Last Exile: The Complete Series Box Set Review

Last Exile is a fun anime series, and though it might not have a high re-watch value, its extremely enjoyable while it lasts.

Studio Gonzo has made some of my favorite anime, and Last Exile proves the studio is capable of making movie-quality material. Everything from the music to the special effects is crafted neatly, and as a result the series shines on many occasions.

Story: 9/10
-The story isn't perfect, and some of it isn't new, but its still quite epic and at times very touching. The pacing is great and each episode does a good job at establishing characters and moving along the plot. I won't tell what the story is about because surprise works well with this series.

Characters: 10/10
-The main 2 characters are good people, but I found myself falling in love with everyone else. Especially the bad guys. In Last Exile and enemy is The Guild, a large group of people that resemble a mix of government and religion. (Some might view this as controversial, but its not too edgy). Anyways, I liked the Guild best, especially the two main bad guys Luciolla and Dio (weird names). They're sexy, stylish and mysterious, but they're human in the sense that they have feelings and come to realize consequences.

In fact, every character in the series is well-rounded and awfully realistic. Perhaps this category is where the show truly shines.

Art: 9/10
-I've seen better, but its still good. The quality of animation hardly changes, which is a very good thing. Some might describe this type of animation as "steampunk".

Music: 9/10
-Fun, and it does it's job at creating tension when needed. The opening song might be one of the best I've heard.

English Dub: 7/10
-This might be the worst part of the show. For the most part everyone does a good job. But then some characters simply begin to grate on your ears over time, especially the main girl character, Lavie. She's loud, screams and cries often, and is just not fun to listen to. Still, the dub is good for the most part. I love Lord Dio's voice!

Overall: 9/10
-A great entry from Studio Gonzo, Last Exile tells a memorable story with plenty of twists and turns, intriguing characters, and exciting action sequences; the perfect anime series for that lazy afternoon. Its fun while it lasts, but some might not care to watch it again and again. Still, I loved it and am glad to own it.

Rating: TV-14
-Accurate rating. Its basically PG-13. There is some swearing, and violence tends to be bloody. There is also some brief nudity, including mild fan-service (focus on the female breasts) and one scene where a guild member is bathing. She splashes water in the air, and the camera zooms out, but the water is preventing us from seeing much. Also, some of the characters are gay. Last Exile isn't for young children, but for those 13 and up I'd say its fine.Get more detail about Last Exile: The Complete Series Box Set.