Saber Marionette J to X, Vol. 2 (1998)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Directed by Akahori Satoru
Character Design by Tsukasa Kotobuki

Features:

• Tsukasa Kotobuki Interview
  
• English and Japanese audio
  
• English subtitles
  

Dindrane's Anime Warnings:

• robot fanservice
• patriarchal conventions
• tree abuse

Rating: 13+

Anamorphic: N/A

My Advice: Rent it for a change from giant robots or preteen angst.

Volume 2 of Saber Marionette brings five new episodes focusing on more of the characters. In the first episode, Bloodberry was planning to meet Otaru for a date to see the circus, but when that goes wrong, she meets an Otaru-lookalike/trapeze artist who is much more passionate and direct than Otaru could ever be. In the next episode, Lime befriends a forest faery that only she can see, perhaps because of her pure marionette heart. In the next, Cherry finds an infant and doing so activates her Maiden Circuit. When it’s revealed that this baby is a government-owned clone, she decides that the baby should be protected from this danger and wants to keep it. Then Lime shines again as she struggles to save a local forest that some of the townsfolk want to convert into a playground. Lime wants to know just who this “progress” is really meant to help. In the final episode, a well-meaning Otaru tries to give Lorelei a rare outing away from the castle, but when a new enemy appears, it’s not quite what he has in mind.

The plots, while they don’t contribute to an evolving overall story, do give the characters a chance to show who they are. We as viewers learn more about how the marionettes grow emotions and then handle them, as well as the culture of their world. It’s rather a shame though that the episode wherein Lime campaigns to save the trees is as weak as it is. Lime does at one point asks some good questions, reminding the townspeople that they aren’t the only living beings who deserve to benefit from progress; she also points out that the children are already using the forest as a playground and there’s therefore no need to spend the money and time to make something else, but the resolution is just too pat. Basically, if you ask really nice, the show says, people will listen to reason and be more aware. I wonder if Greenpeace knew that all along, all they had to do was tell the truth about the importance of wild spaces, and people would see the light. I don’t expect grittiness from a kid’s show, and it is good that they have an environmental message, but it’s almost too sugary to be effective or even particularly interesting.

The audio and video of this disc was good. Both the Japanese and English language tracks evinced no problems, and even the music was carefully controlled to be an accent without overwhelming voices. The video is similarly good, with no blurring or color problems, though there was a little bit of cross-coloration. The art is polished and attractive.

The extras list, on the other hand, is rather dismal. All we have here is a single small interview with character designer Tsukasa Kotobuki. It’s vaguely interesting, but not very deep or indeed very long--about five minutes. When given the opportunity to talk to an artist and creator, it’s better if we get to the meat of their thoughts--not just hear how popular he wants the series to be.

Overall, this is an enjoyable series for when you want something fluffy. It’s amusing in places, and the characters are likable enough. Basically, however, it’s just not as good as it could have been, and that keeps it out of the “must-buy” category. If you like “daily life” titles, such as Love Hina or Ranma 1/2, then you’ll probably enjoy Saber Marionette. Rent it when you get tired of Tenchi.