 The first show from the Saber Marionette series somehow manages
to be the last to get a DVD release, following rumour of lost masters
& other feasible, but apparently unfounded, rumours. It's also the
darkest of the show's incarnations in tone - but is it the best?
Episode 1
The show starts with 'mad scientist'-type Starface being arrested for
treason whilst in the middle of a Frankenstein-like operation to create
a living machine. After Starface has been taken away, a stray bolt of
lightning starts the awakening process, bringing the machine to life...
Skip forward, and Saber Lime is competing in a combat tournament, under
the watchful eyes of her master, Junior. It's Lime's first battle, but
she seems to be a natural at it. Lime was created by Starface as a gift
for Junior - and it seems his conspiracy may have involved more than
just him. Are Lime and the other Sabers part of his plot? Face's escape
leads to mayhem in the streets as his plan to take over Romana is
launched, with Virey (Romana's ruler and Junior's father) an early
victim...
Episode 2
Junior, Lime & Cherry are on the run, having escaped from Face's
sexadoll, but they're not out of trouble yet. After meeting up with
Bloodberry, the group head away from the city, waiting for an
opportunity to return and rescue Junior's father. While this gives the
Sabers an opportunity to get some training in preparation for the
coming battle, it also gives Face time to consolidate his hold on
Romana - and with Virey's execution scheduled to happen in just four
days time, it doesn't gove Junior and his Sabers long to prepare...
Episode 3
One Saber down, two to go - Junior's 'forces' are becoming depleted
already. Cherry's manage to come up with a plan that at least has a
chance of success, though - and on the bright side, Face's sexadolls
haven't been having everything their own way, either. Junior's attack
is expected, though, making things a lot harder for him and his
Sabers...
In some ways, the 'dark' nature of this incarnation of Saber Marionette
has been a little overhyped - while there's some shenanigans that
wouldn't find a place in the later shows, the look & feel isn't too
far off. The really big difference is in the character designs
of Lime, Cherry & Bloodberry - they're very different from the
designs that were used from J onwards. The personalities are
instantly recognisable, though - childlike Lime, wannabe-housewife
Cherry & guardian Bloodberry are just as you'd expect, which helps
tie the show in with its sequels.
Because the personalities are here, the story turns out pretty much
as you'd expect, with the girls doing their best to protect their
master. It flows well enough to keep you interested for the
hour-and-a-half it'll take you to watch it, but it's nothing
particularly spectacular.
Overall, then, interesting enough, but it'll really be of most interest to Saber Marionette J
fans looking to seee where the series started & wanting to complete
the set. There's not enough here to make it a 'must buy' disc for
anyone else.
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