Blue Dragon Volumes 3 & 4

OK. I admit it. I was a bit harsh on this show when reviewing the first two outings. There was nothing wrong with the show (it's actually great fun) but I'd just come off the slightly cerebral and certainly higher-brow experience that was 'Mushi-Shi' and if ever there were two polar opposite ends of an anime yardstick then it would be that series and 'Blue Dragon'. Maybe I just wasn't ready for the juvenile fun-fest that is 'Blue Dragon'. Or maybe it's because the first few episodes were all about setting up the story and developing the characters. Whatever the case, I found Volumes 3 & 4 substantially more entertaining than the first volumes of this set.

Aired in 2007, and an adaptation of an X-Box 360 game, there is something a bit 'gamesy' about the way the central character (Shu) develops his powers and learns new techniques as the show progresses. But would I think this if I didn't know it had been a game? I don't know but it does bug the hell out of me.



For those who don't already know the show, think Naruto meets Ben 10, but with a surprising amount of vaguely adult 'fan-service' ensuring that this will not be first choice for parents of under fifteens. (In truth, it's difficult to know what its target demographic might be, though I'm reasonably confident it isn't middle-aged men).

But it's a nicely crafted affair, with a predictable mix of punk attitude, cartoon fighting and kiddie humour, pretty much in equal measure.



For those who made it through the first two volumes, Shu had joined Zola in her search for 'shadows' (like Shu's Blue Dragon) to use in the rebellion against Nene. At an old library they finally meet a real Knight Master (which is what drove Shu into his 'quest' at the outset) called Conrad L. Lawrence. But the book that they have been searching for appears to have the last seven pages missing, presumed stolen.

The rag-tag group clamber aboard a ship which soon drifts into a spooky fog which seems to have a strange affect on the personalities of the group. Before long the crew are fighting one another and at one point Shu agrees to marry Bouquet so all is not as it should be. Once they land on enemy soil the journey continues towards their final confrontation with Nene. Having split up to battle various opponents they come back together for the final battle, and the rescue of the children who are being held by her servants.



Though they are partly successful, you get the feeling that the wider arc (the fight with the Grand Kingdom) is set to run and run.

They also start to look for the all important missing pages of the sacred book and they have a pretty good idea of who stole them in the first place.

Like 'Naruto', which comes from the same studio, those who start out as fairly juvenile and irritating become more likable as the series progresses.

There is a lot of Blue Dragon fighting action, and much satisfaction in seeing a small child become an invincible warrior, not to be under-estimated.



Audio-wise there is a choice of an English 2.0 dub (perfectly good) or the original Japanese 2.0 track with optional subtitles.

Disc 2 comes replete with a fist-full of trailers but not much else.

Overall, this was a fairly enjoyable, easy to watch set of episodes. I liked the addition of the new girl (and the childish humour associated with Shu's obvious attraction to her) and her Shadow power, a weird hippo like incarnation; hardly a dragon!



There's also a 'Pirates of the Caribbean meets Lords of the Rings' feel emerging which is helping to differentiate the series and give it a flavour all of its own. The animation and artwork is as childish as its narrative though it all seems to fit.

Don't expect anything remarkable and you won't be disappointed. Just good, old fashioned, un-demanding entertainment with just enough human interest and humour to keep you wanting to reach for the next episode. Who'd have thunk it? I'm beginning to really enjoy 'Blue Dragon'.