Princess Nine - DVD

Princess Nine - Double Header (Vol. 2)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

2nd DVD in probably my favorite anime to date 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I've been into Anime for some time now, with ones like Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Bubblegum Crisis 2040, Nadesico and others but this series just keeps me coming back. I've Watched both DVD's more than any others i own and instead of telling you what they are about, cos it's kinda hard to when it seems to be all about baseball but really has so much more to it. It could really fall under several catagories. I'm really just eager for disc 3, i've never grown impatient with an anime release, but i have been checking back for a pre-order for the 3rd Installment for over a month now. I really couldn't emphasize my affection for this DVD enough, it's just my style and sumthing about Hilary Haag, who just outta nowhere became my favorite English voice actor. If you haven't yet checked out this series, give it a serious look. It may not be your typical anime filled with Violence, Nudity or anything like those giant mech ones, but just Unique in its own right. Even though i liked the first dvd just a little bit more and it had 5 episodes instead of 4 like this one, i still had to give this dvd 5 stars but if i could i'd give it a 6 or 7 and the first dvd an 8 or 9. If you don't like this anime, well i guess we'd have to be complete opposites from eachother in every respect. Well i think i've babbled more than enough so i think i'll pop Princess nine in for another spin ^_^

Editorial Review:

Ryo continues to build the girls' baseball team for prestigious Kisaragi High. She persuades the large-framed but timid Mao to become catcher; her teammates disguise Kanako so she can play shortstop despite her father's objections. Coach Kido adds the dim wannabe star Yoko to the roster. But the team needs a power hitter, and Ryo focuses her attention on Izumi, the daughter of the head of the school. Complicating the relationship between the girls is the handsome Hiroki's growing interest in Ryo, and the romance Izumi's mother and Ryo's baseball star father shared 20 years ago. Despite her ups and downs, Ryo remains a likeable and sensible character, who neither whines nor giggles. The DVD extras include a lesson in how to cook oden, the fish stew that's the specialty of the café run by Ryo's widowed mother. Rated 12 Up, but suitable for younger viewers; alcohol use. --Charles Solomon

Princess Nine - Grand Slam (Vol. 6)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Questions left unanswered .... SPOILERS 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I sure as hell hope I'm wrong but ..... As far as I can tell,
this series never made it to a second in Japan, which baffles
me entirely. It DESERVES a 2nd AND a 3rd season.
Knowing that, there are questions left unanswered.
Who framed Yo's father ? Does the coach ever hook up with her
mother ? Other questions too .... well watch this dvd,
you'll see what I mean. Apart from that its still worth 5 stars.
The series is the next step up from the likes of Sailor Moon
and one of my favourites alongside Nadia, Love Hina and Oh My
Goddess.

Editorial Review:

The first girls' baseball team from Kisaragi High to compete interscholastically undergoes some intensive training: coach Kido even tries to go on the wagon. When they reach the tournament semifinals, the girls find themselves facing the boys' team from their school, led by top hitter/heartthrob Hiroki. The game becomes a duel between pitcher Ryo and Hiroki, intensified by their attraction to each other. The series concludes on an upbeat note that is neither predictable nor pat. Princess Nine ranks as one of the best series for girls in recent years, with characters who are strong, capable individuals but who still exhibit human weaknesses. With any luck, the show will be continued: Ryo, Hikana, Yoki, Seira, Koharu, Yoko, Mao, Kanako, and Izumi--and Hiroki--deserve another season, at least. Rated 12 Up, but suitable for younger viewers: Alcohol use, brief nudity, minor profanity, minor violence. --Charles Solomon

Princess Nine - Triple Play (Vol. 3)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Sanchito 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This series really captered me. Awsome drama and very funny. The voice acting is great and the music nice. The extras on the DVD are ok. The end of each episode and DVD just kills you to find out what happens next. For those really hardcorp anime fans, I recommened this series.

Editorial Review:

The Kisargi High girls' baseball team begins to take shape under the leadership of ace pitcher Ryo and star hitter Izumi, but the unseasoned players face an uphill battle. Ms. Himuro, the school chairman, challenges the sexist policies of the national baseball association, insisting they allow her team to compete. She tricks them into agreeing--if Kisargi can beat the prestigious Rinkai High boys' team. Coach Kido has the girls use their feminine wiles to derail the Rinkai players' concentration, but everything still rests on Ryo's pitching, and episode 13 ends on a cliffhanger. Rated 12 Up, but suitable for younger viewers; alcohol use. --Charles Solomon

Princess Nine - Bases Loaded (Vol. 5)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Awesome, the kids will love it! 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

After Ryo feels better from that little hospital thing, she learns a bit more about her dad. She's proud, as well as thinking she's also finally made friends with Izumi. That all breaks down as Hiroki's birthday comes along. Izumi is angry with Ryo again, and now Ryo has to put up with that for four days in the mountains.

There's also some bonds with the secondary characters. I think that makes this DVD even more special, because the story isn't ONLY focusing on Ryo, Izumi, and Hiroki. It would be a complete drag if all they did with the secondary characters was have them play baseball and join the team... *yawn*.

I've noticed every DVD of this series has it's own theme of animation... Ryo has the biggest eyes I've ever seen in anime, which is kind of funny, as well as it really freaks me out. Anyways, that's beside the point.

The reason why I say "Four stars" is because it's accurate and all, but the time and extras are low. They should put in more extras, kind of like Steel Angel Kurumi. The last episode was about 14 minutes last time I checked. They could have put more effort into the whole Yuki thing, but not so much as to spoil the next episode, "You're Not Alone, Yuki!". Either that or the Seira and Coach Kido thing. But then again, it wouldn't really fit, would it? Haha!

It's Funny, Accurate, and has a wonderful Heart Taking story line. It even inspires other girls to play baseball. (Hey, it did it to me, lol!) The kids will love it. It has little swear words, and i think youngsters can handle animated beer. I see no reason why the whole bath scene should be a problem either (No, you don't see fifteen year old bare breasts). It's actually normal in Japan.

I have extreme high hopes for Grand Slam. It's awesome so far, great for kids and adults. So why ruin the last DVD? No excuse is excepted. I know it'll be great, and the day the story ends will be devestating (sp?). Well, for someone who has a huge obsession for it like me at least! ^_^ There. Enough Said.

Editorial Review:

As Ryo learns more about her late father, she regains her belief in his integrity, which strengthens her commitment to baseball. Meanwhile, the mousy Kanako persuades her father, the principal of Kisaragi High, to keep the girls' team, and Coach Kido packs his charges off to an intensive training camp. Ryo should be on cloud nine when the dashing Takasugi announces he loves her and presents her with a medal as a good-luck charm. Although he thinks of Izumi "like a younger sister," she is furiously jealous and sets out to end the budding romance--all of which causes problems for the team. Director Tomiko Mochizuki uses restraint and taste to keep these complications from degenerating into a soap opera. The characters remain believable high school students, with strong vocal performances distinguishing the team members. Rated 12 Up, but suitable for younger viewers; alcohol use, minor profanity. --Charles Solomon

Princess Nine - First Inning (Vol. 1)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not your typical anime... 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

My first exposure to this series was through the ADV trailer on the Robotech series. At first glance it seems a far departure from the typical robot/battle/sex/gore fare that gets translated into English, so I had to check it out. Over all, it is a really decent series that doesn't play into any of the typical stereotypes, and becomes a very crafty exploration of Japanese culture and ethics by presenting an all girl's highschool attempting to break tradition and form a baseball (not SOFTball) team to compete against boys schools. There are plenty of complexities within the dynamic between all the players, their pasts and how it all fits together into the present. Perhaps the most refreshing idea of the series is presented through a very simple, elegant subject which means so much to the Japanese- baseball (highschool baseball holds big interest in the Japanese public). The involvement of the visionaries and management of the team adds depth to the stories which play up to the aspiriations of all those involved with the team, and those of the people against the formation of a girl's baseball team.

The first few episodes plod slightly as it reveals the hidden power of the central character, Ryo Hayakawa, a fourteen year old high school girl who is the daughter of a late baseball superstar. The revelations of her father and his involvement in people's lives unfolds through the series. Ryo inherited her father's ability to throw a fast, accurate baseball. She is then discovered by Ms. Himaro, the president of Kisaragi High where she hopes to put together a girl's baseball team, and Hiroki who is a star male high school player. The team's rather slovenly, apparently disorganized, drunken coach Kido reveals his hidden depths as hegets Ryo to use her enthusiasm to lure in other girls from around Japan and gain scholarship to Kisaragi. The second episode has Kido trying to land a wayward athelete whose home is being shattered by divorce. The fourth episode concerns Ryo's unexpected solo aventure to a seaside town where a girl with extraordinary batting abilities is hiding her skills so she can stay with her enfeebled father.

All around, the stories are fun and enthralling once the series gets underway. The video is very good, the audio is fine, and the disk extras are nice additions. The only negative to me is the style of layout and animation- it is the usual flat technique prevelant in the less skilled productions. However, the developing stories, unique characters and complex back story make up for anything the series is lacking. Sweet, aggressive, thoughtful.....'Princess Nine' is a very enjoyable series!

Editorial Review:

When he died 10 years ago, Ryo Hayakawa's father left more than the restaurant Ryo's mother runs: his daughter inherited his talent for baseball, including a jet-propelled fastball. Determined to overcome sexist opposition and make a girls' team the national champion, Ms. Himuro, the head of prestigious Kisaragi High, gives Ryo a scholarship. Then complications arise: snobbish tennis ace Izumi dislikes Ryo; handsome baseball star Hiroki is smitten with her; drunken coach Kido, who recalls Mr. Fujisawa in El Hazard, has to find enough top players. Hiroki's attraction is understandable as Ryo's a very likable character. She's not a klutz or a whiner, as many anime heroines are; she's proud of her abilities but surprised at where they take her. In action sequences, the artists flatten the ball to suggest speed, a manga convention that looks weird in animation. Rated 12 Up but suitable for younger viewers; alcohol use. --Charles Solomon

Princess Nine - Complete Collection (Vols. 1-6)

Amazon Price: List Price: $59.98 By: ADV Films Amazon Marketplace: 8 new & used starting at $92.16

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

When he died 10 years ago, Ryo Hayakawa's father left more than the restaurant Ryo's mother runs: his daughter inherited his talent for baseball, including a jet-propelled fastball. Determined to overcome sexist opposition and make a girls' team the national champion, Ms. Himuro, the head of prestigious Kisaragi High, gives Ryo a scholarship. Then complications arise: snobbish tennis ace Izumi dislikes Ryo; handsome baseball star Hiroki is smitten with her; drunken coach Kido has to find enough top players. Hiroki's attraction is understandable as Ryo's a very likable character. She's not a klutz or a whiner, as many anime heroines are; she's proud of her abilities but surprised at where they take her.

As the series continues, the large-framed but timid Mao, shortstop Kanako, and the dim wannabe star Yoko join the team. But they need a power hitter, and Ryo focuses her attention on Izumi. Complicating the relationship between the girls is Hiroki's growing interest in Ryo, and the romance Izumi's mother (now the head of the school) and Ryo's father shared 20 years ago. The team scores an upset victory over the champion boys' team and earns the right to compete interscholastically. But their elation proves short-lived when reporters disinter a decades-old scandal involving Ryo's father, and Ryo struggles to understand if and how the scandal could be true.

When the Kisaragi nine reaches the tournament semifinals, the girls find themselves facing the boys' team from their school, led by top hitter/heartthrob Hiroki. The game becomes a duel between pitcher Ryo and Hiroki, intensified by their attraction to each other. The series concludes on an upbeat note that is neither predictable nor pat. Princess Nine ranks as one of the best series for girls in recent years, with characters who are strong, capable individuals but who still exhibit human weaknesses. With any luck, the show will be continued: Ryo, Hikana, Yoki, Seira, Koharu, Yoko, Mao, Kanako, and Izumi--and Hiroki--deserve another season, at least. (Rated 12 and older, but suitable for younger viewers: Alcohol use, brief nudity, minor profanity, minor violence) --Charles Solomon

Princess Nine - Strike Zone (Vol. 4)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

dramatic story (kind of predictable), but excellent 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Princess Nine - Strike Zone (Vol. 4) (2002)
ASIN: B00006672D

this is probably the best volume in this series up to now. in terms of story, it captivated my heart and makes you feel sorry for what happened to ryo hayakawa. very heartfelt story in my opinion. also you get to see the legendary lightning ball(like i wasn't expecting that). LoL pretty predictable story line. still a definite must see for baseball fans and anybody with a heart will have tears in their eyes. got to admit ryo's my favorite character in this cause she overcomes all these tragedies and i hope she continues to do so in the next volume. this dvd was a little shorter than i expected, but its filled with a lot of action and important story line.

Editorial Review:

This engaging series takes some unexpected turns as Ryo and the Kisaragi High nine score an upset victory over the champion boys' team and earn the right to compete interscholastically. But their elation proves short-lived: reporters disinter a decades-old scandal involving Ryo's father, legendary pitcher Hidehiko Hayakawa. The media attention infuriates the conservative Kisaragi Parents' Association, who insist the girls' baseball team be disbanded. Ryo struggles to understand if and how the scandal involving the father she idolizes could be true. She visits his hometown and discovers he used to coach an orphans' team. Inspired by his example, Ryo risks her life to save two children trapped in a sudden storm. Her teammates--and a vision of her father--join to bring her back from the brink of death to an uncertain future. Rated 12 Up, but suitable for younger viewers; brief nudity, minor profanity. --Charles Solomon