▪	RELEASED BY:		ADV FILMS
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DD 5.1 AND JAPANESE DD 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		90 MIN
		▪	RATING:		TV PG
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		11/20/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		10/11/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Based on the popular manga by Yuichi Kumakura, this collection of all three OVA episodes sees Jing taking on his most dangerous adventure yet. With Kir in tow, they go deep into the bowels of the most brutal criminal asylum: Seventh Heaven. There this dangerous prison turns into a surrealistic adventure as Jing tries to find the coveted Dream Orbs and instead is trapped inside a Labyrinth of Dreams by the criminal who holds them. Now he has to use all his wits and fight his memories in order to get out of this maze alive, let alone get the prize!

This complete OVA series on one disc is a stupendous and at times mind-boggling series. Jing’s attempt to obtain the orbs hits what seems to be a nearly insurmountable snag. He enters a deadly prison complete with the worst of the worst of criminals, a warden who is quite literally a vampire, and a strange gun toting, chain smoking, shade wearing cherub. When he goes up against Campari to get the orbs, Jing and Kir find themselves trapped in a maze of lost dreams and nightmares. These are not mere illusions but very real. The swords can cut you, the monsters can bite you, and the dangers can kill you.

Although the previous anime TV series had its share of surrealistic moments within the episodes, Seventh Heaven really hits that tone home with the gritty dark atmosphere and ever changing dreamscapes.  Kir is still his girl-loving foul tempered self and Jing retains his smooth moves and deadpan humor in the face of dire peril. But this dreamscape adventure brings things to a more transcendental state of existential questioning. There are many times throughout when the question raises itself as to what is real and what is the dream. The conclusion holds unexpected surprises, touching moments, and ends very well in a way that will delight fans of the anime TV series and the manga.

Directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok) and animated by Aniplex (Rurouni Kenshin)), the animation has some heavy CG at times but stands out overall for its unique and diverting appearance. Quite unique even among anime, its style has the touch of Film Noir on one hand, and a strong hint of 1920s – 40s North American satire style drawing on the other. It makes for a riveting look, one that stands apart from the average anime. The quality in and of itself is above par even for an OVA series. It approaches the higher quality of a theatrical release.
 
EXTRAS:
Bonus features include production art gallery and ADV trailers.

IN SUMMARY:
The King of Bandits discovers his most lethal and captivating adventure in Seventh Heaven! Riveting high edge animation style and intricate storytelling raises the bar in this OVA series.