Yuri Anime Review: Queen's Blade Season 1 Blu-Ray

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***SPOILERS AHEAD!***

A 2009 ecchi anime series, Queen's Blade is actually an adaptation of a series of visual combat books of the same name. The story takes place on the continent of Gainos where every four years a tournament known as Queen's Blade is held to determine which woman will rule the continent next. We follow Leina Vance as she sets out from her kingdom to avoid becoming it's next countess as well as to become a powerful warrior like her mother. Along the way she encounters(and fights) several powerful and unique women who all vie for a chance to become queen! Needles to say this anime has a massive cast of powerful and beautiful women and almost all of them a lovable! From all-powerful warriors like Claudette Vance(Leina's oldest sister), to a scheming and silly angel Nanael, to the shapeshiffting Melona(who shoots acid from her breasts :D). 

Leina Vance

Elina Vance

Claudette Vance

 Melona

 Risty

 Nanael

 Shizuka

 Tomoe

 Echidna

 Menace

 Airi

 Nowa

Alleyne

 Irma

 Ymir

 Cattleya

 Aldra(current queen)

Melpha

Like I said, pretty big cast! O.O Despite this all characters get there chance in the spotlight as we learn about there personalities, desire, and reasons for fighting in the Queen's Blade. Of course some of the girls are still more interesting than others. :P The action itself is pretty decent. Some fights are more interesting than others but overall they could have done a bit more with the fight scenes. Not too bad, but needs some improvement. 

Perhaps best of all about this series(for me anyway :D) is the fanservice! There is a TON of female nudity, panty shots, suggestive poses and more throughout the series! Queen's Blade practically heads into hentai territory at times! XD Of course for some the copious amounts of service may be off putting so it is not a series for everyone. 

Just a sample! You're welcome! :)

Of course since this anime has an all female cast there is sure to be some yuri! Thankfully it is not just played for service. Several of the girls have real feeling for each other and slowly develop there relationship over time, especially in season 2(more on that season later). Of course some of the yuri is just for pure sully fun like Leina's lustful younger sister Elina!

*Note: Yuri Pairings in Queen's Blade I support!

-Leina x Risty

-Echidna x Leina

-Tomoe x Shizuka

-Elina x Leina

-Airi x just about anybody

-Nowa x Alleyne 

And this being a fanservice laden series there has to be yuri kisses! Three to be in fact!

Giggity :D

To top it off the voice cast includes several top notch seiyuu(including several who have voiced legendary yuri characters) including Kawasumi Ayako, Mamiko Noto, Hitomi Nabatame, and Hirano Aya. 

As the the US blu-ray release itself....color me impressed. The picture quality is pretty amazing and looks great on a high definition dislpay. The sound is good provided you have surround sound. The price is not too shabby either! $30 for all 12 episode of season 1 plus the bonus ova extras is a pretty sweet deal! Sadly I did no listen to the dub. I'm a sub person all the way!

Overall The first season of Queen's Blade is pretty good. We learn about the world and the characters at a decent pace, the animation quality is good, the fanservice and yuri  is fun! The only knocks against it is the ok action sequences and the fanservice is not for everyone. But for everyone else It is one fun series!

Queen's Blade Season 1 overall score: 8.5/10

Queen's Blade Season 1 Yuri score: 9/10

----------FanBoy