Zipang. Watch it.

[Jon]

Welcome to Zipang; one of many overlooked series currently available on R1 DVD. I don’t understand why it’s so unknown, but I can say it is one hell of a ride. If you haven’t seen this, you’re missing out on one of the most exciting series in the past couple years. As I view online forums quite frequently, I get to view a huge span of topics. Those topics range from “What’s your favorite anime series?” and all those recommendation threads. Additionally, topics about almost every series seem to pop up – except for Zipang. There has been a couple threads, which were real limited and under 10 posts, but it’s so pathetically sad that I feel the need to give everyone here on the AN forums a preview of Zipang’s awesomeness.

Anyways, enough from the ranting; and again, welcome to the world of Zipang. Zipang takes off when crew members aboard the Mirai, Japan’s most powerful modern-day missile destroyer, partake in daily training exercises. On one beautiful, sunny afternoon, Japan’s Self-Defense Force (SDF) boards the Mirai and initiates one of there scheduled training missions. While far away from the coast, the Mirai gets caught in an unpredicted storm; during which the Mirai looses all contact with the outside world, and in turn everything electronic inside the ship goes haywire. After the crew and their ship exit the storm, they find themselves in a massive battle. Of course, they eventually figure out that they have been transported sixty years in the past; right in the middle of The Battle Of Midway, and shortly after encounter the famous ship known as the Yamato.

You might think, after reading my summary, that this sounds like Japan shouting “Revenge!” or “This is how it should have been!”. It most certainly is not. The crew aboard the Mirai takes an oath to attempt to not alter history, though throughout the series they eventually get caught in some very cornered places. Also, as ironic as it may sound, a good portion of the series involves modern-day Japanese fighting the Japanese during the 1940's; since compared to today they are both very different in terms of government. This series is really neat, has great artwork, excellent voice acting, and thrilling music. The best part is Zipang’s story; it pulls you in and doesn’t let go, as well as some history of WWII.

I recommend all of you, to try it. It is currently being released on R1 DVD, with five of the seven volumes already available. If you still can’t make a decision, at least rent the first volume on a rental service, such as RentAnime or Netflix.

I do hope you give the series a chance - I find it sad that such a wonderful show can be overlooked.

[Vaikyuko]

It's a great show, yes, but I'm personally waiting for a thinpak/boxset before I watch more. XP

[Jon]

Originally Posted by Treize X

It's a great show, yes, but I'm personally waiting for a thinpak/boxset before I watch more. XP

I don't think it's selling that well, I doubt a boxset/thinpack will come. I could be wrong though.

[Leader Desslock]

Originally Posted by Jon

I recommend all of you, to try it. It is currently being released on R1 DVD, with five of the seven volumes already available.

I'm just waiting for those last two volumes to be released, and then I'm gonna be all over this series. It's on my 'watch closely' list. Looks great.

[GreatNekoKoneko]

...excellent "what if" show.

[Panko Z]

i've seen a lot of praise so it's been on my "intrigued" list for a long time, but i'm really too tapped out to invest time and money. i'll get to it eventually, probably next year though. sorry

[Bronze21]

I'm collecting it as I watch it...great series. When I first started watching it, I immediately thought of the old 70's or early 80's movie "The Last Countdown" when a US carrier goes back to WWII and fights in the Pearl Harbour attack. It's interesting seeing the Japanese side of the war...much like Grave of the Fireflies did with the B-29 fire attacks. I look forward to every time they show the Yamato...love that ship and it's sister, the Musashi. The technology difference is interesting as well. The only thing that drives me nuts with the dub, is that all of the US soldiers and the Japanese guys from Osaka talk as though they're from Dallas Texas. It's good watching though...

[ZeroRyoko1974]

wasn't Zipang one of the words the knights who until recently had said nii used?

[Bronze21]

Theres a New Age group called Himekami that has a album called Journey to Zipang...gotta Wikipedia the original meaning.

[Undrave]

Originally Posted by ZeroRyoko1974

wasn't Zipang one of the words the knights who until recently had said nii used?

No... Zipang is the name for Japan that Marco Polo brought back from China where he had heard about the country.

Zipang is AWESOME!!! I've fallen way behind in the manga but it's one of my favorite serie. The anime is only parto ft he story though, you gotta find the manga somewhere too.

I firmly recommand this story.

Oh and the movie with the air craft carrier is 'The Final Countdown' and Zipang is like...twenty hundred times better XD 'The Final Countdown' isn't what I'd call a 'great movie'. Augh.

[ZeroRyoko1974]

Ecky, Ecky, Ecky, Ptang, Zoo Ping! [Goodem-zoo-owli-zhiv].

[Flopsy]

I really love that one instrumental theme... you know, the upbeat saxophone piece that plays at least once per episode when everyone mans their battlestations.

[Jon]

^Agreed. I honestly love all the music in Zipang! The only thing I dislike about Zipang is come of the CG scenes, which are superior than most series' CG scenes anyways.

[GreatNekoKoneko]

Originally Posted by ZeroRyoko1974

Ecky, Ecky, Ecky, Ptang, Zoo Ping! [Goodem-zoo-owli-zhiv].

...THAT'S it! you got it. we demand... A SHRUBBERY!

sorry. off topic.

ON TOPIC.

good show. must own. no monies. oh well.

[anime____4ever]

yes, watch it.
it's a great anime that seem to be selling poorly,but should be topping the charts.

i've bought all the dvds that have been released so far.