Amazon.com
Originally released in 1992, this three-episode OAV mixes ecological themes with some very odd theology. In the not-too-distant future, when the Earth is choking in pollution, the alien Rodo strikes, sequestering virtually all the planet's water and vegetation in guarded enclaves. The remaining humans eke out a wretched existence in the vast deserts, under the control of Rodoist soldiers. After witnessing the soldiers' brutality, Ran, a hotheaded adolescent, sets out to join the rebels of the Hazard. During the course of his adventures, he meets Aira, a mysterious girl whose silvery hair marks her as a member of a powerful group needed by the alien Holy Mother to destroy the human race. Needless to say, Ran manages to rescue her (and humankind) in the nick of time. The animation in Ran is a cut above most anime, and the designs of the sand-ships that carry the rebels through the deserts recall the Jawa craft in Star Wars. But the discussions of an evil alien as the "Holy Mother" may disturb some religious viewers. The DVD release of Ran is the complete, 141-minute original; the 120-minute version previously available had been edited to remove profanity and a brief nude scene. (Ages 12 and older for violence and occasional profanity) --Charles Solomon
Description
In the future, our planet will be transformed into a strange new world where human life struggles on an Earth without rain or oceans - only vast, parched deserts where two youths fight for survival and find hope. The sea, sky and the land had been completely polluted by mankind when mysterious objects fall from the heavens. These titanic vessels smash into the planet and suck up the air, water, and most living creatures into their womb, stealing away the very essence of Earth's nature. The few remaining inhabitants struggle for survival against a hostile environment and an oppressive ruling race known as the Rodo. One young, hot-blooded human named Ran, fights against the Rodo and a world in which rain is only a legend.
Customer Reviews:
Quite pleased for once (impulse purchase)..........2007-05-02
As noted in the title, I picked this up as an impulse purchase in a used CD/DVD store at a reasonable price, along with Psychic Force and Metropolis, both of which I'll also review once I watch them.
As also noted in the title, so far I've really enjoyed Green Legend Ran. More so than other impulse purchases like Harmagedon, and Ninja Cadets!. The story is at least interesting, the characters seem well-designed for the most part. The visuals are interesting, and crisp. The audio track(s) are pretty good. I've gotten through the first half of the 3-part OVA/Movie (not sure how to best classify it). I guess one could call it a 3-part mOVA or a mOVie with a brief intermission or two?
Now, on to the slightly odd bits:
1) The features... Ye-eeah! Not so much. Appears to simply launch into part one of the feature. The menu button on the DVD remote comes up with a circle and a line through it, which tells me there's no menu, likewise no special features. *Sigh* At least the feature itself is good!
2) The packaging... Is not quite what I'd call "normal" for DVD releases. Looks like the company was blowing out some CD jewel cases, and decided that since the DVD was the same form factor, why not kill two birds with one stone? Long story short, the copy I got used a CD-form-factor case with a booklet inside, and a cardboard case the form factor of a DVD case with the jewel case allowed to slide in and out of the bottom. I could certainly foresee a lot of "dropping the case" issues, which I'm guessing the prior owner of my copy had, seeing as how the case is cracked on the front face. C'est la vie. The price was right, and the product is otherwise good, so I'm happy. Though I'd love to see an "extended" or "special" edition with an actual menu, scene selections, special features, etc.
Long story short, despite the above mentioned quirks, the disc plays well, and I like this particular acquisition, so I'd recommend it for those looking for a quickie buy of a decent anime.
There is a fair amount of blood and violence in the anime (possibly nudity too? A bit of coarse language that most people nowadays can probably gloss over relatively easily, considering the amount of it on TV). So, I probably wouldn't recommend it for younger kids. Older kids will probably enjoy it, though one may wish to "parentally supervise" while watching, just in case. ;o]
Generally, a good flick. I'll add comments once I finish the last half tonight. But I expect it'll be as good as the first half. I'll let ya' know.
----------
Addendum (5-6-07):
Okay, finished watching it (despite a physical defect in my 'used' copy & having to skip a couple scenes). Based on general overall consistency, I'm sure the stuff I missed was equally as good as the parts I did get to watch. I'll pick up a "clean" copy at some point, 'cause I really do like the story, visuals, etc. Overall I'd say this is a good anime to pick up, in my opinion, basedon recent viewings of this and others. I like this, Spriggan, Wrath of the Ninja, Samurai - Hunt for he sword, Ghost in the Shell: SAC, Record of Lodoss War: Heroid Knight. I'd avoid Ninja Cadets, Harmagedon, Psychic Force, if given a second chance at them. Hope all this helps some folks navigate the perils & pitfalls of bargain-anime. Sometimes, not such a bargain, even if it is cheap... Green Legen Ran: not 'cheap,' but is a bargain, in my opinion. Good flick, rated: buy.
Another Apocalypse Anime.......2006-02-10
Truthfully, you'd think this would get old, the post-apocalyptic settings. Almost every major anime has such a setting (Evangelion, Akira, Vampire Hunter D, just to name a few), and in all of these this setting plays an integral role to the story. Green Legend Ran is just another in a continuing line of dramatic anime dealing with this as its central conflict.
To be more specific, Green Legend Ran takes place on an Earth that has been sucked dry by strange alien statues. Now, humanity struggles to survive in small villages scattered throughout the world, and ruling the remainder of these humans is a religious cult known as the Rodoists. Using water as their means for dominance, they have cemented their place as the leaders of the planet. But a formidable foe has appeared in the form of a resistance group known as Hazzard, who's out to destroy the Rodoists and reclaim the world in the hopes that they can nurture life back into it. It's a boy named Ran who gets in the middle of both of these factions, and in truth his main goal is to get revenge against the man who killed his mother. Early in his quest, he joins Hazzard and meets a girl named Ira, with whom he falls in love with and chooses to protect at all costs. It's his love for this strange, silver-haired girl that continues to drive him, and eventually, he's thrown deep into the next struggle to prevent a new apocalypse, and one sure to wipe out the remainder of mankind.
The story itself reminds me a lot of Now and Then, Here and There and Princess Mononoke. The setting and the animation style (down to the character design it seems) is very similar to Now and Then, while the idea of not having a true bad guy is reminiscent of Mononoke. What this movie does have that is somewhat unique is an animation style that doesn't match the content. By this I mean the animation looks somewhat childish, like what you'd expect from early Ghibli Films, yet Green Legend Ran is filled with bloody violence and nudity. Every time something like that comes around you can't help but feel, "Why is this here?" For me, this was a good surprise, though for some it may be jarring.
Still, though this movie has some good things going for it, very little in it is unique. Yes, Green Legend Ran is older, but not that old, and most of the films I mentioned were made before or around the same time. So really there is no excuse for the fact that nothing in this anime adds to the genre. If you enjoyed the superior Now and Then, Here and There, you might not like this movie. If you haven't yet seen Now and Then, then check this out first, and if it interests you then by all means move on to Now and Then, Here and There. I'd also recommend this movie to true anime fans and historians, as it is one of the earlier anime to make it's way to DVD.
It's pretty cool.......2003-09-03
Like most who reviewed this, I saw it on the Sci-Fi channel years ago. And just recently, someone mentioned the name of it on a message board regarding anime on Sci-Fi years ago. So I bought it to see what it was all about.
This OVA is above average. The characters are all cool, and the music fits in with the scenes well. For an anime that's only 3 episodes/parts long, they got in some pretty good character development. Something that's missing in most mainstream anime (ie- Dragon Ball Z). Green Legend Ran's story is good for the most part. But in the last 10-15 minutes, I just got lost. So much was happening, that I needed to watch it 3 more times just to figure out what I missed when I blinked. Some people say this series lags in some parts, I didn't think so. There was something going on in all scenes.
Someone said that they thought this is "family friendly" or something. Not at all. There's breif nudity in the middle/later parts, cussing from the main character- Ran, and quite a few graphic deaths of innocent people and soldiers. This is a futuristic movie, so all weapons do rediculous damage to people when used.
You'll really be able to feel for Ran as he goes over events that happened when he was a child, and even if he is sort of bratty, he's a very good protagonist. You should check this DVD out if you're looking for a short series, or just something new. Just remember- there's no menu on this. All extras are at the end...and they're pretty crumm. The "interview" with the producer/director is a whole 2 short questions. And the music video...you see it right before the actual music video is shown since it's the end song. Either way, you should check this out when you have a chance.
this alpha and omega of anime.......2003-07-22
back in 1994, a friend was staying over at my house. it was about 3:00 am. a show called Saturday Night Anime was on the sci-fi channel. we checked it out. the feature was Green Legend Ran. it was the best anime was i have ever seen, which is saying quite a lot. green legend ran tops even yu-yu hakusho (my favorite series), cowboy bebop, evangelion and those who hunt elves (tee-hee-hee!). if you want a taste of kick-bum anime, you should definitly see it.
WONDERFUL.......2003-04-29
Ive seen this anime on tape.This dvd version has more footage.
The ending is so beautiful.Truly one of the best animies ever made.
Amazon.com
Originally released in 1992, this three-episode OAV mixes ecological themes with some very odd theology. In the not-too-distant future, when the Earth is choking in pollution, the alien Rodo strikes, sequestering virtually all the planet's water and vegetation in guarded enclaves. The remaining humans eke out a wretched existence in the vast deserts, under the control of Rodoist soldiers. After witnessing the soldiers' brutality, Ran, a hotheaded adolescent, sets out to join the rebels of the Hazard. During the course of his adventures, he meets Aira, a mysterious girl whose silvery hair marks her as a member of a powerful group needed by the alien Holy Mother to destroy the human race. Needless to say, Ran manages to rescue her (and humankind) in the nick of time. The animation in Ran is a cut above most anime, and the designs of the sand-ships that carry the rebels through the deserts recall the Jawa craft in Star Wars. But the discussions of an evil alien as the "Holy Mother" may disturb some religious viewers. The DVD release of Ran is the complete, 141-minute original; the 120-minute version previously available had been edited to remove profanity and a brief nude scene. (Ages 12 and older for violence and occasional profanity) --Charles Solomon
Customer Reviews:
Quite pleased for once (impulse purchase)..........2007-05-02
As noted in the title, I picked this up as an impulse purchase in a used CD/DVD store at a reasonable price, along with Psychic Force and Metropolis, both of which I'll also review once I watch them.
As also noted in the title, so far I've really enjoyed Green Legend Ran. More so than other impulse purchases like Harmagedon, and Ninja Cadets!. The story is at least interesting, the characters seem well-designed for the most part. The visuals are interesting, and crisp. The audio track(s) are pretty good. I've gotten through the first half of the 3-part OVA/Movie (not sure how to best classify it). I guess one could call it a 3-part mOVA or a mOVie with a brief intermission or two?
Now, on to the slightly odd bits:
1) The features... Ye-eeah! Not so much. Appears to simply launch into part one of the feature. The menu button on the DVD remote comes up with a circle and a line through it, which tells me there's no menu, likewise no special features. *Sigh* At least the feature itself is good!
2) The packaging... Is not quite what I'd call "normal" for DVD releases. Looks like the company was blowing out some CD jewel cases, and decided that since the DVD was the same form factor, why not kill two birds with one stone? Long story short, the copy I got used a CD-form-factor case with a booklet inside, and a cardboard case the form factor of a DVD case with the jewel case allowed to slide in and out of the bottom. I could certainly foresee a lot of "dropping the case" issues, which I'm guessing the prior owner of my copy had, seeing as how the case is cracked on the front face. C'est la vie. The price was right, and the product is otherwise good, so I'm happy. Though I'd love to see an "extended" or "special" edition with an actual menu, scene selections, special features, etc.
Long story short, despite the above mentioned quirks, the disc plays well, and I like this particular acquisition, so I'd recommend it for those looking for a quickie buy of a decent anime.
There is a fair amount of blood and violence in the anime (possibly nudity too? A bit of coarse language that most people nowadays can probably gloss over relatively easily, considering the amount of it on TV). So, I probably wouldn't recommend it for younger kids. Older kids will probably enjoy it, though one may wish to "parentally supervise" while watching, just in case. ;o]
Generally, a good flick. I'll add comments once I finish the last half tonight. But I expect it'll be as good as the first half. I'll let ya' know.
----------
Addendum (5-6-07):
Okay, finished watching it (despite a physical defect in my 'used' copy & having to skip a couple scenes). Based on general overall consistency, I'm sure the stuff I missed was equally as good as the parts I did get to watch. I'll pick up a "clean" copy at some point, 'cause I really do like the story, visuals, etc. Overall I'd say this is a good anime to pick up, in my opinion, basedon recent viewings of this and others. I like this, Spriggan, Wrath of the Ninja, Samurai - Hunt for he sword, Ghost in the Shell: SAC, Record of Lodoss War: Heroid Knight. I'd avoid Ninja Cadets, Harmagedon, Psychic Force, if given a second chance at them. Hope all this helps some folks navigate the perils & pitfalls of bargain-anime. Sometimes, not such a bargain, even if it is cheap... Green Legen Ran: not 'cheap,' but is a bargain, in my opinion. Good flick, rated: buy.
Another Apocalypse Anime.......2006-02-10
Truthfully, you'd think this would get old, the post-apocalyptic settings. Almost every major anime has such a setting (Evangelion, Akira, Vampire Hunter D, just to name a few), and in all of these this setting plays an integral role to the story. Green Legend Ran is just another in a continuing line of dramatic anime dealing with this as its central conflict.
To be more specific, Green Legend Ran takes place on an Earth that has been sucked dry by strange alien statues. Now, humanity struggles to survive in small villages scattered throughout the world, and ruling the remainder of these humans is a religious cult known as the Rodoists. Using water as their means for dominance, they have cemented their place as the leaders of the planet. But a formidable foe has appeared in the form of a resistance group known as Hazzard, who's out to destroy the Rodoists and reclaim the world in the hopes that they can nurture life back into it. It's a boy named Ran who gets in the middle of both of these factions, and in truth his main goal is to get revenge against the man who killed his mother. Early in his quest, he joins Hazzard and meets a girl named Ira, with whom he falls in love with and chooses to protect at all costs. It's his love for this strange, silver-haired girl that continues to drive him, and eventually, he's thrown deep into the next struggle to prevent a new apocalypse, and one sure to wipe out the remainder of mankind.
The story itself reminds me a lot of Now and Then, Here and There and Princess Mononoke. The setting and the animation style (down to the character design it seems) is very similar to Now and Then, while the idea of not having a true bad guy is reminiscent of Mononoke. What this movie does have that is somewhat unique is an animation style that doesn't match the content. By this I mean the animation looks somewhat childish, like what you'd expect from early Ghibli Films, yet Green Legend Ran is filled with bloody violence and nudity. Every time something like that comes around you can't help but feel, "Why is this here?" For me, this was a good surprise, though for some it may be jarring.
Still, though this movie has some good things going for it, very little in it is unique. Yes, Green Legend Ran is older, but not that old, and most of the films I mentioned were made before or around the same time. So really there is no excuse for the fact that nothing in this anime adds to the genre. If you enjoyed the superior Now and Then, Here and There, you might not like this movie. If you haven't yet seen Now and Then, then check this out first, and if it interests you then by all means move on to Now and Then, Here and There. I'd also recommend this movie to true anime fans and historians, as it is one of the earlier anime to make it's way to DVD.
It's pretty cool.......2003-09-03
Like most who reviewed this, I saw it on the Sci-Fi channel years ago. And just recently, someone mentioned the name of it on a message board regarding anime on Sci-Fi years ago. So I bought it to see what it was all about.
This OVA is above average. The characters are all cool, and the music fits in with the scenes well. For an anime that's only 3 episodes/parts long, they got in some pretty good character development. Something that's missing in most mainstream anime (ie- Dragon Ball Z). Green Legend Ran's story is good for the most part. But in the last 10-15 minutes, I just got lost. So much was happening, that I needed to watch it 3 more times just to figure out what I missed when I blinked. Some people say this series lags in some parts, I didn't think so. There was something going on in all scenes.
Someone said that they thought this is "family friendly" or something. Not at all. There's breif nudity in the middle/later parts, cussing from the main character- Ran, and quite a few graphic deaths of innocent people and soldiers. This is a futuristic movie, so all weapons do rediculous damage to people when used.
You'll really be able to feel for Ran as he goes over events that happened when he was a child, and even if he is sort of bratty, he's a very good protagonist. You should check this DVD out if you're looking for a short series, or just something new. Just remember- there's no menu on this. All extras are at the end...and they're pretty crumm. The "interview" with the producer/director is a whole 2 short questions. And the music video...you see it right before the actual music video is shown since it's the end song. Either way, you should check this out when you have a chance.
this alpha and omega of anime.......2003-07-22
back in 1994, a friend was staying over at my house. it was about 3:00 am. a show called Saturday Night Anime was on the sci-fi channel. we checked it out. the feature was Green Legend Ran. it was the best anime was i have ever seen, which is saying quite a lot. green legend ran tops even yu-yu hakusho (my favorite series), cowboy bebop, evangelion and those who hunt elves (tee-hee-hee!). if you want a taste of kick-bum anime, you should definitly see it.
WONDERFUL.......2003-04-29
Ive seen this anime on tape.This dvd version has more footage.
The ending is so beautiful.Truly one of the best animies ever made.
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![Green Legend Ran [Region 2]](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21BMKH5ABCL.jpg)