Here’s one for the Buffy fans still mourning the end of their series. Utilising the Gothic theme that is so often disregarded in animé, Robin is riddled with both the old and new, merging traditional with technology to create an overall fairly impressive series.
The STN is a secret worldwide organisation for dispatching the witch threat from the world’s gene pool. Scientists have found the gene that contains the power of witchcraft, and while most of the world are ‘unawakened’, those that have realised their power must be stopped from harming others.
"Be careful… something’s gnawing on my brain a little." |
After the Japanese chapter of the STN (the STNJ) loses a member, they recruit Robin, a 15 year-old whose power lies in her ability to set fires from a distance (like the Firestarter herself, Drew Barrymore). Unfortunately though, her powers aren’t always accurate and she wrestles with the idea of wearing glasses that will focus them.
Meanwhile, more witches are ‘awakening’ than ever before, and the STNJ’s resources are being stretched to their very limits. Their policy of capturing, not killing, witches is also different to much of the world’s view and this too overtaxes them greatly.
The group of five Witch Hunters each have their own powers, with the tall and brooding Amon being the leader and the guy who lost his partner, thus requiring Robin to join them. He seems to have the heaviest weight on his shoulders and misdirectedly resents Robin for his partner’s death.
The overall story builds slowly, dropping in plenty of mysteries and back stories that we become interested in learning more about and, in the classic manner, we pretty much enter the STNJ with Robin, learning more as she does. There is also something here for the technology-adept in that the witch finding abilities are augmented by cutting edge technology utilising the latest in crime and forensics software (replete with standard rebellious hacker).
As noted, those fans of the now defunct Buffy could find much to their liking here as many Gothic icons of cathedrals and candles, crows and black overcoats all make regular appearances. There’s plenty of spell-throwing and supernatural fight scenes, but this is hardly Harry Potter stuff here – while not overly adult, it is still fairly dark with murder mysteries as the focus in most episodes. It’s been well illustrated and designed, although Robin’s outfit might have you thinking she looks more like an old school Marm than a rebellious 15-year-old. She was raised in a convent though, so maybe that explains it. No doubt as the series progresses she will blossom into a modern girl, but for now she is the soft-spoken lass curious about her new position and the use of her craft.
I enjoyed the series, with the illustration being treated well and the stories also widely diverse and interesting. Some Japanese translation of life in the west gets slightly comical (as we are used to) but this doesn’t really detract too much. It’s a good story and while certainly nothing original, does have an original take on the idea. Definitely worth a look for the more discerning animé fan.
Five episodes are included here on Disc One of six projected discs:
- 01: Replacement
When Robin, a talented Craft User, arrives to replace a fallen member of the STNJ, she is received coolly, regardless of the fact she takes down a strong witch on her first day.
- 02: Addicted to Power
The STNJ must work together to capture a witch whom the Real World has released from custody for murder as there are no laws against supernatural powers by which to punish him. With the regular world unable to accept witchcraft, the STNJ must do what they were created for an exact justice.
- 03: Dancing in Darkness
When a corpse with bizarre injuries turns up, the STNJ must capture a witch who controls a malevolent swarm of insects.
- 04: Stubborn Aesthetics
In investigating an old case, Robin stumbles across a new breed of witch whose powers aren’t even recognised yet by the STNJ. All the while she rebels against using the glasses she needs to be more accurate with her powers.
- 05: Smells Like the Wandering Spirit (haha)
The STNJ investigate the disappearance of a popular and wealthy banker from the Real World. Their search leads them to shanty slums and hobotowns where they discover all too late a malicious witch with a different power to anything they’ve seen before.
We never expect much more than Dolby Digital stereo from our TV series' brought to DVD and here is no exception. However, it does sound just fine with crystal clear dialogue and sound effects. In fact, some of the crows sound so realistic I grabbed my shotgun and went outside. The dialogue has those occasional cheesy moments animé is renowned for, but they are still easily understood and the subtitles (while mildly different) tell the same story.
Music is a nice mix of classical orchestral work with some interspersing of darker ‘80s influences like The Cure and New Order. While these bands don’t perform, their influences can be felt by those attuned enough to hear them. The score by Taku Iwasaka delivers the feeling of the show very well and suits the piece perfectly however, creating a nice creepy and desolate atmosphere.