Ruin Explorers - Tales In The Crypt [VHS]

Ruin Explorers - Tales In The Crypt [VHS]
by Takeshi Mori

Ruin Explorers - Tales In The Crypt [VHS]

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Category: VHS Video
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Product details

Actor: Brett Weaver, Guil Lunde, Jessica Calvello, Kelly Manison, Tamara Lo
Director: Takeshi Mori
Writer: Takeshi Mori
Editor: David Grundy
Producer: John Ledford
Producer: Matt Greenfield
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Dubbed)
Format: Animated, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 30 minutes
Release Date: 1998-11-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Adv Films
Studio: Adv Films

VHS Movie Reviews of Ruin Explorers - Tales In The Crypt [VHS]

Movie Review: Easily one of the best fantasy anime ever made
Summary: 5 Stars

In fact, I'll go one further and say that in this viewer's opinion, it's the very best one out there. I am a born sucker for fantasy anime and have watched a great many in my time. Slayers, Dragon Half, Rune Soldier, Record of Lodoss War, Legend of Crystania, Sorcerer Hunters, Gokudo... all of these are amazing shows in their own right, and all contribute something unique to the genre. So what makes this 4-episode OVA so special? In a nutshell, Ruin Explorers distills the very best of what fantasy anime has to offer into an extremely memorable production with no apparent flaws.

The characters of Ruin Explorers are easily one of its best selling points. Ihrie, a warrior/magician with a short fuse and a serious handicap in the shape of a curse, is my favorite character from this show, and one of my favorite anime characters, period. Many others express a preference for her ditzy magician partner, Fam, or the determined prince, Lyle, which is very understandable. Rasha and Miguel are also very fun, reminiscient of Nagha (Slayers) and Louie (Rune Soldier); and the greedy merchant Galuff and his Muttley-lookalike dog Gil are great, too. On a darker note, Ruguderall is a heckuva villian who is just as bad as he looks. This entire crew was brought to life through exceptional performances by the dub and sub actors alike and through great work by the animators.

One of the key strengths of this cast is how very UN-heroic they are for the most part, especially starting out. Having goofy or slightly selfish fantasy characters is certainly nothing new, but rarely do you see characters who are at once so likeable and yet so TOTALLY in it for the money, riches, and power! Fam and Ihrie are basically glorified temple-robbers, the same goes for Miguel and Rasha, and Galuff's greed needs little commentary. What keeps these people so endearing despite their mercenary motives is the personal loyalty that they exhibit toward one another. Above all else, Ruin Explorers is a show about friendship and how far these characters will go to help one another. It's that nobler aspect of their personalities that eventually helps them to end the show as true heroes.

The short length (4 episodes) of this anime has been alternately accepted or grumbled about, but I view it as another strength. Time and time again, I am amazed at how "tight" and entertaining a story Ruin Explorers manages to present in such a short space. When you have time to waste, you often will--this anime's time was at a premium, so it takes advantage of every single second to develop character and plot at a pace that is always fast-moving but that almost never seems rushed. As with other, similarly short shows (such as FLCL), this thing's brevity also carries the benefit of not giving its creators time to screw up. You can't afford a bad or "slow" episode when you only have four to work with.

Let's see, what else? The animation quality is high overall; not the very best out there, but quite well-done considering its age (roughly Lodoss War quality). The music is appropriate throughout, and the main vocal theme, "Magical Beat," is really good. If you were to force me at gunpoint to name a flaw for Ruin Explorers, it would be that it's not terribly innovative--the kinds of fantasy characters you see here are well-established "types"; same goes for the plot. Again, though, rarely has that "standard fare" tasted so darn good. :)

Overall, I can't recommend Ruin Explorers enough, especially to fans of the fantasy genre. You will have to look very far to find two hours and $10-25 dollars better spent.

Movie Review: Very interesting!
Summary: 4 Stars

This dvd have an adventure that started out as a comedy and then turn into more of a drama toward the end. It even cause me to tears up about what happened at the end - the true story of the remaining characters. I was a bit disappointed when I found out that Ruin Explorer, which advertisted heavily on the earlier ADV dvds were a short story but this made more than use up for it! I gave it only a four star because there are not a lot of reference material in this short sequel like what the heck is specific kind of magic? and how is it releated to the other specific kinds of magic. There is more examples but I don't want to spoil the surprise! Also I would have liked to know what of the curse on the main character - did she accepted it or went back to her mentor to resolve it?

Movie Review: Great, short anime, but the ending's a bit disapointing.
Summary: 4 Stars

O.K., here's the story: it's set in a fantasy world where adventurers go exploring ruins searching for treasure and any magical items they can find. If this sounds like any D&D game you played, don't let that throw you off. This has enough action and comedy to satisfy most. I mean, it's not DRAGON HALF, but then few shows are.

Our protagonist is Ihrie, a tomboyish sword fighter who due to a curse inflicted on her years ago is unable to use magic, at least not without a price. (You find out exactly what the curse is in episode 2. Let's just say it's simular to Ranma Soutome's.) To make up for this short coming, she brings with her Fam, a ditzy wiggen (half human, half cat creature) who draws her power from the spirits but often blunders in all things, including magic preforming. They are on a quest for the fabeled Ultimate Power, which could supposedly grant the lucky finder whatever s/he desiers. Ihrie and Fam soon run into another team of ruin explorers-Ragna, another sorceress who has a secret phobia of mice, and her arrogant swordsman partner, who start off as rivals but eventually form an uneasy alliance with our heroines. They are joined by a slimey merchant/con artist, and Lyle, a former prince whose kingdom was wiped out by an evil wizard and who has embarked on a quest for revenge.

The only thing that knocks this down by one star is the ending. Read no further if you hate spoilers. Well, lets just say that I thought Ihrie was supposed to be the main hero, but in the final battle she ultimately didn't seem to really do anything useful, despite her efforts. Also, I wasn't really clear exactly on whether she ever got her curse removed or not.

Anyway, this one is highly recommended.

Movie Review: Fun-Short-Series
Summary: 4 Stars

Ruin Explores is a very short, 2 hour long, 4-part series that contains everything necessary for a great story. All of the characters are basic, but well developed for the story-line. Nothing is missing, no questions unanswered.

The story goes as this, six companions are in search of the Great-Power, all for their own reasons. Selfish, greedy, personal or for a kingdom. All of the reasons are described in some way or another. I don't want to give anything away. Then comes the "bad-guy", with reasons of his own. A big fight and then the end.

This anime is the reason why animes are fun. It contains a great story that could never really be done with real people, or atleast as fun, well developed characters, Fast-paced as far as anime is concerned, good animation, very good English-Dub for us non-Japanese speaking people, and good sound.

Not a lot of extras, but this doesn't really matter to me.

The only complaint is the ending, it feels as if this series could go on, the further adventures of the Ruin Explorers.

Buy-it Rent-it Watch-it!!

Movie Review: Amazing.
Summary: 5 Stars

Isn't it amazing how an anime can be so similar to the Slayers series, yet still be so completely different hurts? With such crazy antics and super deformed modes from Dragonhalf, this anime can prove to be an hour ((or more)) of sheer delight or extreme boredom ((to those of us with lives and no sense of humour)). Ruin Explorers is a cheerful combination of The Slayers, Dragonhalf, and somewhat like the Record of LoDoss War. Anyone who likes decent halfwitted anime comedies about a tom-boy sorceres who turns into a cute little mouse will absolutely adore this anime. Cheers!

Write your own review

Summary of Ruin Explorers - Tales In The Crypt [VHS]

This four-part adventure combines sword-and-sorcery derring-do with slapstick comedy, in the tradition of El Hazard. The brassy Ihrie wanders through the ruins of an unnamed planet with her partner, the elfin "Wiccan" Fam, in search of three enchanted treasures that can unleash the Ultimate Power. Along the way they're joined by the devious merchant Galuff; the sorceress Racha; the swordsman Migel; and Lyle, prince of the destroyed kingdom of Rehbart. Lyle is seeking revenge on the wizard Rugudorull, whose deadly magic devastated Rehbart. But Rugudorull's fate is tied to the Ultimate Power and the three magic objects: the Proof of Royalty, the Mirror of Truth, and the Sword of Sargus. As this unlikely band joins Lyle in his quest, they forge an alliance, with each character bringing a special strength: Migel, his skill as a warrior; Fam, an ability to talk to spirits and a pure heart; Ihrie, a particularly powerful magic--although using it temporarily turns her into a mouse. The climax is confusing but also suggests the possibility of a sequel, if viewers take Ihrie and Fam into their hearts. The four episodes: 1. "As I Command Thee," 2. "Oh, Spirits that Reside in the Air," 3. "Let the Light of Admonishment Shine Upon the Fools," 4. "The Skies, the Sea and the Woods." Not rated: suitable for ages 13 and up for violence, nudity, and occasional profanity. --Charles Solomon

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