Ah! My Goddess, Volume 3: With or Without You

Amazon.com

As the broadcast series of Ah My Goddess continues, life grows more complicated for Keiichi Morisato and Norse goddess Belldandy. Marller, a demon Belldandy and her sister Urd sealed away ages ago, reappears and turns Keiichi into a motor scooter. Once Keiichi is back to normal--or as close as he's likely to get--Belldandy's younger sister Skuld arrives. As she's gadget-happy, she quickly clashes with Keiichi's mechanically minded younger sister, Megumi. The addition of these characters reduces Keiichi and Belldandy to relatively minor roles in their own series. The filmmaking is sometimes sloppy: when a glowing, rabbit-like creature steals the magic CD that gives Belldandy and Urd power over Marller, the goddesses don't even seem to notice the theft. But fans of the series aren't likely to worry about plot points. (Rated 13 and older: risqué humor, brief nudity, cartoon violence, alcohol use) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing Change of Pace Among Anime.......2006-09-11

I actually discovered this series completely by accident. I was looking for anime DVD's in my local big-box discount retailer (you know the one). Amidst all the Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto, and Ghost In the Shell DVD's (which I can watch anytime on Cartoon network) I found Ah! My Goddess V.3 (their last copy) on the shelf. Reading the description on the back, it only mildly interested me, but then I saw that Kousuke Fujishima was the creator of the series. Having previously seen Fujishima's work on the Tales of Symphonia videogame, I decided to give it a try. I wouldn't call it the best decision I made, but it definitely ranks up there!

This is the volume that introduces both the demon Marller and youngest goddess sister Skuld. Marller's intro was especially funny (who paints a CD black and tries to play it on a record player?!) I'm not going to spoil too much more of the plot other than to say that two episodes feature two attempts by Marller to get Belldandy to go back to Heaven from whence she came, and the other two deal with Skuld's appearance on Earth and her attempt to get used to life on our planet.

After watching the four episodes here, I instantly fell in love with the series and wanted more. It's hard not to fall in love with Belldandy, she's just that sweet and pure. The bickering between Urd and Skuld is always amusing, though their arguments don't involve Keiichi's (lack of) advances on Belldandy until the next volume.

Since I picked this series up at about the midpoint, there are a few things that i've had to accept as fact (the goddess/demon power struggle, the Sayoko/Belldandy "rivalry") but it hasn't affected my enjoyment in the least. This is an easy series to pick up, and it's a wonderful series that'll make you feel good after watching it. And there aren't many other shows that can say that.

AMG trivia.......2006-08-02

I've just read a news that AMG season 2 DVD volume 1 was released on 7/28/2006 in Japan. In case of Season 1, it usually took about 6 months to an year to finally released in the US after Japanese release, so I guess, maybe in winter 2006, it would be possible for us to watch the new Season of AMG. The new storyline seems that we may meet Peorth and Noble Scarlet this time, both are super popular to die-hard AMG manga book fans.

Others already reviewed about this volume 3 of AMG season 1 quite much, so I have little things to put on top of it. I just want to add some trivial background information about the show.

Did you ever wonder why cats are seen so frequently in the show? There are cats in Keiichi's school campus, on the streets, and they are just every where. In episode 1 of this volume, Belldandy asked to a cat where Mara the demon is. And, if you remind episode 4 of volume1, she answered to the college dean that she was pleased to meet a nice cat in the school, when she was asked how she like the university. So, why so much of cat stuff in this AMG? Because in Japanese language, "Neko" means a cat. If you are a real AMG fan, you now should have got what I am going to say. What is the name of university that Belldandy and Keiichi are in? Nekomi Institute of Technology. What is the name of the city where they live? Nekomi City. Nekomi means, literally, "cat actual." So, I think that the cats all around the campus and other cat related stuffs are kind of cute jokes that the show makes to our watchers. It is like, you put lots of salt-shakers here and there in a movie, which happen to be placed in Salt Lake City.

Another cat related trivia in AMG. Did you noticed that cat-like charms are one of weakness of Mara the demon? In episode 1 of this volume, when Belldandy and Mara had a fight, Urd throws a cat-face-looking charm to Mara and she got debilitated because of her allergic response to it. I heard that in traditional Japanese beliefs, cats have powers to expel evil spirits, and those cat-looking charms are usual treats for wicked spirits like silver Cross in western culture. So, poor Mara is indeed doing losing fight against goddess sisters. She is outnumbered 3 to 1 by goddess sisters, combating in the city named "cat," and her enemies are too well aware of her weakness.

Released in 2005, not 1997. Not Quite as Good as Vol. 1 or 2. Still Fun!.......2006-03-20

For some reason Amazon.com has identified this as having been released in 1997 when in fact it was released in 2005.

If you're a fan of `Ah! My Goddess' then you will want to pick up `Volume 3: With or Without You'. The volume introduces Mara, the demon nemesis of Beldandy. Mara is ticked off at Beldandy because she sealed her up for thousands of years. Mara is also angry with Beldandy because as long as the angels reside on Earth the demons can't be in control.
Mara's solution is to break up Beldandy and Keiichi. That way there would be no reason for Beldandy to remain on Earth.

This volume also introduces Skuld, the youngest sister of the three angels. Skuld is upset because her big sister Beldandy left and didn't come back. Her solution is to break up Beldandy and Keiichi. That way Beldandy would be free to come home.

Hilarity ensues.

The animation has slipped a little. There are a few segments where all we get are talking heads with a still background.

The plots are still very good, and seem to be following the original Manga fairly closely, those parts that they are adapting. Keep in mind that they can't do it all.

If you are looking for some Anime to fill your shelves then this is worth it. It's a fun series. I'll keep picking them up.

THE MATRIX IS OUT OF WHACK.......2006-03-16

After Keiichi has a nightmare about a red-eyed demon prophecizing his doom, his two pals from the motorcycle club unwittingly let an asexual female demon named Marller loose upon the Earth. She holds a grudge against goddesses because Belldandy and her sister Urd were the ones that imprisoned here on a cd. But it won't be as easy to banish her this time because she has an human ally helping her: Sayoko, the ex-college princess who has be deposed by Belldandy. There's also a new arrival from Heaven as another of Belldandy's sisters comes to plead for her return because her fluctuating feelings for Keiichi are causing bugs in the computer that controls the universe. This sister, named Skuld, is a kid that doesn't like to be treated like a kid seeing as how she's a mechanical genius. This leads to a rivalry with Megumi, Keiichi's sister, that culminates in a homemade robot battle!

There is a nice light feeling you get from watching this show. While it is a comedy, none of the humor is hysterical or wacky. It just has a gentle flow and places the laughs at strategic points. The animation is really gorgeous and conveys the personalities of the characters quite well. Even if there was no sound you'd be able to figure out their personalities just watching their acting. The only complaint I have is that Goddess is pretty formulaic in plot. You'v seen lots of shows like this where it starts off with one guy and one girl, and then girl after girl comes to live with them, etc. Yep, harem comedy. Even though I accept this as a generic convention, I still can't hold it against this show. As long as the characters are likeable and interesting, it doesn't matter how stereotypical it gets. I look forward to future volumes.

The only extra on the dvd is an art gallery. Whippee.

I would also recommend the anime Angel Tales, Ai Yori Aoshi, and Steel Angel Kurumi.

Powerful.......2006-03-10

Thats the only way you can really describe this series. Something we are truly missing out on here in the states by not having it more available. I must say, I have seen a lot of different TV shows, Movies, films, etc. but nothing has really made me laugh and feel as good as this series does. The misadventures of the entire crew in this are so enjoyable that you really get pulled into the show and just almost can see yourself as one of the crew.

Its a definate must have for any collection and I would recomend it to anyone, although at times it may be a little much for anyone under the age of 12, overall its very clean and I would definately say that it was family friendly.

Hope this helps!

Average customer rating:

So much potential but....
This is a good movie....
ok movie

With or Without You
Starring: Cynda Williams , and Mushond Lee
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0007GP6SI
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Description

Robert Hightower's seemingly perfect life is turned upside down when his girlfriend announces that she is pregnant and pressures him to get married. When the friends and family get together, it's a battle of the sexes like no other! This group learns all about life in this sexy, hysterical story of friendship, love and life-altering experiences.

Customer Reviews:

So much potential but...........2006-12-30

This flick had so much potential in terms of content matter accommpanied with an incredibly talented roster, but somehow someone managed to screw that all up.
The film has a "I wrote this movie over the weekend" feel to it; it's riddled with a bunch of serious and intense subject matter that never amounts to anything and fails to entertain.
Though believable, you'll quickly grow bored with the sterotypical characters that have no learning curve or sensible growth.

This is a good movie...........2006-10-07

I'd never heard of this movie when I picked it up in Walmart so I took a chance and bought it. That was $5.50 well spent because I was not disappointed. This movie is funny at times, sad at times, thought-provoking at times, but entertaining at all times. I actually cried at the end. I can't remember the last movie I watched that brought tears to my eyes. Anyhoo, I turned my ringer off so I wouldn't be disturbed. If you like "30 Years To Life" you'll like this movie too. The main reason I like this movie is because the characters are so real: the drunk who puts somebody on blast at the family gathering, the "Oreo" friend (black on the outside, white on the inside), the "Ms. Independent-I-Don't-Need-No-Man-I-Got-Dental-Benefits-and-my-own-business" female, the angry one who has that inner turmoil but is taking it out on everybody else, the so- called "Mack" who fronts like he's "The Man" when he's really on lock, the "We-need-to-take-this-relationship-to-another-level" one,(marriage) and the loud sister, the one who keeps the party going no matter what (Wendy Raquel Robinson). The only thing I didn't like about this movie is that in some scenes women were referred to as "b-----s" and "h--s." Anyway, Guy Torry is an outstanding actor, he acted his heiny off in this one. His character is the one that stood out. But don't take my word for it, take a chance like I did and see it for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

ok movie.......2006-07-31

i expected a bit more with this film,but it didn't quite get there. it had some moments. I got to see it recently&it was ok.there was some Foxxy looking chicks up in this movie.

With Or Without You [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Great Britain ]

Average customer rating:

With Or Without You [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Great Britain ]
Director: Michael Winterbottom
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000FTLNB6

Product Description

Great Britain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Subtitles), WIDESCREEN, SYNOPSIS: With Or Without You is a bittersweet love story of modern times. Rosie and Vincent are desperately trying to have a baby, but this is causing an unavoidable stress on their sex life. When Benoit, a French postal worker and teenage pen pal of Rosie's, arrives on their doorstep with romantic intentions, Vincent is not as thrilled as Rosie. Having found out that his over-the-channel sweetheart is now married, Benoit settles in as her houseguest. Vincent is unhappy with the arrangement and tries to cure his wounded ego in an affair with his old flame, the local hairdresser, Cathy. Rosie and Vincent find themselves facing choices they had never imagined they would have to make
SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer(s), Scene Access, Interactive Menu, Featurette, Cast/Crew Interview(s),

Average customer rating:

With or Without You [Region 2]
Starring: Christopher Eccleston , Dervla Kirwan , Yvan Attal , Julie Graham , and Alun Armstrong
Director: Michael Winterbottom
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005Q57G

Average customer rating:

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004U9QA

Average customer rating:

With or Without you (1992)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

Collectibles | Categories |
Product Features:

Not remastered
Original format

ASIN: B000FTABMS

Average customer rating:

With Or Without You
Starring: Kane
Manufacturer: Bertu
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album Details

Special Two Sided Compact Disc Edition.side 1: 11 Audio Tracks Recorded Live at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.side 2: Same Tracks in a Dvd Format with Extra Material...rockumentary,slideshow,weblinks.

Average customer rating:

MCT - With or Without You
Starring: MCT
Manufacturer: Damian Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000W6A5M
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Average customer rating:

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004R824

DVD:

DVD

DVD