Banner of the Stars

The Phantom Zone Anime Review Site.

Banner of the Stars

Distributor: Bandai Entertainment
Original Story: Hiroyuki Mariyoka
Volumes: 1 Box set (3 DVDs)
Rating: 13+ (no giant robots but still intense)
Anime Code: G

Banner of the Stars is the sequel to Crest of the Stars, also created by Hiroyuki Morioka. In BotS continues the adventures of the young lander Jinto and the beautiful Abh princess Lafiel, who is now a ship Captain. The Abh have been losing the war with the Tripple Alliance for quite some time. To get back some much needed territory, they initiate Operation Phantom Flame. What is it? Well, it's too complicated to explain here so just buy the box set and find out for yourselves.

Review: This is pure science fiction. Space battles, advanced technology, interesting-looking aliens (though they all look human) and deep plots are some of the pluses to watching this. While they make several references to what happened in CotS, buying the DVD is not necessary to view BotS (though it does help). I believe this is what real futuristic war is like, no heroes, no villains, no heroic sacrifices, just people doing their job. But what I really love about this is the characters. Each character has his or her strengths and flaws which makes them more real than some real-life people (but this is an anime site, not a political web site so I'll refrain from mentioning any names). Not many people know this, but there is a Banner of the Stars II which continues the adventures of the Basroil. I'm definitely getting it when it comes out.

Action Level: 4/5
Most of the action takes place in the form of spaceship battles but it's intense nonetheless.

Romance Level: 3/5
Jinto and Lafiel haven't really gotten used to the whole relationship thing. Jinto wants Lafiel to express some happiness at him and Lafiel seems to see him as a bother and now there are new female characters that might change Lafiel's skin tone from albino to green. Ain't love grand? Well she does save his life so that says something.

Comedy Level: 3/5
The funniest character in the series: Diaho the cat. He/she seems to be the only one content with things. The humanoid characters do have their share of comic moments.

Adult Level: 2/5
Intense graphic futuristic violence. What more would you expect from Bandai?

Drama Level: 4/5
It could just be me, but I think all the characters have skeletons in their closets. You could write a whole psychology report on these characters alone.

Overall Level: 4/5
A very in-deep and thought-provoking anime about love, war, and the ties that bind us. If you can find it, get it, you might actually be surprised at how good it is. With a glossary of terms, a recap of CotS, TWO textless endings and an interview with the creator, the DVD box set is well worth the expensive price.