Saber Marionette J to X, Vol. 5 (1998)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Directed by Masami Shimoda
Starring Megumi Hayashibara, Yuka Imai, Yuri Shiratori, and Akiko Hiramatsu

Features:

• Making-of segments
  

Dindrane's Anime Warnings:

• More screeching
• Intended character growth
• Mediocre plotting
• Robot jubblies

Released by: Bandai
Region: 1
Rating: 13+
Anamorphic: N/A; appears in its original 1.33:1 format.

My Advice: Rent it.

In Volume 5 of the Saber Marionette saga, we rejoin Cherry, Lime, and Bloodberry as they continue trying to adjust to their new lives, sans Otaru. They still have no memory of him or their lives with him, but he is still intent upon rescuing them from the forces that seek to destroy them and take over the world.

Bloodberry finds herself still with a rather criminal element, but a chance encounter brings her in contact with the circus troupe she new before. Meanwhile, Lime and Cherry have found happier and safer lives, from which Otaru is loathe to extract them when he finds them. He wonders if perhaps they are better off there than they would be with him, when he now realizes how much he took them for granted before.

The flimsiness of the plot has always been the real weak point of the show. While it seems to focus upon characterization, which is always wonderful, it also seems to find it necessary to toss in random hints at a deeper, more overarching plot or conspiracy. These hints at a greater storyline just don’t hang together very well, and they often seem rather like last-minute, hasty additions to an ensemble piece that was just fine without them. Luckily, the characters are interesting and enjoyable to watch and at least to a certain extent make up for any lacks in the plot department.

The audio and video quality on this release is on par with the rest of the series, which is to say that the colors are bright and clear, and the sound is good. There’s a bit too much cross-coloration, but you can overlook that in most places, especially with the art as attractive as it is.

The extras would have been quite interesting, if only they had not been so short. We have brief looks at the making-of process, but they're not enough and don't really say anything substantive or even engrossing. Instead of a five minute piece on three subjects, they should have given us at least five minutes on one subject.

In short, if you’re looking for a lightweight piece of cheerful anime fluff, then Saber Marionette might be just what you’re looking for. If you demand a lot in the way of plot complexity, polished characterizations, or creativity, then you might be disappointed, but if you’ve been enjoying the series thus far, then you know what to expect and must like it. Give this title a shot if you like ensemble cast pieces with some light interpersonal angst and low-key adventure.