Anime Reviews (2010-2019): Record of Grancrest War Blu-ray Volume 2 (a Neo-Tokyo 2099 Anime on Blu-ray Disc Review) (2018)

I enjoyed “Record of Grancrest War” for not being banal but also for its surprise and shock value for its characters and how they develop overtime. And the second half proved to be exciting and entertaining, as the first. I truly recommend this series as it’s one of the best anime series released on Blu-ray which I have watched in 2019!

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TITLE: Record of Grancrest War Blu-ray Volume 2

YER OF ANIME SERIES: 2018

DURATION: Episodes 13-24 (300 Minutes)

BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (16×9), English and Japanese Linear PCM Stereo

COMPANY: Aniplex of America

RATED: Suggested 13 and Up

Release Date: August 20, 2019

Originally created by Mizuno Ryo

Directed by Hatakeyama Mamoru

Series Composition: Mizuno Ryo, Yano Shunsaku

Character Design by Yakou Hiroshi

Music by Kanno Yuugo

Art Design by Matsumoto Hiroki, Arimoto Hisae

Anime Production: A-1 Pictures

Featuring the following voice talent:

Kumagai Kentaro/Brandon Winckler as Theo Cornaro

Kito Akari/Jeannie Tirado as Siluca Meletes

Nakamura Yuichi/Alan Lee as Irvin

Shimono Hiro/Alejandro Saab as Selge Constance

Aleks Le as Alexis Doucet

Ueda Reina/Allegra Clark as Aishela

Mikami Satoshi/Ben Lepley as Aubest Meletes

Uchida Yumi/Billy Kametz as Telius Savoie

Uchiyama Yumi/Cindy Robinson as Helga Piraroza

Nozawa So/D. C. Douglas as Dimitrie

Yukinari Toa/Deborah Gatton as Edokia Colorha

Kayano Ai/Erika Harlacher as Marrine Kreische

Sakura Takahiro/Greg Chun as Villar Constance

Hino Satoshi/Imari Williams as Lassic David

Hatano Wataru/Kaiji Tang as Milza Kuces

Hondo Kaede/Kayli Mills as Coleen Messala

Suzuki Minori/Kayli Mills as Emma

Takamori Natsumi/Kayli Mills as Priscilla Farnese

Kaida Yuko/Lauren Landa as Margaret Odeus

Matsuoka Yoshitsugu/Lucien Dodge as Moreno Dortous

Anzai Chika/Maureen Price as Laura Hardley

Ozawa Ari/Michelle Marie as Cammy

Nakajima Megumi/Michelle Marie as Luna

Sakura Ayane/Morgan Berry as Layla

Matsui Akiha/Xanthe Huynh as Ellet Harkas

“I, the Mage Siluca Meletes, hereby enter into a contract with Knight Theo’s Crest, and swear eternal loyalty to him.”

From the Record of War series written by Ryo Mizuno, author of the highly acclaimed Record of Lodoss War with over ten million copies in print, the Record of Grancrest War is brought to life in full animation by A-1 Pictures, with the series composition also by the original author himself!

In order to distinguish himself fit to lead the Altirk Treaty, Theo and Siluca head to Sistina to rescue the oppressed. But will his hometown, Marza, welcome him or shun him?

Meanwhile Alexis Doucet, Earl of Jalucia, has decided to become involved in the war, while his former beloved Marrine Kreische knows she may have to go to war against him.

What is “Grancrest Senki” (Record of Grancrest War) about?

In Japan, “Grancrest Senki” (Record of Grancrest War) is a popular light novel series and tabletop RPG written by Mizuno Ryo and featuring illustrations by Miyu and a total of ten volumes had been published from 2013-2018.

The series received a manga adaptation by in 2016 and an anime TV series adaptation from A-1 Pictures aired from January to June 2018. As well as a strategy video game for the PS4.

And now the anime series has been released in the US courtesy of Aniplex of America.

The anime series is set during a time when the world was ruled by Chaos and the world was overrun by demons and natural disasters until a man with a holy seal returned things back in order. He was the only person who could use the seal to protect people from Chaos.

Since then, as people occupied far away lands and humanity expanded throughout the world, the people in the world are divided between the Fantasy Alliance and the Factory Alliance.

During the wedding between Alexis Doucet and Marrine Kreische, a chaos demon appeared and killed each of their fathers, both who were Archdukes from the Fantasy Alliance and the Factory Alliance and as people were hoping for peace, the deaths now ends any possibility of peace.

The series begins with Siluca Meletes, a 17-year-old mage who is sent to form a contract with an alliance Lord with Irvin, a former Kreische chamberlain. As the two are on their way, they are stopped by Union soldiers sent by Mesto Meadrich.

But before Siluca can use her mage powers, out of nowhere, an independent lord named Theo Cornaro comes and defeats the soldiers.

While expecting a thank you from Siluca, Siluca said she could of handled the soldiers herself. But when she asks why Theo has a crest, he tells her that he wants to use it to rescue his town of Sistina from a corrupt lord.

For Siluca, her goal is to stop the feuding of lords and seeing how noble Theo is, which is a rarity, she decides to help Theo and helps him rise in rank to a Knight and forms a contract with him.

This leads to plans in motion for both Theo and Siluca, who meet other territories and fighters along the way, but can they get them to join their mission.

And will the former lovers, Alexis Doucet and Marrine Kreische, can they end bloodshed through their love for each other or will they carry out their parents goals of opposition and go to war with one another?

VIDEO:

“Record of Grancrest War” is presented in 1080p High Definition and A-1 Pictures did a magnificent job with this anime series. With a ton of characters, they were able to create detail for each character with great shading, wonderful art backgrounds and for the most part, put a lot of time and effort to make this this series look great. A vibrant and colorful anime in HD!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Record of Grancrest War” features a wonderful soundtrack on Blu-ray. The series is presented in Japanese and English Linear PCM 2.0. Voice acting are wonderfully done for both soundtracks and a big applause to Kito Akari and Kumagai Kentaro and Jeannie Tirado and Brandon Winckler as the voice of Siluca Meletes and Theo Cornaro. They did a wonderful voice acting job for their respective Japanese and English dub soundtracks!

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Record of Grancrest War” comes with no special features.

EXTRAS:

“Record of Grancrest War” comes with a 40-page booklet housed in a deluxe rigid box.

I have finished the second half of “Record of Grancrest War” and one of the first things that came to my mind was whether or not the storyline would remain consistent. And sure enough, the series kept consistent but also became more gratifying as the series fully delved into the relationships of the characters and each episode became deeper, satisfying and addictive.

If anything, the storyline about two people who want to stop the feuding and work together in the same path is one thing, but to see the other path of those who were in love and must continue their families fight against each other, it’s almost a “Romeo & Juliet” storyline during a time of potential war.

As mentioned in my previous review, the first 9 episodes were no doubt used for character development and to establish the relationship between protagonists Theo Cornaro and Siluca Meletes and the people they were able to have join them throughout their journey. The juxtaposition we see in the build up of storyline between lovers Alexis Doucet and Marrine Kreische and how those two were torn away.

Two couples, different circumstances but because of Theo’s pureheart and love for Siluca, it was inspiring to those around them and also giving people hope that he could bring peace to the world.

We get to see other characters starting to play a prominent role in the second half of the series which was great to see, especially to see Aishela and Priscilla starting to play a prominent part in the series.

We also get to learn who the true antagonists of the war and the final battle which leads to a satisfying conclusion.

It’s important to note that while it’s suggested for 13 and up, there is a lot of violence, blood and even a shocking sexual scene (no nudity but the act of sex between two individuals – a shocking scene in the story, if I may add.)

As for the animation, A-1 Pictures did a magnificent job as always. And the series looks great in HD and also the voice acting was well-done for both Japanese and English dub soundtracks. Unfortunately, there aren’t any special features included, but you do get a 40-page booklet and a slipcase.

Overall, “Record of Grancrest War” is a action/war drama and an anime series that has a great action-packed story, fascinating characters and a lot of violent action. It’s a series about war, about love and how a good thing can turn good, but how a good thing can instantly turn bad. “Record of Grancrest War” is highly recommended!

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