Customer Reviews

Vampire Princess Miyu - OAV (Vol. 1)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vampire Princess Miyu is one the nicest animes to have arrived at my doorstep in a long time.

A highly stylish story with roots deeply set in Japanese culture and mythology (although the word and idea "Shinma" was coined by the creator), this anime is a story well told. The character designs are great, none giving the "been there, done that" feel some character designs give off in other animes. Indeed, Himiko, Miyu, Larva and the whole cast feel totally unique, in look and personality. Miyu herself is neither good nor evil. While she claims to give humans their "desire" she also preys on them. Even though she slays the Shinma, in the second episode particularly, we must question whether Miyu is a more noble character than the monsters she fights.

The art is beautiful, and if you buy anime for the artwork, this is a must buy. The music and settings all move the mood to a higher level, and it fits wonderfully. Both the concept and execution exceeded my expectations, telling a gripping story.

One quick note, just because this anime has the word "vampire" in it, don't expect a "Demon City Shinduku" or a "Vampire Hunter D" style blood festival. VPM is a mature tale about the supernatural, without resorting to sex and gore. Also, this anime is from the mid 1980's, for any of you who refuse to watch older anime. Shame on you, because this is excellent, no matter what the date.

The only real detraction I want to make is that the DVD is 50 minutes long, when the entire 100-minute series could be on one DVD, if AnimeEgo tried. Oh well, nevertheless, if you would like a mature, cerebral story of the supernatural with astounding visuals, and have even a minor interest in Japanese folklore, this little series was made for you.

These episodes mark the first appearance of Miyu, a vampire who has been chosen to hunt demonic creatures called Shinma. Shinma feed on human misery and disaster, which they accomplish through a variety of seductive schemes. Miyu's companion on this lonely, and often grim, task is Larva, a Shinma with whom she has shared blood. In these early stories, it is never clear if the hero of the stories is Miyu or Himiko, a young spiritualist who perceives Miyu as a threat just as great as the demons the vampire hunts.

In the first episode, "Unearthly Kyoto," Himiko comes to the city to investigate the strange circumstances surrounding young princess Aiko, who pricked her finger on a rose, and now has been unconscious for 60 days. At first, this seems to have nothing to do with a series of deaths in which the victims are found drained of blood. It is only when Himiko is confronted by the creature doing the killing and Miyu who is hunting it, that she comes to believe that Aiko is more than a victim of a tragedy.

Then, in "Banquet of Marionettes," Himiko, hired to find and eerie doll that has suddenly appeared and disappeared, again crosses Miyu's path. This time Himiko is granted insight into Miyu's own struggle with ninjo and giri (duty and desire) when the vampire competes with a Shinma for the love of a boy. However, Miyu is frustrated as we watch this Kabuki-like puppet show unfold.

Artistically and story-wise, these OAV episodes are the best of the Miyu series so far. The work, often very dark and Gothic provides perfect settings for the disquieting, tragic tales. What the TV series has that the OAV does not is a high standard of animation, while these tales are most often drawn minimalistically against a beautiful, but static background. All deserve careful attention, as both series are significant deviations from the traditional 'Vampire Hunter D' fare.

There is no denying that the animation in Vampire Princess Miyu is gorgeous (only surpassed by the manga illustrations) and it's quite an interesting and different vampire story.

Following the plights of a young vampire girl named Miyu we watch as she and her trusty bound guardian Larva hunt the Shinma and banish them from the human world.

Larva is actually Shinma himself, but has been bound as a servant to Miyu. He is a beautiful looking man, but unfortunatly he never takes off his mask (in the OVA) to reveal his beautiful face.

Miyu is a very innocent and young looking girl, but she is really wise and quite old. She is strong willed but seems to be carrying a very heavy burden...

*** Classic vampire fans may beware. This is NOT your typical vampire story (but in no means is it a bad one) Miyu is understanding, and essentially guarding, to the humans... in no way a bloodthirsty monster!

The anime does have very dark and brooding tones, and also very dark and brooding music (which is excellent) but it is no guts and glory horror-flick. It is very deep.

I reccomend it to all, especially the subtitled version!

Well before the "cute" telly version (with that *adorable* Miki-sama as the new Larva), there were the Kyuuketsuki Miyu OAVs. When I first saw them, they were on old, worn VHS tapes, the sound and colour both on the outs. The DVD is amazing. Just the first few notes of the opening theme (this has an incredible soundtrack!) are enough to hook you. Get past the slightly dated character designs, especially for Himiko-san, and you've got yourself a quietly chilling anime, one that definitely takes a little thinking.

These first two episodes are a little slow, but everything builds up to the last episode, so be sure you're paying attention.

The only downside to this anime is Larva only speaks once, in the third episode. Shiozawa-sama has an *amazing* voice, which makes those few lines all the better, but they're so *short*! Arrgh!

Originally released in the late 80s, this anime is a bit outdated but thanks to a fine remastering of vol.'s One and Two of the VPM (Vampire Princess Miyu) OAV's that came out before the more recent TV series, which I haven't seen yet but is said to be more fluff, the picture and sound quality are just like new.

Eternally 13, Miyu is a vampire unlike any other. She often appears as a schoolgirl in broad daylight with an innocent, childlike persona, but a hidden darkness lies within her falsified demeanor (or is it?). Her laughter rises up into the air, echoing all around you, cutting through those who desire her razor sharp kiss, yet she claims to not be the monster that spiritualist Himiko makes her out to be for her destiny is to capture and return the Shinma (creatures that are half-Demon, half-God) to the darkness where hence they came from, but with the help of her devoted guardian, Larva, who was once a evil Shinma himself. And the reason for him being bound to Miyu's side as well as trapped in the mask he always wears is later revealed in the last episode on vol. Two: "Frozen Time", where you come to know Miyu as a human and learn of her fate to become The Chosen One.

In "Unearthly Kyoto," Himiko travels to the ancient capital of Japan to exorcise a slumbering child, only to be confronted with a wave of vampire attacks. Here she meets the mysterious Miyu and her silent, enigmatic companion. Is Miyu behind the attacks? Or does she, too, seek the real culprit? And if so, why?

In "A Banquet of Marionettes" (my second favorite episode), Himiko is hired to investigate several mysterious disappearances at a school. At the site of each, a strange doll has been found. Here she again meets Miyu, now apparently a student. Miyu has designs on the body, and perhaps the soul, of the school hero, Kei. But so, it seems, does another...

Extras on this DVD include a lavish image gallery set to the gorgeous, melancholy music of Kawai Kenji (the soundtrack is wonderful!) and previews for other anime's available from AnimEigo.

[Run Time: 50 minutes]

This one is the classic Vampire Miyu OVA in late '80s (there is a new series in the late '90s). A master piece made by AIC/SouEShinSha/Hirano Toshihiro. The original story came from Gakino, who married Hirano later.

The animation made a unpreceded success in illustrating Miyu's soul. The music is astonishing, made by Kawai Genji, and still very popular today. There are four episodes in this series, and the episode 3 is a really good one.

Here is the introduction for all of the 4 episodes: Episode 1 - The background, introduces Miyu and Himiko. Episode 2 - The plot, shows Miyu's skills to handle things around her. Episode 3 - The life, talks how Miyu thinks about her life, both as a vampire and as a lady. Episode 4 - The shock, which looks back into the history and gives the truths - that how and where Miyu came from, and what Himiko really is.

In the 1980's the golden age of Japanimation (before the bubble bursts), this one is literally a must-see for japanimation fans. I couldn't recommend you more that you got to experience this one; However, the pack format and schedule are arguable. If they can put all four episodes out at once, it will be much better.

This iso ne of the first anime series I owned and was very happy to see AnimEigo port it to DVD.

The story centeres around the relationship of the little girl Miyu and a Spiritualist named Himiko in the context of a race of beings called Shinma (meaning God & Demon) that once lived on earth but now reside in The Dark.

This particular DVD containes the first two episodes where a mysterious vampire is going around Kyoto draining the blood of women and another shinma is changing girls at a school into dolls.

Both stories are excellently written, but I feel that more time could have been added to them since these are not-standard TV shows. The art is beautiful as usual and the plot decives are well used.

Definitely woth the investment.

I rented this from blockbuster and I liked it. The story begins with a rash of vampire killings in Kyoto, (a junior high student, a college student, a businesswoman, a housewife, etc). Hamiko, a spiritualist, is called on to the scene by the family of a little girl who "pricked her finger on the thorn of a rose" this meaning that she has been asleep for sixty days. Her parents have called both a doctor and a priest and they fear that it may be a case of possession. Hamiko looks at the girl (Aiko) and finds that it is. Outside, she encounters the boyfriend of one of the vampire victims, who believes that the monster who killed his girlfriend is still in the house and wants revenge. This means that the two incidences are somehow related. Hamiko is puzzling over this, when her and the boyfriend (I can't remember his name) first meet Miyu, a child vampire who offers eternal life and relief from pain, and as well is a hunter of the Shinma (the japanese word for both gods and monsters, a sort of demon is the closest way to describe them.) Her "sidekick" is larva, a shinma bound to her from taking her blood. Hamiko is totally horrified and full of vampire prejudice and vows to keep an eye on this strange vampire that is unaffected by crosses, holy water, and bright sunlight. One thing that I really like about this movie, that there are no real good or bad guys, excluding some of the Shinma, but just extraordinary beings (such as Miyu, who is still just a teenage girl in spite of her power) making decisions and facing the consequences. I don't want to spoil too much of this for you, but the story ties together nicely, and the second episode goes just as smoothly.

Frozen in eternal youth, childlike Miyu is a vampire that has the destiny of returning stray Shinma to the dark. Her silent companion Larva aids her in her inescapable fate, while the spiritualist Himeko keeps interfering with admirable curiosity. This anime is told with Himeko as the eyes of the story while Miyu and Larva are lurking around the corner. Very well drawn with aesthetic beauty. Miyu has a good seiyuu that captures her mysterious laughter with beauty. Recommended if you are interested in dark anime.

I Found Vampire Princess Miyu to be a refreshing tale that had the old school animation that I often find myself drawn to. The same style that is seen in such other titles such as Venus Wars and Akira. The animation does not rival that of Akira but the style and art are very powerful. After the first viewing of this title I didn't know what to think. I found myself wanting to watch it again though, but I wasn't too sure why. As I watched them again I realized that there was a certain charm to them that nothing else that I had seen could compare to it. The story could have used a little bit of work because at some point you start to ask yourself what drives this character. I wanted more of the episodes in hopes that they can really pull it all together. Even thought there were only Two episodes on this Disc, I thought that it was well worth it.