Pros: The action is still really good and the story is solid.
Cons: Less extras then the first vol- and the first had little to spare!
The Bottom Line: If you want to take a look back at good 90s anime, start with something like this title, before moving on to things like Dragonball Z.
yotaruvegeta's Full Review: Flame of Recca - Vol. 2: Secrets of the Hokage
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
Volume 2 of the "Flame of Recca" series begins with Recca wanting to know more about the ancient clan of Hokage ninja, the clan he is the last member of. By luck, one of his regular teachers is out and the substitute, Mr. Takesako, happens to know a little bit about the history of ninja. Takesako tells Recca to come to his home to learn more about the Hokage, and that is where the trouble begins.
A young boy named Koganei appears at Mr. Takesako's home with an odd weapon that is shaped like a bow with a sharp point on one and a piercing point on the other. Koganei is far from an amateur, and he gives Recca a really hard time in combat. This is when Recca learns that the boy has come for Yanagi ("princess") and he will not leave without her. A crazed magdou wielder with the power over trees assists him. His name is Mouren and he apparently likes to torture women.
The following episodes involve Recca and his friends (Fuko still has the Ensui, which still has the power of wind after vol 1's) invading the mansion of Kurei, a young man with a very wealthy and powerful father- Koran Mori. Kurei has a madogu, or mystical weapon, as well; in fact, he has the ability to create fire, just like Recca. The last two episodes in the mansion are about Reiran, the woman with a madogu that enables her to turn anything into a doll. Her favorite doll is a young doll named Primera.
There are 4 episodes in all, which is what's to be expected for the average anime DVD. What is disappointing, though, is that one extra has actually been removed from the mix, so you have only a few pieces of artwork in the extras section. You have the anime previews as well, but only if you watch the DVD from the beginning. They are nowhere to be found in the extras section.
For a title animated in the very early days of the computer animation/ computer art era, the action is still up to par and the story is just as interesting as any series on USA/Japanese television today. As I've said about the fist volume, the English voiceovers are not as good as watching in the original Japanese; but if you want to bear the English for the benefit of not having to read text, suit yourself. So if you're in the mood to take a look back at how far anime has come, "Flame of Recca" looks to still be worth watching.
Recommended:
Yes
Viewing Format: DVD Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
Product DetailsOriginal Title:Flame of Recca - Vol. 2 - Secrets of The HokageActors: Flame of ReccaCondition: NEWFormat: DVDDirector: n/aRuntime: 100...More at iNetVideo.com
Just as Recca is about to learn about the legendary Hokage from Ninja expert Mr. Tatesako, a cocksure kid named Koganei and Mokuren, a maniacal plant ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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