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| Overall | Art | Animation | Character Design | Music | Series Story | Episode Story | Reviewer | |
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| Rent | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
 Ggultra2764
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[series:245#1552] |
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(Rent-/ Watch+) This series proved to be quite a bit of a mixed bag for me. Another harem comedy made by Tenchi Muyo creator Masaki Kajishima, Dual Parallel Trouble Adventure looks to also be parodying mecha anime in its run considering it makes enough nods to Evangelion with its premise, mecha and character designs and some notable moments from the mentioned series. The Evangelion parodies did get me giggling as Dual Parallel's creators seemed to know enough about the show where Eva fans could spot certain elements from the series that Dual Parallel decided to poke fun of at points. The series also features Kajishima's style of comedy featuring male lead Kazuki putting up with his unwanted harem of gals and having unexpected moments of comedy from details on events that characters fail to mention (quite often happening via Misaki's father). The latter element effectively delivers well with Dual Parallel, while the focus on the harem didn't get me as amused since Kazuki and the girls are pretty much cut-out archetypes you likely would see at one point or another in other anime titles and to a great extent, these characters don't get much in the way of depth or growth. This makes them kind of bland and hard to relate with when the series later gets more serious in its plot developments. Speaking of plot, Dual Parallel's premise on mecha fights and alternate dimensions was a bit of a disappointment for me. While the premise seems promising at first when Kazuki finds himself adjusting to life in a different world and piloting a mecha, the later mentioned serious developments in Dual Parallel's plot lead to the anime's biggest weaknesses to come about. It gets in enough of a bad habit of dropping hints and brief details over elements to the world of the series or characters that get introduced just to advance the anime's plot and it never bothers to elaborate on how these elements are important or why one should care for them. It felt like the second half was cobbled together in many areas to try creating something more serious without bothering to go into depth on how and why things were happening. Visually, Dual Parallel sported clean details and a bright color palette in the designs of scenery and characters, while sporting Kajishima's drawing style in said character designs. The show makes frequent use of CG animation at points (such as the use of deploying mechas, camera pans of scenery and the ED sequence) which while it is well detailed, it sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the hand-drawn animation. Animation in battle scenes for Dual Parallel is nothing out of the ordinary for a TV anime with hand-drawn sequences, but it gets the job done. Overall, Dual Parallel seemed to wow me with its comedy more than its plot and characters. The comedic delivery for the anime was spot-on for me in most areas, but the bland main cast and the messy second half did hurt its quality to a good extent for me. Last updated Thursday, December 27 2012. Created Thursday, December 27 2012. | ||||||||
| Buy | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
 KBanger1
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[series:245#1694] |
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Out of my entire collection of anime, this is the MOST replayed title in my player. When it comes down to it, if I'm seriously bored, Dual! gets popped into my player and I watch it straight through. I was kind of skeptical at first glance. I'm not too big on mecha (save Robotech) and my first misconception was that it was going to be more action than a tenchi clone. After the first few episodes, I was insanely hooked into it. The story starts out with Kazuki, a typical high-schooler with a not-so typical overactive imagination. So overactive, that he sees things that other people don't like giant robots battling outside his classroom. He is then noticed by the school's most popular girl, Mitsuki. She has an interest in Kazuki's "visions" and it goes on from there. Since I am a Tenchi mark, the plot (to me) was very good. You have this loser that gets marked as such and then all of a sudden he's zapped into this other dimension where he ends up being a hero and most wanted bachelor for some women. A loser turned hero story is pretty trite, but when done the way it was in Dual! it brings that simple story into a great series. The art/animation is similar to Tenchi Muyo so that was a plus. A hint of relation between TM and Dual! comes up at the end of the series where one of the mecha is explained to have "Light Hawk Wings" just like in TM. That and the robot itself is the only connection to TM in the way of coincidence. If you have watched TM GXP, you'll notice the robot "Idol" is a exact copy of Dual's robot, "Jinbu". The fact that both robots are in both shows would show some type of relationship. However, I think that there really is no connection because both stories were set in a similar period of time. Unless GXP was based solely into the "future", it's impossible to have the same robot in both series at the same time. Back to the review. The reason why I watch this over and over again was based on the relationship that Kazuki had with Mitsuki. It started out as curious and then evolved. I just enjoyed Mitsuki's stubborness about her feelings towards Kazuki. She reminds me of Ryoko of Tenchi Muyo. Both Mitsuki/Ryoko like Kazuki/Tenchi but both are to stubborn to admit it. Mitsuki is a lot more stubborn because she has never shown her true feelings (except in one episode where she asks Kazuki to stay with her in their own world). Probably the only thing that I didn't really like was that Kazuki was a lot more dense than Tenchi was with the other girls. Plus, the fact Kazuki is more of a wimp than Tenchi. He's way less interested in the girls who were fawning over him and more interested in getting home. In the end, the characters were great which complimented the entire story. The story itself was very good and it made the package well worth the money I've spent on this series. For those who have wanted to see something after the TM series, jump into this one. For a series like this one, it's worth the investment. This is #2 in my top ten, right underneath the TM franchise. KBanger1's rank: A+ Last updated Saturday, November 11 2006. Created Saturday, November 11 2006. | ||||||||
| Buy |
 Jan-Chan
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[series:245#967] | ||||||
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Sorry, but I do have to chime in on this series ... OK.. A-class anime?... This series is not, but if you can enjoy a B-class anime series that does not try to introduce anything new or kick-something up to a new level, but does tell a very fun and escapist B-class anime tale, then you will enjoy this series too. While this series is not grand, it does tell a very fun (if a bit simple) story of adventure of a boy stuck between two worlds. I purchased the R1 English dub release and there are those moments in which I will put this series in the DVD player and enjoy one-more-time again. It is really should be rated a <rent+>, but I like this series and am not afraid of flagging it as being a fun < rent+++/buy > addition to my anime library. Last updated Monday, August 22 2005. Created Monday, August 22 2005. | ||||||||
| Rent |
 Forbin
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[series:245#1573] | ||||||
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Drama : Med Comedy : Med Action : Med SciFi : High Ecchi : Low I don't know where the Tenchi Clone stuff comes from (Sorry but a Harem isn't a Tenchi Clone even if the main guy doesn't look like Tenchi), but this is an enjoyable watch though the whole story goes to hell at the end. Probably why I didn't mark it a buy. It copied Eva too much and it didn't really have a concrete plot. Last updated Saturday, August 20 2005. Created Saturday, August 20 2005. | ||||||||
| Watch | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 8 |
 Bardock
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[series:245#1231] |
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Funny, I'm not gonna ruin to much because you can read the description's from any otherpost, but it's funny
Last updated Sunday, September 12 2004. Created Sunday, September 12 2004. | ||||||||
| Rent | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
 Iceman_Aragorn
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[series:245#1517] |
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Without comparing it to other animes, this is a very decent anime all on its own. An interestingly comedic plot, though a tad contrived, combined with a harem situation, including 2 girls who are the same, but from different dimensions, makes this series a take off of two cliched genres, but with enough interesting twists to help it stand under its own weight. Not a stellar anime, but easily worth anyone's time to watch. Last updated Thursday, July 29 2004. Created Thursday, July 29 2004. | ||||||||
| Rent |
 dhrachth
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[series:245#962] | ||||||
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It's Tenchi Muyo with mecha. You've got one really nice guy with a gaggle of quirky girls after him. The plot's kind of thin, but that's besides the point. It's your basic comedy, and it does manage to be funny. If you like Tenchi, it's definitely worth watching even if it's not anything remarkable. Last updated Thursday, September 11 2003. Created Thursday, September 11 2003. | ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
 AstroNerdBoy
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[series:245#436] | |
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This series starts off as an obvious parody of Neon Genesis Evangelion. For starters, the mecha look like the mecha of EVA only with high heels. The pilots consist of two girls and one guy. Their training is like EVA. But as a story, this wasnt very funny nor compelling. To me, this was kind of boring but that's just me. Fortunately Kajishima-sensei decided to go to what he knows best make a harem series of this title. It is here that suddenly he seems to find a story which becomes very interesting. When we learn some items about one of the leaders of the Rara armies, the story really gets interesting. With the harem elements added, the series finds most of its humor as well. Sadly, just as things are getting good, the series comes to a close. While everything is mostly brought to a conclusion, explanations of many items are few and far between. I did have one problem though -- the secret of the artifact technology. Kajishima-sensei has stated that all of his series are linked in some fashion or other. He links Dual! with Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, specifically with Tenchi Muyou! GXP. In my initial viewing, I was very disappointed by this linkage. Since I wrote this review in 2003, I've had more time to reflect and having a better understanding of K-sensei's mind, it doesn't bother me like it once did. Bottom line: Kajishima fans & harem fans will for sure want to check this title out. Mecha fans may find some items of interest but nothing special. Its worth a rent though. 24 September 2003Last updated Friday, October 06 2006. Created Saturday, August 23 2003. | ||||||||
| Rent |
 Stretch
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[series:245#628] | ||||||
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When I first watched Volume 1 of Dual, the only simularity I noticed between it and Evangelion was in the animation of the fighting between robots. Having re-watched Volume 1 (and Volume 2 as well), I realise that the two series have too many things in common to be explained as a coincidence. I have no objection to parodies, and the high-and-mighty Evangelion could probably use a good one. But I can't help feeling that Dual is a series which began with a clever concept, but wasn't able to fully exploit it. Volume 1 left me feeling optimistic, since Kazuki's trip to the parallel dimension was intriguing, but Volume 2 seemed disappointing since not a whole lot seems to be happening now that he's there. The "enemy" in the robot war seems so laughable that I don't feel he's in the slightest danger, yet there aren't enough good jokes to compensate for the lack of drama. Since Dual comes from the makers of Tenchi Muyo, it might be appropriate to say the humor was on a disappointing "Tenchi Universe" level, rather than the sophisticated level of the Tenchi OAVs--it certainly wouldn't have hurt Dual to have held itself to this higher standard. As a result, I doubt if I will order the rest of the series, but I'd be willing to rent it. Finally, I think the occasional use of highly detailed CG was a mistake, as it only reminds me how relatively two-dimensional the bulk of the animation is, and I wouldn't have noticed this if I didn't have something to contrast it with. 4/03 #6 Seven years later, after stumbling across a new review of Dual, I decided to give it a second look. This feels like Evangelion-lite: cool robots fighting it out, but without the angst and depression. It would be impossible to convince any serious viewer of anime that the mecha element of this show isn't a shameless copy of that in EVA. One thing that is new is the fairly intriguing matter of parallel universes. The comedy element (Misaki's wacky mad scientist father, for instance)seemed almost too strong for me to take the story seriously--and it wasn't all that funny, either. The mediocre quality of the dubbed version which I was watching didn't help. The original touch of Kazuki's strange ability to 'see' between dimensions, and his awkward situation once transported to a new one, were what kept me semi-interested. Last updated Wednesday, May 19 2010. Created Saturday, April 12 2003. | ||||||||
| Rent | 7 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
 Midnighter
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[series:245#94] | |
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Dual combines the strange world adventures of El Hazard with the fighting mecha of Evangelion. Add in a gaggle of beautiful girls, a la Tenchi Muyo and there you have it. Dual is a run of the mill post-Eva rip off, cashing in on the phenominal success of Anno's masterpeice. Unfortunately, Dual,an otherwise average anime series really suffers from the obvious influence. An excellent American dub makes it a very watchable show, and along with Devadasy, Dual is the best Eva ripoff out there so far. Rahxephon may userp it, but I have yet to see all of it. The characters are pretty run of the mill, inhuman girl, confident girl, talented wimpy boy for them all to lust after. Despite these cliches, there are still some moments of genuine emotion, and some really decent character interaction. The dub conveys a lot of emotion and provides plenty of humor. That has to be Joshua Seth voicing under a pseudonym. The animation is pretty disappointing, and nifty CG can't save it from the low frame rate and choppy movement. The story is likewise uninspired, borrowing heavily from themes that have already become formulaic, although I liked the ending, which was unfortunately tarnished by a direct to video "Special" (which looks suspiciously like a bridge for an unmade sequal) that adds more convoluted story telling and a lame, sloppy, and far less satisfying ending. Still, Dual is worth a rent. Harmlessly fun, with some excellent moments and a fine American voice cast make for a worthwhile anime. Think of it as Neon Genesis Evangelion Lite. 6-13-02 Last updated Friday, September 27 2002. Created Thursday, June 13 2002. | ||||||||
| Unevaluated |
 Black Panther
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[series:245#142] | ||||||
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I have not seen all of Duel just yet, but hopefully one day I will be able to find the time to watch them all. So far it seems really good and one worth the time to watch it! I just need to find the time *mumbles* Hope you enjoy! Also, until I actually finish watching Duel I will remain unevaluated. Last updated Thursday, February 28 2002. Created Thursday, February 28 2002. | ||||||||
| Rent | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
 Kaitou Juliet
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[series:245#137] | |
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This is a rather sweet show. I think the story is more like El Hazard: The Magnificent World or Wanderers than Tenchi Muyou, since it is about a guy who travels to another world (in this case, a parallel dimension) and discovers an unexpected ability (in this case, piloting a giant robot). Figuring out the correspondences between the two worlds makes for an interesting puzzle. Character design is stylized, rather like the designs in Tenchi Forever, and the computer-generated sequences are a bit distracting in my opinion. The characters are probably the weakest part of the show, but I still liked them well enough all by the end. Episode 13 ends on a definite "awww!" note. After seeing the epilogue (episode 14) I actually wouldn't mind a sequel to this series. Bottom line: Harmless fluff with a few interesting twists. Last updated Monday, February 04 2002. Created Monday, September 10 2001. | ||||||||
| Buy | 8 | 7 | 8 |
 CatWoman
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[series:245#65] | |||
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THIS IS GOOD! Put Tenchi and Neogenases together and you get Dual! The main charicter is great as are the side, but the last episode is almost a skip! It is like they are setting it up for a new seson...but they don't go one with it! It is also one I would not mind Kids watching...although I do recall one part that was bad! Nothen to extrem like nudity though! Like I said it was a good one and worth getting, you will probably want to watch it again!
Last updated Tuesday, January 08 2002. Created Sunday, February 18 2001. | ||||||||
| Rent | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
 The Coyote
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[series:245#64] | |
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This is a great story I love it they took the fun of tenchi and related it into a mech story. They seem to run out of time though and finish the stroy rather abrubtly. Drag because I would like to have seen this one played out to a full 26 episode season. oh well. That said this is still another one of pioneers carbon copy geek gets all the girls series. enjoyable if not terribly inventive. The star girl gets to be somewhat overbearing and irritateing but not enough to ruin the series. Last updated Thursday, April 25 2002. Created Thursday, February 15 2001. | ||||||||
Other Sites
| Name | URL |
|---|---|
| Wiki entry for this series | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual!_Parallel_Trouble_Adventure |
| Official Japanese Series Web Site | http://www.anime-int.com/works/dual/tv/ |
