Packaging:

The set comes shrink wrapped, allowing one to see but not touch the DVD inside. The box is very nice, featuring shiny images of the cast members in a wrap around style. One side shows the dark Kaze, the middle shows the kids, Lisa, their chocobo and the Final Fantasy Unlimited logo. The side opposite of Kaze displays his rival, Makenshi. The box is very sturdy and has only suffered from minimal wear in the year that I've had it. The DVD itself features an artsy image of Lisa, with Kaze and Makenshi on opposite sides in a yin-yang pattern. The reverse side shows some images, lists the episodes and gives a brief summary. Disappointingly, the remaining space in the box holds only a styrofoam brick.

The menus are simple, showing the four episode selections, as well as language, extras and chapter selection. The background shows an image of the Phoenix summon, while silhouettes of chocobos run across the screen, all put to soothing, slow music. It all comes together for a nice mystical effect.

Audio/Visual:

The audio is fine, except for a habit of using very loud musical scores after quiet moments, calling for volume adjusting. It's not too much of a problem that the series can't be enjoyed. Animated by GONZO and airing in 2001-2002, the video quality is the standard for that period. GONZO pulls off their usual great animation skills in drawing all of the locations and characters with vibrant colors. The CGI work in the show is excellent, and usually doesn't feel out of place. That seems to be one of the challenges of CGI work, but this anime has no problem in that regard.        

Extras:

One might feel cheated when they look inside the box only to find a styrofoam brick and an order form. This order form lets you send away for a free T-shirt. My brother ordered his around Christmas of last year and it didn't come until Spring, so you'd have to be patient. The shirt itself features the same image from the box of the kids and Lisa. The DVD features the usual clean OP and ED, production sketches and art galleries. There is also a commentary for episode 1 with Jessica Schwartz (Ai) and Shawn Sides (Lisa). Like many dub commentaries, it deals with the actual dubbing process. There is also a small insert detailing the episodes, characters and summons for the first four episodes.

Content (beware, contains spoilers):

Like many first volumes, the four episodes on this disc set-up the world of Wonderlnad and it's various inhabitants. The first three episodes deal with the main villain sending various monsters and servants against our heroes in an almost Power Rangers-esque manner. If looked at as fun action shows, these episodes work nicely. If nothing else, it's fun to watch Kaze perform his summons with his Magic Gun and try to predict which Final Fantasy character he'll summon. The first episodes bring us Pheonix, Shiva and Typhon. The fourth episode ends in a cliffhanger as we are introduced to Kaze's greatest rival, Makenshi. So far, there seem to be only the smallest seeds of a real plot.
 

Conclusion: