Fat Ninja

If I recall correctly, the first animé feature I ever saw was Fist of the Northstar. I remember loving it for many reasons, among them were the action driven plot, the highly stylized and fluid animation, and the brutal violence. What has followed has been a nearly 15 year romance with Japanimé. From there I graduated to the likes of Akira and Ninja Scroll.

While I’ve not quite delved as deeply into the culture as many others in my generation, I nonetheless have a deep-rooted love and respect for it. I think the Japanese have truly embraced animated media for what it is capable of; for its limitless possibilities. And while the major animation studios of America are abandoning the art of animation in favor of CG, Japan is keeping the form alive and well, while integrating new techology and methods.

Vivid art design permeates Karas’presentation

My first run-in with a CG/animated hybrid was Ghost in the Shell 2. After that was 2005’s Appleseed, an impressive re-imagining of the classic animé of the same name. What most impressed me about both of these features was the continuity between the two mediums. Their seamless attention to artistic consistency in bringing CG and conventional animation together was impressive in and of itself; most importantly, however, the technique added a third dimension to what has, until now, been binary in nature. The result is a more engaging world in which audiences can immerse themselves.

Consider my curiosity piqued…

So, when I read about Karas: The Prophecy, a new animé feature that was utilizing this same fusion of animation styles, I was intrigued. Unfortunately, as is often the case, it dropped off the radar over time. Well, yesterday found me at a local retailer picking up my copy of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, and I just so happened to have some extra store credit. As is my custom, I was perusing their used section, when, as I turned to leave, I saw a copy of Karas staring back at me from the animé section. Not only that, they were having a $5 off sale on all of their animé.

Now, if you don’t know, Japanimé DVDs have a high market value here in the U.S. It’s not that they cost more to make than real-time movie, because they certainly don’t. It’s the fact that people like me will pay it. So, the $5 savings was enough to push me over the edge.

The Time Honored Struggle of Good and Evil Retold

But enough background. Let’s get down to brass tacks and talk about the movie itself. Looking first at the the plot line, Karas chronicles the usual battle of good versus evil. According to the mythology of the series, alongside the physical world as we know it, exists a spirit world. Much as the physical world is populated by humanity, the spirit world plays home to yokai, or spirts.

Our hero

Maintaining the peaceful co-existence of these two realms are Yuriné “yokai [in] the form of a young governing priestess” (NewType USA, August 2004). Each major human city has a Yuriné, and at her command is a sort of avenging avatar, known as a Karas, whose responsibility it is to act upon her efforts to keep both worlds in check. However, when one such Karas, Ekou, imprisons his Yuriné and begins acting upon his own foul intentions, this balance is thrown in peril. Ekou begins to manipulate other yokai, bribing them with power, turning them to his evil will and robotically enhancing them. Known as Mikura, Ekou’s minions begin to manifest in the physical world, but at the cost of human lives.

This reign of terror has not gone unchallenged. Tokyo police have created the Intervention department (think X-Files) to deal with yokai crime, while other Yuriné have recruited more Karas to combat Ekou’s malice. However, each new Karas that is sent to defeat the wildcard Ekou has met violent ends. In fact, Karas: The Prophecy opens up as Ekou duels and defeats his most recent challenger, and we are soon introduced to the next Karas in line, Otaha, to take up the battle. Otaha proves to be far more up to the task than his predecessors.

Animé-zing

It is in the opening sequence of Karas: The Prophecy that we are given our first glimpse of the series’ incredible action sequences and gorgeous animation. I absolutely love the look of the series. Karas‘conventional animation segments feature the stylized angular look that has come to be associated with animé. Where Karas truly stands out from the crowd is in its use of CG.

Ekou (right) dukes it out with yet another challenger

Every battle sequence involving Karas and Mikura is rendered in 3D. The result is a unique blend of melee and projectile combat. With brilliant fire-works displays of gunfire and lightning-quick sword battles, Karas: The Prophecy features some of the most intricate and detailed action sequences I’ve yet seen in an animé feature. The end result is truly a work of art that never grows tiresome to look at.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Wrapping up, Karas: The Prophecy has proven a worthy addition to my DVD collection. Initially, I was dismayed to learn that it was volume one of six, as I usually don’t go for the serial animé on account of monetary restraints. But my reservations were put to rest within the movie’s first five minutes. Drawing on elements found in other series, such as The Guyver, Karas nonetheless manages to offer a fresh perspective on the age old conflict between good and evil. Featuring some of the best animation I’ve seen to date, it’s a beautiful film to behold. And while the storyline may require several repeat viewings to ensure comprehension, the thrill of watching it never grows old.

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