Karin – Volume One (Geneon)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B Episodes: B
Karin
Maaka is just trying to live an ordinary life, only thing is she comes from a
family of Vampires. But unlike the rest
of her vampire family member, she is the complete anti-vampire, she can walk in
daylight, eats garlic, and instead of taking blood she gives it! Everything starts going crazy when the new
transfer student Usui Kenta moves in town, Karin can't seem to control her
vampiric urges whenever he gets close. Can
Karin and her family live an ordinary life and hide their secret at the same
time?
This is a
very cute anime, drawing on vampire and high school drama: A comedy of vampires
just trying to fit into modern day society, along with high school students
growing up and finding a bit a romance. Unlike
usual vampire animés it is not scary, but light hearted and is upbeat... at
least as much as vampires can be. It
makes fun of typical vampire lore and stereotypes, but in the end you feel more
the character than them as vampires.
This first DVD comes with a very nice box for the rest of
the series, a cute picture of Karin in a black gothic outfit. If you like vampires and if you like comedies
then this is a good series.
Episode
1: Bleeding is Embarrassing
There is
a new student in town, and Karin just can't seem NOT notice him. Her vampire instinct just seems to go crazy
around him.
Episode
2: My Affinity is Embarrassing
Turns out
Usui Kenta is Karin's blood type! She
prefers the blood of those who are surrounded by unhappiness. But Karin blood just gets pumping *literally*
every time he is close.
Episode
3: Happiness is Embarrassing
In order
to keep her urges from coming, Karin decide do try and keep Kenta happy so she
won't have to bite someone... only thing is how is she supposed to do that?
Episode
4: Being Exposed is Embarrassing
Kenta is
beginning to suspect Karin, as hard a Karin is trying to keep her secret from
him, things can't seem to help and keep Kenta from getting closer to the truth.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is pretty good, though the format of DVD
and the stylized approach to the animation itself hold back detail. Otherwise, this looks good for the
format. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo in
English and Japanese has healthy Pro Logic surrounds. Extras include Non-Credit Opening and
trailers, though a Limited Edition box is available like the version covered
here.
- Ricky Chiang
