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Witchblade
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Animation - 8.4 |
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Sound - 8.1 |
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Story - 7.6 |
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Character - 8.3 |
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Value - 7.8 |
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Enjoyment - 8.4 |
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Average - 8.3 |
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| Average |
6.7 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| Witchblade - a weapon known to graft itself to those of the female persuasion, is said to bring immeasurable pleasure and destruction to those who wield it. I came into this series in light of the comic books created by Michael Turner (R.I.P.), as I was intrigued by the adventures and personality of Sara, the heroine of the comic book rendition. However, the anime interpretation of the story bears little similarity to this, taking it in a rather different direction.
The story takes place following the events of a massive disaster six years before, where among few survivors was a woman, Masane-san, and her daughter Rhioko, found in the midst of the Zero Point, the center of the disaster. Having lost her memory, Masane rears her daughter while staying on the run from child protection services that want to separate them. It isn't until she's imprisoned and faces an unnatural enemy when her abilities and link to the Witchblade are revealed.
Sounds interesting, no? It actually plays out as an interesting series, albeit a bit on the fanservice side of things, but never overdone (let's just say the main female characters are...well-endowed. Even Masane is often referred to by one character as "Masamune-san" XD) I kept thinking in my mind of Venus Versus Virus where the main character is in a berserker state and works for a secret organization which fights volatile monsters and puts them into place. Yet the series manages to be more than that in places because Masane's relationships with the other characters make it work, especially with her seemingly mature and cute daughter.
As for the storyline, it has its apt highs and dwindling periods. There are some points/turns in the story that you see coming a little bit before they strike, but it doesn't lessen the impact all that much. What makes it less than what it could be are those dawdling periods and some characters that are just downright annoying. I found that I didn't really find many of the Neo-cons all that developed to care about them or their struggles. They're good to watch in the midst of battle, and the series has decent action sequences to complement that, but as far as the character themeselves go, I found myself more invested in the domestic interactions of the mother/daughter dynamic and the characters who befriend them. That's what make some of the twists that come out of this series as potent as they are.
The ending of the series could have come across a little better than what it did, quite like peer series in the Gonzo franchise, but I found it hard to not be engaged in the series for what it was worth, it just takes its time building up to the greater point.
Animation standards are decent for its time, considering it fares a little better than most series in 2006, though I noted inconsistencies in the character designs at times. Cel production values and coloration were consistent for the most part, however. The action sequences are decent to watch, though not as fluid as some peer action series.
I loved the first opening to this series "XTC", it's a seductive yet romping opening that may take a bit to grow on vocally, but no doubt its OP sequence matches it well, as opposed to the second OP, which I didn't like at all. The first ending also excels over the second, having a sweet, beautiful piano accompaniment that reminds you of a lullaby. I think the soundtrack doesn't stand out much more than that, though it does have a nice set of BGM themes to work within, especially in the conflictive/revelation scenes of the series (I particularly liked the tense strings of the eyecatcher). Voice acting seems decent for the respective characters as well, I thought all did nice work though no one character stood out to me as particularly emboding more than the others.
All in all, Witchblade is one of those series that you can come into not expecting much and wanting to see a decent action series. It has one too many filler episodes in its measure, but for what it builds up to, it's worth at least watching once. I was able to enjoy it, particularly with respect to the nice character interactions and the sci-fi underpinnings, but I only wish it had built itself up a little better in the overall progression and made even the enemies a little more tangible.
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| Average |
8.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
8 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| Like kamakiri said, this should be renamed into a tittle that reflects the anime. This is actually a good anime, but not great anime. It has lots of talking and filler episodes that I don't think it should be 24 eps, more like 20 eps is enough.
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| Average |
7.8 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| Really, they should have named it "Titsblade"...
While this anime's overall story, with its sci-fi roots, good characters, and overall pacing is pretty good, the very obvious anatomy enhancement aspect of the activated Witchblade was so over the top that I found it distracting and laughable. I mean, just how well can a woman really fight with what, 68DDD's? Another good name possibility - "Eikenblade", for those who get the reference.
Anyway, a pretty solid anime, worth the look (and double-takes!).
A couple of spoilers possible in the optional fields...
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| Average |
10.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Another awesome show made by Gonzo. In this 24 episode series we follow the story about the witchblade, a dangerous weapon for times long past giving the user tremendous power.
Past experiences were disasterous resulting in mass mayhem and the destruction of the bearer.
Will history repeat itself of can this destructive power be turned into something good?
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| Average |
7.2 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
6 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
7 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| up to ep 08
Animation : up to the level of a 2006 anime. Detail level is good , but colors are average. contrast is a bit low.
Sound : Don't remember any good or bad thing. unremarquable but does not get in the way
Story : a pretty classic story of a woman with superpowers and big breast. The storyline is pretty fluid however and does not use any filler. decent level of suspense. Some fanservice. seems men belong to the weak side
Character : not bad for an action anime. Characters have different personalities and stand out one from another. it gives a certain depth to this anime. I expect further character development.
Value : should be fair as well. Worth to be bought. should be close to my own top 50
Enjoyment : not bad. I am looking forward to the next ep, although not with baited breath. THis anime worths getting in the top 200 and maybe the top 100 imho
I recommand any interested in action with a bit of S/F and nice women give a try.
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0 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
0 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
0 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| For those of you who know the American comic, this is not Witchblade with NYPD female cop Sara Pezzini...actually, this is a totally new arc in Witchblade. So, sorry folks, no hot, yet slobbish Sara as Witchblade here.
Despite that...this anime looks promising. As of June 3, three episodes have been fansubbed...
Wiki has this to say about the series:
"The lead character (and new blade wielder) is the kind-hearted Masane who, despite her good intentions, is fairly clumsy and not good around the house. After the events of an earthquake that struck her home 6 years before the series "year zero", Masane has no recollection of her past previous to this date. When she comes into contact with the Witchblade, Masane also finds herself under the watchful eye of an organisation called the NSWF (National Scientific Welfare Foundation), and struggles to hold onto her daughter Rihoko, whom the government is trying to take from her."
So far, I have enjoyed this series...three episodes in. Read the rest of my review for more info...
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0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
0 |
| Character |
0 |
| Value |
0 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Although I've only seen 1 episode, I have a good feeling about this one.
The animation is well done, and one should probably expect nothing less from Gonzo Digimation. Soundtrack also has a good vibe to it.
As for for anything except enjoyment, it's hard to say anything. It's rumored that it will have 26 eps, something that hopefully will give a fastpaced episodes, and the story seems to be solid, even if few details have been given.
I definitively have a good feeling about this one. (Even though, I think there is a bit too much fanservice).
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