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Title (English) Licensed by Royal

Title (Japanese) Licensed by Royal

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Fantasy Novel

Notes

Classification -

Synopsis Row and Jack are "cool" agents for the Kingdom of Isyutal - an alternate world that is sort of England today and sort of steam punk, with air ships and funny flying machines and so on.

Review When I was a kid I loved "spy" series, starting with the original Sean Connery James Bond movies ( "From Russia with Love" remains my all time favorite ), extending to TV series like "I Spy" and even to the parody movies like the "Our Man Flint" movies with James Colburn and the "Matt Helm" movies with Dean Martin. ( Nearly 40 years later the thought of Dean Martin as a super spy is a real head-shaker to me, but I've got the excuse that I was young then. ) The series "The Prisoner" sort of finished off that era for me and I went off to other interests. But I'm still a sucker for attempts at revisiting the genre, even though I know that what I see won't really recapture the original feeling.
So here I am with the first DVD, along with box and "goodies" for the recent Pioneer alternate world secret agent series "L/R - Licensed by Royal", and a bit at a loss how to consider it. The box set for the first R2 DVD volume is a Pioneer/Rondo Robe release, #PIBA-1400, 69 minutes, 16:9 aspect ratio, 6000 Yen. There is a fair amount of Korean contribution to the animation. The biggest surprise is the opening theme song which is by Billy Preston! Billy Preston doing anime opening themes? But then, come to think of it, when was the last time he had a mainstream hit? (I guess it brings in some bucks in between casino concerts.)
The package comes with a little black envelope containing an information booklet about the main characters and the three episodes on the DVD. There is also a "secret" package - a fake "crush proof" cigarette box that contains a fake audio tape, sort of "Mission Impossible"-like. The DVD also contains a fair amount of additional information, including data pages on most of the supporting characters ( something that should show up on more DVDs ) and a list of the songs on the episodes, with links to the scenes containing the songs. All-in-all, it's a fairly well done little package.
What about the series itself, you ask? Um, er, uh, well, it's not bad, but it's not really good either. Row is the "coolest" and Jack is more "casual". The two of them get involved in a mission per episode, but there really isn't much action. Instead there is a lot of talking. And that is one of the main problems with the first three episodes - for an action series "L/R" is pretty static.
There is a certain amount of subtle humor in the episodes, with references not only to old "spy" movies and the like, but also to other anime series. (I needn't say who Kiki is supposed to be like.) The plots are also pretty routine, although episode 3 introduces a "social conscience" plot line and character. I found the background music to be occasionally intrusive and often inappropriate - particularly the English lyric vocals. One thing that stands out is that the series producers desperately needed a native English speaker to go over the written English in the series. The most surprising thing about the first three episodes is that there wasn't any significant fan service.
So, what's my recommendation? Well, I guess if, like me, there is a soft spot in your heart for old fashioned light weight "secret agent" shows, you might find "L/R" a bearable stroll down memory lane. However, if you are looking for tighter plots and more original characters, "L/R" is not going to satisfy you. Probably you ( and I ) should wait for Pioneer US to come out with an R1 release and rent the series for a "brain candy" weekend.
( BTW - is it just me, or did anyone else feel that they were hinting that Jack is gay?)
(Dave Baranyi)

Credits

Episodes 13

Release

TV Showing See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.

Date 2003-01-08 to 2003-03-26

Production

Broadcaster

Animation

References & Help Look up the latest data on this title at:
Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or
Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) ,
or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001).
Help & further information.

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Information
Title (English)	Licensed by Royal
Title (Japanese)	Licensed by Royal
Advertising Fantasy Novel
Notes
Classification	-
Synopsis	Row and Jack are "cool" agents for the Kingdom of Isyutal - an alternate world that is sort of England today and sort of steam punk, with air ships and funny flying machines and so on.
Review	When I was a kid I loved "spy" series, starting with the original Sean Connery James Bond movies ( "From Russia with Love" remains my all time favorite ), extending to TV series like "I Spy" and even to the parody movies like the "Our Man Flint" movies with James Colburn and the "Matt Helm" movies with Dean Martin. ( Nearly 40 years later the thought of Dean Martin as a super spy is a real head-shaker to me, but I've got the excuse that I was young then. ) The series "The Prisoner" sort of finished off that era for me and I went off to other interests. But I'm still a sucker for attempts at revisiting the genre, even though I know that what I see won't really recapture the original feeling. So here I am with the first DVD, along with box and "goodies" for the recent Pioneer alternate world secret agent series "L/R - Licensed by Royal", and a bit at a loss how to consider it. The box set for the first R2 DVD volume is a Pioneer/Rondo Robe release, #PIBA-1400, 69 minutes, 16:9 aspect ratio, 6000 Yen. There is a fair amount of Korean contribution to the animation. The biggest surprise is the opening theme song which is by Billy Preston! Billy Preston doing anime opening themes? But then, come to think of it, when was the last time he had a mainstream hit? (I guess it brings in some bucks in between casino concerts.) The package comes with a little black envelope containing an information booklet about the main characters and the three episodes on the DVD. There is also a "secret" package - a fake "crush proof" cigarette box that contains a fake audio tape, sort of "Mission Impossible"-like. The DVD also contains a fair amount of additional information, including data pages on most of the supporting characters ( something that should show up on more DVDs ) and a list of the songs on the episodes, with links to the scenes containing the songs. All-in-all, it's a fairly well done little package. What about the series itself, you ask? Um, er, uh, well, it's not bad, but it's not really good either. Row is the "coolest" and Jack is more "casual". The two of them get involved in a mission per episode, but there really isn't much action. Instead there is a lot of talking. And that is one of the main problems with the first three episodes - for an action series "L/R" is pretty static. There is a certain amount of subtle humor in the episodes, with references not only to old "spy" movies and the like, but also to other anime series. (I needn't say who Kiki is supposed to be like.) The plots are also pretty routine, although episode 3 introduces a "social conscience" plot line and character. I found the background music to be occasionally intrusive and often inappropriate - particularly the English lyric vocals. One thing that stands out is that the series producers desperately needed a native English speaker to go over the written English in the series. The most surprising thing about the first three episodes is that there wasn't any significant fan service. So, what's my recommendation? Well, I guess if, like me, there is a soft spot in your heart for old fashioned light weight "secret agent" shows, you might find "L/R" a bearable stroll down memory lane. However, if you are looking for tighter plots and more original characters, "L/R" is not going to satisfy you. Probably you ( and I ) should wait for Pioneer US to come out with an R1 release and rent the series for a "brain candy" weekend. ( BTW - is it just me, or did anyone else feel that they were hinting that Jack is gay?) (Dave Baranyi)
Credits
Episodes	13
Release
TV Showing	See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.
Date	2003-01-08 to 2003-03-26
Production
Broadcaster
Animation
References & Help	Look up the latest data on this title at: Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) , or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001). Help & further information.