Arjuna, Vol. 2: Journey (2002)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written and Directed by Shoji Kawamori

Features:

• Interview with writer/director Kawamori
  
• Arjuna dictionary
  
• Trailers
  
• "Director's Cut" episodes
  

Rating: NR, suitable for 13+

Anamorphic: Yes

My Advice: Gorgeous and fun--get this one today

Arjuna is, bar none, one of the most beautiful and powerful series to come along in a long time. With this volume, we pick up with Arjuna and Tokio in the woods, having just completed Chris’ attempt at “purifying” Arjuna through a wilderness survival crash course. They come across an old man in the woods and end up spending the balance of a week with him, learning the joy of simple life. Arjuna continues her awakening process, learning more about how her body and nature really work. Tokio, on the other hand, is starting to show the strain, and we see that more clearly when they return to “civilization” and attempt to adjust. When Tokio comes down with an illness, only Arjuna can save him, but now she’s sick too...what is the real problem here? And what about Chris? Is he really dying?

The audio and video quality of this release are both great. Arjuna continues to be one of the prettiest releases in a while, with bright colors and stunning art. You may say it’s easy to make our beautiful planet and its denizens, like dragonflies, gorgeous--and you’re right--but this series really takes advantage of how amazing our planet really is. Additionally, it’s a nice touch that each ending is different. The music is haunting and joyous by turns, and the voice actors know who their characters are and play them well. The naivete of Arjuna’s voice is fading a bit as she grows--kudos to the actress there.

As with the first volume, the environmental message comes across loud and clear, perhaps even more heavily. But don’t let that scare you away--there really is a lot going on here. This is also a good story with compelling characters, fun magical elements, and talented voice acting. You may feel a bit preached at, but given the vital importance of the message and the fact that everything they say is true, whether we like it or not, it's worthwhile. Maybe part of the point is that we, as a species, need to be preached at a bit. Even if you are not an environmentalist, you will appreciate the other fine elements of craft on this series.

The extras are very nice, if not spectacular. We have an anamorphic widescreen version, which really allows all that wonderful art to shine. We also have a brief interview with Shoji Kawamori, the series supervisor, director, and writer. It’s all too brief, but explains a lot about where some of the ideas and elements came from, including the tie-in with Indian mythology (see the Bhagavad-Gita for more). There is also an “Arjuna Dictionary” with words from the show that might be unusual to younger viewers, like “Fermat’s Last Theorem,” as well as fictional things created for the series, like “SEED.”

All in all, given the phenomenal quality of this disc and of volume one, I can’t wait to see the next volumes in the series...though if Arjuna’s traitorous, horrid friend ends up with Tokio, I’m gonna hurl the case across the room. Fair warning.