I picked up the first three tapes on VHS on a whim. I'm an avid anime fan, and after watching those three tapes, I knew I had to have the rest of the series. At first, I thought it might be a little ecchi, but it turns out to have a deep, and very thought-provoking storyline, and simply amazing battle sequences and character interactions. This series is a MUST for any anime fan. The 2nd stage was difficult for me to find, as I had to end up purchasing it on online, since no local vendors had it. However, it was well-worth the time and effort, as the finale of the series is simply stunning. Hibiki's trials through the series makes him as realistic and lovable as any character.