Excel Saga volume 1: The Weirdness Beginsby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 10 The warning on the DVD case reads thus: "Warning: The contents of this DVD may be hazardous to your sanity (and your funnybone) PS Do not remove this tag under penalty of Ilpalazzo." The warning is more than true. Excel Saga is a zany, fast-paced adventure where the quirks never end! - and the parodies keep on coming. Excel is the most hyper-active and enthusiastic heroine you'll ever see. Add to her a partner who's quite beautiful and quite anemic, and Lord Ilpalazzo, leader of ACROSS, who plans to rule one day, but is starting small, and of course, the dog/emergency food supply who looks like a cat.This anime is quite weird, but that's what makes it so good. The world is corrupt, so ACROSS, led by Lord Ilpalazzo will rule it - or at least that's the plan. This myriad of characters gets into all kinds of trouble when they encounter mysterious government agencies and invading martians that are too cute. But nothing shall stand in Excel's way of helping Lord Ilpalazzo (whom she is deeply infatuated with). And to top it all off, this anime parodies and pokes fun at everything from the genre itself to other anime to cultural aspects (ie the creator to Cowboy bebop to visual jpop groups). It all went by so fast and I was laughing so much that I'm sure I missed something - all the more reason for me to watch it again. I watched the subbed version first as I usually prefer the Japanese seiyuu, and I was not disappointed there. Then I watched a little bit of the dub. And let me just say ADV did an excellent job finding voice actors for this dub. I was sure no one was going to capture Excel's enthusiasm and fast speech like Kotono Mitsuishi, but Jessica Calvello did just that. The only one I thought was a little odd was Lord Ilpalazzo. In the sub he sounded suave and mysterious and in control, but in the sub he seemed a little crazy himself and not as mysterious and powerful as he would like you to think. The dubbed version seemed to capture the 'real' character a little better, but both seemed to fit. The opening song is quite addictive so I ended up watching the opening every time instead of skipping it after seeing it once. And the credit's song is too cute (and no I wont say any more than that - go see it for yourself). The animation is superb, and the extras are awesome. Excel Saga has got to be the craziest and funniest anime I've seen in a while. Action-packed adventure stuffed with improbable situations makes for a very delightful watch indeed. Excel Saga should not be missed! Written: August 31, 2002
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