Product Details

• Actors: Miki Nagasawa, Shinichirô Miki, Megumi Ogata, Emi Ogata, Asako Shirakura
• Directors: Setsuo Takase, Shigeru Yamazaki, Yukihiro Makino
• Writers: Chiaki Konaka, Mitsuhiro Yamada, Narumi Kakinouchi, Sadayuki Murai, Tamio Hayashi
• Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Animeigo
• VHS Release Date: April 16, 1995
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630256476X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,070 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great anime, great buy!, July 20, 2001

By 

Sozotenchi (Newtown, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Princess Miyu - OAV (Vol. 1) (DVD)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enter the Princess, December 30, 2002

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Vampire Princess Miyu - OAV (Vol. 1) (DVD)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and thoughtful anime..., April 6, 2001

By 

"lilyholic" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Princess Miyu (Vol. 1) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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!