Pretear

Publisher
US - ADV /UK - ADV
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
13 episodes x 25 minutes
Year
2001

Pretear Volume 2

By otaku_kei
12th Jun 05

After my rather lackluster reception to the first volume of this show I thought I was just going to pass up the opportunity to watch the rest of series. But with the start up of online DVD rental offers I decided to tae a look at the rest of this niche market within a niche market - The Magical Girl Show!

So what is Pretear all about then? Well as with all Magical Girl shows it has to start with a girl - Himeno Awayuki a loud brash girl who feels as if the foundations of her whole life are slipping away from her. Her father has married into a fantastically wealthy family who she does not quite fit in with. But as if her home life was not in enough turmoil she finds out that fate has picked her to be the next savoir of the world - the Pretear. The Pretear, along with her allies the Leafe knights, must battle the Princess of Disaster and all of her demon spawn who are intent on wiping out all life. Himeno's life has been turned upside down and her initial enthusiasm for this new role has given way to apprehension as to what this responsibility really means.

Himeno and her Knights finally come face to face with Fenril Princess of Disaster in this volume, rather than just her demon minions. And with Fenril comes a whole host of revelations that Himeno may not be able to cope with. But for anyone with half a brain, or good at guessing these 'plot twists' these revelations will come as no surprise, as they have already been hinted at by the half finished statements of some of the enigmatic Leafe Knights, and far too many knowing glances. But these revelations serve to unnerve Himeno even more resulting in tragedy for one she cares for, something sure to bring repercussions for later in the series.

This show may have started off rather poorly, but has been picking up in this volume into quite an enjoyable time. Sure some of the plot is contrived, and just screams of the cliches that crop up so often in anime, and just in action films in general, but the show keeps pushing along at quite a quick pace and never allows itself to be bogged down. The show is an enjoyable romp through the Magical Girl genre, but there is still not enough here that would have me recommend shelling out £20 a disc on this series. Not even £15 on sale per disc would have me buying this show, but for fans of Magical Girl shows I'm sure you have already invested in this show. For everyone else I think you'll find a nice diversion in this show if you have money to burn or a DVD rental account!

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English Language 2.0; Japanese Language 2.0; English Subtitles; Textles Opening & Closing; 'Behind The Anime' Interviews with the Voice Actors; ADV Previews

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: A release that is fairly clear of any imperfections when it comes to visual and audio quality. Listened to the English Language track mostly but samples of the Japanese track offerred no issues. The extras are no weaker than any other UK release but yet another indication of a much underused feature of anime DVD's.

-- otaku_kei 12th Jun 05

Pretear Images