Review for Ah! My Goddess: Series 2 - Flights of Fancy Part 1 (2 Discs)

Introduction

It has been a long, long wait, but the second series of Ah! My Goddess is finally here. A little history lesson is no doubt in order at this point. Ah! My Goddess was originally the 5-episode OVA series that proved to be the hit of the nineties, as countless anime fans fell in love with the elegant charms of the goddess Belldandy. Start an impromptu poll on any anime forum, and Belldandy will rate as most people's ideal animated woman (Admittedly some think she's a wet fish, but there's no accounting for taste). A full-length anime series based on the long running manga was a long time coming, but with the first series a major success, a second series was inevitable. In between the OVA and the first series, there were also the Mini Goddess episodes, as well as the feature film, and in the US, the licenses went around the houses. Animeigo had the OVA, Geneon had Mini Goddess and the movie, Media Blasters had the first TV series, but when it came to the second season, that came during the boom era of anime in the mid 2000s, when everyone was bidding ridiculous amounts of money for shows they would have had for a pittance five years previously. The second series fell to ADV.


That was the sticking point in the UK, as everything else Belldandy had gone to MVM. Not this time, as you would expect a US ADV title to be released here by ADV as well. Except this is when ADV went bust. They managed to get the series out on six volumes in the US, but it was something of a limited release. Here in the UK, ADV could only manage one volume (now living permanently in bargain buckets) before they died, and after that we heard nothing further of this or several other ADV shows left in limbo. In the US, Funimation quickly picked up those licenses, and re-authored and repackaged them with their logo on. I gave it half a year (I am a patient man), but with no news forthcoming, I succumbed to temptation and imported the US Funimation release, 24 episodes on 4 discs, retaining the extras from the ADV release, but any mention of ADV carefully stripped from the discs and the packaging. That was back at the end of 2008.


Then last autumn, Manga Entertainment did something quite odd. They released Guyver: The Bioboosted Armour in boxset form. It was odd in that it was originally an ADV property, and Manga had rescued the licence (with a little help from their new working relationship with Funimation). Of course way back in the mists of time, Manga had released the original Guyver on VHS, but license rescues were, and still are pretty much unheard of in the UK, while fairly commonplace in the US. While Guyver didn't impress me, I did make a passing comment that if Manga were going to try a few more licence rescues from ADV, they really ought to consider Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy. Lo and behold, six months later and here we are, with Manga releasing the first two volumes in a two-disc set. If this is the success I expect it will be, I'm taking credit for the idea. The odd thing is though that even though the licence may have come through Funimation, for whom Manga distribute strongly in the UK, they haven't followed the Funimation release strategy of two two-disc sets, or even a four-disc series collection. Manga are actually bringing the original six ADV discs out in the UK (probably for the PAL masters as the series this was how the series was released in Australia), which means we'll see the series released in three parts, four episodes to a disc.


Ah! My Goddess takes its cue from the sitcoms of the sixties, shows like Bewitched and I Dream Of Jeannie, where an average Joe would meet the girl of his dreams, only there would be more to her than meets the eye, causing his life to change in unexpected ways. Here Keiichi Morisato is the average Joe, but Belldandy trumps the witch and genie by actually being a goddess, a celestial being who comes to Earth to grant one wish. Life isn't all celestial perfection for Keiichi though, and the mayhem increases when Belldandy's elder sister Urd, and younger sister Skuld also move in. You'd think that with the Lord of Terror defeated at the end of the first series, life would get back to an idyllic bliss for Keiichi and Belldandy, as they inch inexorably forward on the path of true love, but life is never that easy, especially in a romantic anime comedy.


The first eight episodes of Ah! My Goddess - Flights of Fancy are released on two discs from Manga Entertainment.

Disc 1

01. Ah! I Wish… Once More!
There's trouble in heaven. The Lord Of Terror may have been defeated, but his advent has caused a lot of celestial computer systems to crash. Among them is the system that kept track of all contracts made between mortals and deities. What that boils down to is that if Keiichi can't recall his original wish, if he can't remember it word perfect, then the contract is cancelled, and Belldandy will have to return to heaven.

02. Ah! The Beleaguered Queen Of Vengeance!
Christmas is impending, and Belldandy decides to take a few days off and make Keiichi a present that truly conveys the depths of her feelings for him. Of course with no Belldandy on his arm, it's causing gossip to fly at college. Meanwhile Campus Queen Sayoko is feeling unfulfilled. Men throw themselves at her, but it isn't enough. She wants that which she can't have, and that is Keiichi Morisato. Seeing that Belldandy isn't there, she seizes her chance. But when Keiichi remains devoted, it seems that jealousy will overwhelm Sayoko.


03. Ah! I Offer These Feelings on Christmas Eve!
It turns out that for a Goddess, Belldandy is remarkably uninformed about the gift-getting festival of Christmas. Keiichi takes the time to explain, then realises that he has been neglecting his Santa-ly duties, and resolves to make up for it by buying Belldandy a ring. It will mean working non-stop in a host of part-time jobs for four days and nights straight, but before he can buy the perfect present, Sayoko gets in the way.

04. Ah! I Want to Fill the World with Happiness!
Sayoko's torment continues. She's invited Keiichi and Belldandy to a Christmas party, but it will be a Christmas part of humiliation. She has a talent contest lined up to put Belldandy in her place, and she has already nobbled the judges. If that doesn't work, she'll resort to plan B, drinking Belldandy under the table. Only no one has told her that alcohol has no effect on divinities. But Belldandy does have an odd reaction to cola drinks.


Disc 2

05. Ah! Well-Matched Vibes of Love!
A chance meeting during one of the Auto Club's perennial fundraisers sees Keiichi's sempai Otaki come to the aid of a young girl named Satako Yamano, when she is pestered by the college lothario Aoshima. It's love at first sight for Otaki, but for a man who spends his time buried head first in engines, love is an untried rocky road. Fortunately he has Belldandy and Keiichi supporting him from the sidelines. Unfortunately, he has Aoshima trying to throw a spanner in the works.

06. Ah! Is That Jealousy?!
There's a strange first year paying attention to Keiichi. Shiho Sakakibara has even gone as far as sending him a love letter. Belldandy, seeing the heartfelt plea tells Keiichi that he has to respond to honour Shiho's feelings. But Shiho isn't after romance. She's an amateur exorcist, and she's detected something that needs exorcising around Keiichi. He can't exactly tell her that he lives with three goddesses, which is why Shiho is soon at the temple, setting up her 'busting' equipment. She's pretty inept though, and her incantations get out of control. In the panic, she grabs onto the nearest male for reassurance. And that engenders a strange, new feeling in Belldandy.


07. Ah! I Shall Grant Your Wish!
What are the odds? Just over a year ago, Keiichi Morisato was the unluckiest guy around, and now he's just managed to call down yet another goddess from heaven. Peorth works for a rival agency though, and she's certain that Keiichi has an unstated wish that Belldandy hasn't been able to fulfil. Peorth has been out of work for a long time, and she's determined to see this job through no matter what, and she isn't taking no for an answer, or accepting any wishy-washy wishes from Keiichi. Meanwhile Belldandy is worried that she has somehow failed Keiichi.

08. Ah! I Want to Be of Use to You!
Peorth is still at the temple, still trying to eke a wish out of Keiichi, but somehow it's warped into a competition between her, Skuld and Urd to see just who is the best at granting wishes. With poor Keiichi caught in the middle, it's lucky he's got Belldandy to keep him safe. But seeing the bond between the two, Peorth decides that the only way that Keiichi will make his wish is if he loves her instead of Belldandy. A love potion seems to be the best way, but making love potions aren't Peorth's strong suit.

Picture

The 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer on this disc is clear and problem free to my eye. It may be an NTSC- PAL conversion, but it is an exceptionally good one, free of ghosting and judder, and with smooth animation. In my opinion, it is a mite softer than the region 1 discs, but certainly nothing to fret about. This is still as good as television anime usually gets in this country. As for the animation, especially compared to the OVA, it's a case of swings and roundabouts. The character design and world detail is simplified in comparison to the original episodes, but the animation is much more fluid, with CGI blended in seamlessly as is the case with most modern anime. The world is also more expansive, with a lot more of the background detail filled in.

Sound

It's just your basic DD 2.0 English and Japanese for Ah My Goddess, with optional English subtitles and signs. I feel that the English dub sounds a little goofy in comparison to the original language track, but I guess that's a matter of personal preference. If like me, you prefer the original language tracks, it's worth noting that the original cast reunite after 12 years for this series, providing a nice degree of familiarity to fans of the OVA. ADV also pulled off something of a coup in terms of continuity, by retaining the same English dub cast from the first season. There are some more Japanese Celtic theme tunes to enjoy, and if the opener of Season 2 doesn't get you liking the sound of bagpipes, nothing ever will.

Extras

I would like to point out the incongruity of the hack and slash, swords and blood Manga logo, and the sweetness and fluffiness of the Ah! My Goddess franchise. There's no sign of Funimation's presence on these discs, but there is an ADV logo at the start, and ADV are credited on the discs as well.

Also different from the Funimation re-releases are the animated menus, and the distribution of the extras.

Disc 1 gets the textless credits, and a 2½- minute production art slideshow.


There is a commentary that accompanies episode 1 here, with Eileen Stevens (Belldandy) and Drew Aaron (Keiichi). They offer their interpretation of the AMG story, and a little insight into the ADR process. It's a nice giggly, friendly chat, but also informative.

Disc 2 gets the textless credits again.

The commentary on this disc accompanies episode 7, and features Eileen Stevens (Belldandy), and Juliet Cesario (Peorth). This is quite a special chat as way back when, Juliet Cesario voiced Belldandy in the original OVA episodes. It's interesting to compare the two actresses' take on the same character.

Conclusion

It may have been two years late, but Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy has finally got to the UK, and by gum, it's been well worth the wait. Ok, that's pretty rich from someone who couldn't wait, and went and imported the Region 1 release, but if unlike me you have been patient and penitent, and all those pious things you have to be in anticipation of divine intervention, then this first two-disc set of Ah! My Goddess Season 2 will confirm your faith in the franchise, and will have you on your knees, hands clasped, praying for the hasty arrival of the next instalment. That's enough religious metaphor for one review, and besides, Belldandy isn't that kind of a goddess.


Ah! My Goddess is a romantic comedy, although a mite atypical for an anime in that it doesn't follow the usual harem tropes, despite the multitude of females that gather around Keiichi Morisato. He only has eyes for Belldandy, and she is devoted to him. Her sisters are there for different reasons, Urd to meddle good-naturedly, and Skuld to keep her big sister safe from lecherous Keiichi's advances (i.e. not allow them within twenty feet of each other). Megumi is Keiichi's sister, and her meddling is just as good natured as Urd's although lacking divine power; indeed the only rival that Belldandy has for Keiichi's affections is Sayoko, and Sayoko only wants Keiichi because he is out of her reach, and Keiichi isn't interested in her anyway. You'd think that wouldn't leave much scope for romantic comedy hijinks, especially as Season 1 has already gone through the difficult falling in love phase, and has had the two lovebirds face their first big test in the form of The Lord of Terror, but Season 2 proves that while the two may have gotten together, that doesn't mean that they can't be torn apart again.


Also it has to be said that if you want to see a comedy with a relationship that grows, advances, and changes, then you're in the wrong place. Try Ai Yori Aoshi instead. Ah! My Goddess is about maintaining the status quo, and not about ending the franchise too soon, which would happen if Keiichi and Belldandy were ever to go beyond the holding hands stage. So for the duration of the second season, Keiichi and Belldandy are an established, albeit chaste couple, edging infinitesimally closer each episode, and having their love tested by adversity on a constant basis. That's the main hook to the show, there's always something trying to keep the two lovebirds apart, and in this second season, that is when Ah! My Goddess is most satisfying.


That is also the direction that most of these first eight episodes go in. The series starts with a touching episode where Keiichi has to recall the exact wording of his original wish, or he will be separated from Belldandy forever, who will be recalled to heaven. It's a nice way to start the series, essentially reminding us of the show's premise, while showing us how committed the two are to each other. There then follows a couple of sweet episodes as the two try to express their feelings for each other through the medium of Christmas gifts, although adversity arrives in the form of Campus Queen Sayoko, who still has a jealousy thing going. Sayoko lives in a world where she can have anything she wants, and men practically throw themselves at her. It's infuriating that she can't have Keiichi, not that she really wants him, but from her aloof rich little perch, she can see the purity and honesty of what Keiichi has with Belldandy, and is brought somewhat abruptly face to face with her own shortcomings. She doesn't react well, which causes no little grief for Belldandy and Keiichi. We also learn that Belldandy gets drunk on cola when chaos emerges at a Christmas party, and when she goes around granting wishes at random, feeling everyone's pain in her stupor, we get reminded of how unlucky Keiichi was before he met Belldandy.


There then follows something of a diversion from the main storyline, although the tale of Keiichi's sempai Otaki's first love is an entertaining one, as Keiichi and the goddesses decide to help him onto the true path. When a mysterious girl enters Keiichi's life in the next episode, eliciting jealous feelings from Belldandy, things get a little more serious for Keiichi, as he realises just what being in love with a goddess entails. If there is a theme to this season, it's that Belldandy has to re-evaluate her relationship with Keiichi, and what it means to her as a goddess. She's slowly taking on more and more human traits, and enjoying the simple life, but she has to come to terms with her very human feelings for him, and understand that her need to be with him can't simply be attributed to the wish anymore. This is brought into further clarity when Keiichi dials the wrong number again, and gets another wish granting goddess to pay a visit. Peorth is more brazen, raunchy, in many ways even more so than Urd, and she is ready to use her feminine wiles to elicit a wish from Keiichi. She's a rival to Belldandy, and as per anime convention, she quickly develops a fondness for Keiichi. When she first arrives it becomes clear that Belldandy and Keiichi have problems even if they can't admit it to themselves. Belldandy needs to be honest with herself about her feelings, while Keiichi needs to stop being so wishy-washy and be more forthright with Belldandy. They've settled into a comfortable groove of being a little more than friends, but both seem reluctant to move the relationship on. Which of course will take till the end of the series to accomplish, but at this point we can see that Belldandy is a little more introspective and worried about her feelings, while Keiichi is being his usual uncommunicative self.


Fans of Ah! My Goddess can breathe a sigh of relief. The second series is finally here, and this first two-disc set certainly rewards your patience, bringing more of that sweet, charming, adorable, light romantic comedy that this series is renowned for. Season 2 gets off to a great start with these eight episodes, and entertainment is guaranteed for the three hour run time. Ah! My Goddess is a divine classic after all…