Star Blazers - Comet Empire: Parts 1-6

Thanks good job nice movies

I bought the entire second Star Blazers series, Star Blazers - Comet Empire, on DVD back in December 2003, and I have lost count of how many times I've seen it.If there's a classic Japanese animation series that's worthy of collecting on DVD, this is it! The stakes are far higher for the earth and the crew of the Argo this time.The thing that has always been enjoyable about Star Blazers is its good-versus-evil view of the world. True heroes are identified, as are the true villains, although there is an exception as I will note below.Prince Zordoff of the Comet Empire and Leader Desslok of the Gamalons are in league to conquer the human race and the crew of the Argo. Theirs is a pact of true evil that the humans must stand up to -- or fall into slavery or destruction. That is, until Desslok sees how misguided he was in his war against the human race and the Star Force. He has a revelation of biblical proportions when he sees Nova cuddling a wounded Wildstar during the battle on his ship.I especially liked the pipe organ music, because that gives you a sense of despair as the Comet Empire shrieks through the universe.When evil makes itself felt, rather than giving into darkness and despair, the Forces of Good stand up to it -- no matter the odds or the cost.I think the other thing that is good and proper about the Star Blazers storyline is that it deals with death -- something that modern animated series like "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers" shied away from.There are many scenes, such as Sgt. Knox on the planet Brumis, where the casualties of war are remembered and honoured. Then there's Captain Gideon and his fleet battling the Comet Empire and its fleet at Saturn. Many people die on both sides of this conflict, and the battles show the destruction.It's not necessary or desirable to show mangled bodies -- I agree with this. Nor should war be glorified. But, it's important to show the tragic consequences of war, and the sacrifices that are made, and this story does both very well in that regard.Perhaps the most enduring character in Star Blazers - Comet Empire is Trelana (SP?) of Telezart. How difficult a decision it would be for any of us to have to live with -- the thought that you or I had destroyed an entire civilization with a great mind energy, even though we didn't mean to do it. Then swearing never to use that power to harm another living being, only to be faced with an almost equal threat in the Comet Empire -- and the knowledge that other civilizations like earth's are faced with enslavement or extinction unless she stands up to the Comet Empire. What could be more ambiguous, and more heart-wrenching, than having to make these kinds of choices?If there are any criticisms of Star Blazers - Comet Empire, they are minor. For instance, in one episode, the leader of earth is a prime minister. In the next, that person is a president. So, there were some minor flaws in the script writing for the English translation of this series.There was also a problem with the planet Brumis. The Space Marines had to abandon it when the crew of the Argo rescues them. Then, when they return to pay homage to the dead military personnel there, the planet has been made into a huge Comet Empire base. I find it hard to believe that planet Brumis could have been made into a huge and secret base for the Comet Empire in that short a time.However, these are minor flaws that I can overlook in an otherwise great storyline.Overall, Star Blazers - Comet Empire is a great science fiction storyline. In fact, it's better than the original because the threat is much greater, and because of the expansion of the number of characters.I can only hope that Star Blazers - Bolean Wars is equal to this one.

When I was a kid I admit to giving the second series of "Star Blazers" a pass. I watched it once, then waited patiently for "The Quest for Iscandar" episodes to start again. I think I now understand why. While the first series gave me an emitonally nostalgic buzz, it is a fairly simple and straight-forward story filled with great ideas and outstanding concepts that are easier for kids to digest. But with "The Comet Empire" the characters are so well-developed and the plotting so intricate that when I was young it was simply too much information. Today, however, I prefer this series for a multitude of reasons. The most noticable difference is that the animation has improved ten-fold! There are many scenes throughout the series that rival current-day anime. While "The Quest for Iscandar" was loaded with great ideas, the plotting sometimes took a backseat to inspiration. But here the story is more fluid and diverse, with interesting sub-plots, and with even more great ideas. While the first series concentrated on introducing the main characters and developing depth of character, this second series expands on those characteristics while giving more screen-time to the rest of the cast. Sandor and Orion and Eager and Homer all get more attention, as do the newer characters, like the colorful Sgt. Knox and his Space Marines; the charming Leader Desslok makes his return, as well. As an adult, I enjoy "The Comet Empire" more for the simple fact that there is more going on. Aboard the war machine that is "The Comet Empire" there is devious behavior and political maneuvering, with certain individuals vying for the throne. While at Earth Headquarters, the actions of The Star Force are taken as mutiny at first, but later embraced as their last defense. The complexity of emotion and plot kept me interested all the way to the end. This wasn't the nostalgia-rush I got from the first series, but seriously, everything else here is an improvement. Although, I still gave "The Quest for Iscandar" 5 stars. This is easily one of the best animated series of all-time, and I highly recommend both series. "The Quest for Iscandar" for unbridled nostalgia, and "The Comet Empire" for an excellent adventure story.

I give it four stars since as other reviewers mention some of the episodes at the set of the set (haven't watched all six disks yet) is a bit grainy and the third episode of disk 1 when at Captain Avatar grave at sun set not only is the sky red but the redness seem to bleed out and wash over the characters and everything else. It would be nice if they could of re-mastered the old series. However for a 35 to 40 year old series this picture and sound qualities could be far worst. I have seen far worst in DVD releases in the past so I'm happy with the quality the set has given. This series the star force goes AWOL with the Argo not captain by Wildstar after he get what he believes is a message for help and a warning of a possible new threat to Earth. Having been a long time since I seen this series on TV I look forward to see how the ending might differ from Comet Empire movie in the Yamato movie pack. The set comes with a nice blue print sketch for Yamato which I have framed on my wall.

The Comet Empire is way better series than Iskandar or Bolar wars .Even if you don't know the story line this is Anime at its best . I mean watch Iskandar first, kinda sets up the story line for you .They really have to bring this to the silver screen.The japanes did it was horrible . Tried to combine the 2 story lines it was ugly .If you did not know this is were all modern space opera's come from (George Lucas was in japan and watched this (did not think he was that intelligent) and we got Star wars ) , Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica ,Babylon 5 ,ETC...

Excellent product...exactly as the original TV Series.