Reign The Conqueror, Vol. 1: Ascension

The show is fantastic. Just dont tho cuz its like 200 dollars to buy the whole thing.

I am an anime freak. Actually, I'm an animation freak. This series is absolutly beautiful. There will not be one single momment that you are watching this series when you ask yourself whether or not it was worth the money - YOU WILL LOVE IT. Can you say breath-taking?Reign: The Conqueror was developed by some of the most creative and influential forces in anime today. The anime features character and concept designs by Peter Chung, (Creator of MTV's Aeon Flux); is produced by Rintaro (Astro Boy, Metropolis) and Masao Murayama (Trigun, Cardcaptor Sakura); and showcases animation by the famed Madhouse studio (Trigun, Vampire Hunter D). Each episode is a visual feast of cutting-edge animation that follows characters along an intricate plotline highlighted by majestic battle sequences.DVD 1 SYNOPSES:Episode 1A Prophecy Born This DayIn the 4th century A.D, a pagan shaman prophesies that Olympias, Queen of Macedonia, will give birth to a baby who will grow up to destroy the world. Enter Alexander ...Episode 2The Thunder Of BattleThe battle between Macedonia and Greece begins ... and, as a result of Alexander's aggressive tactics, the Macedonian cavalry wins the day. Upon his return to Macedonia, Alexander is feted by the people as a greater hero than his father, King Philip II ... a fact which does not go unnoticed by Attalos, advisor to the King ...Episode 3A Failure of DiplomacyPersia is the center of the known world. Alexander discovers that Athens has sent a secret mission to Persia to seek an alliance against Macedonia. He journeys to Babylon, the capital of Persia, and begins to wreak some serious havoc ...Episode 4Ascension To The ThroneAlexander saves King Philip from an assassin's arrow, but the King then falls victim to a zombie-like soldier who stabs and kills him. At nearly the same time, Eurydice, who is the Queen and a daughter of Attalos, and her baby, who would become the successor to the throne of Macedonia, are killed by a curse cast on them by Olympias, the former wife of the now-dead King, Philip II ...This series will have you staring in awe at your television - and wanting more. Bummer that it's only 13 episodes... ^_^If you like fast moving, fantasy based sci-fi, awesome fighting, beautiful scenery, imaginitive characters and just a great viewing experience, get this DVD.

A bit about my background. I like some anime, but I'm no otaku. Fact is, I rented this because I am getting a PhD in Egyptology, and at the time I saw this, was heavily studying Alexander the Great and his successors.That said, I liked this movie. I liked how it took the story of Alexander and tried to make a fantasy space-opera out of it. It works a lot of the time. They didn't even have to exaggerate too much. I laughed when they got things wrong and laughed harder when they got things right. It rewarded my scholarship and entertained me. The art direction and character design are ridiculous, I got used to it. Besides, don't tell me that androgyny and flexible sexuality has no place in an Alexander story.The later volumes of the series are not as entertaining, and they waver from what I like about the historical character too much for me to ignore, and I was dissapointed in the ending. But if I find this volume on sale for a discount somewhere, I probably will pick it up.I can't recommend this to anime fans. They might hate it, they might like it, but I just don't have enough background. And I can't recommend it to the casual observer, because the plot is kooky even for someone with graduate-level knowledge of the subject.I will recommend it to anyone who knows a thing or two about Alexander the Great and has an open mind to see what Chung and his associates did with the story. Listen with the Japanese-language track and sing along to the ludicrous J-pop love song theme, or use the English track with its slightly more appropriate theme song. Either way, rent this at your local video store before you buy.

DVD was in excellent shape, great playback.It's an excellent series with creative and engaging graphics.As I understand the Reign series, this is volume 1 (The Conqueror) and it has 4 episodes. Reign The Ascension follows and the final section is Obsession.

This is far from your usual anime, and it's certainly not for everyone. However, as bizarre as it is, I still loved every minute of it. It has been one of my favorites for many years, and will continue to be. Everything from the Opening Theme Song, which is one of the best there is in my opinion, to end of the very last episode is amazing, and it kept on the edge of my seat. Again, not for everyone, as it is a bit bizarre.

This is an amazing series with an imaginative re-telling of Alexander the Great, with highly stylized artwork. This comes from the same artist (Peter Chung) that brought us Aeon Flux. If you're a fan of that series or animation in general, i highly recommend getting this set.

A great anime, by a classic animator. A must have for any serious collector.

If you like history or retellings of it you will probably like the retelling of Alexander's rise to power. Reign is directed by the same man as Aeon Flux and has the same type of artwork. The bad guys look it and the good guys do too. A refreshing way to look at history