Code Geass: Akito the Exiled-Episode II: The Torn-up Wyvern (2011)

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General		Extras
Category	Anime	Trailer-Japanese PV Teaser Trailer-Teasers and Trailer Trailer-Trailers x5 for other films
Rating
Year Of Production	2011
Running Time	57:37 (Case: 60)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Kazuki Akane
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Maaya Sakamoto Miyu Irino Satoshi Hino Yoshitsuga Matsuoka Yoko Hikasa Masaya Matsukage Jun Fukuyama
Case	Alpha-Transparent
RPI	?	Music	Ichiko Hashimoto

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	Yes, stills with closing credits

     The Holy Britannian Empire has conquered much of the world including Japan, which is designated colony Area 11; the original inhabitants, called Elevens, have no rights, work in menial jobs and any dissent is crushed. The Britannian forces have also attacked the Europia allied nations which are still holding out. Japanese exiles in Europia are despised, isolated in camps and deprived of all rights. Leila Malcal (Maaya Sakamoto: she is called Leila on the DVD box and on websites Layla Markal, but Leila is how the DVD subtitles have it I will stick to that in this review) has formed a special military unit called W-0 with expendable Japanese exiles. After one battle, the only survivor was Akito Hyuga (Miyu Irino). He is joined in the unit by Ryo (Satoshi Hino), Yukiya (Yoshitsuga Matsuoka) and Ayano (Yoko Hikasa), criminals who had attacked a convoy in which Leila and Akito were travelling. Defeated by Akito they are offered a choice: join the special “Wyvern” Knightmare corps or be executed. However their loyalty to Leila and the unit is very much in doubt.

     The Euro powers plan an offensive against the Britannians in Russia. As part of the offensive the W-0 unit is to be dropped behind enemy lines as a diversion, their chances of survival minimal. To increase their chances Leila introduces some new technology and decides to command the mission herself. The five drop successfully but straight away divisions within the unit surface and they are attached by Britannian Knightmares. In their battle for survival Akito displays an unusual power to influence the minds of the others in his unit and they are winning until they come face to face with the gold coloured Knightmare piloted by Shin Hyuga Shaingu (Masaya Matsukage), Akito’s brother and leader of the Order of Michael.

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Torn-up Wyvern (called The Wyvern Divided in the credits) is the second episode of a spin off from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion that takes place about the time in Japan that Lelouch became Zero and began to create the Black Knights. Knowledge of that series is not essential to following and enjoying Code Geass Akito the Exiled as each of the episodes commences with a recap of the Britannian’s invasion of Japan, but it does help to understand what is happening and the use of Geass powers.

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Wyvern Torn-up does provide some hints about the tortured background of Akito and his brother as well as more information about the characters of Shin, Ayano and Yukiya. It also introduces new fighters on the Britannian side such as the cocky Ashley and the episode ends with the arrival of the new controller of the Euro- Britannian forces, Julius Kingsley (voiced by Jun Fukuyama who voiced Lelouch in the original series).

     The action in Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Torn-up Wyvern with the Knightmare fighting machines is frenetic, explosive, loud and colourful, but the episode is also beautiful to look at with its lovely pastel colours, a spectacular highlight being the rocket take-of and orbit of the earth that delivers the unit behind enemy lines.

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Torn-up Wyvern is the second what were announced as four episodes. This episode also adds more information about a number of the intriguing characters and hints at more revelations to come. The first episode Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode I: The Wyvern Arrives is reviewed in this site here. Unfortunately, however, the official Code Geass website recently announced that the third episode has been delayed until further notice. Bummer.

Video

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Torn-up Wyvern is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, the original ratio, and is 16x9 enhanced.

     This is not the sharpest print although generally detail is good. The pastel colours are quite beautiful with the greens and blues of landscape, city and sky lovely to look at and the colours of the rocket take-of and orbit of the earth spectacular. The reds and yellows of gunfire and explosions are deep and vibrant. Blacks and shadow detail are good, brightness and contract consistent.

     Marks are absent however the end titles shimmer – which I guess is only a problem if you read Japanese.

     It is anime so lip synchronisation is very approximate.

     The English subtitles are in a clear yellow font. They are easy to read and do not contain errors. In the subtitles the W-0 unit becomes wZERO.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     Audio is Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 at 448 Kbps that is loud and enveloping.

     The Japanese dialogue seems clear enough and right from the start the surrounds and rears are full of missile strikes, engines, gunshots and explosions, plus the occasional weather effect, and music. The use of the surrounds when we get flashbacks to the young Akito is very effective. There are also a number of panning effects, such as engines and missiles, The sub-woofer provided appropriate support to the crash and thump of the fighting machines, explosions and the music and added a deep rumble to the rocket launch sequence.

     The score by Ichiko Hashimoto was generally effective, although I did find the jazzy trumpet during action scenes somewhat intrusive.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Japanese PV (1:05)

     Selections from the series accompanied by music only, no text.

Japanese Teaser & Trailers

     Consists of two teasers for the series (0:44 and 1:34) plus one Japanese trailer (2:20), six Japanese teasers for the series and the Blu-ray DVD release (2:06)

Japanese TVCs (1:34)

     Four teasers for the series and the Blu-ray DVD release.

Trailers

     Trailers for Naruto Shippuden Movie 4: The Lost Tower (1:46), Patlabor – The Mobile Police OVA Series 1: The Early Days (1:46), Sword Art Online Vol.1 (2:22), Toriko Collection 1 (1:20), and Wolf Children (2:34).

    There is not at present any versions of Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Torn-up Wyvern released in either Region 1 US or Region 2 UK. There is a Region 2 Japanese release, which I do not think has English subtitles, and a Region 2 Italian dub. Advantage to Region 4.

     Code Geass Akito the Exiled Episode II: The Torn-up Wyvern is the second episode of a Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion spin off. It is beautiful to look at, includes explosive action and develops intriguing characters. Fans of the Code Geass universe will not be disappointed but the wait for episode 3 will be a pain.

     The video is very good, the audio is excellent. Extras are minimal, but nothing English friendly is available in other regions.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall