3x3 eyes

Publisher
Bandai-Emotion
Director
Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Production
Pioneer
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
7 episodes
Year
1991

3x3 Eyes

By otaku_kei
21st Jul 04

This OAV series from the mid 90's was one of the better releases from Manga Entertainment UK, based upon the long-running manga series by Yuzo Takada. Production comes from the KODANSHA studio & TOEI animation that have been behind a host of fan favourites.
The story is about Pai a mysterious girl, the last of the sanjiyan race, on her quest to become fully human with the help of her bodyguard Yakumo Fujii. But neither of the principal characters are what they seem. Pai is not alone in her own head, when the mystical side of her awakens her personality changes into the dominant magical wielding Pai - who takes no crap from anyone and has some mad kick-ass magic at her disposal. And Yakumo is her bonded zombie slave whose soul was taken into Pai at the moment of his death - he lives to protect and serve her during her quest.

The tale begins in Tokyo with Pai's demon bird Takui being accidentally released and wreaking havoc across the city, during its assault it kills Yakumo who is then resurrected by Pai as her bodyguard. It turns out that Pai has been sent to look for Yakumo by Yakumo's own father. Cue the angry young man who has issues with his father due to a relationship that was never very close (eva fans does this sound familiar?)
Pai convinces Yakumo to come with her on her mission not that he has much choice really, and they set off on their quest. Cue monsters galore as it turns out there is another sanjiyan who was an evil git and drew all evil forces under his own banner to conquer the world. And only Pai has a hope of stopping him from rising again, you know the drill.

Now the series starts off strongly with the meeting of the characters and setting up their motivations and drives, whilst also throwing in a healthy dose of action. Over the course of the series we see these characters develop Yakumo most of all as he not only has to overcome the major change in his mortality challenged state but also as he embraces his role as Pai's guardian.
The animation is standard fare - nothing special but not lacking in any respects. The character designs stay true to the manga, and everything looks well finished. The dub is fine but again seems to be using the same actors as all of Manga Entertainments' other releases use. The rest of the soundtrack is fine but nothing special.

I would recommend this anime to just about anyone as it covers most genres at some point - horror, romance, comedy etc. which are all carried along by the strong plotting of the tale. This will appeal to almost anyone who likes a strong story and characters who aren't whiny.
Overall this would get 7.5 out of 10. The animation is solid, the audio passable, but the main point is the good story gluing it all together. Check it out if you can get your mitts on it.

-- otaku_kei 21st Jul 04

3x3 eyes Images