Questions - Sorcerer Hunters / Bakuretsu Hunters *Spoilers*

[EvaXephon]

Alright, I have just finished watching this series, and I have a few questions about it.

Was the manga or the anime produced first? I noticed on the inside cover that the manga was published in 1993. Sorcerer Hunters seemed too high quality in animation to be produced before that date, but it didn't look at all like the anime could have stemmed from the silly and goofy mess that the manga seemed like.

Why did Chocolate and Tira need to transform all of the time? I notice that, once, they talk about it, but they only talk about love, not about why they have to transform. How did they gain transforming abilities? How does transforming help their battle? Couldn't they just whip and garrotte stuff without putting new clothes on? I mean, I know that a transformation sequence is anime tradition, but is there any other reason?

Is there any specific reason that the characters are named after food? I mean, I've seen name puns in anime before, but is there a real, practical reason?

Is it true that there was both a TV-release and an OVA release? Which came first? Was the TV-release just a TV-friendly version of the OVA, or were there two TV releases, the second being a TV-friendly version of the OVA?

Is it ever explained how the team was assembled? What happened in-between the point when Zaha raised them, and when Big Momma hired them as Sorcerer Hunters? When did they stop living with Zaha? After that point where he got all scary, like "IS IT YOUUUUU?" Did he just abandon them after that? Did Big Momma take them in?

What is with that weird town at the foot of Big Momma's "Church" thing?

I have heard that there is a release named "Sorcerer Hunters: Chocolate, Springs and Other Hot Things." What is that? Is it available yet? If I bought the Perfect Collection box set, was it a waste? Should I have waited until this was released, instead?

Is Sorcerer Hunters considered famous, a classic, or recommended? While I was watching it, I was getting the feeling that I was watching an anime that wasn't highly esteemed.

What happened to Zaha after the end of the series? Did he die and get reborn in another time/space? ...Was the girl at the end of the series Zaha reincarnated?

Do you, personally, think that Sorcerer Hunters is a good anime? Why or why not?

[GloryQuestor]

Was the manga or the anime produced first? I noticed on the inside cover that the manga was published in 1993. Sorcerer Hunters seemed too high quality in animation to be produced before that date, but it didn't look at all like the anime could have stemmed from the silly and goofy mess that the manga seemed like.

The anime is from 1995-1996, according to Anime News Network's webpage.

Why did Chocolate and Tira need to transform all of the time? I notice that, once, they talk about it, but they only talk about love, not about why they have to transform. How did they gain transforming abilities? How does transforming help their battle? Couldn't they just whip and garrotte stuff without putting new clothes on? I mean, I know that a transformation sequence is anime tradition, but is there any other reason?

SPOILER BLOCK

In the context of the story, and based on the ending, it has something to do with the fact that they are all reincarnated avatars -- and Big Momma knew this. It's one of the reasons why she kept them together, because she knew that their special power would be needed to protect Carrot, whose power would actually help their enemy achieve his goal.

Personally, I believe it to really all be just silly humor with a few old anime character types (Bishounen/Shounen-Ai sorcerer, the he-manish brawler, the girl-crazy... uh, guy) and the two dominatrix sisters wielding whips and garrotes. Somehow, this very bizzare matchup seems to work.

Is there any specific reason that the characters are named after food? I mean, I've seen name puns in anime before, but is there a real, practical reason?

I couldn't find a practical reason. (However, the practice of using dessert names is used in other, more "sexy" anime like Knights of Ramune.)

Is it true that there was both a TV-release and an OVA release? Which came first? Was the TV-release just a TV-friendly version of the OVA, or were there two TV releases, the second being a TV-friendly version of the OVA?

The OVA of Sorcerer Hunters is a direct sequel to the TV series, but there was also a "spinoff" series called Sorcerer on the Rocks as well.

I have heard that there is a release named "Sorcerer Hunters: Chocolate, Springs and Other Hot Things." What is that? Is it available yet? If I bought the Perfect Collection box set, was it a waste? Should I have waited until this was released, instead?

That's the published title of the OAV, mentioned above.

Also, I'm not quite sure why the "Perfect Collections" sometimes do not contain everything they have the rights to publish. (I'd ask the same question myself, because I have ADV's Perfect Collection of Steel Angel Kurumi, which has both seasons and the OAV collection included.)

Is Sorcerer Hunters considered famous, a classic, or recommended? While I was watching it, I was getting the feeling that I was watching an anime that wasn't highly esteemed.

I think the manga series fared better. Sometimes the adaptations from manga to anime tend to lose something -- just like when you turn a famous novel into a rather dismal movie.

What happened to Zaha after the end of the series? Did he die and get reborn in another time/space? ...Was the girl at the end of the series Zaha reincarnated?

SPOILER BLOCK

Since all of the others were "reborn" into the future (including Big Momma), it's always possible.

Do you, personally, think that Sorcerer Hunters is a good anime? Why or why not?

My personal opinion is that there was a lot of potential in this series.

They started the series out correctly (pushing the main plot aside and showing us the Sorcerer Hunters in action) and there are some episodes of great value (Episode 5 was a great way to present Carrot as not just some ordinary "crazy-girl" person, but that he really does have a very good heart).

On the other hand, I think they overused way too many things -- the "transformation" sequences really got old after the 20th time seeing it, and the always girl-crazy Carrot tended to get annoying (despite a very good voice-over job by Brett Weaver). Also disappointing was the lack of character development. The Misu sisters love Carrot, but they keep wondering why he shies away from them? (Do you think it's because he's been whipped a lot by them?)

Overall, IMHO, it's a mix that's somewhat enjoyable yet overall doesn't really work well in execution.

[EvaXephon]

Wow! Thank you so much, GloryQuestor, for answering my questions! ^_^

The OVA of Sorcerer Hunters is a direct sequel to the TV series, but there was also a "spinoff" series called Sorcerer on the Rocks as well.

Ah, I see, now! ...Weirdly enough, I couldn't find these releases on ADV's website. I hope they won't be hard to find.

I think they overused way too many things -- the "transformation" sequences really got old after the 20th time seeing it.

Ah, yes...Then again, transformation sequences are repeated in almost every anime - it's like they are shown as a tradition, or something.

The always girl-crazy Carrot tended to get annoying (despite a very good voice-over job by Brett Weaver).

Wh00! So, I'm not the only one who really appriciated Brett's good job on Carrot!

The Misu sisters love Carrot, but they keep wondering why he shies away from them? (Do you think it's because he's been whipped a lot by them?)

Ah...I think it's because Carrot wants to chase girls, not have girls give themselves up to him. Maybe he doesn't respect the Misu sisters because they'd give themselves to him, or maybe his idea of a good time involves actively chasing a girl instead of just receiving the goods.

[GloryQuestor]

Wow! Thank you so much, GloryQuestor, for answering my questions! ^_^

You're welcome.

The OVA of Sorcerer Hunters is a direct sequel to the TV series, but there was also a "spinoff" series called Sorcerer on the Rocks as well.

Ah, I see, now! ...Weirdly enough, I couldn't find these releases on ADV's website. I hope they won't be hard to find.

I think you are going to have to check auctions or Overstock -- IIRC, they are both out of print.

The Misu sisters love Carrot, but they keep wondering why he shies away from them? (Do you think it's because he's been whipped a lot by them?)

Ah...I think it's because Carrot wants to chase girls, not have girls give themselves up to him. Maybe he doesn't respect the Misu sisters because they'd give themselves to him, or maybe his idea of a good time involves actively chasing a girl instead of just receiving the goods.

I never thought of it that way...

[EvaXephon]

Too bad that no one else cared to participate in discussion. @_@;

*Wipes away an imaginary tear* Oh, well.