Michel Volban, tactician hero of the People's Army (the resistance movement ranged against the despotic Holy Emperor Vetti's galaxy-wide rule), is fighting a noble but losing battle. His latest raid is about to end in reluctant surrender when hope arrives in the form of a glass battleship, hurtling to his rescue. The roguish captain of this vessel, Cleo, scion of the long lost royal family, would rather stay out of intergalactic politics. But if the enemy of your enemy is your friend, maybe Michel and Cleo can share a common target, if not a common cause. Michel (voiced in both audio tracks on this dual-language disc by an adult woman, suggesting that the character may be a woman passing as a man) is a typical determined hero, while Cleo serves as the reckless foil. Compiling the first five episodes here, Glass Fleet combines the trappings of space opera with the social cues of 18th-century court intrigues, echoing eras from ancient Rome to Napoleonic France. The beginning, despite some lovely visuals, plods through the exposition concerning politics, battles, and character introductions, and it isn't until the third episode that the plot finally gets underway with Michel and Cleo fighting Vetti. Whether the series will evolve into anything beyond an intricate set piece remains to be seen; however, there is definite potential in the contemplative villain Vetti, and Michel's unclear gender could further complicate the tale. Rated TV-PG (for Vetti's relationship—all innuendo—with a young male companion), DVD extras include interviews with the Japanese cast. Recommended. [Note: Glass Feet, Vol. 2 is also available, with Vol. 3 slated for release on Jan. 8, and Vol. 4 debuting on Feb. 12.] Aud: P. (R. Brenner)
Glass Fleet, Vol. 1
(2006) 125 min. DVD: $29.98. Funimation (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4210-0261-2. Volume 23, Issue 1
Glass Fleet, Vol. 1
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