The Essentials
Name: Angelic Layer, Battle Doll Angelic Layer, Kidou Tenshi Angelic Layer
Genre: Action, Science fiction
Episodes: 26
Released: April 1, 2001 - September 23, 2001
Based On: Angelic Layer manga series by CLAMP
Director: Hiroshi Nishikiori
Produced By: BONES, TV Tokyo
US Distribution By: ADV
Major Japanese Cast
Misaki Suzuhara: Atsuko Enomoto
Ichiro Mihara: Masaya Onosaka
Hatoko Kobayashi: Yuri Shiratori
Tamayo Kizaki: Satsuki Yukino
Kotaro Kobayashi: Jun Fukuyama
Ohjiro Mihara: Souichiro Hoshi
Sai Jounouchi: Houko Kuwashima
Kaede Saito: Ayako Kawasumi
Shoko Asami: Kotono Mitsuishi
Shuko Suzuhara: Kikuko Inoue
Masaharu Ogata: Tomokazu Seki
Major English Cast
Misaki Suzuhara: Jessica Boone
Ichiro “Icchan” Mihara: Andy McAvin
Hatoko Kobayashi: Sasha Paysinger
Tamayo Kizaki: Monica Rial
Kotaro Kobayashi: Kevin Corn
Ohjiro Mihara: Chris Patton
Sai Jounouchi: Tiffany Grant
Kaede Saito: Tiffany Terrell
Shoko Asami: Kelly Manison
Shuko Suzuhara: Christine Auten
Masaharu Ogata: Mark X. Laskowski
Scores
Animation: 9/10 (x4 = 36 pts)
Story: 8/10 (x4 = 32 pts)
Music: 9/10 (x4 = 36 pts)
Coherence/Story Arc: 10/10 (x2 = 20 pts)
English Dubs: 8/10 (x1 = 8 pts)
Gut Score: 10/10 (x5 = 50pts)
Total: 182/200 (91%)
Review
One of the first things that I notice when watching Angelic Layer is the music. Even after watching several other series, the music still stands out for me as one of the best things about this series. It’s crisp. It’s vibrant. Both the action and the non-action background music are excellent. Many series seem to go for the good opening and closing credit music but skimp off on the background music. Angelic Layer has both.
Angelic Layer is a cute series that, on the surface, may sound boring - essentially girls fight against each other in matches using dolls - but is actually pretty good, with several interesting storylines that add to the 20-something battles that occur over the course of the series. The characters are also well developed, each having their own quirks and issues.
I also think that the battles are different enough - and there is enough on the line in each of them - to make each battle uniquely exciting. No two battles are the same.
As is sadly the case with many series, the final episode is the weakest link in an overall excellent series. In reality, the final episode never really needs to happen, which is the battle between Misaki, the main character, and Shu, the “Queen” of Angelic Layer who Misaki discovers is her mother. I think the series could have ended with that and left often who won the final match between the two, but the series felt compelled to have that final fight as well.
The animation is pretty good, especially in the battle sequences. The art may be more “cartoonish” than sharp, but the quality is excellent.
Overall, this is a very cute anime which people of all ages would enjoy.
First Watched: November 2005 - December 2005
Do I Own: Yes
Do I Recommend:: Yes
