The Legend of Condor Hero

*Reviewed by Blinx

Finally Jin Yong's classic novel has been turned into an animated gem! The cartoon follows the story of Jin Yong's book, "The Return of the Condor Heroes", but I don't know why they named it "The Legend of Condor Hero".

I think the animation quality of this cartoon is impressive, and the charecters drawn are crisp and detailed. The fighting sequences are cheesy but some fight scenes are good, such as when Yeung Guor and Xiao Lung Nu are using 'tinn lor dey mon sai' against the Golden Wheel Monk.

The music is good, espcially the opening theme sung by Andy Lau; the ending song is a soothing Japanese folk type song but it fits in well with the credits. The storyline portrayed in "The Legend of Condor Hero" is brilliant, compelling and addictive, I just couldn't stop watching it!

I thought the last episode was rather sad because Yeung Guor is poisoned by the 'Ching Fa' (Love Flower). It shows Yeung Gor and Xiao Lung Nu heading back to the tomb on a boat and you get to see all the events which follow up to them now. I thought the music in that scene was touching and emotional.

The total length is a bit short to be honest, 26 episodes, 20 minutes each episode -- which I think is rather dissapointing. But I've heard that this is only the first half of the story and Nippon Animation is producing the second half!

This series has lots of action and love throughout it. At first I thought the love would be all mushy and corny, but it proved me wrong, because this cartoon made me feel Yeung Guor's pain when Xiao Lung Nu ran away.

Animation - 8
Sound, Music - 9
Story - 10

Overall, I think this is a great series, with a gripping story line, smooth animation, and good music to make this an all time classic!

Official site:
http://www.nipponanimation.com/
source:www.spcnet.tv