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Japanese media franchise From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maze: The Mega-Burst Space (Japanese: MAZE☆爆熱時空, Hepburn: Meizu Bakunetsu Jikū) is a Japanese light novel series written by Satoru Akahori and illustrated by Eiji Suganuma. The series was published by Kadokawa Shoten from July 27, 1993 to March 26, 1998.[1][2] Based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,[3] the series originally began as Ijikū GyōKitan OZ (異時空行奇談OZ, Ijikū Gyō Kidan OZ, trans. OZ: Extra-Dimensional Tales of Time and Space), a manga serialized in Comic JAM and published by Tairiku Shobo in 1986–1988. It was illustrated by Kia Asamiya, whose debut manga series Shinseiki Vagrants was being serialized in Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Comp at the same time.[4] The series was published in the magazine's first three issues and left unfinished due to Tairiku Shobo going bankrupt in August 1992,[5][6] with all chapters being published in Movic's side-A in 1996. It was then serialized in Hobby Japan's RPG Magazine under the title Jikū Kitan OZ (時空奇譚OZ, Jikū Kitan OZ, trans. OZ: Tales of Time and Space) from issues 1-6 in 1990. The series went on hiatus from issue 7 onward, and although there were notices of a hiatus until issue 13, it was ultimately discontinued. The illustrations were also done by Asamiya, and though some of the characters' proper nouns are different, the world view and story development are almost the same as the later Maze series.[7]
Maze | |
MAZE☆爆熱時空 (Meizu Bakunetsu Jikū) | |
---|---|
Genre | Action, comedy, fantasy, isekai |
Light novel | |
Written by | Satoru Akahori |
Illustrated by | Eiji Suganuma |
Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
Imprint | Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko |
Demographic | Male |
Original run | July 27, 1993 – March 26, 1998 |
Volumes | 13 |
Manga | |
Chouse Kitan Maze Bakunetsu Jikuu | |
Written by | Satoru Akahori |
Illustrated by | Rei Omishi |
Published by | Fujimi Shobo |
Magazine | Comic Dragon |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | October 1995 – December 1999 |
Volumes | 6 |
Original video animation | |
Directed by | Iku Suzuki |
Studio | J.C.Staff |
Licensed by | |
Released | July 24, 1996 – September 21, 1996 |
Runtime | 30 minutes each |
Episodes | 2 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Iku Suzuki |
Written by | Katsumi Hasegawa |
Studio | J.C.Staff |
Licensed by | |
Original network | TV Tokyo, BBC, TVN, WTV, SBS, AT-X |
English network | |
Original run | April 2, 1997 – September 24, 1997 |
Episodes | 25 |
Anime film | |
Maze Bakunetsu Jikū: Tenpen Kyōi no Giant | |
Directed by | Iku Suzuki |
Written by | Satoru Akahori |
Music by | Norimasa Yamanaka |
Studio | J.C.Staff |
Released | April 25, 1998 |
Runtime | 42 minutes |
The novel series was adapted into a manga serialized in Comic Dragon from October 31, 1996 to January 31, 2000,[8][9] and an OVA series in 1996 by J.C.Staff,[10] followed by an anime television series, a sequel movie, and a radio drama. A spin-off manga, Maze Bakunetsu Jikū: Hijiri Kinoe-ki Densetsu (Maze☆爆熱時空: 聖甲機伝説, Meizu Bakunetsu Jikū: Hijiri Kinoe-ki Densetsu, trans. Maze: The Mega-Burst Space: The Legend of the Holy Armored Machine), was serialized in Newtype 100% Comics, beginning on December 11, 1996, but remains unfinished due to the discontinuation of the magazine. It was written by Akahori and illustrated by Suganuma.[11] A tabletalk role-playing game, Maze Bakunetsu Jikū RPG (MAZE☆爆熱時空RPG, Meizu Bakunetsu Jikū RPG, trans. Maze: The Mega-Burst Space RPG), was released on May 23, 1997, written by Akira Tano.[12][13]
The OVA and anime television series were licensed in North America by Central Park Media and released on DVD under their Software Sculptors label.[14][15][16] The TV series has aired on Comcast's Anime Selects On Demand channel multiple times.[17]
Maze wakes up in her house; everything is a wreck and she has amnesia. Before she can gather what has happened, a princess named Mill storms into her house, thanking her for having saved her life. She tells Maze that her house suddenly fell down from the sky and crushed Mill's pursuers under it. However, before long they are both on the run from further pursuers who want to get their hands on Mill.
When re-enforcements arrive, they are only saved when Maze discovers that she has phantom light magical powers and can summon Mill's family heirloom mecha, Dulger. However her performance with the mecha is weak; that is until the sun goes down and she is turned in to a lecherous man who can even handle one of the most powerful spells ever known. Soon other travellers join them as Maze tries to protect Mill and figure out what she is doing in this fantasy world; Demi-Armor hunters Aster and Solude, both of whom are interested in Female Maze; Randy, a handy guide and fairy who usually hides in Maze's shirt when the going gets tough; and Rapier, a knight and Demi-Armor pilot of the neighbouring kingdom ruled by Mill's uncle, who joins up with the party when her kingdom falls to Jaina as well.
Maze and Mill meet more companions on their journey and become embroiled in a war to defeat Jaina and raise Mill back to the throne of Bartonia.
The radio drama, named Maze Bakunetsu Hour (Maze☆爆熱アワー, Maze☆Bakunetsu Awā, trans. Maze: The Mega-Burst Hour), was broadcast on TBS Radio's Fantasy World (along with Dragon Hour) and Tokai Radio Broadcasting's Koichi Yamadera no Gap System from April 11, 1996 to January 20, 1997. The show was hosted by voice actors Sakura Tange and Tomokazu Seki. It was released in volumes on CD by BGM Victor.[26][27]
Paul Ward of Anime News Network gave the series a B-, saying, "There are lots of laughs to be had here; The animation here is very good, and consistent throughout the two episodes; the character designs are quite appealing, and a lot of bright colors are used, especially during the battle scenes. The Japanese voice actors are right on in their characters; there are a few higher-pitched voices here that might annoy some after a while, but for the most part, this is good voice acting. The English dub, by contrast, is rather flawed... the voices of Mill and Randy can get on your nerves rather quickly, and, as with most English dubs, the voices of most of the minor characters are leaden and uninspired. Most of the extras are DVD-ROM only, and the rating given is a bit deceiving based on content. Overall, this 2-episode OVA is mostly about one thing: making you laugh... the story isn't very complicated, nor does it try to be. The DVD release, while being flawed in some areas, is still a good buy, especially with the first TV episode included as a preview of things to come."[28]
Michael Predederva of Prede's Anime Reviews said, "The look of the show is very 80's inspired, but it is the music that convinces me that the entire production team was chronologically frozen in 1984 and thawed out in 1997 to make the thing. The show is also noteworthy for having the best ending theme ever made, which samples "Off the Wall" by Michael Jackson. The anime makes nods and references to anime series and Hollywood movies. In fact, its basic plot of a bunch of rebels trying to overthrow a cruel (but cool) Emperor is basically lifted straight from Star Wars (but instead of one Darth Vader there are two, Chic and Gorgeous who are even cooler and they never yell about podracing). I admit the show has a few gimmicks going on (some characters change genders, Ranchiki was Pico before there was Boku no Pico, and there's fanservice galore), but the story is entirely epic, the characters are likable and interesting, and it's well paced. Perhaps it's not the deepest thing ever, but it's a damn good show. It mixes fantasy and mecha elements together, but it also references The Wizard of Oz and pays homage to Slayers (head writer Katsumi Hasegawa was a writer for Slayers). The dub is also worth mentioning, it's probably Matlin Recording's best effort to date, although I'm sure Elisa Wain shouting, 'Big sister-brother!' or 'Ukyuu! Here we go!' haunts the dreams of many. It's a New York City dub, with some known actors, but plenty of unknowns. But the dub is far from a late era ADV dub, so don't expect perfection or anything."[17] Samantha Ferreira of Anime Herlad reviewed the series, saying, "Maze: The Mega-Burst Space is a series that could have been an utter disaster. It's laden with popular clichés, and isn’t above shamelessly borrowing from prominent properties. The animation is average at best, and the perverted humor often tip-toes just outside of the realms of "wrong". By some miracle, though, Maze was able to become something far greater. It's a charming fantasy adventure that treads its own unique path through the countless clichés. It's offbeat, quirky, and certainly not afraid to make fun of itself when needed."[29]
Carlos Ross of THEM Anime Reviews called the series a "silly fantasy" and a "genuine fan-service anime."[30] Daniel Kurland of CBR stated that the series was "a broad parody works well as a two-episode experiment", but criticized the story, saying that it did not work in a 25-episode format, with "its weaknesses becom[ing] more obvious".[31] Kara Dennison of Otaku USA said, "Between the weird story, the earworm ending theme, and how generally strange all the characters were… well, no, I can't account for my anime club on this one. But every group has that one show, right?"[32]
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