Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
When I heard about Claymore I was suspicious . I'm usually suspicious of anime . Lets face it , anime is generally either really awful , or really good . The really good series's usually get most of the money giving them the ability to make a good series better , and the bad ones , well they generally don't . Yes , I'm being optimistic . I've seen many bad series get lots of money too , and they have disappointed me over and over again .
I discovered Claymore after trolling Anime forums while home from university about 8 months ago . I decided to watch it because I had nothing better to do . I thought it would be terrible , that the hype would lead me to some Bleach esque idiocy filled with filler and poorly voiced characters at best , and at worse , some B-grade movie quality story line with stiff dialogue . I figuered I should watch it though , since it was getting rave reviews . I wanted to know about it , but I went in expecting utter garbage . I was pleasantly surprised !
I was hooked after the first episode . I watched it non-stop until I had watched every single episode . I was shocked . The story is very unconventional . Some reviewers argue that it's weird . . . well yes , but the best anime's are a little weird , especially when you have to describe them to someone . I take it as a BLESSING that it's weird ! Its DIFFERENT ! Thank God . There is an underdog hero . Yes , there is NO super-powered for no reason teenage boy who is all angsty and has been some how against his will thrown into a plot to save the world , with the help of buxom anime babes and laughable joking less attractive male side kicks , while the main character broods and nurtures his effeminate looks all the while some how coming out on top of every ill-matched battle that faces him . I am SICK of watching that story over and over , and Claymore is a pleasing departure from the whole cliche anime story line . While I have read on forums that the manga is leaps and bounds above the anime , ( well , that's sort of to be expected , right ? ) I have heard the manga readers claim that it is a very good start to the series , and they expect more from FUNimation . Manga readers are happy with the series ? Seriously ? that's amazing .
I watched Claymore with no idea what it was about , that made everything very exciting and new . I strongly suggest doing this , I found it made it even more exciting . It's a very unique , very exciting , very unexpected anime . There are so many moments you wont see coming , really , it breaks tons of expectations and cliches . It's really a very amazing series , I can't possibly explain it better , I do not want to give you a summary of the plot , ( I hate spoliers ) and I don't want to tell you about specifics too much ( see above reason ) but I do want to help sell you . So I'll say this . . . I've had this on pre-order for 6 months , and I dont regret it at all ! This series is really great , something fresh and new , daring and unique , and I love it for that .
Cons , well I would say it's not as complete as I would like , but I regret to put that as a con , as I've heard buzz ( which I dont know whether or not is true ) that the anime will have a second season , because of the large volume of story in the manga . People have said that the anime covers the beginning of the manga . I haven't read the manga myself , as I said before , but if this is the case , then I can only be excited . It's a great series , and I can only see it getting better . It's worth the money , its beautifully animated , great voice acting ( at least in the original Japanese ) and a very unique and interesting story .
005 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
When I heard about Claymore I was suspicious . I'm usually suspicious of anime . Lets face it , anime is generally either really awful , or really good . The really good series's usually get most of the money giving them the ability to make a good series better , and the bad ones , well they generally don't . Yes , I'm being optimistic . I've seen many bad series get lots of money too , and they have disappointed me over and over again .
I discovered Claymore after trolling Anime forums while home from university about 8 months ago . I decided to watch it because I had nothing better to do . I thought it would be terrible , that the hype would lead me to some Bleach esque idiocy filled with filler and poorly voiced characters at best , and at worse , some B-grade movie quality story line with stiff dialogue . I figuered I should watch it though , since it was getting rave reviews . I wanted to know about it , but I went in expecting utter garbage . I was pleasantly surprised !
I was hooked after the first episode . I watched it non-stop until I had watched every single episode . I was shocked . The story is very unconventional . Some reviewers argue that it's weird . . . well yes , but the best anime's are a little weird , especially when you have to describe them to someone . I take it as a BLESSING that it's weird ! Its DIFFERENT ! Thank God . There is an underdog hero . Yes , there is NO super-powered for no reason teenage boy who is all angsty and has been some how against his will thrown into a plot to save the world , with the help of buxom anime babes and laughable joking less attractive male side kicks , while the main character broods and nurtures his effeminate looks all the while some how coming out on top of every ill-matched battle that faces him . I am SICK of watching that story over and over , and Claymore is a pleasing departure from the whole cliche anime story line . While I have read on forums that the manga is leaps and bounds above the anime , ( well , that's sort of to be expected , right ? ) I have heard the manga readers claim that it is a very good start to the series , and they expect more from FUNimation . Manga readers are happy with the series ? Seriously ? that's amazing .
I watched Claymore with no idea what it was about , that made everything very exciting and new . I strongly suggest doing this , I found it made it even more exciting . It's a very unique , very exciting , very unexpected anime . There are so many moments you wont see coming , really , it breaks tons of expectations and cliches . It's really a very amazing series , I can't possibly explain it better , I do not want to give you a summary of the plot , ( I hate spoliers ) and I don't want to tell you about specifics too much ( see above reason ) but I do want to help sell you . So I'll say this . . . I've had this on pre-order for 6 months , and I dont regret it at all ! This series is really great , something fresh and new , daring and unique , and I love it for that .
Cons , well I would say it's not as complete as I would like , but I regret to put that as a con , as I've heard buzz ( which I dont know whether or not is true ) that the anime will have a second season , because of the large volume of story in the manga . People have said that the anime covers the beginning of the manga . I haven't read the manga myself , as I said before , but if this is the case , then I can only be excited . It's a great series , and I can only see it getting better . It's worth the money , its beautifully animated , great voice acting ( at least in the original Japanese ) and a very unique and interesting story .
006 4 When I heard about Claymore I was suspicious . I'm usually suspicious of anime . Lets face it , anime is generally either really awful , or really good . The really good series's usually get most of the money giving them the ability to make a good series better , and the bad ones , well they generally don't . Yes , I'm being optimistic . I've seen many bad series get lots of money too , and they have disappointed me over and over again .
I discovered Claymore after trolling Anime forums while home from university about 8 months ago . I decided to watch it because I had nothing better to do . I thought it would be terrible , that the hype would lead me to some Bleach esque idiocy filled with filler and poorly voiced characters at best , and at worse , some B-grade movie quality story line with stiff dialogue . I figuered I should watch it though , since it was getting rave reviews . I wanted to know about it , but I went in expecting utter garbage . I was pleasantly surprised !
I was hooked after the first episode . I watched it non-stop until I had watched every single episode . I was shocked . The story is very unconventional . Some reviewers argue that it's weird . . . well yes , but the best anime's are a little weird , especially when you have to describe them to someone . I take it as a BLESSING that it's weird ! Its DIFFERENT ! Thank God . There is an underdog hero . Yes , there is NO super-powered for no reason teenage boy who is all angsty and has been some how against his will thrown into a plot to save the world , with the help of buxom anime babes and laughable joking less attractive male side kicks , while the main character broods and nurtures his effeminate looks all the while some how coming out on top of every ill-matched battle that faces him . I am SICK of watching that story over and over , and Claymore is a pleasing departure from the whole cliche anime story line . While I have read on forums that the manga is leaps and bounds above the anime , ( well , that's sort of to be expected , right ? ) I have heard the manga readers claim that it is a very good start to the series , and they expect more from FUNimation . Manga readers are happy with the series ? Seriously ? that's amazing .
I watched Claymore with no idea what it was about , that made everything very exciting and new . I strongly suggest doing this , I found it made it even more exciting . It's a very unique , very exciting , very unexpected anime . There are so many moments you wont see coming , really , it breaks tons of expectations and cliches . It's really a very amazing series , I can't possibly explain it better , I do not want to give you a summary of the plot , ( I hate spoliers ) and I don't want to tell you about specifics too much ( see above reason ) but I do want to help sell you . So I'll say this . . . I've had this on pre-order for 6 months , and I dont regret it at all ! This series is really great , something fresh and new , daring and unique , and I love it for that .
Cons , well I would say it's not as complete as I would like , but I regret to put that as a con , as I've heard buzz ( which I dont know whether or not is true ) that the anime will have a second season , because of the large volume of story in the manga . People have said that the anime covers the beginning of the manga . I haven't read the manga myself , as I said before , but if this is the case , then I can only be excited . It's a great series , and I can only see it getting better . It's worth the money , its beautifully animated , great voice acting ( at least in the original Japanese ) and a very unique and interesting story .
020 4 Upgrading to Blu-ray is wonderful ; you save on price , you save on shelf space , and it's better quality . . . knowing what to do with an excellent 6 DVD set housed in a nice , sturdy show box is another story . Especially when you're not sure if all ' special features ' are included from the DVDs or extra goodies . I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Blu-ray set DOES come with a 48 - page booklet , which is the same as the two 24 - page booklets ( now combined ) that came with the first and sixth DVD releases along with ALL of the DVD ' special features ' .
The anime itself is remarkable . . . perhaps the first European setting-type anime I have watched . . . great story and story-arcs . . . brilliant character development . . . fluid animation and crazy fight scenes . . . I shall never tire of hearing the steel-healed clamour of armor on cobblestone .
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
This is blu-ray . . why the Japanese Audio is Stereo 2.0 channel only ? ? ? and the English is 5.1 TrueHD ! !
Thats sucks .
051 4 This is blu-ray . . why the Japanese Audio is Stereo 2.0 channel only ? ? ? and the English is 5.1 TrueHD ! !
Thats sucks .
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
This is now my third purchase for anime on Blu-ray , the first two being Full Metal Panic : TSR and Samurai Champloo . While I haven't seen what Claymore looks like on DVD , the other series I have give a bit of perspective on this . First off , if you don't already have the series , this is a great deal and a fantastic series I highly recommend . Second , the packaging for this was better than I expected . While the DVD series is still superior due to its nicer box art , the box art was simple yet fitting for the blu-ray and it came with a booklet with character bios and some great art inside which was certainly more than I thought there would be . Now , onto the Blu-ray itself . Visually the series is a bit of a mix , but it very comparable quality-wise to how Samurai Champloo looks and nothing I have seen has come close to matching the quality seen in Full Metal Panic : TSR ( for a series ) . There are times the art and animation looks sharp , but most of the time it is is not as crisp as would be desired . Art lines and backgrounds frequently appear blurred and muddled , and usually this shows in the distance shots more than the close up ones . It also does not help that the series is only in 1080i instead of 1080p like many of the other series out there . The colors for the series are rather muted to begin with , but the brights of the Claymore's eyes when they use their powers stand out nicely and are very vibrant . The reds for the blood is hit and miss , but overall the color comes out well on the Blu-ray . The audio as well was a bit of a disappointment as only the English track ( which falls between average and below average for dubs I have heard in anime ) is in 5.1 , while the Japanese is in 2.0 and the difference is noticeable . The extras range mainly from commentary on a few episodes to interviews from cast and production . The product looks like an upscaled DVD , but with slightly better visuals , compact packaging ( if saving space is your thing ) , and the price make this the choice to go if you don't already have the DVDs and want a a darker , fantasy anime to check out .
For those who don't know what the series is about , here you go ( spoiler-free ) : In a world akin to our medieval times , there are demonic creatures that feed on humans known as Yoma . With the ability to disguise themselves as the humans they consume as well as their memories , the Yoma strike when unexpected and could be considered a natural predator of mankind . To combat these creatures , a group known as the Organization has created a group of female warriors known as Claymores . Half human and half Yoma , they wield enormous swords and can seek out the Yoma that are hiding among the towns and villages . Enter Clare , who is number 47 in the Organization , and her quest to destroy the Yoma and her hunt for one in particular and a boy she meets in one of her assignments .
The biggest problem with the series is its weak ending as many who have seen the series can attest to . The last two episodes of the series were made strictly for the anime to wrap things up , however , they are not the true ending as the manga is actually still ongoing currently ( for those interested , if you pick up 2 / 3 through Chapter 59 , you can start where the divergence begins ) . However , the series is still worth checking out , especially if you have a hankering for a darker , more mature and graphic fantasy series then this certainly fits the bill . So to recap , the series has a great story , tons of action , and a high quality level for it's animation ( as would be expected from Madhouse ) , but the weak high-def adaption and ending to this series add some substantial flaws . Regardless of what format you get it on , I do highly recommend this series , just be prepared to pick up the manga once you are done .
001 4 I'll come right out and confess it ; there is much to be excited about when an anime company like FUNimation decides to release a beloved franchise in a single complete collection box set . Not only does it save the buyer money but it makes a given property much more accessible to viewers who would otherwise be reluctant to track down half a dozen volumes to enjoy the show in it's entirety . Enter Claymore the Complete Series , a property of which I've long been campaigning for a complete box set release . The show , which is really unlike any other anime series out there , has been released to the North American market thus far in a pace that could only be described as trickling as in six , 4 - episode releases that each ran 95 minutes . I've got them all but won't lie about waiting impatiently for each release to come out so that the story could continue .
Coming in at a total runtime of 650 minutes , Claymore The Complete Series release contains all 26 episodes across 6 discs in three thin packs . The set is housed in a cardboard outer slipcase that is minimally artistically decorated ( as should be with a show this mysterious ) . The show wears a very appropriate TV MA ( 17 + ) rating due to some rough language , topless female nudity ( or maybe topless monster nudity is more appropriate ) , and a near-endless succession of violent / gory sequences .
Language options are standard fair sub and dub , which of course means dialog presented in either original Japanese ( Stereo ) or an English dub in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround . And , like always , the choice to run English subtitles exists for either spoken language option .
Extras are surprisingly robust and include a pair of nice 24 - page full color books highlighting key characters from the series , six commentary tracks from some of the English voice actresses and creative staff , Japanese staff interviews , original TV commercials , cast audition reels , textless songs , and a crop of Funimation trailers scattered throughout .
The story could best be described as a sweeping supernatural epic set in a grim fantasy environment in which an order of pale , blonde-haired girls are humanity's last hope in a struggle for survival against a race of beasts known as Yoma .
Yoma are incredibly powerful and twisted human / monster hybrids that come in many shapes and sizes and are driven by an endless appetite for consuming human innards .
The story primarily focuses on one of the Claymore sisters named Clare who sets off on a mission of bloody vengeance against the Yoma with hints of a disturbing and suffering-laden childhood popping up periodically along the way .
No ordinary pale girls , these Claymores , however as they are in fact only half-human and half Yoma themselves . Their beastie-half provides them with superhuman abilities ( among them : strength , endurance , special attacks and healing capabilities ) , at the cost of a constant threat of accidentally going too far in a battle and hence allowing the Yoma portion of their being to forever consume them .
Should this happen , ( a process called awakening here ) the sister in question is to be slain by their own commanders-in-arms on the spot . As such the show presents a unique tension in the thralls of battle , as the temptation to push the limits of their fleeting humanity is a constant concern and more than a few Claymores will fall to the charms of the Yoma along the way .
Fighting the Yoma can best be described as a physically grueling hack-fest with blurring blades from multiple Claymores chipping away at the oftentimes massive forms of the flesh-eating monsters . The good news for the viewer is that this means some wickedly cool battle sequences where many ( and I do mean many ) lovely Claymores meet their gruesome demise in the hopes of taking down a few of the enemy with them .
Almost in a video game style of presentation , the show bides its time with the Claymore girls having to dispose of countless lesser beasts ( such as the Abyss Feeders ) while reserving the major player ( think bosses ) bad guy battles for the conclusion of the major story arcs . Among these is the wicked cool Silver Eyed Lion King ( Rigardo ) , The White Silver King ( Isley ) , and the Blood Soaked Warrior ( Ophelia ) .
The show's art is fantastically appropriate with shadowy backgrounds , eerie lighting , and clear-cool skies that are sure to inspire a shiver . The character-model art is deliberately pale , bordering on black and white in fact , which goes a long way to provide an almost vampire-like appearance to the Claymore girls .
The soundtrack is made up of intense musical numbers and subtle stray electric guitar notes that are so well integrated that they tumble away into the creepy sounds of the night .
It should be noted that the finalized cover art is actually a bit different from the photo Amazon has shown here . The box is indeed white and features a depiction of lead character Clare but not quite so closely cropped . Rather she is standing to the right of the frame with her silver cape flowing over the title , Claymore The Complete Series . A small discrepancy , sure , but not to worry , the finished art works just as well .
In all this is a must-have collection that will delight fans of most anime genres . Kudos to FUNimation for putting the fans first with a full boxset release at an asking price of little more than the 4 - episode volumes have been going for until now . I simply cannot recommend this collection highly enough .
002 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
I'm not going to go into the plot of Claymore , other sites and reviewers have that covered , but here is the deal , Funimation has yet again releases another upscaled piece of garbage .
This release is done in 1080i , which basically translates into this is a poor quality upscale . For those who don't know what upscaling is , it is basically resizing video or images to a larger size than the original source . This greatly distorts the video and leads to lines that are blurred , artifacting ( large squares of ugliness ) , slow or choppy playback , and all around eye cancer .
If you own the DVDs , stick with them as they are the best quality available . If you want a HD version of this anime wait for the official release from the studio , not some cheap Funimation weekend project . I'm returning this right away because I am not going to pay for this horrible mess of a release .
EDIT : I added a screenshot to the images section to show how bad this release is . Make sure to look at it full size , as it naturally looks better at a smaller size . Also the screenshot was not altered in any way from the Blu-ray source .
003 4 I'm not going to go into the plot of Claymore , other sites and reviewers have that covered , but here is the deal , Funimation has yet again releases another upscaled piece of garbage .
This release is done in 1080i , which basically translates into this is a poor quality upscale . For those who don't know what upscaling is , it is basically resizing video or images to a larger size than the original source . This greatly distorts the video and leads to lines that are blurred , artifacting ( large squares of ugliness ) , slow or choppy playback , and all around eye cancer .
If you own the DVDs , stick with them as they are the best quality available . If you want a HD version of this anime wait for the official release from the studio , not some cheap Funimation weekend project . I'm returning this right away because I am not going to pay for this horrible mess of a release .
EDIT : I added a screenshot to the images section to show how bad this release is . Make sure to look at it full size , as it naturally looks better at a smaller size . Also the screenshot was not altered in any way from the Blu-ray source .
004 4 I watched this entire series on DVD via Netflix , and absolutely loved it . I held off on actually buying it , though , with the hopes that a blu-ray version would stroll along . And whattaya know , here it is . The animation quality on this series is already fantastic , and I can't wait to see it in HD ( though , as always , it's questionable just how much cel animation can be enlivened by high definition ) .
A couple of general notes about the series :
1 . It's ultra-violent and not very hopeful , so otaku parents , be aware before you show your kids ( though I will say it could be quite empowering for young girls ) .
2 . If you enjoy this , try Berserk . The story and characters are way different , but the dark medieval fantasy environment is the same ( still need that on blu-ray , though . . . ) .
3 . Funimation , as always , does an excellent job with the english dub , but the original japanese is still superior .
4 . If you've finished watching all the anime episodes and found yourself loving it and wanting more , you need to start reading the manga series it's based on , starting with volume 11 . Why ? The anime adapts the first 10 - and-a-half volumes of the manga quite thoroughly . However , it features an alternate ending in the final episode that never happened in the manga . The second half of volume 11 picks up at that point . In fact , the series is still ongoing in Japan , so there's quite a bit more story to go . Hopefully , it will all be adapted to anime , and turn out as well as this excellent collection .
007 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
The storyline is quite interesting based on the race of Claymores , half-breed females ( and some males ) who are basically humans contaminated with monster DNA . They travel from town to town ridding it of the monsters for a fee . That is only the stage for the relationship that is built with a few normal humans and the drama of the betrayal from within . There is distrust all around and each claymore is basically alone . All the while they fight to hold back and control the inner beast that they need to use to survive . Don't want to give away too much here . This is just the tip of the iceberg . The artistry is excellent . This moving brings is like a cross between
Witchblade : The Complete Series [ Blu-ray
] and
Rozen Maiden - Box Set
, but both of those are better than this one .
On the negative side costing it a star , the gore is excessive with heads and limbs flying everywhere pretty much all the time and there are some characters that go overboard on the profanity to a point that is ridiculous . While both can help add needed emotion and drama , this seems to be more excessive than any other anime I have seen .
008 4 The storyline is quite interesting based on the race of Claymores , half-breed females ( and some males ) who are basically humans contaminated with monster DNA . They travel from town to town ridding it of the monsters for a fee . That is only the stage for the relationship that is built with a few normal humans and the drama of the betrayal from within . There is distrust all around and each claymore is basically alone . All the while they fight to hold back and control the inner beast that they need to use to survive . Don't want to give away too much here . This is just the tip of the iceberg . The artistry is excellent . This moving brings is like a cross between
Witchblade : The Complete Series [ Blu-ray
] and
Rozen Maiden - Box Set
, but both of those are better than this one .
On the negative side costing it a star , the gore is excessive with heads and limbs flying everywhere pretty much all the time and there are some characters that go overboard on the profanity to a point that is ridiculous . While both can help add needed emotion and drama , this seems to be more excessive than any other anime I have seen .
009 4 I suspect that viewers will either really like or really dislike this series . As is the case with most Japanese anime , the story is bizarre . It's about a group of women , for the most part , who hunt monsters in a medieval European setting . These monsters are called Yoma . The women hunters are called Claymores . The Claymores have special abilities and traits that derive from the fact that they have some Yoma blood . Using these abilities causes them to run the risk of awakening , i.e . transforming into monsters of extraordinary power . If they do so , or if they violate the rules of the group , they in turn will be hunted , though they might not be easy to kill . The story is quite violent , depicting gushing blood and severed limbs and heads , but it is also a well-told and intriguing one that is unpredictable and depicted in a wonderful graphical style with a great soundtrack . I can't report on the quality of the English voice acting in this series as I very rarely view any anime in its dubbed version . For me , a great part of the magic of the anime medium is how the Japanese voice actors / actresses bring their characters to life and through their skill endow them with individual personalities .
010 4 This is a solid series . It has a definite beginning , middle and an ending . The basic storyline is reminiscent of Blood : The Last Vampire and Vampire Hunter D : Bloodlust . The protagonist is not quite human and must hunt his / her own kind , for pay . Along the way , he / she must fight to control the beast and remain human .
The storyline is excellent . I was really surprised that this series did not turn into a fight-of-the-week action adventure . For the first 2 / 3 of the series , until around episode 18 , the plot details about the world , people and personality of Clare , a Claymore . The writers did a great job of fleshing out the heroes and villains , so you do not get the typical one-dimensional portrayals . Actually some of the villains are fairly sophisticated in their behavior , with levels beyond the purely good / purely evil . And the heroes are not always pure of heart either . The last 1 / 3 of the series adds A LOT of action , which seem a bit rushed . I wish they had used those episodes to give more background into How the Claymores and the Yoma came about . The visuals were pretty good . You did not notice as much of the recycled animation that happens in other anime . My only gripe , other than the pacing of the last 1 / 3 , was the character design . Every single Claymore had blond hair . They all also had a standard uniform . The only variation was in the haircut . So at times , with the exception Clare , I had no idea who was doing what .
Overall , an A - for the effort and delivery .
011 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
Claymore stand itself from the rest of the current anime's out there in the fact that is darker , the story is compelling girls turn into hybrid against their will , to fight monsters , the real struggle is whether they can keep their humanity during their lifetime , it is packed with good action set in the middle age .
I enjoyed this anime very much it is one of my favorites .
Only thing I would have like to get is a poster or more art .
012 4 Claymore stand itself from the rest of the current anime's out there in the fact that is darker , the story is compelling girls turn into hybrid against their will , to fight monsters , the real struggle is whether they can keep their humanity during their lifetime , it is packed with good action set in the middle age .
I enjoyed this anime very much it is one of my favorites .
Only thing I would have like to get is a poster or more art .
013 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
The product came within decent ime and is in excellent working condition . The graphics are amazing ; as well as the extra bonuses on the dvd set . Such as translation and bonus scenes ; as well as personal information about the characters . All in all , I believe this to have been a magnificent purchase and product .
014 4 The product came within decent ime and is in excellent working condition . The graphics are amazing ; as well as the extra bonuses on the dvd set . Such as translation and bonus scenes ; as well as personal information about the characters . All in all , I believe this to have been a magnificent purchase and product .
015 4 I will not get into the story of Claymore ( it is spoken of time and time again in other reviews ) but I will add ; as a reader of the on-going Manga , I hated how this series ended so prematurely . But as an anime , Claymore has many redeeming qualities that I loved it for what it became .
I will entail in this review if this is a worthy upgrade from it's standard definition counterpart , which in fact I collected individually then the box set .
VIDEO :
Some may have heard , but this HD upgrade is 1080i . This maybe due to the fact that the show was encoded at 30 frames a second ; and since Blu-ray does not support 1080p30 , the show would have to be left at 1080i to play seamlessly ( it would otherwise seem mildly choppy had it been 1080p24 ) . Other than that , Claymore's video quality is indeed a welcome face-lift though it does have its hits and misses . As what you expect from most Funimation titles , the lines are extremely clean and without all the compression artifacts , you begin to spot little things you missed watching the DVD version such as , reflections , little facial details , etc . The color on the other hand is only mildly more vibrant and if you have watched Claymore before , you'll know that the atmosphere is intentionally grim and nothing in terms of color really pops out ( until the end , that is ) . If there is one thing they did not fix was the color banding . All in all , it looks marginally better than the DVD version ; a standard but sweet upscale if anything .
AUDIO : ENG - DolbyTrueHD / JP-DD 2.0
Sadly only the English dub was given the HD treatment . Though in all honesty I enjoy my anime in either or language , especially if done by Funimation . However , if you prefer the ENG dub then you are in for a treat . If there is one thing that Claymore does benefit from upgrading , it is the audio . Encoded at DolbyTrueHD , Claymore's music and action sequences really makes its presence through the speakers . Most notably , I thought the sword clashing was extremely sharp and Riful's awakened speech was an aural shock to the ears . Definitely pleasing all around , next to Heroic Age , I would have to say this is Funimation's best effort yet .
EXTRAS :
Episode commentaries , JP staff interviews , trailers , 48 - page art book . . . nothing new added from the last box set . Though I might add ; you can catch a glimpse of Evangelion 1.11 on disc two , and boy does it look fantastic in HD !
In conclusion , I'd say if you are a new comer to this series you are definitely in for a treat . However , if you are double ( or triple ) dipping like I have , I would say pick this one up if you love Claymore that much .
Reviewed with :
Samsung LN4061F
Yamaha RX-V465 w / Orb Audio satellites and sub
Sony PS3
016 4 This is a series a friend turned me onto recently and I am currently watching . The last episode I saw was episode 17 The Witch's Maw Part 3 , so I have nine episodes left , though the manga is still being put out the show is only twenty six episodes long . The series aired between April 2007 - September of 2007 in Japan on Nippon Television . Most of this series is based on the first eleven volumes of the manga , however the last two episodes follow an original storyline .
The story for this show is basically about a world where humans coexist with monsters know as Yoma , the Yoma seem to have an appetite for human guts , unlucky for the humans it seems . There are beings that are half Yoma , and half human known as Claymores , probably because they carry big swords on them similar to Gutz in Berserk ( another great anime I'll have to tell you about in the future ) . These Claymores work for a secret organization that hires the Claymores out to towns that have a Yoma problem , most of these towns don't really care for the Claymores much more than the Yoma , but have no choice but to use their abilities to dispatch the monsters . This Anime focuses on Clare who joins the Organization to get her revenge for the person she looked up to most in the world Teresa . Teresa was killed by Priscilla , a Claymore that awakened into a monster . During her travels Clare befriends a young boy named Rki , from what I've seen the only person she really cares for though she wouldn't admit it in the beginning of the show . That's the basic premise for the show , like I said I have another nine episodes left and I did not read the the manga so I have no idea what is to come .
I would recommend this show to anyone who likes dark fantasy adventure , with lots of action and pretty good character develpment . Like most Anime you'll be confused when the show first begins , but a few episodes in and I'm sure you'll love it . Based on what I've seen of this show so far I give it a 4 out of 5 .
017 4 I've seen many anime series in my time and this is by far one of the best . It ranks up there with Twelve Kingdoms , Cowboy Bebop , Code Geass , Fullmetal Alchemist , Bleach and Deathnote . Highly recommend esp . if you like watching female warriors kick ass ! The manga is still being written so read that if need your fix after completing the series .
021 4 Great anime , after i finished berserk i needed more this helped do the job . Claymore is defiantly in my top 10 anime series . I think that if you're a fan of berserk you'll enjoy claymore ( read the manga too ) .
022 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
Fast shipping . Great buy . The price was awesome for a blu ray season . Especially anime is usually so expensive ! This is a great anime about demons and Claymores assigned to kill them .
023 4 Fast shipping . Great buy . The price was awesome for a blu ray season . Especially anime is usually so expensive ! This is a great anime about demons and Claymores assigned to kill them .
024 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
Excellent Anime and ended to quickly . Movie could easily continue . Has sound story line and left me wanting more . This is one series that should have continued .
025 4 Excellent Anime and ended to quickly . Movie could easily continue . Has sound story line and left me wanting more . This is one series that should have continued .
026 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
to anyone who likes anime you will love this .
I found myself drawn into the story in a positive way .
The Claymore characters are strong , but then again you would expect a woman
who uses a claymore sword for a living to be strong
the only thing I did not like was when the young boy Raki , he not only seemed very young but weak and crying when ever things got tough .
All told a top notch anime , I bought in in blu-ray and love it
027 4 to anyone who likes anime you will love this .
I found myself drawn into the story in a positive way .
The Claymore characters are strong , but then again you would expect a woman
who uses a claymore sword for a living to be strong
the only thing I did not like was when the young boy Raki , he not only seemed very young but weak and crying when ever things got tough .
All told a top notch anime , I bought in in blu-ray and love it
028 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
I must admit , when I first saw this anime series I was a bit skeptical . The storyline seemed interesting , but I didn't expect too much . . . . Boy was I wrong . The storyline is very deep and the characters have their own set of traits that make each one of them unique . This series is based on a current running Manga story , so the ending is really not the ending at all . There is so much more to explore in the Claymore realm that one who is a fan of this anime wishes that there will be a second season . This is a must buy for anyone who appreciates a thorough and developing storyline with many twists and surprises . Claire and Teresa of the Faint Smile are two of the most interesting characters I have ever run across in the anime world ! ! !
029 4 I must admit , when I first saw this anime series I was a bit skeptical . The storyline seemed interesting , but I didn't expect too much . . . . Boy was I wrong . The storyline is very deep and the characters have their own set of traits that make each one of them unique . This series is based on a current running Manga story , so the ending is really not the ending at all . There is so much more to explore in the Claymore realm that one who is a fan of this anime wishes that there will be a second season . This is a must buy for anyone who appreciates a thorough and developing storyline with many twists and surprises . Claire and Teresa of the Faint Smile are two of the most interesting characters I have ever run across in the anime world ! ! !
030 4 I have heard a lot of great things about this series and I am happy to say I agree completely !
Yoma are threatening the land . They are demons that like to feast on human innards . They know only one foe , the Claymore . The Claymore are a group of half-Yoma women . This series follows the story of Clare . Abused by Yoma as a child she seeks revenge by following the path of the Claymore and becoming a warrior in her own right .
The artwork in this series is amazing . Definitely one of the best anime series out there from an animation stand point . The English dubbing was very well done . It sounded and looked completely natural ; the voice actors were perfect for the characters .
The story line was fascinating . You would think episode after episode of the Claymore fighting Yoma might get old but it never does . Clare's story line is engaging and really makes it hard to stop watching . The Claymore get more and more powerful as do their adversaries .
The only thing that got a little old at times was the Claymore always getting their butts absolutely kicked before they triumphed . The other strange thing was that they always had to cut off the arms of the opponents before they killed them . . . not sure if this is in reference to some mythology . I vaguely remember something in maybe Norse mythology where you were banned from paradise if you had limbs cut off , but I can't recall details .
A great anime series . Action packed , beautifully animated , and a great story . A must see for all anime fans .
031 4 First off , the animation in this is gorgeous . I'm a sucker for well-drawn ( or rendered in some cases ) anime , and as long as there is a bit in the character and plot departments , I'll probably like it . This series not only has the art but the characters are also well done . The plot is a bit stretched at times , but is otherwise entertaining .
Cons :
The last 4 episodes are heavy on the flashbacks , which tend to slow down the pace . Also in the last 4 episodes , it is kind of hard to tell the multitudes of blond-haired , silver-eyed , similarly-dressed women apart .
Once it was all over , I was stunned by how good the series was overall . I had planned on watching this and then selling it elsewhere , but I liked it enough that I have decided to keep it .
Others that I've enjoyed :
Last Exile
Mezzo
Full Metal Alchemist
Full Metal Panic
Tokko
032 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
I liked this anime box set . It had a great story . I wish that it was a little longer . I thought the same thing about berserk .
034 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
One of the best animes to come out in a very long time . Very good graphics , excellent music , perfect voice work . was realy excited to see the books that came with the series with the notes from the director and producers . Cant wait till the next part in the series comes out . and acording to the books there will be more coming , we will find out what happens to clair .
035 4 One of the best animes to come out in a very long time . Very good graphics , excellent music , perfect voice work . was realy excited to see the books that came with the series with the notes from the director and producers . Cant wait till the next part in the series comes out . and acording to the books there will be more coming , we will find out what happens to clair .
036 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
Claymore has to be one of the best anime I've seen . Characters were great , visually stunning . The only objection I have is the way the story ended in the anime . Leaves it to open , like there another season or two that can be added .
037 4 Claymore has to be one of the best anime I've seen . Characters were great , visually stunning . The only objection I have is the way the story ended in the anime . Leaves it to open , like there another season or two that can be added .
038 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
This series is for people that enjoy a good story with supernatural characters . The series reminds me of Berserk on several levels . The animation quality is good , the writing is very good and the actors they got for the voices were believable . The only real negative aspects I found about the series is 1 ) the series should have been longer for the scope they are setting up . The way the series ended it would have been very easy for a follow up season . 2 ) the second issue I had builds off of issue one . The series leaves a lot of unanswered questions . It could have been they were originally going to have more shows , but budget cuts prevented them from being produced .
Overall I think this is a good series and while watching it I found myself looking forward to seeing what happens in the next episode . The show does have brief nudity in it , and a generous amount of blood . Not the show to give to small children .
039 4 This series is for people that enjoy a good story with supernatural characters . The series reminds me of Berserk on several levels . The animation quality is good , the writing is very good and the actors they got for the voices were believable . The only real negative aspects I found about the series is 1 ) the series should have been longer for the scope they are setting up . The way the series ended it would have been very easy for a follow up season . 2 ) the second issue I had builds off of issue one . The series leaves a lot of unanswered questions . It could have been they were originally going to have more shows , but budget cuts prevented them from being produced .
Overall I think this is a good series and while watching it I found myself looking forward to seeing what happens in the next episode . The show does have brief nudity in it , and a generous amount of blood . Not the show to give to small children .
040 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
Like the main editorial gives , the series does strongly have the same story scenario of the series Witchblade as the main fighters are female who have a unique power within them that gives them great abilities to fight their enemies but is also a two-edged sword meaning that the power within will also destroy them as well . The series protagonists seem to be evil demons with a hunger to devour humans and also blend in with them as well hiding until they can strike and feed again thus requiring the service of the Claymores the earlier mentioned females with inner demons in them that give them incredible fighting abilities but also has a serious drawback , if the Claymores use their inner demons abilities to much or give into the their inner demon they themselves will become demons themselves . Like with a lot of recent anime series you'll have the usual shadow group that seems to be an ally of the Claymores but have their own secret agendas as well as vague enemies as well , so in all most of the story-plot will lack any real originality to the show . The series is extremely gory so it's definitely not meant for young children and there will be very dark adult situations in some episodes ( No Nudity or hentai scenes though ) , the animation shows greatly with the bloody fight scenes in the like so if you've seen the series Berserk or Witchblade than expect the same bloody scenes here as well . The animation is decent but nothing to really shout about similar in detail like the series Gilgamesh , and the voice cast for both the Japanese and English crew while entertaining don't really make any of the characters really endear themselves to you . The series is a nice sister collection to the Witchblade series but doesn't match up to the entertainment quality of the other series though . So is it worth getting for someones anime collection ? , if you really liked Witchblade or Berserk than yes the series is pretty good for you but for any true originality don't hold your breath . . . .
041 4 Like the main editorial gives , the series does strongly have the same story scenario of the series Witchblade as the main fighters are female who have a unique power within them that gives them great abilities to fight their enemies but is also a two-edged sword meaning that the power within will also destroy them as well . The series protagonists seem to be evil demons with a hunger to devour humans and also blend in with them as well hiding until they can strike and feed again thus requiring the service of the Claymores the earlier mentioned females with inner demons in them that give them incredible fighting abilities but also has a serious drawback , if the Claymores use their inner demons abilities to much or give into the their inner demon they themselves will become demons themselves . Like with a lot of recent anime series you'll have the usual shadow group that seems to be an ally of the Claymores but have their own secret agendas as well as vague enemies as well , so in all most of the story-plot will lack any real originality to the show . The series is extremely gory so it's definitely not meant for young children and there will be very dark adult situations in some episodes ( No Nudity or hentai scenes though ) , the animation shows greatly with the bloody fight scenes in the like so if you've seen the series Berserk or Witchblade than expect the same bloody scenes here as well . The animation is decent but nothing to really shout about similar in detail like the series Gilgamesh , and the voice cast for both the Japanese and English crew while entertaining don't really make any of the characters really endear themselves to you . The series is a nice sister collection to the Witchblade series but doesn't match up to the entertainment quality of the other series though . So is it worth getting for someones anime collection ? , if you really liked Witchblade or Berserk than yes the series is pretty good for you but for any true originality don't hold your breath . . . .
042 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
When i get this series via netflix , and watch it over and over , i knew then that if this anime series comes out , i would definitely purchase this and would look forward to new series that will come out , A must have imo for anime fan , especially who likes strong female characters who can kick monsters yomas-butt .
043 4 When i get this series via netflix , and watch it over and over , i knew then that if this anime series comes out , i would definitely purchase this and would look forward to new series that will come out , A must have imo for anime fan , especially who likes strong female characters who can kick monsters yomas-butt .
044 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
I am not a anima fan what so ever but i love this short series to death , its an all time fav for me .
045 4 I am not a anima fan what so ever but i love this short series to death , its an all time fav for me .
046 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
This was something that I thouroughly enjoyed . To start with the name Claymore refers to a cast of warriors that fight for an organization that destroys Yoma's . . demons . . . beast like creatures that feed on human flesh . The setting is somewhat medieval . .1600 ' s . There are no modern conviences . . no machines etc .
As you watch the story you learn that the Claymores themselves are fused with Yoma's . . . the same beasts that they have vowed to wipe from the face of the earth . This in part makes them much more capable then the average person . They can tap into their Yoma side to enhance their strength . . . stamina etc . Yet this comes at a price . . if you exceed your limit you yourself turn into a Yoma .
Since this is a medieval setting they fight with swords and that means loss of limbs . . . heads . There is a plenty of action and blood but it is not senseless .
At the start of the series you follow Clare on a few missions then there is a brief flashback of 4 or so episodes so that you can understand Clare's outlook on things . Which are important to understanding the series . After that it plays more as a continuous story .
I normally do not give 5 stars but this was my type of series . When I look at the series as a whole the animation ( like Death Note or something ) is Far Above average ! Voices are well done background music has an edge to it .
For myself the replay value is exceptional .
My box does not look like what they show but it is in a Wide Screen format . . . it came in a 3 thinpak Dvd set with on DVD on each side of the case .
I can honestly say . . . for my tastes . . this is the best series I have seen this year . I highly recommend ! !
047 4 This was something that I thouroughly enjoyed . To start with the name Claymore refers to a cast of warriors that fight for an organization that destroys Yoma's . . demons . . . beast like creatures that feed on human flesh . The setting is somewhat medieval . .1600 ' s . There are no modern conviences . . no machines etc .
As you watch the story you learn that the Claymores themselves are fused with Yoma's . . . the same beasts that they have vowed to wipe from the face of the earth . This in part makes them much more capable then the average person . They can tap into their Yoma side to enhance their strength . . . stamina etc . Yet this comes at a price . . if you exceed your limit you yourself turn into a Yoma .
Since this is a medieval setting they fight with swords and that means loss of limbs . . . heads . There is a plenty of action and blood but it is not senseless .
At the start of the series you follow Clare on a few missions then there is a brief flashback of 4 or so episodes so that you can understand Clare's outlook on things . Which are important to understanding the series . After that it plays more as a continuous story .
I normally do not give 5 stars but this was my type of series . When I look at the series as a whole the animation ( like Death Note or something ) is Far Above average ! Voices are well done background music has an edge to it .
For myself the replay value is exceptional .
My box does not look like what they show but it is in a Wide Screen format . . . it came in a 3 thinpak Dvd set with on DVD on each side of the case .
I can honestly say . . . for my tastes . . this is the best series I have seen this year . I highly recommend ! !
048 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
I LOVE this series ! My next step will be working to get all of the Manga .
This is a great buy , but I wish the box art was the same as the image in the preview for the item . It's ok though , it's still a nice box set . : )
049 4 I LOVE this series ! My next step will be working to get all of the Manga .
This is a great buy , but I wish the box art was the same as the image in the preview for the item . It's ok though , it's still a nice box set . : )
052 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
This is now my third purchase for anime on Blu-ray , the first two being Full Metal Panic : TSR and Samurai Champloo . While I haven't seen what Claymore looks like on DVD , the other series I have give a bit of perspective on this . First off , if you don't already have the series , this is a great deal and a fantastic series I highly recommend . Second , the packaging for this was better than I expected . While the DVD series is still superior due to its nicer box art , the box art was simple yet fitting for the blu-ray and it came with a booklet with character bios and some great art inside which was certainly more than I thought there would be . Now , onto the Blu-ray itself . Visually the series is a bit of a mix , but it very comparable quality-wise to how Samurai Champloo looks and nothing I have seen has come close to matching the quality seen in Full Metal Panic : TSR ( for a series ) . There are times the art and animation looks sharp , but most of the time it is is not as crisp as would be desired . Art lines and backgrounds frequently appear blurred and muddled , and usually this shows in the distance shots more than the close up ones . It also does not help that the series is only in 1080i instead of 1080p like many of the other series out there . The colors for the series are rather muted to begin with , but the brights of the Claymore's eyes when they use their powers stand out nicely and are very vibrant . The reds for the blood is hit and miss , but overall the color comes out well on the Blu-ray . The audio as well was a bit of a disappointment as only the English track ( which falls between average and below average for dubs I have heard in anime ) is in 5.1 , while the Japanese is in 2.0 and the difference is noticeable . The extras range mainly from commentary on a few episodes to interviews from cast and production . The product looks like an upscaled DVD , but with slightly better visuals , compact packaging ( if saving space is your thing ) , and the price make this the choice to go if you don't already have the DVDs and want a a darker , fantasy anime to check out .
For those who don't know what the series is about , here you go ( spoiler-free ) : In a world akin to our medieval times , there are demonic creatures that feed on humans known as Yoma . With the ability to disguise themselves as the humans they consume as well as their memories , the Yoma strike when unexpected and could be considered a natural predator of mankind . To combat these creatures , a group known as the Organization has created a group of female warriors known as Claymores . Half human and half Yoma , they wield enormous swords and can seek out the Yoma that are hiding among the towns and villages . Enter Clare , who is number 47 in the Organization , and her quest to destroy the Yoma and her hunt for one in particular and a boy she meets in one of her assignments .
The biggest problem with the series is its weak ending as many who have seen the series can attest to . The last two episodes of the series were made strictly for the anime to wrap things up , however , they are not the true ending as the manga is actually still ongoing currently ( for those interested , if you pick up 2 / 3 through Chapter 59 , you can start where the divergence begins ) . However , the series is still worth checking out , especially if you have a hankering for a darker , more mature and graphic fantasy series then this certainly fits the bill . So to recap , the series has a great story , tons of action , and a high quality level for it's animation ( as would be expected from Madhouse ) , but the weak high-def adaption and ending to this series add some substantial flaws . Regardless of what format you get it on , I do highly recommend this series , just be prepared to pick up the manga once you are done .
053 4 This is now my third purchase for anime on Blu-ray , the first two being Full Metal Panic : TSR and Samurai Champloo . While I haven't seen what Claymore looks like on DVD , the other series I have give a bit of perspective on this . First off , if you don't already have the series , this is a great deal and a fantastic series I highly recommend . Second , the packaging for this was better than I expected . While the DVD series is still superior due to its nicer box art , the box art was simple yet fitting for the blu-ray and it came with a booklet with character bios and some great art inside which was certainly more than I thought there would be . Now , onto the Blu-ray itself . Visually the series is a bit of a mix , but it very comparable quality-wise to how Samurai Champloo looks and nothing I have seen has come close to matching the quality seen in Full Metal Panic : TSR ( for a series ) . There are times the art and animation looks sharp , but most of the time it is is not as crisp as would be desired . Art lines and backgrounds frequently appear blurred and muddled , and usually this shows in the distance shots more than the close up ones . It also does not help that the series is only in 1080i instead of 1080p like many of the other series out there . The colors for the series are rather muted to begin with , but the brights of the Claymore's eyes when they use their powers stand out nicely and are very vibrant . The reds for the blood is hit and miss , but overall the color comes out well on the Blu-ray . The audio as well was a bit of a disappointment as only the English track ( which falls between average and below average for dubs I have heard in anime ) is in 5.1 , while the Japanese is in 2.0 and the difference is noticeable . The extras range mainly from commentary on a few episodes to interviews from cast and production . The product looks like an upscaled DVD , but with slightly better visuals , compact packaging ( if saving space is your thing ) , and the price make this the choice to go if you don't already have the DVDs and want a a darker , fantasy anime to check out .
For those who don't know what the series is about , here you go ( spoiler-free ) : In a world akin to our medieval times , there are demonic creatures that feed on humans known as Yoma . With the ability to disguise themselves as the humans they consume as well as their memories , the Yoma strike when unexpected and could be considered a natural predator of mankind . To combat these creatures , a group known as the Organization has created a group of female warriors known as Claymores . Half human and half Yoma , they wield enormous swords and can seek out the Yoma that are hiding among the towns and villages . Enter Clare , who is number 47 in the Organization , and her quest to destroy the Yoma and her hunt for one in particular and a boy she meets in one of her assignments .
The biggest problem with the series is its weak ending as many who have seen the series can attest to . The last two episodes of the series were made strictly for the anime to wrap things up , however , they are not the true ending as the manga is actually still ongoing currently ( for those interested , if you pick up 2 / 3 through Chapter 59 , you can start where the divergence begins ) . However , the series is still worth checking out , especially if you have a hankering for a darker , more mature and graphic fantasy series then this certainly fits the bill . So to recap , the series has a great story , tons of action , and a high quality level for it's animation ( as would be expected from Madhouse ) , but the weak high-def adaption and ending to this series add some substantial flaws . Regardless of what format you get it on , I do highly recommend this series , just be prepared to pick up the manga once you are done .
054 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
I've been a fan of anime ever since Starblazers aired many years ago-and yes , I know I'm dating myself . I've seen really good anime-think Ghost in the Shell-and some pretty bad . Claymore falls somewhere in between , showing some promise for a dark fantasy but falling short in execution . The story itself starts off slow and uninspiring-if I hadn't bought the boxed set , I doubt I would have watched the entire series-with the introduction of the Claymore Clare and her rather annoying and useless sidekick , Raki . I found the first four episodes to be pretty weak , but the storyline did spark some interest as the backstory of Clare started to unfold-though it would have been nice to know it actually WAS a flashback . . . Anyway , you learn why Clare becomes a Claymore and what drives her , which I found dark and otherwise messed up enough to want to continue watching the series .
Claymore doesn't pull many punches when it comes to graphic carnage and gratuitous dismemberment for both the demon Yoma and Claymore alike , as well as the hapless human unlucky enough to be caught between the two . There is also some interesting intrigue within the Organization dedicated to wiping out Yoma , as well as a potential rebellion within the Claymore ranks that sadly wasn't fleshed out enough and remained teasingly in the background . I also found at least one of the characters twisted and otherwise sadistic enough to enjoy watching .
Where Claymore falls short involves an issue I've found in several anime series-that of excessive and useless dialogue . While I understand and appreciate the use of dialogue to propell a story , there is a certain timing issue at work here . Most people-or demons-engaged in a fight for their very survival won't pause said struggle to engage in idiotic banter , nor will they begin some long winded explanation as to why something is the way it is ; save the speeches , explanations and leaps of logic until after the enemy is put down . Character development is also pretty weak , though not entirely nonexistant , and Clare's struggle to maintain her humanity at certain crisis points fell flat-mostly due to her whiney , co-dependant , and otherwise worthless little b * * * hboy of a sidekick ; no , I didn't particularly like Raki and you'll see why if you watch the series .
All in all , Claymore is little more than okay with some strengths that sadly couldn't overcome its deficiencies .
055 4 I've been a fan of anime ever since Starblazers aired many years ago-and yes , I know I'm dating myself . I've seen really good anime-think Ghost in the Shell-and some pretty bad . Claymore falls somewhere in between , showing some promise for a dark fantasy but falling short in execution . The story itself starts off slow and uninspiring-if I hadn't bought the boxed set , I doubt I would have watched the entire series-with the introduction of the Claymore Clare and her rather annoying and useless sidekick , Raki . I found the first four episodes to be pretty weak , but the storyline did spark some interest as the backstory of Clare started to unfold-though it would have been nice to know it actually WAS a flashback . . . Anyway , you learn why Clare becomes a Claymore and what drives her , which I found dark and otherwise messed up enough to want to continue watching the series .
Claymore doesn't pull many punches when it comes to graphic carnage and gratuitous dismemberment for both the demon Yoma and Claymore alike , as well as the hapless human unlucky enough to be caught between the two . There is also some interesting intrigue within the Organization dedicated to wiping out Yoma , as well as a potential rebellion within the Claymore ranks that sadly wasn't fleshed out enough and remained teasingly in the background . I also found at least one of the characters twisted and otherwise sadistic enough to enjoy watching .
Where Claymore falls short involves an issue I've found in several anime series-that of excessive and useless dialogue . While I understand and appreciate the use of dialogue to propell a story , there is a certain timing issue at work here . Most people-or demons-engaged in a fight for their very survival won't pause said struggle to engage in idiotic banter , nor will they begin some long winded explanation as to why something is the way it is ; save the speeches , explanations and leaps of logic until after the enemy is put down . Character development is also pretty weak , though not entirely nonexistant , and Clare's struggle to maintain her humanity at certain crisis points fell flat-mostly due to her whiney , co-dependant , and otherwise worthless little b * * * hboy of a sidekick ; no , I didn't particularly like Raki and you'll see why if you watch the series .
All in all , Claymore is little more than okay with some strengths that sadly couldn't overcome its deficiencies .
056 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
The series is amazing but the picture quality of this set is terrible . It doesn't look any better than an upscaled DVD and actually worse than some 480p stuff that streams on Hulu . The only positive I can say is that the DVD box set costs more than the Blu-Ray so this is the better deal if you have a Blu-Ray player .
057 4 The series is amazing but the picture quality of this set is terrible . It doesn't look any better than an upscaled DVD and actually worse than some 480p stuff that streams on Hulu . The only positive I can say is that the DVD box set costs more than the Blu-Ray so this is the better deal if you have a Blu-Ray player .
058 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set ( DVD )
Kinda cliche ' and corny . The lead characters traveling companion is too goody goody and over the top dramatic . This series could have been good , but it simply isn't . I thought it was going to be darker but it really is just a typical run of the mill anime .
059 4 Kinda cliche ' and corny . The lead characters traveling companion is too goody goody and over the top dramatic . This series could have been good , but it simply isn't . I thought it was going to be darker but it really is just a typical run of the mill anime .
060 4 This review is from :
Claymore : Complete Series Box Set [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
Well , for me , Claymore is one of the best anime from the last past years .
Maybe too much women in the scenario but a phenomenal story , suspense and action .
BUT , I don't applause at all for the 1080i because Claymore is a great great anime . I always see in bad way but for me , they keep for next years the version 1080p . Always money and easy money .
I can't understand . All their work on other serie : Berserker , Shigurui , Witchblade is great and in 1080p . With 1080p , Lines are fine and nearly pure . Not here .
And , I will say if they do it again . I won't purchase any anime in 1080i . It is not worth the money .
061 4 Well , for me , Claymore is one of the best anime from the last past years .
Maybe too much women in the scenario but a phenomenal story , suspense and action .
BUT , I don't applause at all for the 1080i because Claymore is a great great anime . I always see in bad way but for me , they keep for next years the version 1080p . Always money and easy money .
I can't understand . All their work on other serie : Berserker , Shigurui , Witchblade is great and in 1080p . With 1080p , Lines are fine and nearly pure . Not here .
And , I will say if they do it again . I won't purchase any anime in 1080i . It is not worth the money .
062 4 As a series , compelling , enveloping , and maturing with each passing disk . It is all in the character , circumstance , and sacrifice of this sisterhood . Artwork , background , and activity are solid / consistent . These voice actors created an emotional identification with and commitment to the trials of their characters extending from just entertainent to cult . That is until the final disk . The voice of the 6th disk becomes monaural / gutteral , brutishness replaces sensitivities learned through trials , and the uplifting psychology of dealing with an itch you can never scratch becomes psychotic . A truly , truly great five disk series brought to a tranished end by a wretched sixth disk .
