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 Copyright © 2000 Pioneer
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—by Eric "Scanner" Luce
Many fantasy-world anime begin with heroes who are about to be pulled into a foreign world going about their regular world life, providing something to show that they were normal people. When they first arrive in the fantasy realm, they are shocked and confused about the strange world they have been dragged to, usually against their will. In STRANGE DAWN our two unlikely heroines
are not given such treatment. The show starts with Eri and Yuko walking in a strange land. Eri, the less sure of
the two, keeps trying to make small talk about the homework they were supposed to do. Yuko bluntly puts off her
attempts to talk. Obviously these two did not know each other well before now.As Eri wonders if she said something to annoy Yuko, a flying thing runs into Yuko from behind and a
small figure falls off of it. Yuko and Eri wonder what it is. It looks like some small stuffed doll. Eri cautions
Yuko to be careful, but Yuko does not think one has to be careful of doll. Suddenly its eyes open, giving both it
and the girls a fright.The little figure pulls out his sword and waves it wildly around, trying to run away. From behind, the
girls are pelted by a barrage of little rocks. A small attacking force of these "dolls" on flying creatures
attack Yuko and Eri. One of the little men shoots Yuko in the leg while she was fleeing. Eri stares at the
oncoming attacker, frozen like a deer staring at headlights. Luckily, someone comes to the two girls' rescue.After scaring off the attackers, Sharu introduces himself and welcomes the two "magicians" to his
village. Yuko and Eri are immobilized, staring at him, wondering about how he can speak. Yuko wonders if he is
alive. Sharu responds by saying "this is the first time you have seen a person, isn't it?" "A person?!"At that moment, Chogu and Berey show up wondering if everything is okay. Sharu replies that everything
is fine, and that they should head back. However, Chogu and Berey are now frozen in awe at the sight of the
magicians, fully three times their own height!Back at the village of Belzergle, everyone is preparing excitedly for the arrival of the magicians.
They wonder what kind of food they like, what kind of people are they? Reika's father, the village elder, is
extremely nervous over their arrival at their village.That evening all the villagers are gathered. A row of torches several times their height lines the path
to the village. In the dark, they see the returning Sharu. Suddenly, they see towering behind him the mysterious
magicians. Yuko and Eri pause as they see the village. Yuko demands to be told what is going on. Sharu explains
that it is the welcoming celebration for them. The villagers have been waiting for their arrival. Yuko wants to
know what he is talking about.Yuko, getting more and more angry, tells everyone to wait and be quiet and demands to know what is going
on. Reika's father is at a loss for how to appease the furious magician. He explains that they are celebrating the
arrival of the magicians that will protect their village! The dancing and music in the background has stalled,
unsure of how to react to Yuko's temper.Eri tries to tell Yuko to relax and see what they are talking about. Yuko starts shouting at her, asking
why she should relax, why are they asking them to protect the village? Just what is going on here? Sharu politically
interjects that it is evening. They should come and spend the night before deciding what to do.Later that night, in their specially prepared house, Yuko wants to know what the small people were
calling them. Eri says "magicians?" Yuko wonders what is that all about. As Sharu arrives to talk to them, we see
a small band of soldiers sneaking up to attack the village.As Reika and Mani serve them food and Reika's father nervously watches, Sharu explains that in time of
need magicians are summoned to fight for them. Yuko is nonplussed. "Fight for you? How? This is none of our
business! Send us home or show us how to go home!" Sharu replies that, unfortunately, they are unable to do this.As the discussion continues, the enemies, apparently from Bergedane, attack. Sharu tells Berey and Chogu
to protect Yuko and Eri. Daru, another soldier, is surprised — why are they protecting the magicians instead
of having them protect the town?Many elements of the story appear to be quite common: high school students are pulled into a strange
universe to become rescuers with undiscovered powers. However, Eri and Yuko appear to have no special abilities.
This is different from a lot of series that try to get in the obligatory special ability per episode. With only
13 episodes, it is definitely restricted to a quick story. One has to wonder who pulled Eri
and Yuko here? How did the people of Belzergle know that they were coming? How did they know they would be so
tall? What is this war that Berzergle is caught in the middle of? In the first episode many intriguing details
are shown. So despite the cute appearance of the cast and the simplistic-seeming story, it promises to be a fun
and interesting tale to watch.The animation quality is on par with many of the higher quality TV shows airing
now. The music has a captivating quality—especially the OP "Sora he" ("To The Sky.")
These all come together to produce a show that rises beyond its setting. With only 13
episodes, it is also short enough so it does not overstay its 
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