

• Production portfolio
  
• Clean opening
  
• Clean closing
  

Dindrane's Anime Warnings:

• Chum as a hero
• Child abuse and an evil mother
• The evils of humanity
• Minor violence

Released by: ADV
Region: 1
Rating: 12+
Anamorphic: N/A; appears in its original 1.33:1 format

My Advice: Get it.

Aura Battler Dunbine has one of the most creative premises to come along in a while. The story centers around a thing called "Byston Well," which is where souls gather before birth--an ideal place where souls learn honor, friendship, and so forth. The warlord Drake has been marching across the world of Byston Well, taking castle after castle, a war that is spilling onto Upper Earth now, too. Show Zama and Garalia (and their aura-powered mecha) have left Byston Well for Earth, only to find that no one on Earth believes in the existence of the Well or that they are who they say they are. Indeed, Show's mother may become his bitterest and most dangerous enemy. Along with Show is the unfortunately-named sylph-like "Ferario" creature called Chum, who does her best to keep him on target and happy. Show and Garalia must work together, but they all too quickly find themselves on opposite sides when Show tries to stop the conflict. Some soldiers from Upper Earth work for Drake and bring a level of greed and violence to the fray that Byston Well isn't used to seeing.

The plot is very complex, and if you haven't seen the earlier discs in the series, then you might be a bit lost if you come in here; it will help if you read the backstory text on the disc's insert. The story is worth the battle, however, and even if you aren't 100% sure what's going on. The Aura Road is how Show and Garalia came to Upper Earth, which basically means surrounding themselves and their mecha with their aura power and jumping dimensions. The Aura Battler of the title refers to Show's mecha, the Dunbine. When they showed up on Show's original hometown of Tokyo, they were assumed to be aliens and targeted by the defense force of Japan. Meanwhile, back in Byston Well, other characters, such as mecha pilot Keen and Lady Elle, are trying to save the world from the power-mad machinations of Drake. King Foizon also does his best to keep himself intact and his people safe. When Show returns to Byston Well, he is thrown back into the war between the king and Drake.

The visuals are on par with an early 1980s series and not the most artistic anime has ever seen. But the transfer is good and bright, and the worlds are so nicely realized that you won't mind too much. The sound is also very good; the English dub is done emotionally and with some sensitivity to characterization. In the dub, Neal's Irish accent--which comes and goes--is a bit annoying, but not all that distracting. The subtitled translation is done very literally and might be a bit confusing at times. The music and incidental sounds are great; the balance is very nicely done. Ignore the rather odd cover image; the show is worthwhile.

The features list includes a nice selection of production images in a slideshow, as well as clean opening and closings. A plot synopsis or dramatis personae would have been nice, given the complexity of the plot and how long it has been since the release of the previous volume.

In short, Aura Battler Dunbine is creative, interesting, and fun. It's worth watching carefully to catch up to the story, and could quickly become one of your favorites. If you like science fiction, fantasy, or adventure, then you'll enjoy this. Fans of titles like Gundam Wing and El Hazard will like this one; this title definitely deserves wider recognition.