Tales of Symphonia

Both of these games are based off RPG video games. The characters come and go, like in video games, but everyone is linked. These shows are both cheery most of the time, but are full of battles, magic, and more serious situations.

Arren and Colette are barely out of childhood, yet the fate of their universes lies in their young hands. Journeying through new and strange lands, not only will they discover more about their worlds but also will learn to understand more about themselves, and of the importance of friendship. From desert landscapes and vast forests, to mighty seas and vast ruins, both Anime really try to give a graphic impression of the size and variety of these two worlds.

In Kratos (Tales of Symphonia) and Sparrowhawk (Gedo Senki) we have two mentor figures who also have an initially undisclosed and mysterious past. Are their interests complementary to, or in conflict with, Arren and Colette's goals? As the story progresses our main characters combine with a good friend to create a strong boy-girl partnership, with Colette finding comfort in childhood friend Lloyd, and Arren meeting Therru. Both of these girls, Colette and Therru, share something in common central to the main storyline, which can not be disclosed here without spoiling the plot. There is also a great sense of 'Innocence Lost', with both Arren and Colette having to face up to a life very different from the one they had known so recently, but have had to move away from for various reasons. Ultimately, it is the strength of their friendships that will greatly help in determining the outcome of these Tales

Do you like a slice of comedy with your Anime? Some clumsy characters with a pinch of innocence, but you also still want a good dose of action? Then you should find Disgaea and Tales of Symphonia are just your kind of thing. Set in fantasy worlds of Gods and Demons, our main protagonists are Lloyd (Symphonia) and Laharl (Disgaea) and although these two don't seem have an awful lot in common, other than that they are young, eager and sword-wielding, there is enough elsewhere for us to draw favorable comparisons. Indeed, Lloyd and Laharl seem to come from different ends of the spectrum - one is a young man who wants to prove himself as a swordsman ad friend, and the other is the Prince of Darkness. Yet Lloyd will have to get tough, and Laharl will have to learn kindness, if they are to succeed in their quests.

A whole host of supporting characters and monsters will be on show, and the various locations - from the Netherworld to deserts and Grand Palaces - look colorful and vibrant. The clumsy element in both stories comes from a young girl - Flonne is the innocent waif in Disgaea and Colette is our sweet little thing in Symphonia. Both are prone to frequently tripping up and generally getting in the way of things (as they also are in the related console RPG games), but at the end of the day they will both need their friends to come through for them in their hour of desperation.