Le Portrait de Petite Cossette Anime Review

Le Portrait de Petite Cossette
Geneon
Complete Collection - 1 disc
111 mins. - 3 episodes
$29.98 (2005)
$19.98 (2010)
ISBN 013023259294
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Akiyuki Shinbo
Studio - Daume

Synopsis: Eiri Kurahashi is a talented art student who works at an antiques shop for his uncle where he appreciates many of the fine works.  One work in particular has captured his full attention - a beautiful 18th century ornate glass.  He is shocked and amazed to discover the reflection of an enchanting young girl within the glass itself. 

Her name is Cossette and she was brutally murdered by someone she cared for. Now Eiri is uncontrollably drawn to Cossette and her existence consumes his every waking moment.  She died in a horrible state of betrayal and the objects close to her became filled with vengeful spirits.  They are now dangerous antiques which can cause serious harm to the living.

Eiri becomes obsessed with the image emanating
from this ornate, antique glass

Eiri's obsession threatens to destroy him, but his friends and many female admirers (he's popular with the ladies) notice his absence.  They search him out to help him although it may be too late judging from the his distressed state.  What link does he have with Cossette's murderer and why does he love her so devotedly?  

Cossette appears and snares Eiri's heart

Shoko is his best friend and secretly in love with him, but Eiri callously shuns her well-meaning (if jealous) help.  Several other women come to his aid including a doctor, a psychic, and a priestess.  They vow to stop whatever is afflicting Eiri, but it may be too powerful for them to defeat.  

Shoko comes to the shop to check on Eiri and finds him
in a state of deep melancholy

Cossette is not merely a pretty spirit - she has an agenda for Eiri and it may involve eternal torment.  Can his friends stop the poisonous relationship with Cossette before he is forever lost?

Eiri paints a chilling portrait in blood!

Pros: Some nice animation/visuals - very surreal/art house style, bit creepy, more mature than your typical action/mecha/ninja anime, nice twist at the end, tons of cool extras including cast interviews, trailers, and a music video

The psychic senses a massing of malevolent forces

Cons: Eiri was not a likable protagonist, his love with Cossette was slightly annoying, odd story and very slow, music was bland (sorry to those who actually enjoyed it), relatively short despite the slow story progression (maybe it felt short because the story didn't move along very much), a lot of confusing bits, some mild "lolicon" - the Japanese version of the Lolita Complex where underage girls are portrayed in sexually suggestive poses, clothing or situations

Cossette is a fetching ghost

Mike Tells It Straight: Le Portrait de Petite Cossette is a dark, moody show with some neat animation and a creepy storyline.  I liked a lot of the visuals although they often became too abstract.  Loved the scene where some foreground reeds blowing in the wind slowly transformed into forked snake tongues.  The creators put a lot of effort into making a modern tale of obsession centered around a gothic lolita.  

Cossette soon haunts Eiri in every reflective surface he sees
with no escape in sight

The main characters were not so endearing (Eiri and Cossette) and their discussions were boring.  Mostly the obsessed Eiri pining after Cossette who strings him along.  Kinda glad the show was only three episodes.  I liked Eiri's harem of women who tried to save him more than the main characters.  

I'm not sure what's going down here, but it
can't be good for Eiri or the world of the living

I was expecting a little more drama and coherent story from this show, but it fell into a weird anime trap with monsters screaming and a bunch of weird visuals.  A little alternative for my tastes, but I probably would have dug it more back when I listened to KMFDM and NIN in high school.  

Cossette toys with Eiri's fragile heart to get her way

Overall a very slick visual story with a lot of potential, but I feel it went a bit over-the-top on surreal horror scenes.  Worth a watch if you're into haunting tales of love-obsession and abstract artwork, but not really a keeper.  


TO BUY and Recommendations:

Popotan Anime Review

Popotan
Geneon (Pioneer)
Complete Collection - 3 discs
300 mins. - 12 episodes
$34.98 (2007)
$29.98 (2009)
ISBN 013023295292
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Shinichiro Kimura
Studio - Shaft

Synopsis: A magical house mysteriously appears outside of town and is rumored to be haunted.  A young boy musters his courage and enters the house to investigate.  Instead of finding ghosts he accidentally barges in on a naked young lady after her bath!  He discovers the house is inhabited by three lovely sisters, their maid, and a feisty little ferret.  They befriend him, but soon thereafter the house and sisters disappear.

We follow the sisters as their magical house travels through space and time on a search for an enigmatic young woman.  At each place the sisters converse with 'popotan' (dandelions) and find clues to the whereabouts of the young woman.  The sisters also make friends and help people at each place, but are forced to abrubtly abandon their friendships when the house transports. 

Mai, Mii, Ai, Unagi and the mystery girl

Their quest becomes increasingly difficult as the sisters continuously leave friends behind.  They move forward in time and witness the negative results of their departures on those left behind.  Can the sisters maintain their quest despite the grueling emotional challenges they face? 

List of characters residing in the house and participating in the quest:

• Ai - the oldest sister who wears glasses, has large boobs, cooks terribly, has the ability to speak to the 'popotan', has an easygoing nature, but is too accomodating and will let people walk all over her
• Mai - the middle sister who is more athletic, has small breasts (and is constantly reminded of this fact by her younger sister), is tomboyish, has the hardest time dealing with leaving her friends behind each time the house travels
• Mii - the youngest sister who cosplays as 'Magical Girl Mii', is obsessed with rubbing her face on anything 'puffy' including people's cheeks and especially breasts (particularly Ai's)
• Mea - the sisters' maid, is apparently an android showing very little emotion, has small breasts like Mai, a voracious appetite, and is a skilled fighter
• Unagi - the sisters' pet white female ferret, she can apparently transform into human form, and likes to hang out in between Ai's breasts (because they are warm and soft)

Pros: Lots of fan-service/nudity - the girls take a lot of baths together (at least once an episode), opening/ending theme songs are really catchy (especially the ending song), good soundtrack, trip to the hot springs episode, nice theme of valuing your friendships with other people


Mii loves her 'puffies' at bath time! 

Cons: Nothing is really explained about the ultimate purpose of the sisters' quest or the convention of how the magic works, character designs are a little bland, the youngest sister Mii is shown naked quite a bit - lolicon (see explanation below) and could be offensive to some viewers

Mike Tells It Straight: Based on an adult-themed computer game (a visual novel with decision points varying the plot), Popotan has a storied and successful history in Japan.  The video game's protagonist was a wandering guitar player who rents a room with the sisters and his goal in the game is to have sexual encounters with all of them (and then unlock a couple more girls for him to have sexual encounters with).  Yeah, this doesn't happen in the anime. 

Instead we get a show with heavy fan-service and a minor lolicon character in Mii.  Lolicon is the Japanese version of the "Lolita complex" where underage girls are portrayed in sexually suggestive poses, clothing or situations.  Mii runs around naked in the bath, talks about and rubs her face on 'puffies' (boobs) a few times.  This could be offensive to some viewers and if you're one of them - the show is not for you.  Be glad Mii doesn't act the same in the anime as in the video game (which will never be released in the US). 



This dance became an internet phenomenon. Try it! 

 As far as I can tell this show is for introverted, adult males (otaku) based on the source material (a video game where you get to score with girls).  It really doesn't explain much about the setup for the story - the girls just keep jumping to a few different places and forward in time.  The game goes into a lot more detail, but first-time viewers are not given any backstory. 

I almost gave up watching this show after the first few episodes because it seemed ridiculous.  Every episode the girls talk to flowers, take nude baths together and then disappear.  Sticking it out was a good thing as the story progressed beyond the mere fan-service vehicle it seemed into a poignant tale of caring for ones friends.  The message was heartfelt, but I didn't really care about any of the characters except Mai.  She was the most interesting and showed genuine emotional loss at the forced abandonment of her new friends.

The progression of time and effect the sisters' relationships have on other people was done well as everything interlaced quite nicely.  I loved the ending theme song too - it was super-catchy.  This show had some good points, a lot of mediocre bits, and gets a fair recommendation.  It won't blow your socks off (maybe that happens in the video game), but you'll probably enjoy some of it. 

TO BUY and Recommendations:
   

Strike Witches Season One Anime Review

Strike Witches Season One
Funimation
Complete Collection - 2 discs
300 min. - 12 episodes
$59.98 (2010)
$49.98 (2011)
ISBN 704400011900
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Kazuhiro Takamura
Studio - Gonzo

Synopsis: It is 1944 and the world is threatened by an extraterrestrial threat called the Neuroi - unidentified flying objects which have destroyed and occupied much of Europe.  The national armed forces of the world have united to fight the alien threat, but conventional warfare has proven useless.  Instead the magical abilities of young women have been put to military application and give the world a fighting chance. 

The Witches' powers include enhanced strength, tracking, telekinesis, a deflector shield, healing, and a myriad of others.  Each Witch manifests dog ears and a tail when using their powers.  Scientists have developed the Striker Unit for the Witches' use - a hybrid magical/mechanical propeller device worn as a pair on the Witches' legs.  The Striker Units allow Witches high-speed, maneuverable flight capabilities and may only be used by highly adept Witches in their prime (typically below age 20).  The units also enhance the magical abilities of the Witches.

Each Witch possesses a unique Striker Unit based on airplanes from their home country.  Because the units affix to the legs of the Witches, require a high amount of skin-to-machinery contact, and due to the unpredictable attacks of the Neuroi, the Witches have stopped wearing pants as part of their military uniforms.  The lack of pants allows them to quickly don their units and race into battle.

We first meet Yoshika Miyafuji, a witch with powerful healing abilities, as she is recruited into the 501st Joint Fighter Wing aka the Strike Witches.  Her father was a prominent scientist and largely responsible for creating the Striker Units, but died in the war.  She is anti-war, but wants to help protect those who fight the Neuroi.  Does she have what it takes to become a Witch and what secret is the military harboring which may affect the future of the Witches?

List of Strike Witches:

• Yoshika Miyafuji (Mitsubishi A6M Zero) - Japanese, healing abilities, father created Striker Units, peaceful and cares greatly for the welfare of others
• Mio Sakamoto (Mitsubishi A6M Zero) - Japanese, veteran fighter of the Neuroi, chief trainer of the Witches, wears an eyepatch over her magical eye (enhanced sight)
• Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke (Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2) - German, enhanced spatial awareness, ranking officer of the 501st, lost her lover during the war and afraid of losing those close to her
• Lynette Bishop (Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX) - British, superpowered magical shots and sharpshooting, becomes best friends with Miyafuji, sometimes clumsy
• Perrine-H. Clostermann (Arsenal VG-39) - French, lightning spell, emotionally traumatized by the Neuroi destruction of her homeland, has a huge crush on Sakamoto, highly jealous of Miyafuji because of Sakamoto's time spent training her
• Erica Hartmann (Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6) - German, wind-based spell to distrupt enemies, a flying ace, only serious when the situation calls for it, panty stealer
• Gertrude Barkhorn (Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-6 Prototype) - German, enhanced physical strength, has a younger sister injured in a Neuroi attack who resembles Miyafuji
• Francesca Lucchini (Fiat G.55 Centauro) - Italian, pinpoint energy burst, childish and self-indulgent, enjoys naps, friends with Yeager
• Charlotte Yeager (North American P-51D Mustang) - American, superior speed abilities, tall and buxom, neat freak, obsessed with speed and broke land-speed record on a motorcycle
• Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen (Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4) - Finnish, precognitive abilities, mischievous, possessive of Litvyak
• Sanya V. Litvyak (MiG-60) - Russian, enhanced spatial awareness and intercepts hard to detect signals (like radio waves), flies the night patrol

Pros: Excellent animation, tons of fan-service, some nudity during extended bath scenes, Striker units are pretty cool and modelled after actual WWII fighter planes, this show was obsessed with panty shots

Aerial group hug panty shot maneuver

Cons: Neuroi are a bland plot foil - generic alien enemy for the Witches to fight, excessive panty shots (I can't believe I just wrote that), girls appear very young - kinda pervy if you add in the panty shots (although perfect if you're a teenager), lolicon (see explanation below) - may be offensive to some viewers

Mike Tells It Straight: This show literally felt like one long fan-service panty shot.  Good animation, some character development, and a heaping dose of young, barely-clothed girls loosely wrapped in a paper-thin plot.  The Strike Witches evolved from a series of illustrations by Humikane Shimada depicting kawaii (super-cute) teen girls combined with WWII era military airplanes.  The idea became popular and a series of novels/manga was created prior to this anime series along with some video games.   



The Witches celebrate another victory...over pants

The fan-service was very well done (pretty much the show's main focus) and the character interactions were entertaining, but the plot was an afterthought.  The girls themselves were prime examples of "Lolicon" the Japanese version of the "Lolita complex" where underage girls are portrayed in sexually suggestive poses, clothing or situations.  The loli's could be offensive to some viewers (i.e. your parents). 



Bathtime is fun time for Perrine



If you're looking for panty shots and nudity with a sparse plot then park your rear.  Want a good story with some depth?  Not happening here - pass on by.  Miyafuji's character development was a tiny diamond in the rough, but not enough to carry the show.  Seriously, there is only one reason to watch this show - hot young girls allergic to pants. 

TO BUY and Recommendations:

   

Dance in the Vampire Bund Anime Review

Dance in the Vampire Bund
Funimation
Complete Collection - 4 discs
300 min. - 12 episodes
$64.98 (2011) DVD/Blu-Ray
$69.98 (2011) Blu-Ray
ISBN: 704400013034
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Akiyuki Shinbo
Studio - Shaft

Synopsis: Vampires are real and Mina Tepes is their queen!  She reveals the existence of the vampire race on live television in spectacularly dramatic fashion.  Don't let her tween looks fool you - she's calculating and ruthless, but has a soft spot for third-year high school student Akira Kusaragi.  One year ago he had an accident and lost his memory including a childhood promise given to Mina to always stay by her side. 


That's highly inappropriate



Now she's turned his life upside down and nothing will ever be the same!  Despite being many centuries old Mina still acts like an impetuous child at times.  She has a lofty goal to establish 'The Bund' on a small island off Japan - a sanctuary for vampires and especially 'fangless' vampires (those choosing to remove their fangs and attempt to live normal human lives).  Her position as queen of the vampires is highly political and she must deal with vampire terrorist groups, 'true blood' aristocratic vampire nobles, and human politicians trying to block establishment of 'The Bund'.

Akira must regain his memory in order to save Mina and along the way discovers an affinity which startles him greatly.  She wrecks his school life, wears inappropriate clothing, and gets jealous of his girl friend Yuki.  All the while a dense political scheme grinds in the background with an explosive finish.

Pros: Great animation, good opening/ending theme songs & visuals, some fan-service, very brief nudity, good mix of modern with old vampire lore, relationship of Mina and Akira is touching and well-played, nice action scenes, unedited as far as I can tell

That's even more inappropriate

Cons: Differs from the original manga version (which is ten times racier), Mina's body is that of a barely pubescent girl and it's a little pervy to watch her, high school girl shows inappropriate feelings for young boy neighbor, first episode is actually pretty awful (it gets better in episode 2), pricey



Mike Tells It Straight: This show is one of the best vampire-themed anime you'll find.  It feels vibrant and hip, but naughty as well.  There is plenty of action and good characterization - the story progresses and secrets are revealed.  Great visual animation style and production values.  Although I've never heard of the anime studio Shaft it's pretty good.    I would rank this up there with Blood+ (another highly popular, but much longer vampire anime), but prefer the Bund because the characters have actual personalities. 



Lolicon - get it?



Why is this anime not for everyone?  "Lolicon" - the Japanese version of the "Lolita complex" where underage girls are portrayed in sexually suggestive poses, clothing or situations.  Mina's character is many centuries old, but inhabits the body of a child - a thinly-veiled excuse for lolicon and potentially offensive to viewers.  Reminds me of the character Claudia in Interview with the Vampire (portrayed by Kirsten Dunst in the movie). 

 

I thought Mina's sexual ambiguity was a risk that paid off for the producers.  Vampires are portrayed as dangerous and sexy - what better way to push the envelope than having a lolicon queen of the vampires?  It gave the love shared between her and Akira a poignant quality.  Overall much better than I expected, not for the squeamish, and absolutely not for the kiddies. 

TO BUY and Recommendations: