| Originally released in the late 80s, this anime is a bit outdated but thanks to a fine remastering of vol.'s One and Two of the VPM (Vampire Princess Miyu) OAV's that came out before the more recent TV series, which I haven't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. In "Fragile Armor" (this is my least favorite of the four), Himiko agrees to help Miyu defeat a ghastly armored monster. In return, Miyu tells the tale of how she met Larva, her silent companion. Later, Himiko learns of the tragic fate of a husband and wife. Meanwhile, a beautiful young man with a frightening laugh circles and waits. Who is he? What is the secret of the armor? And what of the Shinma? Can Himiko put the pieces of the puzzle together in time? "In Frozen Time" (my absolute favorite!), Himiko travels to Kamakura, a childhood home. There, she dreams of herself as a child, running in terror from a mysterious mansion. Now the mansion has a new tenant: Miyu. Miyu at last tells all -- of her discovery of her true nature after her first meeting with Larva, of the secret concealed by Miyu's parents, and of the night that Darkness and Shinma gathered together. And, finally, Himiko realizes what it is that has bound her destiny with Miyu's...forever! Extras on this DVD include a lavish image gallery set to the gorgeous, melancholy music of Kawai Kenji. [Run Time: 55 minutes] |