Now that El-Hazard has been released onto DVD in the US, there's really no reason for you (if you live in the US) to not see this title, unless you prefer a more romantic or angsty anime. If you are male and between the ages 13 and 18, this is a "must see" (otherwise, I would rate this as "highly recommended.")

The package itself is very nice--a cardboard box instead of the annoying plastic box that Pioneer likes to use on their other box sets. I don't like the disc anchors (too tight when it's new and too loose when it's old), but it is otherwise an excellent fold-out case.

The audio quality is very good and I have no complaints about the video. This title played fine on both my PS2 and on my Toshiba DVD-ROM. The menus are easy to use, and there's quite a few extras to keep all the model sheet and misc. artwork fans happy. I was embarrassed by the awful ending music they used in episodes 2-6 in the first OVA, but (aside from that) I was very impressed by the production quality.

The box contains three discs--the first two contain the seven episodes of the first OVA, and the third disc contains the four episodes of the second OVA. The box also contains a booklet with art, chapter titles, and credits.

The first episode and the seventh episode are about 45 minutes each, and the second through sixth episodes are about 25 minutes each.

The characters:

First, there is Makoto Mizuhara, a young man somewhat reminiscent of Tenchi Masaki (for all you Tenchi Muyo! fans), but really a lot more like Keiichi Morisato (for all you Oh My Goddess! fans). Like Tenchi, Makoto is very moderate in all his personality traits, but he is quite a bit more considerate and less irritable than Tenchi. Like Keiichi, Makoto is far more sympathetic. Unlike Tenchi, he has trouble hiding his feelings, but like Tenchi, he always seems to be an inexplicable babe-magnet.
Second, there is everybody's favorite character: Masamichi Fujisawa (or "sensei" to those who know him). Mr. Fujisawa is a very playful kind of Popeye character--able to complain one moment, then enjoy himself immensely the next. His cartoonish qualities are one of the joys of this series, and make the dramatic moments quite a bit more light-hearted.

Next, there is perpetually wicked Katsuhiko Jinnai. His fierce, determined, egotistical tirades are so over-the-top, that even a Disney movie villain pales in comparison. His tirades, blustering and even bloody at times, are strangely endearing. His blend of crude wisdom and blunt obtuseness make him a very entertaining villain.

Lastly, there is the harem. Many of these characters are thinly masked tomboys--the most tomboyish of them being Nanami Jinnai and Shayla-Shayla (who are also the most attracted to Makoto in most of the episodes). We only see some of the women in this series glancingly (like the mysterious Bugrom Queen Diva or the princess Rune Venus).
The only major character who acts feminine is Ifurita (the "Demon God" who destroys entire cities).

To me, Miz Mishtal, Afura Mann, and Shayla-Shayla are strongly reminiscent of Kasumi, Nabiki, and Akane (of Ranma 1/2). They also happen to be the priestesses (listed in their proper birth order, I might add). If you've seen Ranma 1/2, I'm sure you'll find them very familiar.

The settings:

The story starts out in a typical Japanese setting, but it quickly moves to an exotic, Arabian-style wilderness. Everything about this story says Turkish/Arabic adventure-- from the Turkish outfits and architecture, to the desert landscapes, and sweeping Arabian-style music (at the end of episode 1 and the start of the other episodes).
Even in the land of the Bugrom, the desert is marred by giant mushroom-like hives, but it is still desert.
The palaces and temples are elaborate, but not so elaborate that they upset the pace. Each grand structure seems to embrace the landscape with purpose, conveying exactly the character of the people who inhabit it.

The only thing confusing about El-Hazard is the presentation of the Shadow realm--a disconnected, unconvincing side of the story. I was also a little disconcerted by the "Eye of God" (which seemed a little too much like the "Death Star" from Star Wars). These are both fairly minor complaints, though.

The story:

If there is a weakness in El-Hazard, it is the narrow, somewhat linear plot lines and the predictable conflicts. Of course, having realized right away that this story was never intended to be very deep, I never let that bother me. To me, this is just a fun story that doesn't take itself too seriously, and neither should you.

So, if you've heard that El-Hazard 2 is not worth seeing, then I would suggest that you not listen to that advice. I'm recommending the much criticized OVA 2, as well, mainly for the reason stated above: I don't believe this story was ever intended to be taken seriously.

Now, I admit that El-Hazard 2 is not as artistic and as detailed as the first El-Hazard, but that's a very minor complaint. If you found the first OVA entertaining, you should find the second one entertaining, as well.

The final word:

If you're looking for a comedy that is also adventure and drama, then El-Hazard is for you. It could never win awards for its content, but I promise that unless you dislike boyish shenanigans you will find this show very amusing.