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REVIEW: Angel Beats! Complete Collection

For not being based around music, Angel Beats had far better music than K-On and Beck combined.

hmm does anyone know if key plans on releasing a visual novel for this series or is this the only ending that we are stuck with... if so eh i am used to them by now.

"Its excellent balance of music, humor, action, drama, and emotion"? Never thought anybody could feel that way about Angel Beats Indeed, it's always amazing how tastes (and perceptions) can differ.

I wish ANN would wait until the BD is out so we can get a full review of Angel Beats! I for once would like to know more than the story or impression of the story. Why doesn't ANN even touch things like the quality of U.S. DVDs/BD. . . Technical stuff are as important to us fans as is the story and visuals. Sorry for the rant, but it seems nobody actually pays attention to these things here on ANN, ever.

As for the paradox issue, this is my take:
spoiler[The only reason Otonashi is in this bardo (buddhist limbo state) is because his presence is required for Kanade to move on. If he had arrived with his memories intact, he would have moved on immediately. Because of his personality, he was able to stay after regaining them because of his drive to help people. He was drawn to Kanade because she appeared to be staying for the same reason, to help people, even though she was misunderstood by the Battlefront members. The real reason she stayed... blew me away!]
The main reason I think people have issues with the "logic" of the show is that they are looking at this as a Christian Purgatory as opposed to a Buddhist bardo or "limbo state". I have read several stories that use this type of reincarnation system as part of their setting and had no problem with the concept.

I am personally happy that the alternate epilogue is not included. I didn't like it, as the original epilogue tugs too hard at my heartstrings! spoiler[They deserve that next life together!]

Just one thing I thought I should point out about the review. Unless the openings are different from the Japanese releases, there wasn't any need for Sentai to sub the names in the openings. If you look closely, the names are written in light pastels in English underneath the more darkly colored Japanese names. If you're watching the blu-ray on your computer or a nice TV, you can see them just fine.

Cecilthedarkknight_234 wrote:

hmm does anyone know if key plans on releasing a visual novel for this series or is this the only ending that we are stuck with... if so eh i am used to them by now.

If I remember correctly they were looking into the possibility of one and were going to make an announcement about it around the middle of the year (so, this month maybe?) Ill see if i can find the news story...

EDIT: Found it

animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-11-21/key-head/maeda-working-on-possible-angel-beats-game

Yeah, Purgatory was not the most accurate word to use, but I was unsure of the correct Buddhist term and figured that more people would understand that reference anyway. Looking at the reincarnation aspect from a purely Buddhist perspective should also put to rest the "double jeopardy" concern raised by an earlier poster.

I think I gave this two episodes and I didn't care about anybody among the show's too-large cast during that time. Maybe I stopped before it really took off.....

GWOtaku wrote:

I think I gave this two episodes and I didn't care about anybody among the show's too-large cast during that time. Maybe I stopped before it really took off.....

Probably not. if you weren't inboard by the end of episode 2, then I don"t think you'll ever be.

Nah, I'd suggest going through episode 3 before deciding on dropping it or not. That's where the first emotional hit can kick in, and that's where I think the true nature of the story - and, by extension, what really defines the series - kicks in.