Fewer action sequences and eerily music-less scenes open up the philosophical aspects of the story. A mounting anticipation for an all out war, though, keeps it from losing its action-film edge.

Even more than in previous episodes, Hayami's convictions leap from one side of the spectrum to the other. He finally latches on to an ideal in stark contrast to the feelings of the Blue 6 crew.

Director Mahiro Maeda's team doesn't need action sequences to showcase their impressive command over the art of computer animation. Majestic shots of submarines maneuvering tight ice canals and a musuca recoiling from a fatal torpedo wound highlight the meat and potatoes progress of the story.

A fair amount of cheesy scenes get like treatment in the dub, but otherwise an incredible job. The disparity between the dub script and the subtitles exposes the gross shortcomings of the latter.

The trademark Bandai trailer option serves up a glance at new releases, but otherwise the DVD extras amount to very little. And for a thirty minute episode, the DVD does very little to justify the cost.

Some nudity and the emotionally draining death of a musuca, blood rushing out of his body like waterfalls, staining the ocean red, can be a bit much for more youthful sensibilities.