▪	RELEASED BY:		FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DD 5.1 AND JAPANESE DD 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		325 MIN
		▪	RATING:		TV 14
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		11/03/2009
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		11/24/2009
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

It is a grueling campaign undertaken by only the bravest of swordsmen and wisest sorcerers – and Jil. A young Guardian with little experience, Jil raises his shield to play the role of hero, battling his way up to the level where Druaga awaits.

Contains episodes 1 to 12 on 2 DVDs in one slim box set.

REVIEW:
Based on the Namco Bandai arcade game, Tower of Druaga the animation could have easily slid into the forgettable range of RPG turned anime titles – it doesn’t. Through witty writing and glossy animation, Druaga instead is a compelling fantasy adventure saga that avoids the pitfalls of other such adaptations that often turn pedantic and painfully predictable. Druaga however surprises one right from the beginning and keeps the surprises coming for a stupendous and high impact finale in this first box set.

The very first episode is crucial in setting viewers up for something different. It shows Jil’s adventures from his point of view and in one episode hits nearly every main plot cliché in fantasy anime including a sly wink at tentacle adult themes for hilarious results. The episode in and of itself is hilarious and a load of fun to watch with all its sly winks at the audience. However Jil gets a big wakeup call when reality settles in. We find out that Jil isn’t the hero he would like to believe. Instead he’s on his way to being jilted by his group, a group of climbers led by his older brother Neeba. Jil also happens upon a king being assassinated and it looking to everyone like Jil did the dastardly deed and in two shakes of a helmet, he’s on the run. Neeba helps him out but he still won’t take Jil back. Neeba has his own reasons for wanting to get that rod and his determination will prove ruthless before the end of this first box set.

Jil now has to find a new party. Lucky for him, a party has found Jil. The beautiful and kind Oracle Kaaya thinks he is the man to help them reach the top of the perilous tower. Along with knight Ahmey, mage Melt and his assistant Coopa, the four travel together and must deal with lethal slime creatures, hordes of demonic ogres, and several hidden and deadly booby traps. Jil must also deal with his own impulsive nature and single mindedness which could put the others in danger or even get them all killed.

As they get higher and higher, so too rises the risks. Rival parties get in the way and there is someone working from the shadows that is up to no good. Two ghosts also start getting involved. One seems kind, the other working on her own agenda, but what could two dead sprits want? Meanwhile an army led by a brave captain, Neeba’s small group, and Jil’s party may be the only three to make it to the top level – the Sky Shrine. There they must face and defeat Druaga, once a god and now a monster, but can any of them hope to win, let alone survive, if they don’t work together?

The final episodes are an action packed and visual feast of fantasy suspense and dashing daring do. It also takes a toll on the hero when he loses a comrade dear to him. The price of success runs high as members get killed and what few remain try to band together in one brave yet likely suicidal last stand. But who wouldn’t risk it all in order to gain the rod which will grant one wish?

It is spellbinding fantasy action on an epic scale and done right. There’s great storytelling, exciting adventure, and a good sense of comedy when the time is right. The finale of the first box set sets everything up for the second arc. The true intentions of two of the more enigmatic and charismatic members are at last revealed and will take viewers by surprise and keep them on the edge of their seats. The Tower of Druaga isn’t the end, but only the beginning if Jil survives.

Gonzo produced the animation and it has all the gorgeous touches one would expect from the same studio that did Trinity Blood, Black Lagoon, and Last Exile. Speaking of their hallmark anime Last Exile, Druaga has the same director, the keenly talented Koichi Chigira who also did the exciting Full Metal Panic. The only criticism of the otherwise flawless animation is that some of the characters look too similar, making it hard in a pinch to differentiate between them during close-ups. The wonderful breath of the animation, the range of colors, powers, and diversity in action is what sets it apart and raises it in the esteem of fantasy anime.

EXTRAS:
Bonus features include reverse cover art, trailers of other titles, clean opening and ending animation, and commentary by the English cast on episode 5 with Todd Haberkron (Jil), Chuck Huber (Melt) and Monical Rial (Coopa). It also has a bonus alternate episode 1 that reveals what really happened versus “Jil Vision”.

IN SUMMARY:
A high quality fantasy adventure that is as exciting as it is visually stunning.