The Vision of Escaflowne (with Asher Sofman) [Shonen Exception #5]

This episode discusses all volumes (1-8) of The Vision of Escaflowne by Katsu Aki

The Vision of Escaflowne is the anime that got Shojo and Tell host Ashley into anime. It sparked one of only a handful of great obsessions in Ashley's life. It's probably the reason this podcast exists at all.

Katsu Aki's shonen manga version of the story is..... not like the anime you know and love.

It's explicitly billed as a shonen series, and it's all downhill from there. Instead of being a badass track and field star with short hair who saves Van and Allen more times than anyone in the series bothers to count, Hitomi is now a busty babe with glasses who's necessary to pilot the giant mech, Escaflowne. Prince Van is an annoying uncouth and unskilled swordsman. Sir Allen is a knight who is nothingness. Dilandau is — well okay, Dilandau is still a pretty crazy delight, honestly. But a different kind of crazy delight.

The Ashes discuss what this iteration of ESCAFLOWNE has to offer in comparison to the beloved TV anime and the gritty movie adaptation of the series.

REFERENCES

Unfortunately (fortunately?), this manga is out of print. It was originally published in English by Tokyopop.The anime is available from FunimationAs is the movieThe shojo manga version has never been licensed in EnglishOther Escaflowne things"Memory of Fanelia" songANNcast movie episode from 2015Other series mentionedDigimonCardcaptor SakuraSailor MoonFushigi YugiCyborg 009EvangelionHot GimmickDarling in the FranxxSword Art OnlineDragon Ball Z (Master Roshi)BleachMagic Knight RayearthxxxHolicSpy x FamilyHunter x HunterCowboy BebopMisc. memtionsAvatar: The Last Airbender Fire NationThe Hunger GamesNeo Yokio  "Helena Saint Tessero is the plot."Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Shredder)Outro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by Danosongs

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