Escaflowne: The Movie (2000)

A grim retelling of the television series "The Vision of Escaflowne".

Directors:

Kazuki Akane, Yoshiyuki Takei (co-director)

Writers:

Ryôta Yamaguchi (script), Kazuki Sekine

Stars:

Shin'ichirô Miki, Jôji Nakata, Maaya Sakamoto

Cast

Credited cast:
Maaya Sakamoto	...	Hitomi Kanzaki (voice)
Tomokazu Seki	...	Van Fanel (voice)
Jôji Nakata	...	Folken Fanel (voice)
Mayumi Izuka	...	Yukari / Sora (voice) (as Mayumi Iizuka)
Minami Takayama	...	Dilandau Albatou (voice)
Kôji Tsujitani	...	Jajuka (voice)
Shin'ichirô Miki	...	Allen Schezar (voice)
Ikue Ôtani	...	Merle (voice)
Nobuyuki Hiyama	...	Oruto (voice)
Hisako Kyôda	...	Old Woman (voice) (as Naoko Kyoda)
Kappei Yamaguchi	...	Shesta (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Felecia Angelle	...	Additional Voices (FUNimation dub) (voice)
Tia Lynn Ballard	...	Sora (FUNimation dub) (voice)
Christopher Bevins	...	Ort (FUNimation dub) (voice)
Ben Bryant	...	Additional Voices (FUNimation dub) (voice)

Storyline

High school student Hitomi Kanzaki, depressed and despondent, wishes to disappear from her world. Her wishes are heard in the alternate world of Gaea where a battle for absolute control is raging! Magically, Hitomi is suddenly transported to this other world and is bestowed with the power to decide its ultimate fate!

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Plot Keywords:

multiple english dubs | one word title | teenage girl | good versus evil | tragic villain | 

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Taglines:

One Will Wake It. One Will Destroy It.

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Genres:

Adventure | Animation | Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for strong animated violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Website

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

24 June 2000 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Escaflowne: The Movie

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,692, 27 January 2002, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bandai Visual Company, Bones, Sunrise

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The stadium where Hitomi first meets Folken and is drawn into the world of Gaia is modeled on the historic and famous Kasumigaoka National Olympic Stadium (Kokuritsu Kasumigaoka Rikujo Kyogijo) in the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo, where the 1964 Summer Olympics were held. Some of the most distinctive elements in the stadium, such as the colored rows of seats, large scoreboard, lights, and field track are directly visible in the film. The stadium was demolished in 2015 to make way for a new stadium constructed for the 2020 Olympics. Another visible Shinjuku landmark in the film is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which Hitomi sees from the train while she is out shopping with her friend Yukari.

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Quotes

Van: Dragon armour... awaken from your ageless slumber! Your name is Escaflowne! My armour...

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Connections

Featured in Anime Abandon: Escaflowne: The Movie (2017)

User Reviews

Not your average Escaflowne

Anyone settling down to watch the usual romantic fluff of the series might be disappointed by this movie. However, if the same audience wants to drown in the glory of wonderful storytelling, a beautiful soundtrack worthy of Williams, and heartstopping animation, this is the perfect film for them.

"Escaflowne: A Girl From Gaea" is loosely based on the already popular series "Tenkuu no Escaflowne", where Hitomi, a young school girl with psychic powers, is whisked away to the magical land of Gaea, filled with mystical creatures, gallant knights, and gigantic suits of armor. However, here, the happy Hitomi and the peaceful Van are very much gone. The movie opens with Van brutally slaying a group of enemies and Hitomi rethinking the decision to hand a suicide note she has written over to her best friend Yukari. This is a very dark, but compelling Escaflowne. Much of the storyline from the series has been changed dramatically, as one can tell, but it gives the movie it's own original feel and one does not have to be familiar with the series to enjoy the movie. The soundtrack, once again handled very nicely by Yoko Kanno, is absolutely top-notch and might remind one of the power of John Williams' score to "Star Wars". The animation is very different as well, more mature and detailed than the average anime series. Older teens will love it, but smaller children familiar with the series might find the action too intense, some scenes and animation echoing the works of Akira Kurosawa, particularly "Ran".

I have only seen bootleg copies of this, but I hope the rumour of the movie coming stateside is true and we American otaku will get to enjoy the majesty that is "Escaflowne: A Girl From Gaea" on a theatre screen. Anything less cannot do it justice.