• Publisher: Anime House
• Release date: 23.02.2023
• FSK: not for people under the age of 16
• playing time: 12 episodes of 23 minutes each (volume 1 of 2)
• Languages: German Japanese
• Subtitle: Deutsch
• Image format: 16:9
• Resolution: 1080p
• Number of discs: 2 (Volume 1)
• Packaging: Digipack in slipcase
• Extras: Booklet, reversible cover, O-Card slipcase, extras on the disc
• Basis: Anime Original
• Director: Yoshiharu Ashino (ua «Lupin III.», «Final Fantasy», «X»)
• Studio: Sunrise Inc.
• Production years: 2014-2015
  

Plot

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>> 1. Volume

>> 2. Volume

review

Rating: ⇒ 75% ⇐

The first episode had me hooked and I really wanted to know how the series was developing. Unfortunately, I had to wait another half a year to find out what’s going on. But in the end I can now hold the first volume in my hands and I can say that the wait was definitely worth it and it’s not just the initial euphoria that captivated me.

Even after 12 episodes, the anime still has a lot to offer and manages to combine action-packed mecha battles with a really successful story. The series presents a really high narrative pace right from the start and thus adapts perfectly to the current fast pace of society. The suspense is maintained by a lot of plot twists, is unpredictable and addresses, albeit in a more subtle way, shaping social issues of discrimination and politics. Even if you certainly can’t expect a profound story, the series is a really successful overall package, which appropriately embeds action-packed fights in a good story and covers numerous genres, including romance. However, the development of the main protagonist Ange, who has a lot of strength of character and emotional diversity, is not entirely comprehensible for me, but develops at a pace that I don’t quite understand. While in the first episodes the very diva-like character of the princess was expressed, she completely discards this behavior from one moment to the next and becomes a very serious woman with a strong character.

The animation quality is good to sometimes very strong. The entire setting and the character style appear varied and modern. In addition, it is underpinned with a mostly fast and action-packed music, which is also very appropriate. In my opinion, the opening in particular is very good and fits in well with the series even after listening to it twelve times.

The German localization with synchronization and release was also successful overall. In my opinion, the dubbing actors have a great voice, the dialogues are clear and understandable and the emotions are conveyed well at all times. There are only a few secondary characters with voice actors who are not entirely convincing.

The presentation of the first volume is solid. Two classic Amaray cases, each containing a disc, are bundled into an O-Card, with one of the Aamarys including a booklet. However, I would have liked a slipcase for both volumes and packaging that saves space and makes both discs quickly accessible. Especially in the per class of €100 per volume, there would have been significantly more.

But at the end of the day, it’s the content that counts, and that’s what won me over from the start. «Cross Ange» is a really well done anime series that I warmly recommend to everyone. I’m already looking forward to the second volume, which will bring the story about Ange to an end.