Alien Nine

Rating:
Summary: Haunting, Powerful, and Unfinished
Review: A group of girls saving the world from aliens and other yucksome thingies -- wonderful stuff, such stories: Sailor Moon, Tokyo Mew Mew, Shadow Lady. And aliens, some of them distinctly yucksome, abound in Alien Nine, together with three 6th grade heroines named Kumi, Kusumi, and Yuri. Rollerblading around the school with lacrosse rackets and wearing their borg helmets - a type of symbiotic alien who protects them with what look like long, thin, and very dangerous wriggly drill bits - the girls catch aliens who otherwise would do yucksome things to everybody. The only tiniest problem is that Yuri is scared, just plain terrified. --- In Alien Nine, we see beneath the cheerful superheroine antics of chasing aliens. Kusumi is a lonely overachiever, Kumi a lonely leader of her schoolmates, and Yuri is just lonely. Depressed and sad, Yuri wants nothing to do with deadly aliens nor the lunatic boys who use their own borgs to attack her nor crazed teachers who seem to have set up these alien-chasing games as an arcane test of things unsaid and unstated. --- And so we encounter not yucksome alien thingies from spaceships, but the alienness of what is within, the fear of growing up into a (sexual) adult, the terror of losing oneself in the all-engulfing needs of another person, the lethal dread of being abandoned. --- So why watch Alien Nine? Because Yuri hasn't given up yet. Lonely, terrified, she rollerblades onward, crying, having nightmares, unable to aim her dart gun, and, in one genuinely stunning scene that's worth the price of the whole DVD, turning and killing her attackers. --- Alien Nine is not about aliens, yucksome or otherwise. It's a superb exploration of what alienation truly means: of being a child and having to grow up because your body is changing out from under you. The aliens - and this holds for the manga as well - are a metaphor for becoming someone else. Not everyone makes it, either. Unfortunately, the DVD is unfinished, and we do not find out what happens at the end. Maybe that's part of the message: we don't know, not really, how life will turn out. But (in the meantime) Alien Nine is well worth watching: haunting, grim, powerful, and ultimately completely convincing.

Rating:
Summary: Psychologically entertaining !!!
Review: I had ran accross this title awhile back when it was first released in Japan.

Looking over the design work I had wondered, "WOW, what a cute and interesting looking show." Unfortunately at the time this film, was in the stage of, "Here's another interesting OVA series that might not make it over here." And it was a surprise that it was picked up and released here. I'm glad that they did.

I had the opportunity to view this title over the weekend with a friend. And all I can say is "wow". Very original in it's simplicity and complexity.

While some at first glance may look at it as being cute on the outside the series hides a dark side, a side that is "reality". The whole point of it looking cute was a cover-up. And I must say the creators did a good job at pulling at it off. This is not your typical anime film that manages to "spoon feed", it's viewers. Oh no, this is a very highly psychological piece of work. I say this because, while the film projects one view of things, what you're seeing is not what it appears to be. Many of the elements in this 4-part series are very "symbolic". It's key factor "ADOLESCENCE. The driving force behind what the film is trying to display in another light. Many will not get the references on the first watch taking it as it is.

For example, in one point of the film there is a scene where all the students gather in what appears to be a gym. All the kids there are practically naked except for their gym shorts. They get their measurements taken. Like taking a physical. Yuri Otani, stands on the scale to get weighed and height checked. She notices that she grew an inch or two. One of the girls from a neighboring class (if not the same class) hears this and makes a comment to some of her friends,

"I hear they say that the girls from class ... who wear 'Borgs' on their head, grow an inch taller."

Yuri overhears this. While some of the girls giggle about the comment her friend jumps to her defense even though they were only making fun and didn't mean anything cruel. Looking at this scene directly, it would look like you're typical scene of about something out in open, when in reality it's showing symbolism.

The 'Borgs'symbolically represent an extension or push into adolescence. Basically, the characters Kumi, Kasumi and Yuri are put into these roles that are meant for adults. In other words growing up sooner than they would like. The constant licking of the back area that they get from the 'Borgs' looks like in one view "feeding", when in actuality they are the stimulus to growth. If anyone knows anything about the 'brain's anatomy,that the hypothalamus and pituitary glands are responsible for the secretion of GROWTH hormones. And thus given the understanding behind, "girls who wear 'Borgs' on their head grow faster than everyone else".

You really have to pay close attention to what's said and the visuals in this series to draw a conclusion about some of the elements. Nothing is to be taken literally. This film was meant to make you think.

Although the rating on the case states that the film is for ages 13+ and up, I would not expect anyone under that age to understand this series. Especially, due to some of the more mature if not disturbing issues, that I will not mention. Older viewers may find this a challenge. But eventually understand and enjoy it. Giving insight to younger individuals.

But all in all it's an excellent purchase and worth seeing. I've even recommended this video to our institution's library [School of Visual Arts--NY, USA] video collection. We've just getting courses for anime as part of the animation curriculum. Such film recommendations as this one are a must for students here. We are in the process of getting the manga's as well. Although different from the OVAs, will present a another view of the same story.

Just to clear up some confusion, 'Alien 9' was not created by the same team that did 'Excel Saga'. It was created at the same studio that did 'Excel Saga', but not by the same creator. The same goes for the 'Cowboy Bebop' creator. Just the director for the movie 'Cowboy Bebop: KOHD', worked on this project. The creator of 'Alien 9' is Hitoshi Tomizawa'. He is the true creator. The others were responsible for animated work. Companies here that release anime of such titles, need to be more clear about these things. Vague information can send people the wrong information about a project.

Rating:
Summary: Psychologically entertaining !!!
Review: I had ran accross this title awhile back when it was first released in Japan.

Looking over the design work I had wondered, "WOW, what a cute and interesting looking show." Unfortunately at the time this film, was in the stage of, "Here's another interesting OVA series that might not make it over here." And it was a surprise that it was picked up and released here. I'm glad that they did.

I had the opportunity to view this title over the weekend with a friend. And all I can say is "wow". Very original in it's simplicity and complexity.

While some at first glance may look at it as being cute on the outside the series hides a dark side, a side that is "reality". The whole point of it looking cute was a cover-up. And I must say the creators did a good job at pulling at it off. This is not your typical anime film that manages to "spoon feed", it's viewers. Oh no, this is a very highly psychological piece of work. I say this because, while the film projects one view of things, what you're seeing is not what it appears to be. Many of the elements in this 4-part series are very "symbolic". It's key factor "ADOLESCENCE. The driving force behind what the film is trying to display in another light. Many will not get the references on the first watch taking it as it is.

For example, in one point of the film there is a scene where all the students gather in what appears to be a gym. All the kids there are practically naked except for their gym shorts. They get their measurements taken. Like taking a physical. Yuri Otani, stands on the scale to get weighed and height checked. She notices that she grew an inch or two. One of the girls from a neighboring class (if not the same class) hears this and makes a comment to some of her friends,

"I hear they say that the girls from class ... who wear 'Borgs' on their head, grow an inch taller."

Yuri overhears this. While some of the girls giggle about the comment her friend jumps to her defense even though they were only making fun and didn't mean anything cruel. Looking at this scene directly, it would look like you're typical scene of about something out in open, when in reality it's showing symbolism.

The 'Borgs'symbolically represent an extension or push into adolescence. Basically, the characters Kumi, Kasumi and Yuri are put into these roles that are meant for adults. In other words growing up sooner than they would like. The constant licking of the back area that they get from the 'Borgs' looks like in one view "feeding", when in actuality they are the stimulus to growth. If anyone knows anything about the 'brain's anatomy,that the hypothalamus and pituitary glands are responsible for the secretion of GROWTH hormones. And thus given the understanding behind, "girls who wear 'Borgs' on their head grow faster than everyone else".

You really have to pay close attention to what's said and the visuals in this series to draw a conclusion about some of the elements. Nothing is to be taken literally. This film was meant to make you think.

Although the rating on the case states that the film is for ages 13+ and up, I would not expect anyone under that age to understand this series. Especially, due to some of the more mature if not disturbing issues, that I will not mention. Older viewers may find this a challenge. But eventually understand and enjoy it. Giving insight to younger individuals.

But all in all it's an excellent purchase and worth seeing. I've even recommended this video to our institution's library [School of Visual Arts--NY, USA] video collection. We've just getting courses for anime as part of the animation curriculum. Such film recommendations as this one are a must for students here. We are in the process of getting the manga's as well. Although different from the OVAs, will present a another view of the same story.

Just to clear up some confusion, 'Alien 9' was not created by the same team that did 'Excel Saga'. It was created at the same studio that did 'Excel Saga', but not by the same creator. The same goes for the 'Cowboy Bebop' creator. Just the director for the movie 'Cowboy Bebop: KOHD', worked on this project. The creator of 'Alien 9' is Hitoshi Tomizawa'. He is the true creator. The others were responsible for animated work. Companies here that release anime of such titles, need to be more clear about these things. Vague information can send people the wrong information about a project.

Rating:
Summary: What the ...?
Review: I'm quite astonished by this title. The story is among the most unique I've seen and frankly, I'm having a tough time figuring out the reasons why I liked this show. The execution of it as a whole was just something that I did not predict. I was expecting a cute anime and got a rather dark one. I found that the characters moved me. Our heroine Yuri is a whiny, cry baby scaredy cat but instead of being dislikable and annoying , she drew me in to her fears and insecurities so that I sympathized w/her. Her relationship w/Kumi augmented the sweetness and dynamics of the show, so much so that I wanted it perpetuated. Instead, I get an unnecessary and aggrevating ending sequence. ...

Rating:
Summary: ok - now where's the rest?!
Review: If you're interested in this anime because you like animation or you find the drawing on the cover appealing let me warn you: This is based on a manga, that as of yet is not completed. That means that the first three episodes here introduce our heroines and sort of gets the ball rolling as it were and then all of a sudden BAM! It ends after episode four. Only it doesn't really end. You see, one of the characters apparantly gets sucked into a giant whale like alien, and something really weird happens, and I'm not sure, but I think one of the main characters was seen lying dead in a pool of her own blood in the end?! Meanwhile a weird plot is slowly unfurling in the background about some alien stuff and their trainer seems to be involved somehow... Clearly as you can see, not a lot of answers are given at this early stage, yet it must be noted that the series is very well drawn, the animation is of a very high quality and provided there's more episodes coming in the future, I certainly plan to stick around. Also there are plenty of special features on the disc so you do get your money's worth.
Originally I was gonna give this 3 stars only but I just can't do it. Anyone who comes up with the idea of putting frog-like aliens on the heads of three 6th graders and then have them rollerscating around after weird vegetablelike aliens with nets and dart guns deserves 4 stars for originality. Only in anime could this happen, and that's why I love it.
Now where is the rest!?

Rating:
Summary: Possibly the whiniest heroine in the history of anime
Review: The story takes place in the not-too-distant-future. (Actually for a while I often wondered if the story was really supposed to take place on earth and if the characters were really supposed to be human, based solely on the fact that none of them appear to have a nose.) Aliens have made contact with us (we never do see how this first happened,) and now they frequently make trouble for people. They don't appear to have technology, (except maybe for the organic-looking ships they arrive in,) but are more animal-like. How do the athorities combat them? By sending in conventional military forces? No, silly. This is anime. Kids are the ones sent to do battle with these hostile invaders-in this case, a trio of 6 grade girls. (This brings me to a problem I've had with a lot of action anime shows made recently, where there is some terrible threat to the world and Japan and/or America responds by sending kids under 18 to deal with it. Look at FULL METAL PANIC! Souskae is only 17, yet not only is he in the military and going on life-or-death missions, he is a seargent. I'm I the only 1 who has a problem with that?)

The youth of the world's saviors, the lack of an origin story showing how the aliens first got here (as well as the apparent lack of noses) are some of the problems I have with this video. Now comes my biggest complaint: the heroine, Yuri, is quite possibly the whinest crybaby ever to star in an anime show. This girl actually makes the title character from SAILOR MOON look like a badass by compairison. Even in her wimpiest moments, Serina/Usagi looks like Ellen Ripley next to Yuri. Also, Sailor Moon grows as a character and in the ends is much braver and stronger than she was at the beginning. Yuri spends all her time whenever she's engaged in battle standing around crying and talking about how scared she is and relying on her living alien helmet (all 3 girls have 1,) to do all the work for her, and she's every bit as wimpy at the end of the show as she was at the beginning. Admittedly, she is at a very tender age to be confronting enemies, and she was drafted into it. Also, 4 episodes dosen't allow much room for development. (There is a manga, though, that runs longer than the anime. I haven't read it, however.) Still and all, if Yuri dosen't develop some backbone QUICKLY, I don't know that I'd be that interested in reading it anyway. She was so grating I kept hoping 1 of the other girls would get fed up and slap her and then tell her to buck up already.

On the plus side, this DVD has a nice extra with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the dub. I always enjoy getting to see the people working behind the scenes and hearing their thoughts on their work.

Oh, yeah, 1 more drawback. Another girl in the show, Kasumi, often mews like a cat for no apparent reason. (Again, she isn't the only anime character who dose this; there was a girl in I MY ME STRAWBERRIE EGGS who was the same way.) Is this just an anime thing or are there really girls in Japan who like to do this? I don't know if this is supposed to be cute or funny or whatever, but try to imagine a girl in America doing this and the kind of strange looks she'd get.

Rating:
Summary: awe-some
Review: this 4-part OVA series is not just another anime series -- it is an intersting psychological plot, a wonderful set of character designs and graphics, manifested into a refreshingly unique style. The animation is smooth and elegantly executed, and by the end of the fourth episode, I guarantee you'll be ravished for more. I shall not ramble the plot at you, rather, I believe you'd benefit more from experiencing this phenomenal dvd yourself. I severely recommend this to those of you interested in drama, shoujo anime, or anyone who appreciated plenty of action in the context of a meaningful plot.

Rating:
Summary: Alien 9
Review: this is a short, but very good series, incredible animation, great voice actresses, lots of action. the extras are awesome as well, it has the original japanese trailers and promos, interview with the director himself, BAAF promo, art and sketch drawings, and the manga promos. u should really get alien 9 ultimate collection since it comes with the dvd and the 3 manga books that continue the story!! a great read and in original manga style, read from left to right! a great series and a must have!

Rating:
Summary: Reviews By FreaK
Review: Wow. Notice the thingy that says 'From the Creators of Excel Saga'. That tells you right there that this is WEIRD. But I loved it. I can't imagine having a job like Yuri, Kumi, and Kasumi (did I spell that right?). The whole time, I felt sorry for Yuri. At times, I could relate her to myself. I wouldn't reccommend Alien Nine to everyone, but if you liked Excel Saga, you'll like this. It is amusing and sometimes pretty funny, but it's also very disturbing. It had a very nice ending song. I don't really like how the people are drawn. They have huge eyes, no noses, and big ears. It's strange. Oh yeah, and watch out, parents. There is a lot of violence and alien guts, disturbing images, and some minor nudity, but nothing major. I'd rate it PG-13. Well, overall, I give it an A-.