Ice...
There are two releases of Ice -- one from MVD and a different release from Sentai. I picked up both versions. Each release has a slightly different presentation -- the menus are different, the translations are different and the special features are different...
Ice does exhibit a strong environmental message which may turn off some viewers. While, the environmental message in Ice bears some similarity to the environmental message in the much earlier French-production of Gandahar aka Light Years, the overall tone of Ice has a greater sense of condemnation than in Gandahar. The world depicted in Ice is somewhat dark and fatalistic, but, everyone is impeccably dressed. There is a sense of fashion and opulence in Ice, that isn't seen in most post-apocalyptic settings.
There is some blood and gore in Ice, but, surprisingly, there isn't the quantity of red ink that one might expect from most post-apocalyptic settings. That being said, you may expect a handful of smashed bodies, severed limbs, gunshot wounds at point blank range and the occasional stabbing.
The heroine of the series is certainly Hitomi Landsknecht. And, like some anime heroes of legend, Hitomi seems to be virtually indestructible. Hitomi narrowly escapes being blown up, only to fall off a highway overpass not once, but, twice. Then, Hitomi is shot and stabbed and still manages to lead a desperate charge against impossible odds. However, Hitomi does have a few notable quirks -- she suffers from severe insomnia and she spends a certain amount of time talking to people from the past who have entered her mind.
A few words on the difference between the two versions of Ice...
The one song featured in Ice, "Aisareru tu iu koto" is actually quite nice. I was lamenting the fact that I would have really liked to see that song as a special feature on the Sentai version of the DVD, but, then I found the entire four and a half minute music video in the special features on MVD's release.
MVD's translation of Ice is slightly different from Sentai's translation (i.e.: Giulia versus Julia and Kisalagi versus Kisaragi), but, both translations are acceptable. The main menu in the MVD version has Japanese text with English translations and the sub-menus have only Japanese text. The MVD version has an untranslated video of the launch presentation circa 2008 with the music video appearing at the end of the launch video. The Sentai version does not include the videos, but, does include stills of the character and mecha artwork that are not included in the MVD version. If you are interested in having the music video, then you'll definitely need to look for the MVD version.
Apparently, the MVD version is the theatrical release, while the Sentai version is the TV version. The main feature in the MVD version is about 100 minutes and includes three minutes of untranslated Japanese credits in its stated running time of 103 minutes. Meanwhile, the main feature of the Sentai version is also about 100 minutes and the 12 minutes of both English and Japanese credits are NOT included in the stated running time of 100 minutes. As near as I can tell, aside from the placement of credits and a brief scene with Hitomi Aida in the hospital in the MVD version, there doesn't appear to be any major difference between the two versions of the main feature of Ice. Of course, if you want your anime dubbed in English, then, you'll need to have the Sentai version as the MVD version is subtitled only.
And now back to Ice...
Ice is not without flaws. There are some nice visuals in Ice, but, overall, the world depicted in the series is really quite small -- encompassing little more than one town. Also, some of the technology envisioned in Ice is a bit more advanced than one would expect to find in a post-apocalyptic setting and certainly far more advanced than would be expected given the time scales involved.
My research indicates that the general consensus among anime fans regarding Ice isn't very good, but, I don't share their views. Although, Ice does have some noticeable flaws, I actually liked Ice quite a lot. Ice, although dark and depressing at times and somewhat lacking in some of its elements, is a series that I find easy to watch and re-watch -- warts and all. It does help that Ice is also a very short series. The overall tone of the series and some of the adult themes expressed would make Ice somewhat unsuitable for the youngest anime fans. I give the series a 4 out of 5.
Ice is set in a post-apocalyptic future not too far removed from our own time. There is some indication that during the time which preceded the story in Ice, there were extraordinary efforts at genetic engineering and perhaps even biological warfare. From the premise, one could easily imagine all manner of lecherous behavior, but, if you're looking for THAT type of experience, you'll be very disappointed. There is some bare skin to be seen in the series, one girl-on-girl kiss and one face being licked, but, despite claims to the contrary in the premise, there are not really any naughty bits.Some strange virus, whether planned or accidental, has wiped out most of the population. The survivors? Beautiful women. Faced with the possible extinction of their entire race, some of these new Amazons have decided to live out their final days in the pursuit only of fleshly pleasures. Others choose to use their beauty, their might, and their minds to fight back and reclaim the planet once more.
Ice does exhibit a strong environmental message which may turn off some viewers. While, the environmental message in Ice bears some similarity to the environmental message in the much earlier French-production of Gandahar aka Light Years, the overall tone of Ice has a greater sense of condemnation than in Gandahar. The world depicted in Ice is somewhat dark and fatalistic, but, everyone is impeccably dressed. There is a sense of fashion and opulence in Ice, that isn't seen in most post-apocalyptic settings.
There is some blood and gore in Ice, but, surprisingly, there isn't the quantity of red ink that one might expect from most post-apocalyptic settings. That being said, you may expect a handful of smashed bodies, severed limbs, gunshot wounds at point blank range and the occasional stabbing.
The heroine of the series is certainly Hitomi Landsknecht. And, like some anime heroes of legend, Hitomi seems to be virtually indestructible. Hitomi narrowly escapes being blown up, only to fall off a highway overpass not once, but, twice. Then, Hitomi is shot and stabbed and still manages to lead a desperate charge against impossible odds. However, Hitomi does have a few notable quirks -- she suffers from severe insomnia and she spends a certain amount of time talking to people from the past who have entered her mind.
A few words on the difference between the two versions of Ice...
The one song featured in Ice, "Aisareru tu iu koto" is actually quite nice. I was lamenting the fact that I would have really liked to see that song as a special feature on the Sentai version of the DVD, but, then I found the entire four and a half minute music video in the special features on MVD's release.MVD's translation of Ice is slightly different from Sentai's translation (i.e.: Giulia versus Julia and Kisalagi versus Kisaragi), but, both translations are acceptable. The main menu in the MVD version has Japanese text with English translations and the sub-menus have only Japanese text. The MVD version has an untranslated video of the launch presentation circa 2008 with the music video appearing at the end of the launch video. The Sentai version does not include the videos, but, does include stills of the character and mecha artwork that are not included in the MVD version. If you are interested in having the music video, then you'll definitely need to look for the MVD version.
Apparently, the MVD version is the theatrical release, while the Sentai version is the TV version. The main feature in the MVD version is about 100 minutes and includes three minutes of untranslated Japanese credits in its stated running time of 103 minutes. Meanwhile, the main feature of the Sentai version is also about 100 minutes and the 12 minutes of both English and Japanese credits are NOT included in the stated running time of 100 minutes. As near as I can tell, aside from the placement of credits and a brief scene with Hitomi Aida in the hospital in the MVD version, there doesn't appear to be any major difference between the two versions of the main feature of Ice. Of course, if you want your anime dubbed in English, then, you'll need to have the Sentai version as the MVD version is subtitled only.
And now back to Ice...
Ice is not without flaws. There are some nice visuals in Ice, but, overall, the world depicted in the series is really quite small -- encompassing little more than one town. Also, some of the technology envisioned in Ice is a bit more advanced than one would expect to find in a post-apocalyptic setting and certainly far more advanced than would be expected given the time scales involved.
My research indicates that the general consensus among anime fans regarding Ice isn't very good, but, I don't share their views. Although, Ice does have some noticeable flaws, I actually liked Ice quite a lot. Ice, although dark and depressing at times and somewhat lacking in some of its elements, is a series that I find easy to watch and re-watch -- warts and all. It does help that Ice is also a very short series. The overall tone of the series and some of the adult themes expressed would make Ice somewhat unsuitable for the youngest anime fans. I give the series a 4 out of 5.
