Alexander Senki

The new series by Peter Chung (maker of Aeon Flux) is beautiful. After watching the first episode aired on Cartoon Network, I can definately say that "Reign, The Conqueror" is one of the best anime series created in recent times. Peter Chung's unique style of character design creates a world of fantasy that takes the watcher on a sci-fi journey with limitless possibilities.

It really all depends on if you liked "Aeon Flux" or not. If you did, then you'll love "Reign" or "Alexander". If you didn't like "Aeon Flux", then you won't. I stumbled onto "Reign" and was immediately taken by it (yeah, I loved "Aeon Flux"). As with "Aeon Flux", it is a bit cryptic at times, but the mashing together of the ideas of Alexander the Great, the great thinkers of the past and the Sci-Fi and fantasy elements were great and very engaging. The depth of the scenery and character design are amazing. My only disappointment was that it ended with only 13 episodes -- at least, that all that aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

The English Title of this movie is Reign: The Conqueror

Reign: the Conqeror would have to be the most interesting take I have ever seen on this Historical Figure.

Like Berserk, each episode starts with a voice over introducing the "philosophy" behind that episode and it also has a great Theme song and Score composed by Techno legend Dj Milky.

The creators of Reign took a different approach to handling their version of Alexandar the Great and chose a Sci-Fi/Fantasy approach to the movie. The scriptwriters also weaved in real life characters like Aristotle, Ptolemy, Olympia, Plato etc into the storyline quite well and the script is a thousand times better than the one used by Oliver Stone for his live action version.

While I cannot vouch for the Japanese version I can say that the English version was very well done and thoroughly enjoyable.

If you like movies that are strong on both Fact and Fantasy and that are backed up with a strong plot then you will love this anime.

A fantastic Anime.

Brought to you by Peter Chung (Aeon Flux), Rintaro (Astro Boy, Metropolis), and Masao Murayama (Trigun), Reign the Conqueror brings a breath of fresh air to an industry inundated with work that ignores or forgets history.

Deep and introspective, Reign covers the life of Alexander the Great with a Sci-Fi twist, mailign characterization, and a signature animation style. This title may be too deep for some, but for the philospher it is an ideal story that features several of the world's great thinkers (Socrates, Euclid and Diogenes just to name some - Aristotle's voice is supplied by John Rafter Lee, the VA behind dreadfully morose Meiyer Link of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust).

Though it seems that Madhouse studios takes shortcuts in their animation that other firms tend to avoid - there are still some incredible drawn and CG visuals that lend Reign an almost Psycotropic atmosphere.

I find all of the negative response that 'Alexander Senki' has been receiving disappointing. I have been waiting years for it to be released domestically and I was hoping that since it aired on a major cable channel, its fan base would grow (all things considered, it has, but not nearly the way that I had look forward to).

Some complain that 'Alexander Senki' "looks like 'Aeon Flux.'" This is true. But would these same people complain that 'Neia_7' looks like 'Haibane-Renmei' (Yoshitoshi ABe)? Probably not. I'll admit that Peter Chung's style is an acquired taste, but even if you're not fond of the art, you should still give 'Alexander Senki' a chance.

The story was not meant to be presented as historical fact. The way I see it, it is an aesthetic journey into Alexander's world. The creators have glorified and twisted events even more than history has, and this makes for an entertaining series. 'Alexander Senki' takes place in a fantasy version of the ancient world that meshes well with mythology and legend. If you want fact (or, rather, as close to fact as you can come), read 'The Nature of Alexander' by Mary Renault or watch the PBS special 'In The Footsteps of Alexander the Great.'

Overall, I feel that 'Alexander Senki' is a refreshing change from the usual anime archetype, and is a series that everyone should try.