Product Details

• Actors: *
• Format: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Tokyopop Pictures
• DVD Release Date: July 29, 2003
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005M1Z9
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,945 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Vampire Princess Miyu - Initiation (TV Vol 1)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Toshihiro Hirano (Magic Knight Rayearth) directed both the earlier Vampire Princess Miyu OAVs and these less dramatic but more graphic broadcast episodes based on the manga created by his wife, Narumi Kakinouchi. Instead of wandering, Miyu enrolls in an urban high school, makes a few friends, and battles the local "demon-gods" or Shinma. "Larva" has become "Lava," more of a companion than a servant, who removes his stark mask to reveal the face of a standard bishonen, or beautiful boy. He and Miyu are joined by Shina, a spirit who resembles a cross between a rabbit and the Pokémon Clefairy. Hirano and the writers draw on more Western elements in these stories, despite the sakuhachi (bamboo flute) music. This version of Miyu is less aloof and more human, although she remains a formidable warrior. Still, the broadcast adventures lack the panache of the OAVs. Unrated; suitable for ages 13 and up: violence, brief nudity, grotesque imagery. --Charles Solomon

From the Back Cover

Evil Shinma - shape-shifting monsters and vampires - roam the Earth on a mission to unleash their darkness upon the human race. Miyu was born a Vampire Princess, charged with the responsibility of banishing Shinma from the Earth. Stranded in the twilight between human an demon, she has the power to offer humans the gift of eternal happiness with one bite, yet is herself, destined for perpetual solitude. Sharing a dark journey through the weaknesses of the human heart with her only companion, Lava, once an evil Shinma and now her devoted guardian, Miyu lives an endless quest as both the hunter and the hunted.

Episode 1 - The Fang Knows! - Miyu fights dark forces to put an end to the murders at Kabiya High School.
Episode 2 - At The Next Station - Miyu finally finds true friendship in Chisato...friendship worthy of her protection!
Episode 3 - The Forest Calls - Lava comes into the spotlight to confront Yukan's mystery face to face.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible step up from the fantastic OAV series!!!!!, June 29, 2001

By 

James M. Stafford III (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vampire Princess Miyu - Initiation (TV Vol 1) (DVD)

The Vampire Princess Miyu TV series features Miyu and Larva from the OAV series, but with some differences. At 26 episdoes, there is ample time for character development, providing an alternate background story for both Miyu and Larva. Beginning with Episode 2, the location of action shifts from Kyoto to Tokyo, where Miyu befriends (rather, is befriended by) three classmates in an all-girl school, yet she must keep her true identity and purpose from her friends. Also, Miyu's rival appears occasionally throughout the series, adding another element of intrigue. Most episodes follow a "shinma of the week" format, each with different abilities and most also receiving great character development.

Those who enjoyed the Vampire Princess Miyu OAV series will absolutely LOVE the TV series!!!!! While not necessarily as dark as the OAV series, the improved character development and additional character interactions are a great treat. The music is superb, simultaneously haunting and enchanting. Overall, the entire TV series - and each individual episode - is anime at its best!!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Incredible Series, July 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Vampire Princess Miyu - Initiation (TV Vol 1) (DVD)

I went into this one thinking, "Well, I like vampire stuff but it kinda looks like a chick anime." I'm happy to report it's much more.Sure, the main character and her companions are Japanese school girls, but this doesn't stop Miyu from battling a unique and very cool new demon each episode. And as for Miyu herself, she's a regular hottie with a cool background. Her grimk reaper inspired servant Lava just about steals the show however.Now, although I heard the next dvd's (which I plan to buy asap) were done ok, this one has all kinds of flaws. They omit the opening/closing music on 2 of the 3 episodes (although its not that great anyway). There are NO chapter breaks, just three tracks, one per episode. There are NO extras. The subtitling omits onscreen japanese words and song lyrics. But these flaws on the part of the dvd are overshadowed by suprisingly cool content. Thanks TokyoPop!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hmmmm...., May 30, 2002

By 

"kyuuketsukishonen" (Los Angeles, CA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Princess Miyu - Initiation (TV Vol 1) (DVD)

This Vampire Princess Miyu Volume showed me how much different the television show was from the OAV. Both were equally good, but they had apparent differences. The original OAV's style was more the type I depict to be a fitting style for this anime, that style being mystical, dark, and intensity through subtle-ness. My only problem was the clothing(eigties' style). The television series is more lighthearted, and with obvious shoujo qualities. In my opinion, the television series advanced in some ways, such as music, costumes, and characters, but left behind the original subtle intensity thatt made the OAV so great. This is a great buy if you're interested in the shoujo-ish anime things (emotions), and interested in vampires and demons of the sort.