Pretear

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

Pretear Volume 3

By otaku_kei
12th Jun 05

Himeno Awayuki is in crisis, her role as the Pretear is being jeopardised by her own indecision. Himeno's inability to 'Prete' with any of her Leafe Knights, and therefore access her powers, risks everyone that has come to rely upon her as well as her family, friends and the human race. Fenril is capitalising upon this sudden weakness in the ranks of her enemies and making moves against the forces of good, to secure her ascendancy as well as the revenge upon those she once called friends. The Leafe Knights are in disarray after one of their own has fallen to the Princess Of Disaster, and there are some dark things lurking in the Awayuki household that can only mean more heartbreak for Himeno.

Well the events from the last volume are still effecting the characters in this. Sasami is in critical condition after being attacked by Fenril, and Himeno is still wracked by guilt over her reluctance to fight which is preventing her from becoming the Pretear. All issues that need to be resolved by the end of this volume, but already there are further issues to come. Whilst Himeno manages to make peace with herself so that she can engage in this dangerous war certain peoples loyalties are shifting, and the Leafe Knights are going to lose one of their number for good.

Once again this show is harmless fun for the kids, but with some darker undertones for those who can pick up on them. The sugar coating that has covered this show for so much of the first two discs gets dissolved in this volume as the Knights try to come to terms with their own mortality as well as a betrayal from their own ranks. Himeno also makes some very mature decisions in this volume as she takes steps to bring the war to Fenril. A lot happens in this volume: broadening the scope of events at the Awayuki household, and all the troubles with the magical side of this show. A lot to take in but quite indicative of the production companies awareness of how little time it has left to wrap up all the plots of this show. The headlong pace that Pretear has set itself has allowed it to breeze over the rather obvious plot and cliches whilst still entertaining, but that same pace may cause some major problems in trying to wrap the show up satisfactorily.

With only one volume left to go, I am left having to admit that this show is entertaining me more and more. I still cannot bring myself to recommend anyone paying full price for the whole series, but if you do I'm sure you'll enjoy the hours of fun and tragedy with these characters.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English Language 2.0; Japanese Language 2.0; English Subtitles; 'Behind the Scenes' Interviews with the Voice Actors; Production Gallery; Japanese TV Spots; ADV Previews

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: Once again ADV have delivered a show that technically has no faults, but that has issues in other areas. Audio & visuals are fine. Extras are the usual standard fare for UK releases.

-- otaku_kei 12th Jun 05

Pretear Images