Labyrinth of Flames DVD

Galan is a Russian college student with one driving passion in life: samurai. Not actual historical samurai — the romanticized, movie-poster version, with honor and steel and dramatic stances. He practices kendo, he watches period dramas, he is, by most measures, a complete dork about it. His friend Natsu, the elegant Japanese girl he's been quietly in love with, one day presents him with a real ancient sword as a gift. This, as it turns out, is a marriage proposal. It also inadvertently activates the sword's connection to a hidden pocket kingdom called Labyrinth IV — a secret city-state founded by Japanese Edo-period exiles who fled to Russia generations ago and preserved their culture in isolation — which promptly sends a squadron of very well-armed, very attractive women to retrieve both the sword and Natsu at any cost. Galan, who has never been in an actual fight in his life, finds himself in the middle of one immediately.

Labyrinth of Flames is a two-episode action comedy OVA from Studio Fantasia directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima — the man behind Agent Aika and Project A-ko — and it wears its influences clearly: fast-paced comedic timing, enthusiastic fan service, a hapless male lead surrounded by capable and beautiful women, and just enough genuine samurai-flavored action to keep things moving. It's lean, energetic, and doesn't overstay its welcome.

Released in North America by Central Park Media under the US Manga Corps label in 2002.

Notable Staff & Voice Talent

Director: Katsuhiko Nishijima (Agent Aika, Project A-ko)
Screenplay: Kenichi Kanemaki
Studio: Studio Fantasia

Cast:
- Koichi Tochika as Galan
- Yuki Masuda as Natsu Aoi
- Yukari Tamura as Kasumi (A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, Vandread)
- Mami Kanatsuki as Carrie White
- Susumu Chiba as Datenoshin (Ceres, AD Police)
- Ruri Asano as Nastassja Nijinsky
- Shozo Iizuka as Shigemitsu Aoi

DVD Features

- Textless Opening & Closing Animations
- Art Gallery
- Character Sketches
- Original Japanese Trailer
- Behind the Scenes Madness! — Director & Character Designer Interview
- Cast & Production List
- DVD-ROM: Art Gallery, Scripts, Cast & Production Credits, Sketches, Director Interview