I was just going through my browser favourites when I dscovered a link to a series called Karas. I suppose that at one time I must have made a note to myself to catch this series when it was released but had completely forgotten about it because the first of six volumes was released back in May of 2005! I finally got around to watching the first volume of Karas this morning.
All I can say is…. Wow! Not a perfect ‘Wow!’ but ‘Wow’ nonetheless…
In a nutshell, Karas takes place in modern day Japan, in the city of Shinjuku, where humans co-exist unknowingly with the yokai, traditional Japanese apparititions that come in all kinds of various forms. Every city has one yokai who takes on the form of a priestess who oversees that the balance of human/yokai co-existance is kept. To help enforce that balance, the priestess chooses a Karas; in essence a protector, and when necessary, an executioner.
The previous Karas, Lord Echo, who had protected Shinjuku city during the Edo Period, had gone rogue on a quest for power, thus upsetting the delicate balance. Gathering his army, the Mikura, Lord Echo sows terror among the human population. Through a series of brutal serial killings, Lord Echo hopes people would come to fear the yokai. It’s that fear that Lord Echo harnesses that gives him and the Mikura power. Yuri, yokai priestess for Shinjuku, had sent out several Karas in the past but Lord Echo had defeated them all. Now her hopes lie with the new Karas; a man named Otoha, plucked from near death from a hospital bed.
Lord Echo’s carnage doesn’t go unnoticed by the Shinjuku Police Department. They form a special task force headed by the Observation Department headed by Detective Sagizaka, to investigate the strange serial killings. Unfortunately, no one takes the superstitious and elderly Sagizaka or the new department seriously. Think of how Mulder is regarded and treated by the FBI… Like Mulder, Sagizaka is the only person assigned to the Observation Department.
However, as the body count continues to grow, Sagizaka is finally given some help in the form of upcoming detective Kure Narumi. Narumi had the unfortunate experience of being present when a corrupted yokai murders a paranormal show TV crew sent to investigate yokai sitings in a public washroom.
A young woman named Hinaru is one of the victims of Lord Echo’s campaign. Hinaru is the only person, besides Narumi, to have witnessed the yokai in action. She was the lone survivor of the TV crew that was massacred in the washroom. Unable to find employment after her crew is murdered, she lives hand-to-mouth taking whatever job she can. Hinaru may yet play a vital role in the war
Otoha isn’t the only one hunting the yokai and Lord Echo’s Mikura. A mysterious man named Nue is also on the hunt. Formerly a member of the Mikura, Nue has fled and now dedicates himself to hunting down his former comrades.
Review
The visuals really hook the viewer, especially the dogfight/swordfight sequence during the opening of the first volume. The premise is interesting enough to draw viewers in but unfortunately it doesn’t do a very thorough job of getting the audience acquainted during the first volume. Characters merely show up in sequences that are told in an almost in a vignette-like fashion. The details I had learned about Karas was primarily through Internet research, and not much was gleaned by watching the first episode.
Undeniably, Karas has terrific visuals and the high production values is quite evident. The slightly exotic ‘Asian gothic’ visual design, reminiscent of what we’ve seen in Ghost in the Shell: Innocence, is brought to life with a melding of complex computer graphics and effects and traditional cel animation. There is a slight over-use of the ‘bullet-time’ effect but it’s not too bad. The action sequences are quite spectacular and well choreographed overall.
So far I think this is a series to watch. The stunning visual design coupled with an interesting and uncomplicated premise told with high tech visual imagery and animation punctuated by high energy action will keep most viewers wanting more. I’m certainly looking forward to checking out volumes 2 and 3 which are available now and I suggest you do the same.
Karas will be limited to a 6-OVA volume run and as far as I know, 3 volumes have been released so far.
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The story sounds compelling, but lately I’ve found that the Asian gothic style sort of leaves me feeling apprehensive for most of the time I am watching and a short while thereafter.
It’s nice to hear that they are putting out some nice production value OVAs anymore. I’ve seen some bad ones lately. Sex Warrior Pudding comes to mind.
Maybe after I finish Genadier and Hale nochi Guu and Samurai Champloo (I’m a bad person for not having finished it) and whatever else it was I was watching, or rewatching, I might check it out.
I’m hoping Karas will have more going for it than just visuals. It has great set-up, but staying power is another matter.
“Aim for the Top 2: Die-Buster” is another OVA series with great animation and high production values, but as a sequel of sorts to the original Gunbuster OVA, it comes up quite short with an incoherent story and lack of continuity.
If for nothing else, Karas would certainly be ideal for a figure line!
Heh! You’re not the only person to have not finished Samurai Champloo. For some reason, I stopped following it mid second season and I’m not sure why. It certainly wasn’t out of dislike— though I really hate the theme song :P– and I am eager to know the identity of the mystery man in Fuu’s quest. I’ll have to dig it up some time soon.
I’ve always been amazed at how short OVAs are but that they have the ability to actually get boring. I remember watching episodes of R.O.D. (which I liked) and thinking “Jesus, is this episode still on? WHEN DOES IT END?”
Yeah, it’s weird. I love the show, but I just keep picking up and episode here and there and then dropping it off again. It’s a nasty habit. I just like Jin a lot. He’s the most endearing character I’ve seen in a while. We need to buckle down on those new classics, damnit. And get them watched.
I’m a procrastinator but you know you’re in real trouble when you procrastinate even when it comes to your entertainment.
I was watching the R.O.D. TV series too. I liked the concepet of the series but they had some real pacing problems. I’ve got the full run of the series but never finished it nor had the overwhelming urge to.
You feel really gipped when you get a sub-standard OVA volume because they’re limited in number and they only come out every few months.
Yeah, ROD the TV was going strong and then it just sort of stopped the action and then plodded along.
I forget which OVA it was I was watching, I want to say Macross 0, and the first episode came out and looked awesome, and then I caught up with 2 and 3 it an it was just slow suck.
What is up with that?! FLCL stayed awesome! COME ON!