So, I Finally Watched: The Vision of Escaflowne

[@ThatFreikugel]

A shame that Escaflowne feels nearly forgotten these days. It's such a great show with one of the best soundtracks ever.

[@buffysummers7887]

right? Every time someone bangs on about Howl’s Castle music, I’m like, you know that song is from Escaflowne, right?

[@aleksandarstojceski3139]

@@buffysummers7887 What do you mean? I know Escaflowne full soundtrack can't say its even similar.

[@ligayaphotocinema]

This anime was shown in the Philippines during the early 2000s. Never really understood this show

[@whiskywhiskerz1607]

Ya’ll just wait! This’ll get rebooted alike all the old greats… actually… I’m still waiting on the remake of Slayers. ❤❤❤

[@filibusteros.787]

One of the best soundtracks ever made with Cowboy Bebop

[@Micolashcage1]

I'm here because Hidetaka Miyazaki (creator of Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Bloodborne, etc...) said he wants to make a game inspired by this anime

[@Masterho310]

That sounds fucking badass. Like a combination of Elden Ring and Armored Core.

[@DeconvertedMan]

what?! Dude that would be EPIC.

[@madjoe8622]

Really? that would be crazy.

[@drag0nchampi0n]

That would be incredible. I really want him to get away from the souls borne stuff and try his hand at JRPG. It could be amazing.

[@kaanozk]

no fuccking way.

[@mogaman28]

Not a mention of the soundtrack?! Inconceivable!! (Kanno Yoko is a fng genius)

[@VansAnime]

Honestly, I didn't even think about the fact that I had failed to discuss it until after I had uploaded the video. Which is extra frustrating because music plays a big part in my enjoyment of an anime. That being said, yes - I agree. The soundtrack is a real highlight of the series. The main theme in particular is an earworm. I was humming it to myself for weeks after watching.

[@kestrels.9189]

@@VansAnime Yoko Kano has done so many amazing works I listen to the soundtrack constantly. It’s ok that you missed it, probably could do with its own video tbh. ❤

[@johnnyfountainS]

I rather listen to Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax and Iron Maiden.

[@mogaman28]

@@johnnyfountainS Give a chance to Lovebites, Nemophila or Band Maid.

[@410cultivar]

COWBOY BEEBOP

[@RM2011ish]

I remembered when Escaflowne was every bit as revered as Cowboy Bebop or Neon Genesis Evangelion. But now no one ever talks about it and that's a damn shame. This show is still legendary.

[@Freakazoid12345]

Didn't stand the test of time. Neon Genesis and Cowboy Bebop are my favorite series hand down and I wanted to like Escaflowne but it didn't have much going for it. At least not compared to what was already out there.

[@Lopaloos]

@@Freakazoid12345 escaflowne clears those two

[@ganjaman59650]

@@Freakazoid12345 "didnt stand the test of time" well actually quite the opposite. This is what we need now. And sorry to say that but cowboy bebop, as great as it, always lost me 2/3 of it every time i watch it, it was on tv when i grew up, tried several times, love the setting, the ships, etc, but it always lost me, from that era: escaflowne, montster, and ayakashi totally aged well compared to cowboy bebop, even if cowboy bebop is cooler i admit that.

[@mattmaddogwheaton4724]

This anime is most certainly one of my favorites, I mean just about everything about this show screams batshit crazy epic. From the mecha designs to the storytelling and world-building to even the characters and music, it's got it all and is very much the closest we could actually get to a legit Five Star Stories anime series (yes, Heavy Metal L-Gaim exists, but it's more its own thing).

[@VansAnime]

batshit crazy epic is a pretty perfect description!

[@mattmaddogwheaton4724]

@@VansAnime Y'know what other anime is just as batshit crazy epic? Armored Trooper VOTOMS baby!

[@xela2206]

😊😮😂😮😅🎉😢

[@mr.b89]

​@@mattmaddogwheaton4724Peak

[@DrunkDuckXD]

Dont forget one of the most brilliant composers ever, Yoko Konno, did a lot of the music for this series. I have the soundtracks. Absolutely amazing classical scores.

[@Snoozytube]

It's a shame she's known for plagiarism. She's made some of my favorite tracks in anime.

[@DrunkDuckXD]

​@strife640 I honestly dont care, that shit has been going on in music so much. Even goes on in comedy. Its a never ending rabbit hole. Just enjoy the art ya know?

[@Snoozytube]

@DrunkDuckXD yeah. I think her and shiro sagisu are the most infamous when it comes to anime OSTs

[@XiongGou]

​@@Snoozytube you should watch Charles Cornell's video about Yoko Kano and the plagiarism claim. I think it's plagiarism as far as a lot of these pop music disputes go. Which isn't really plagiarism it's just lots of people in music use the same chords and chord progressions.

[@lonestarr1490]

Wasn't the soundtrack missing the best piece? I mean that one from the episode where the Emperor Dornkirk alters destiny by setting up another love interest for Hitomi. If I remember correctly, the theme played in the climax of that episode is not to be found on the OST.

[@Germania9]

They don't make isekais like Escaflowne any more. Modern isekai is more about growing powerful and have a harem of hot people, instead if exploration, actual worldbuilding and a genuine sense of wonder.

[@johnythefox100]

Iv'e only watched a few modern fantasy anime, but one annoying thing they all seem to have in common is they operate by D&D rules and terminology. saying things like "levelling up" and such. That's fine on a show like SAO where they're trapped in an MMO, but i mean it's used in otherwise traditional fantasy shows.

[@ericdietz1795]

Did they even *say* isekai at the time? The term seems to me to have appeared only recently.

[@ArcaJ]

I just got the Blu-ray set. It is beautiful. The extra features are actually useful and interesting. 😊

[@DanielLopez-ob9jz]

@@johnythefox100 That definitely depends. I mean, you have stuff like Re:Zero, Frieren, or Made in Abyss to name a few that don't run off dnd terminology at all and are very well written.

[@Phyllion-]

​@@ericdietz1795 isekai just means "another world", so yes. Though it being its own genre as it is now is a recent thing.

[@siobhanomalley1968]

One of my favourite animé of all time, it has it all! From the hauntingly magical intro theme to the sweepingly epic animation style, emotive and tragic story arcs to unhinged white-haired boy villains 😭 you've made me recall how much I've missed this gem in the years since i watched it. A Vision of Escaflowne will always be a classic to me ❤

[@jamesflowers1295]

Dance of curse! How can you not get goosebumps when those strings start up?

[@getinthering7309]

a French interview of nobutery yuuki revealed they waited a while to release it because of the loudness of evangelion. unfortunately, depite waiting a year or so, esca came out without anyone realy noticing it. it only found it's public once on vhs

[@portiabartel]

If you like the series, go into watching the movie as if it's completely unrelated, that just happens to have similar looking characters and names, maybe partake in some devil's lettuce, and just chill out watching the STUNNING visuals, beautiful music, and overall vibes. All I remember from watching the movie like 20 years ago was you can barely understand the plot, but I watched it over and over again for the vibes alone.

[@Silverbirchleaf]

It was the first anime I ever saw in 1999 and will forever hold a special place in my heart (even if it was the Fox Kids version) ... and the score is, of course, incredible

[@dominiclapinta8537]

Just the soundtrack alone is one of the greats. I actually tracked the series down piece by piece years later. So for me, how fast paced the show gets doesn't really stick out for me. And just a year ago, I found a good voice cast release of the show in English(The Vision of Escaflowne). Before, I just had the original Japanese, which will always be the best version. But just being able to watch it without having to read subtitles, and with a voice cast that fit well, it actually made the series even better and it was like seeing it for the first time. Escaflowne is a series that is just as good today as it was back then. It's even especially a good treat being able to see hand drawn animation, before the cgi drawn animation that is anime now. Even, here in America, where anything that is animated for the screen is CGI animated. Seeing Escaflowne again, all of the color just jumps out of the screen in an organic way. Even though there were alot of thematic elements in the series, which can't be digested in one sitting, it makes for great conversation and rewatches. It's actually a big plus for me.

[@chrismaccool9097]

I wish they showed that deleted scene where everyone says goodbye to Hitomi.

[@krono5el]

Still have the box set from back then and the transforming Escaflowne that i cherish and still love it so hard.

[@johnnyfountainS]

I need to get both Escaflowne box sets back. I prefer Escaflowne to Gundam Seed.

[@backseatdog]

Same, one of my prize possessions

[@lgp2008sp]

I absolutely loved the movie! The art style is so beatiful and the music is an absolute banger. The opening scene with Van on the airship is fantastic, and if I'm not mistaken, the song playing during that scene is "Shadow of Doubt." I used to catch the series on German MTV, but unfortunately, they aired it pretty late, so I only managed to watch a few episodes. Nonetheless, I have to say, the German intro song is absolutely fantastic.

[@pudgy1828]

Opening scene was crazy good

[@lgp2008sp]

@@pudgy1828 I agree! The animation and choreography were top-notch. Van's every move was perfect.

[@MammothBehemoth]

I absolutely love the movie too! Opening was spot on. The climax battle between Von and Dilandau was epic, specially the horror-field sound effects. That's what I would imagine a backwards peasant would feel seeing two towering mystical armors fighting

[@edgebringr3494]

The soundtrack immediately brought me back to Wolf’s Rain

[@jessopjessopjessop860]

The real tragedy of Fox kids / Toonami's run was cutting out Yakusoku wa Iranai. Bastards!

[@louismendez4703]

This was pretty much my intro into anime. I used to tape the episodes and watch them over and over again. Love Escaflowne.

[@bdavis7801]

I had no idea they tried to play it on Fox! 🤣 I saw Trigun first but Escaflowne soon after. A classic with great music. Brings back happy memories. 🥰 Thank you that really explains the end. I don't want to spoil anything but at one juncture I almost died laughing. My favorite evil plot of all time. 😆

[@dwainsimmons3447]

The editing that Fox kids did to escaflownes is the exact same thing that happened to Cardcaptor Sakura with Kids WB.

[@ArcaJ]

Like DELETING THE FIRST EPISODE?

[@bublt4me]

The cliff hanger Fox Kids left us was a crime.

[@tanathosXX]

Saw this, uncensored, when I was 12……it changed me a bit 😅 was not prepared for this.

[@Xanegoh]

Honestly, the original Bandai dub was really good. A lot better than an anime from the 90s had any right to be. I was in a similar boat to you about this anime. Though i had a more positive memory on it. rewatching it now, and in its entirety, the first half is definitely the best part. Setting up a lot of intrigue. But the latter half, especially in the last seven or so episodes, the show kinda shit the bed. Yeah, i know the troubled production is partly to blame, but I feel that even with twenty-six episodes it could've handled the plot better. That said, I still do like this anime. Probably even love it to a degree. The animation is absolutely gorgeous. Almost like its a movie that was stretched into a full series. That kind of quality isn't something you saw a lot back then. And the world felt real and lived in. Also, a special shout out to the phenomenal soundtrack. Holy crap did it go hard.

[@arnaudgerard1971]

And he's called Van. :)

[@aradow18]

Easily still one of my favorites. Mostly for nostalgia now but it is beautifully drawn and care was taken with a lot of the elements. I didn't know about the rush at the end. I think those extra episodes would have helped the heck half a lot. But I still love it!

[@lrae9519]

Nooo I loved the movie!! So beautiful! And the music! How dare you indeed!

[@VansAnime]

😅 To each their own, I suppose. I will admit, it does have some wonderful art design and the music certainly is good. I just didn't like that it was so different in terms of story. If I had seen it prior to watching the show, I might have enjoyed it more.

[@lrae9519]

@@VansAnime I took it as more of a strange, artful and condensed summary of the show's story but you're right must be viewed separately

[@dominiclapinta8537]

I didn't like the movie, but it's soundtrack is excellent. I listen to it once in a while, as Vision of Escaflowne's sound track is one of the greatest soundtracks of the 90's/anime/television.

[@Contraltissimo]

For some reason I was hungry for the movie the other month, so I watched it, and.... it hit harder than I thought it would. I mean yah it's very very different from the show, but I just take it as its own story at that point. (Despite how they massacred my boy Gaddes, ugh....) *SPOILERS BELOW* ~ *SPOILERS BELOW* ~ *SPOILERS BELOW* But opening with the crushingly depressed Hitomi, and then making her the goddess of the other world, and then _constantly_ presenting her with that CHOICE: Salvation or Destruction.... It felt like a self-contained battle within her own mind and soul, the question being, based upon her opening framework of depression and sorrow, Does she end it all? Or does she strive to press on and live? Both options tug at her throughout, even _after_ that crux where Van is wounded and Hitomi shifts her focus from herself to someone else around her. Toward the end of the movie she summons the dragon and it _still_ threatens destruction, even after she's decided to choose salvation. She still has to fight. She still has to overcome that darker part of herself, even to the very end. And--friggin'--that ending. The ambiguity kills me. And I hate it and I love it. What. Like did she _die?_ Frick, was this whole thing just her dying death-vision and she died after all?? Or did she go home?? I've never known whether I would really want to know the answer. I just find the water bottle _sus,_ okay? Why did they focus on that water bottle for so dang long. Frick. But.... I would like to think she made it back okay.

[@bingbong9076]

Just watched this too, and loved it, but those last 3 episodes really went off the rails, especially with the Selina twist.

[@artfire28]

I remember showing this with English dub from Oceans Group. This was aired Friday night in Philippines on a local channel and had fond memories of it.

[@johnnyfountainS]

I like Filipinas.

[@acaudill06]

I loved escaflowne when it was on fox kids and was SO upset when they cut it from airing. My parents bought me the anime set like 5 years later and have been obsessed ever since, its on of my all time favorites. I never hear anyone talk about it and its such a shame, its incredible.

[@dtcharo]

Watching this makes me want to break out my badass Vision of Escaflowne wallscroll I have put in storage. I watched it back in high school on FOX then finally got a nice DVD box set in college and got my good buddy into it as well. Good times. I really wish the kids that grew up on The Big Three (One Piece, Naruto, & Bleach) could take the time to go back and watch some of the anime that predates them by a bit that isn't Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, or Neon Genesis Evangelion. I'm also lumping Sailor Moon, Ghibili films, Dragon Ball, and Berserk in there as well. Here's a list of some of the stuff that I watched back in the day that might be worth a look. They're not all life-changing experiences but they're enjoyable nonetheless. I've tried to keep it to late 90s to mid 2000s. Also, there aren't any movies like Graveyard of the FIrelies, Armitage the 3rd, or Ninja Scroll. There are some OVAs though. GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) GunGrave Gunslinger Girl Full Metal Panic Serial Experiments Lain RahXephon Outlaw Star Vandread Trigun Cromartie High Ai Yori Aoshi Ah! My Goddess Vampire Hunter D Battle Angel Alita Rurouni Kenshin Master Keaton Irresponsible Captain Tylor Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Elfen Leid Ergo Proxy Love Hina Mahou Sensei Negima His and Her Circumstances (Kare Kano) SaiKano Chobits Initial D Ikkitousen Anything done by Satoshi Kon but definitely Perfect Blue (I know I broke my rule but had to mention it) Samurai Champloo Kiddy Grade Tenjou Tenge Daphne in the Brilliant Blue Azumanga Daioh Mezzo DSA

[@TheUrobolos]

I too noticed the dramatic rush in the last episodes, to the point when i noticed there were only 4-5 episodes left i said "why they keep adding subplots? This shit is going to end soon WTF?" And i also REALLY disliked the rushed subplot regarding Dilandau. Felt like a shit justification for the (rushed too) final duel between the two protagonists I would had much prefer him/her to remain a fun violent hotheaded with no real backstory aside being a costant menace to the protagonist.

[@madjoe8622]

I saw that anime in the 90s at my university anime club.... from bootleg VHS. It made a great impression on me. I still consider it one of the best anime I've seen and the music in it is divine.

[@TazSimpson]

The movie was AMAZING! When It was going to be released back in the day, I remember Kazuki did an interview that was featured in an issue of Animerica Magazine and he stated the Movie was more the direction of where he wanted to take Escaflowne than of the TV series. The Movie had such a dynamic feel and the soundtrack and scores are just mindblowing. Hopefully you get around to watching it, if you haven't already :) It's really good!

[@小川泉-j1y]

訳文 I am a Japanese who loves Escaflowne. I thought your review was very nice. I want to say thank you for your careful explanation of my beloved anime.

[@KayGeee86]

I love this Anime! Will ever have a special place in my heart. 😍 The rage of Vaan and Dilandau was so exceptional. And the story... The bad guy just wanted to protect everything by bringing neutrality. That was awesome! Btw, I am german and I watched it back then as the german version. It was aired on MTV and I remember this time, when I was around 15 years old and having a good time with some friends watching this and smoking weed, as a something very special.

[@AnkardTan]

people all around me, all around me sharing this moment with you... 😁

[@kaltaron1284]

Same here. It took me some time to understand what "Yakusoku ha iranai" meant because at the time I could use a translator for Japanese but had no idea of the grammar. And I was incredibly happy when I finally found a box that included the tarot cards.

[@brentbuckalew5131]

Best anime memory, US premiere of Escalfowne's first 2 episodes at Anime Expo. 100s of people screaming when a 12 foot sword slices a mech's arm off in episode 2 was amazing to be a part of.

[@blacksunapocalypse]

Escaflowne, Ergo Proxy, and Wolfs rain are my favorites.

[@YangSword9x]

FOX 4 KIDS: "Its a kids show..."😅 2:50 Soldier horrifically cut in bloody-half: "AAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

[@mistingwolf]

This was a formative anime for young me, even if all I had for _years_ was VHS recordings of the Fox version (and even then, only up to episode 8 because it stopped airing). Eventually I got the clamshell VHS box set, and then the DVD series, the movie, and then the redub. How many anime out there are so loved that the fans fund a redub of an entire show, with popular voice actors? Truly amazing! Really wish this show had more attention. I keep looking for one of those "First time watching" series for this, but sadly, it's nowhere to be found. Yet. I shall keep looking. Thank you for this review!

[@joshdavid9256]

I have a lot of love this show but for sure that third act threw me off pretty hard back when I first saw it. I had never heard about the cut episodes before, I absolutely wish I could see what the 39 episode version would have looked like!

[@VansAnime]

I agree that 39 episodes would have been better to really cover everything the writers wanted. Although, looking back, I don't know if "cut" episodes was the best way for me to describe it. Based on what I have read, I believe the creators initially planned for 39 but they knew ahead of time that they wouldn't be allowed to produce that many. So, they made a valiant effort to tell the story they wanted within the number of episodes they had to work with. I still feel like the third act is impacted the most in terms of the flow of everything.

[@QuinntheDruid]

This anime is so good! I love this era of shojo isekai where it’s about overcoming problems and strong female characters! I love Magic Knight Rayearth for this same reason!

[@hiyazaki09]

this and Macross Do you remember love are the most beautiful arts of hand drawn animation

[@MononokeLynn]

I fell in love with Escaflowne when it was on fox kids. I found a VHS tape a year after it went off the air at Sam Goody and it opened up the door to anime when I was 12 years old. This has always been and always will be my favourite anime. I tried collecting all the dvds, but was still missing copies. So I got the DVD collection about 15 years ago, and recently got my hands on the bluray collection. And it took YEARS to gather all the soundtracks, but I did that took after nearly 15 years. And I really enjoy the movie - I remember seeing screenshots on websites from bootleg copies that were absolutely hilarious, but the artwork was so amazing.

[@teenprez]

Very surprised you didn’t mention the soundtrack. It’s one of the standouts from the 90s for sure! Glad you finally got around to watching this one!

[@VansAnime]

Yeah, that is something I actually plan to talk about in the near future ;) But I certainly am happy I finally gave this a watch.

[@Cdeseco]

Nice video I agree with everything you said. Vision of escaflowne was my favorite anime when I was a kid and probably still is. I was lucky in my country it was a small tv channel that broadcasted it and they didn't bothered to edit animes. Thankfully escaflowne was correctly dubbed because sometimes they messed up.

[@Cousin_Uli]

It's never directly implied. But I've always kinda liked the possibility that Folken snitched to Zaibach how Escaflowne's sword works with that liquid metal style extension. And Zaibach just took it to the logical extreme we see in the Alseides liquid metal projectors.

[@SilverDragoon7395]

An yes back when shoujo anime drew noses.😂

[@siegejay495]

After Akira, I started exploring into anime. This vision of Esclofowne was a great start on the list.

[@Jules72Bear]

I never fully completed it, but I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the nostalgia!

[@aldlr4271]

I love this anime def one of my faves..i happen to watch this again now after 20 yrs? i only remember some key points but not the whole so i decided to run over it again.. yeah i agree that this can be shown in more episodes coz it looks a lil bit rushed near the end, leaving you some questions in mind as you go along on the next half..And most of all, Hitome should have maybe get back again with Van and lived there with a happy life and kingdom tho it is not her own world but who cares this is just anime in the first place anyway so better have a family with Van haha

[@aldlr4271]

I remember Evangelion everytime i see Escaflowne and vise versa yeah coz these two are my faves..it is just that Evangelion is very very deep in story to the point that i dont even understand some in the ending part haha

[@guntrotingidiot2795]

I was not the biggest fan of fantasy stuff as a kid but Escaflowne was one of the few fantasy stuff that I loved.

[@AnkardTan]

when you think about it escaflowne is fantasy, steam punk with sci fi mecha knights, low magic... has something for everyone idk

[@johnnyfountainS]

Read DND books.

[@drekvolker3430]

This anime was an important part of my life. It was great to remember it thanks

[@johnnyfountainS]

I used to have escaflowne on dvd and vhs. I can watch it elsewhere.

[@jeffreywilliams8499]

I enjoyed watching this anime show in 2007 on demand on TV when I was a teenager

[@gamerhalim4717]

I’m watch Vision of Escaflowne at 1999 and the most beautiful song opening

[@aestroai8012]

I love this series. It's in my top 5! It's a shame that the ending gets rushed but I've seen this happen to many great series. It just as strange when they add more episodes after they end a shows plot. I also love the film. If you think the show is beautiful, the film is worth a watch for the visuals alone. I never put too much stock in the plots of anime films because many of the best ones for TV shows are more of a visual treat for the hardcore fan base. For example Utena, and X The Movie make zero sense but are some of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Escaflowne at least tries to go the Macross DYRL, and Gundam route and sum up the story. It gives the characters a more realistic feel. Good review. Better late to a series than never.

[@cdsaylor2]

A key of understanding the story (which is even the biggest fan can admit, is not the best explained) is recognizing there are 3 worlds not just 2. The "real" world, the fantasy world with its more organic side, and the techno-industrial side of the fantasy world. The teenage desires for fantasy are projected on the heroine, the antagonist coming to grips with the short comings of the techno-industrial world, the tech showing its desire to control the other 2 worlds but not ability to come through in that control. And there's just many pieces in the story about the interplay between the 3 worlds. Fun fact the creator was largely responsible for Macross, and even did the design that became Transformers Optimus Prime.

[@VansAnime]

This is very well put! I didn't really pick up on that aspect of it when I watched it, but looking back after reading this - it certainly does add a new layer to the story I hadn't thought about before. Thank you for this!

[@jamesmoss3424]

Escaflowne is a work of art 🎨. 😀👍

[@ConnorLucas-v3o]

Is there English dub that hasn’t been changed by fox kids ?

[@wishingonthemoon1]

Going to start watching the show soon, friend recommended it to me.

[@VansAnime]

Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@Calloflunacy]

just here looking for content about the escaflowne movie DVD I have that someone bought for me back in highschool in the early 2000s and trying to piece that together...

[@KhairulFadzlyAKarim]

Van are of lineage that has the same power as Hitomi and that race had almost destroyed the world in the past. When Hitomi taught Van how she used her power he then uses it differently than Hitomi. He literally becomes one with Escaflowne, it gave him great power yet the greatest drawbacks. The scene where he fully utilizes it is one of the best one in my opinion and the aftermath is chilling 😬

[@Made_In_Heavenn]

the movie reminds me of Scorn (which a game that looks like flesh and bones)

[@aprilmg7072]

The first episode remains my favourite individual episode of any anime

[@ReiRei12]

I actually still enjoyed the movie, but they did have to change a lot of stuff in the movie.

[@dan7291able]

Thanks for this, I had always had the same assumptions as you growing up, felt turned off by wanting to see it, but i had known a couple people who would always tell me no no you gotta watch it n such Same as you, ive had a re-surgence for all things anime and manga lol, and so now, i will give it a chance, thanks bud

[@VansAnime]

Happy to be of service!

[@stephenschaffenberger6765]

This series is one of my all time favorite anime. Hot take: this is Yoko Kanno's best work.

[@MichaelR.Ribeiro]

Great video. It made me want to watch it again.

[@MagicMan_213]

I had a bunch of VHS tapes of this show.

[@stratometal]

Yeah this anime is one of my all time favorites. I was shocked when it was revealed that the psycho commander was transgendered against their will in a sick cruel experiment. I really enjoyed the themes and complexity of the story, I know some of my friends found it hard to follow but that is part of its beauty. I am glad I picked it from fan sub imports back in the 90s at a local comic book store. I have owned a VHS boxed set and the DVD movie for a long while now. And yeah this show did not belong in the Kids department, whoever at Fox chose to do so was a sick puppy, or desperate.

[@TonyBMW]

Loved it when it originally aired. Haven’t seen it since

[@explody7836]

I don't know why this got pushed to me now, but I recently remembered the this anime was a real thing and not just a fever dream from my childhood. For the longest time, I had these vague memories of the first-person cockpit shots and a dragon on a high school track, but with no context, I kind of just assumed I had mooshed together my childhood obsessions with anime robots and fantasy into some kind of false memories of magitech gundams. Now, though, I'm realizing that Escaflowne might be a foundational part of why those interests wound up being so important to me.

[@gwafashofa]

My ultimate favorite anime! And the opening song is my personal standard of a perfect song. 😘 #Escaflowne ❤️

[@Gendgi]

Escaflowne was a very positive surprise

[@lucymiau5700]

The Music of this series is great, too.

[@khursheedrind3232]

We need a new rendition to this anime anything ❤please

[@amickoamora7844]

Their is nothing wrong with the movie, for it too had some wonderful music as well. So yeah I like them both the series and the film.😊

[@jesselee2792]

They need to do a remake

[@keithharper32]

and give it enough episodes to do the story right

[@declanryan5806]

This was a fun video! You have a very fun editing style and I think your jokes are funny! Subscribed!

[@VansAnime]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tarnishedStruggler]

Havn't seen escaflowne yet but funnily enough it reminds me of the break blade ova series (the 12 episode version is by far the inferior)

[@jeremyfields9009]

I thought I was the only one that thought the 2nd half was rushed. Lol They should take the mobile suit Gundam approach and turn it into a compilation trilogy. I think that’s the only way to get the original story made.

[@Bestialce2007]

Cool video, man! In the late 90s or early 2000s I was super into Anime music, so a friend of mine gave me a CD full of Anime OSTs and AMVs. We didn't have internet back home to look up what shows the songs and videos were from. My friend didn't know either, since she had gotten the CD from her sister, who was already in college. We spent over a decade mumbling the lyrics and melodies of what we later found out was the Escaflowne OST. She watched it and loved it. To this day, I haven't and it's the only Anime I know more of its music than the actual show 🤦‍♂️ I don't think I will ever watch it, but the title itself brings back so many good memories. I found your channel by luck and it's one my best findings so far in 2022. Keep it up!

[@VansAnime]

Oddly enough, my sister also had an anime CD (the exact name of it escapes me at the moment -it was a compilation of themes from different shows/films) and, as a result, I knew every note of the theme song long before I ever considered watching Escaflowne lol

[@chrismaccool9097]

This is one shows I never forget I just wish they kept the show on Fox Kids just one episode longer. And I wish they made a Sequel where Hitomi came back to Gaia to see her friends again. 😢

[@bigmaxcc]

Agreed 😭🙌

[@Wayfarer17683]

My favorite anime, mainly due to the music

[@OBIONEBARRONI]

*Fox kids.. God I miss the 90s.*

[@shikarymtg]

What was the plot twist at the end that bothered you so much?

[@YangSword9x]

BACK WHEN WOMEN WERE FLAT CHESTED & NOT SEXUALIZED AS THE MAIN CHARACTER!

[@ApsaraSilverwing]

I personally liked both the TV series and the movie. But, then again, when I saw the trailer and read the synopsis I figure that it was an AU and watched it on the assumption that it was it's own, seperate, story. My only complaint with the movie was that it ran on the assumption that the viewers already knew from the TV series about Van and Hitomi's connection... Rather than actually develop an on-screen relationship unique to the movie. Yeah... They could have really done that better. Overall, I loved the series and the movie.

[@VansAnime]

I have read through plenty of comments from folks that enjoyed the movie. I think I took some of my own prejudices into my viewing of it that may not have given it a fair shake...but that's a story for another time ;)

[@WhatWouldVillainsDo]

Bought the series on DVD at best buy years ago, I actually enjoyed the series.

[@thatdamncat71]

Venus Wars!! I was washing my sister's car for her when visiting and was listening to Venus Wars soundtrack. She busts out the front door "OMG is that what I think it is?!" Ride and crash CRASH AND BURN

[@LakeGael]

This is my top favorite anime of all time. The fox kids version really sold it short, I cannot emphasize how much the americanized episodes butchered everything about this anime. Dilandau is also my favorite anime villian ever, and as I grew into an adult I began to understand why I love him so much. I used to show it to my friends in high school, but now I don't really bother because I know if they're fans of "alternate world" anime as it's defined today, then they'll probably not want to watch escaflowne.

[@eva-vv4db]

Loved this anime was upset when it ended

[@timothysatyr6674]

the movie was very different from the series but the opening scene is very impressive.

[@TheArtkaw]

I watched the movie right after the series and yeah, didn't like it. Watched the movie again years later on its own and the artistry, music... Story wasn't amazing sure... but I dunno, it hit different. Made me a bit weepy.

[@kaltaron1284]

I wouldn't say avoid the movie. Just be prepared that it is only loosely based on the series. Which took some liberties from the manga. Also a huge draw for this is the music.

[@VansAnime]

Yeah, I may have come across a little harsh on the movie. I think my expectations of what it was influenced that a tad. I plan to revisit it with a more open mind and give it a more fair chance.

[@kaltaron1284]

@@VansAnime Can't say I blame you. It's a good movie IMHO but very different from the series both in general tone, themes and characters. The names may be the same but they act quite differently. I'd say they did a good job with the limited run time but it can't compete with the series.

[@KayGeee86]

Freakin good Anime 🥰

[@TrappedInFloor]

I just watched this for the first time a few weeks ago and it delivers. So far the only anime in the isekai subgenre I like. The movie on the other hand is a pretty damn bad (but well animated) adaptation of the anime.

[@VansAnime]

Glad to hear others have started to experience it for the first time like I did recently. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it and how far off base my pre-conceived opinion of it had been.

[@FasterthanLight11]

I think it got unfairly labeled a "girl's mecha" and it certainly can come off that way with the DRAMA but mecha fans are missing out if they dont give it a chance