Zone of the Enders: Dolores, I Vol. 5 - Only the Strong Survive 2001 ADV Films Official Japanese Website Buy It Now

I’ve had to do a bit of reflecting with the ZOE series, and in fact hang my head in shame. I can’t honestly believe that when I had originally watched imported episodes; I was completely turned off by it. Some of you may recall that part of that was due to the original Playstation 2 game leaving a more than negative impact on me, and I suppose that ultimately, my interest in the series paid the price. However, now that we’re at volume of, “Only the Strong Survive,” now I’m wondering what I’m going to do when the whole things comes to a close.

As an animated series, ZOE has had me pondering a few things here and there, and it seemed that some of those questions might not ever get answered, until now that is. For those that have been following the series from the start, and even before, while there has been some connections to the OVA at times, it’s never been anything that would be considered a real revelation. The most apparent and obvious connection has been that of Rachel Links, the designer of Dolores, and there has been references to the Demois Incident from the original OVA, but just when you think that nothing else could come about, a whole new, and very unexpected correlation comes to light.

For those that have seen the OVA, the name of Radium Lavans might ring a bell. He was the pilot of the Idolo Orbital Frame, and supposedly, he was dead, until now that is. I had overlooked the connection, but Mr. Naphth Pleminger isn’t who he claims he is, and in fact, we learn fairly early on in these episodes that he is really Radium, and he’s got a plan, for his own goals of course.

On the other side of things, James and his children are finally reunited with Rachel, and the family bond strengthens quite a bit, even to the extent where we see the children defending the father they once were so adamantly opposed to. However, the happy reunion faces a major catastrophe as plans for war go into immediate effect, and Mars is planning a sneak attack on Earth, with Radium at the helm. James knows that he and Dolores may be the only ones to stop the impending assault.

A new mecha is introduced as well, Radium’s own Hathor. And while we’ve seen Dolores triumph time and time again, Hathor is more than a match for her, even with her newfound control. That’s another interesting little bit as we see James have to take a virtual tour of Dolores’ “subconscious” that is more like a storybook fantasy. The whole purpose is to give her full control without risking being taken over by Isis during times of crisis. It’s a bit of an interesting, and very unexpected, look at the mind of a mecha.

I guess getting so involved in the story, I had actually overlooked the Egyptian mythology connect. Dolores of course has her alter ego, Isis, and in previous episodes we briefly glimpsed Anubis, a mecha that is a very important part of the second game. Using the mythology connection is all well and good, but in all honesty, I think there may have been some other gods that could have been chosen, especially Hathor, who was the goddess of love, music, and beauty. Considering the purpose that Radium has in mind for the devastating mecha, Sekhmet, the goddess of Destruction, and also known as “The Powerful One” in the Egyptian mythos, may have been a little more appropriate.

And, one last story line note: those that have been getting fed up with the obsessive actions of the Chief Inspector are finally going to get some resolution. It’s something that’s been a long time coming, and even better is that he lackey, Sameggi, finally manages to get himself a set.

Most of the extras come as no real surprise. There’s our standard collection of conceptual artwork and production sketches as well as the clean open and close. However, the one thing that has been included with all of the ZOE releases has been interviews with the crew and voice actors, and we’re not talking about English cast either. The ADR Session on this volume gives us a little behind the scenes chat with Yumiko Nakanishi, the voice of Rebecca, and Takehita Kayasu, Naphth or Radium, depending on how you want to look at it. As always, the interviews are done fairly well, and while there aren’t any real deep, probing questions, they are still done fairly nicely and give some good insight, in the seiyuu’s opinions, on their characters. Additionally however, there’s yet another entry into Dolores’ Diary, a segment that catches up newcomers, or those who are easily forgetful, on the events that have taken place, at least for Dolores’ perspective. Lastly, there is a highly detailed section that gives plenty of information on the Orbital Elevator, an integral part of the recently enacted war efforts.

This disc is a great lead in to the final volume, and offers up not only some surprising twists, but a great deal of mecha combat, especially now that the shadow of war as finally transformed into a full fledged reality. I still can’t agree with a mecha being painted bright pink, but I can agree with everything else. Without a doubt, this is one of the best discs in the ZOE series, and may be overshadowed only by the final disc, unless of course it takes the usual television series ending that results in complete let down. Right now though, it’s looking like that’s not going to be the case at all, and it also appears that few, if any, loose ends are going to be left. Fans of the series definitely aren’t going to be disappointed at all with this one.

Episode 18 – The Time of Reunion

Finally, the Links family has discovered Rachel’s whereabouts: the Nakuteisu Base. The first problem that needs to be overcome however is removing some of Dolores’ blocks so that her more advanced programs can be more easily accessed. The next is obviously gaining entry, and that’s going to involve a little bit of impersonation, and a great deal of distraction on James’ and Dolores’ part.  But with Rachel believing her family to be deceased, thanks to Rachel, how will she react when she meets them again in the flesh?

Episode 19 – Upheaval

Now that James’ and his family have been safely reunited with Rachel, it appears as though everyone can safely return to Earth, or can they? A Martian coup has led to the takeover of some very important military installations, and war is now upon the Martian soil. James’ thinks that he may be the only one, with the help of Dolores, that can set things right and keep the war from spreading to Earth. Things may be a little more difficult that anyone had though, especially when Radium Lavans makes his return appearance with a powerful new mecha; Hathor.

Episode 20 – Set Course for North Northwest

The war is spreading through the Martian colonies at an astronomical rate, endangering the lives of the innocent. The Links family does what they can to assist those that are hopelessly caught in the crossfire while James and Dolores’ come between the warring factions, choosing neither side. Then, the truth to the war is discovered, and the main target is Earth’s own Orbital Elevator.

Episode 21 – Clash

James attempts to get the military to listen to the recent war plans that the family has discovered, but with the battle raging on, the brass doesn’t have time to listen to a mere civilian. The military though is going to have to take a backseat the Chief Inspector shows up again, determined to take the family in. Fortunately though, Samegi has had enough and usurps command of Wired, but that’s not going to stop the Inspector from hijacking his own mecha and going head-to-head against Radium and Hathor, bringing James and Dolores both into what will become a hopeless battle.

-mike-