:
Kari Wahlgren,
Kari Wahlgren,
Crispin Freeman,
more...
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: Bandai
: Anime, Horror Anime
: 125 min.
: English, Japanese
: English
see additional details...
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Making its Japanese TV debut on July 3, 2002, the half-hour anime series Witch Hunter Robin was assembled by the prolific cartoon-merchandising combo of Sunrise/Bandai. The premise was predicated on the knowledge that witches still existed in the modern world, with rogue witches being the most deadly and dangerous of the species. The international organization SOLOMON was dedicated to hunting down and destroying these witches, using as its principal weapon a substance called Orbo which contained the witches' evil powers long enough to allow the "good guys" to triumph. The Japanese branch of SOLOMON, known as STNJ, was under the leadership of short-tempered Chief Kosaka. The newest member of this branch was Robin Sena, a girl named for the King of the Witches. Because of her awesome ability to control the element of fire, Robin had been raised in a monastery to keep her protected from the world -- and vice versa. Although a welcome addition to STNJ, Robin has to constantly monitor her powers lest they destroy both herself and her new co-workers. Others on the STNJ team were Robin's partner Amon, whose punkish demeanor kept hidden a number of dark secrets; Doujima, a lazy young lady who landed the job because of family connection; Karasuma, who could sense positive and negative vibes (which came in handy when detecting SEEDS, or potential witch families); Michael, who managed to avoid execution after hacking into STNJ's computer by agreeing to join the organization -- and to remain under "house arrest" all the while; Robin's roommate, Touko; and rookie member Sakaki. Also on hand was Robin's mentor, a mysterious lawyer named Nagira. In America, the 26-episode Witch Hunter Robin was added to Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" schedule on February 16, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Contains episodes 1-5:
- Replacement
- Addicted to Power
- Dancing in Darkness
- Stubborn Aesthetics
- Smells Like the Wandering Spirit
Special Features:
- Textless opening and closing animation
- STNJ Personnel Files
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| Story starts later
by PJensen
September 6, 2004 - 8:31 AM PDT
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4 out of 5 members found this review helpful
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This is a well drawn anime, with good (dark) atmosphere. From this first disk, it's not clear if there is really a longer story-arc developing. The first disk is just a bunch of mostly disconnected episodes.
So, without any spoilers, I'll just let everybody know that the main story arc starts to kick in on the third disk. So, if you have the patience to watch two disks of very good, but seemingly independent episodes, you will be rewarded.
I'm waiting for disk 5 right now, and am liking this series very much.
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| All about atmosphere and the occult that leaves me wanting
by hneline1
December 23, 2003 - 10:58 PM PST
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5 out of 6 members found this review helpful
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Witch Hunter Robin is a dark sepia exploration of an undercover world where "hunters" search for and incarcerate paranormals who do harm with their powers. It's all about atmosphere, from the cavernous stone mansion that serves as STNJ's headquarters, to the maniacal gleams of evil in the eyes of the hunted witches, to the unearthly grace with which Robin moves in her full length black dress. Similar to other artsy anime that try to evoke a mood (Boogiepop Phantom, Serial Experiments Lain, Noir, even RahXephon), the animation is beautifully done but the pacing is a little slow -- expect many contemplative moments between the occasional action sequences.
As much as I enjoy the atmosphere and the animation style, I admit that I'm still dissatisfied. Like Noir, Witch Hunter Robin seems to put style over substance. There seems to be a "witch of the week" being hunted in each episode, and after five episodes, not much has been revealed about what motivates the main characters. There are hints of conspiracies and bureaucratic politics but not enough to develop a main plot to connect the episodes together yet. Since I thrive on character and plot development over the course of a lengthy series, WHR leaves me wanting in this first disc.
But I will keep watching because there's enough there to keep me curious. If you like the occult (e.g. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, some X-files, even Highlander) and brooding young people with powers, you'll probably like WHR. The Extras contain a short "Maelifica Compendium", which is a notes section on the different types of occult references made in each episode, such as the Ring of Ogam, Hagal's Eight, and the scarab. And you can't beat five episodes in a disc in this day and age.
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| Trenchcoats, mystery, and angst
by PGraydon
September 2, 2003 - 11:41 AM PDT
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13 out of 14 members found this review helpful
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Set in a world where magic is real but kept hidden from the general public, Witch Hunter Robin follows the career of witch-turned-hunter Robin, who joins the STN agency to help hunt down rogue witches.
The series is dark and mysterious in a way that compares well to Wolf's Rain, another recent series I'm waiting for the R1 release of. Unfortunately, for the first 13 of 26 episodes, that's about all it is: trenchcoats, mystery, and angst. It's the last half of this series where the story really begins to take off, bulding suspense and taking unexpected plot turns. If the first disc can sustation your interest at all, stick through the next few; it'll be worth it.
Be warned that this is not animation for children. It's graphically violent at times, and there is generally at least one death per episode. For the rest of us, well, it won't change the world, but it's a pretty good ride anyway. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.32)
379 Votes
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