DVD Review: ‘Aquarion: The Complete Series’

Recently, Funimation released Aquarion The Complete Series on DVD. Aquarion is hands down the best Mech series of the new millennium. The visual blend of standard 2D animation with CG graphics creates numerous eye-popping moments that will catch even the most Anime-phobic viewers.

The story of Aquarion takes place 12,000 years after the fall of the Shadow Angels. When these alien forces are reawakened, to enslave the human race, a small group of survivors band together to battle the new threat with Aquarion. To form Aquarion, three pilots must merge their souls and spaceships to form the Mechanical Angel Aquarion.

Like most Anime series, there are several strong sexual and religious themes spread throughout this story, such as reincarnation and virginity. Each time the pilots merge their souls, they also become one through a sexual orgasm. Merging is explored like a teenager’s sexual fantasy. One episode is dedicated to merging for the first time: exploring how it physically feels and the emotions involved. The youngest pilot, or Element, Segumi is getting ready for her first merge she must first conquer the simulator. Segumi states, “I forgot the stupid simulator doesn’t go all the way.” We quickly see that Aquarion’s raunchy humor is manifested to perfection through childlike simplicity.

American audiences will quickly notice the similarities to Voltron, especially when they merge and call forth the Aquarion Saber. Unfortunately, Aquarion was only a 26 episode series, and after watching every episode you’ll wish there was more.

If you were ever a fan of the Gundam series, Aquarion will be right up your ally. The characters are immediately entertaining and poignantly delivered through the voice-acting and engaging character arcs.