Product: Xenosaga: The Complete Series (2010)
Rating: 5.0
It was much better than I expected
Xenosaga is difficult to review because it has two disparate interest groups: those who want to know how the movie compares to the video game and those who want to know if it is worth buying as a movie on its own merits. Reviewers from the first group have already written excellent reviews. I'll address my review to the second group.In many ways, Xenosaga is a traditional anime science fiction movie. The humans are threatened and need new weapons to counter the threat. Their best hope is a female combat robot constructed by a woman named Shion. Shion is pretty cute and her robot is also pretty cute. Xenosaga has something for the boys to look at.Except for Kirsch, the characters are traditional anime science fiction characters. The animation is very good. There is plenty of mecha combat and subplots to hold your interest. It has 12 episodes, which seemed right for the story content. It's not rushed, nor is it drawn out.What makes Xenosaga exceptional is the subplot that centers on a 100-series Realian girl named Kirsch. The issue is whether or not Kirsch possesses free will. To find out, you'll have to wait until the end of the story. Be prepared for a Japanese river of tears.Xenosaga is not about the female combat robot. It's about whether or not Kirsch possesses free will. That is what makes Xenosaga a meaningful story. After finishing it, you won't remember the mecha combat, you'll remember how Kirsch showed whether or not she possessed free will.I recommend Xenosaga. It was more than I expected.