Last Exile Complete Season 1 Collection
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 15
Running Time: 650 Mins
Audio: English & Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 17/5/2013
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

In a dystopian world, Prestor is wracked by war while two couriers, Claus and Lavie who have to transport a message tube to the reciever. The story follows their journey through death and despair, with fatal near misses over vast miles. Anatoray and Disith are the two warring countries and as well as delivering the tube, they have to deliver a girl who could heal the strife between the two nations once and for all.

Claus is the level headed one of the two person courier team, and does everything by the book, knows about responsibility and also knows how to be diplomatic. Lavie on the other hand wants to go back home as she is scared and feels out of place with strangers around her even though she has Claus to help her out and keep her company. The two of them help a girl called Alvis who is in the midst of a plot to take her and use her to take control of the colony ship Exile.

The style is reminiscent of Miyazaki's work. The colours are dark for a reason as their men are at war, and risking injury and death from their enemy. The women and children at home are also risking death from starvation as well. The flying swans and doves signify peace being disturbed by imminent war, and the steampunk look to the machinery and tech they have gives the impression the story is set maybe a hundred or so years ago. Due to all the money being put into war, the people back home tending the land, or what is left of it, are feeling the effects of hunger and near starvation as they try to make food last, or even go without if food is that scarce.

One of the things you notice more with this anime is the music, the Opening Theme, Cloud Age Symphony by Okino Shuntaro, it is upbeat and bounces around your ears like a dream. It is the perfect song to go with the series, and does it justice.

Bonus Material: Non Credit Opening, Original Japanese Opening, Promotional Trailer, Character Profiles, Art Gallery, Commercial Collection, Character Profiles, Art Gallery, Tokyo Exhibition, Art Gallery, Van Ship Guide, Text less Opening 1, Artwork Gallery, Battle Ship Silvana, Text less Opening 2, Anatoray & Disith Battle Ships, Text less Opening 2, and Guild Ships.

Verdict: The animation is impressive, the music punchy and the story intriguing - what's not to love.