Pretear

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

Pretear Volume 4

By otaku_kei
13th Jun 05

Well in my week of catching up on shows that have been around for a while I have finally managed to watch the final volume of Pretear. As we left the last volume the Leafe Knights were still reeling from Sasami's betrayal as well as all the damage that the princess Of Disaster has heaped upon those they cared for and have pledged to defend. With Fenril still on the prowl Himeno and the Knights no closer to stopping the encroachment of the demons the stage is set for the final battle.

We get at one major character change for this volume. Whilst Sasami may be acting all evil, his effect on the Princess of Disaster makes for a profound change in her acts. This change comes straight from the type of character development that has made George Lucas renowned. Takako goes from being a megalomaniac demon princess with the destruction of the whole world on her mind to an acting out teenager, intent on pushing away anyone who wishes her well so that she can wallow in her own misery. This change is so sudden and severe that the malevolence of the Princess of Disaster is completely drained from the character. This was a sloppy move on the part of the show writers to neuter the villain of the show.

But the decision to limit the evil girl of the show is quite apparent when given the main point of this shows conclusion. This conclusion: that to fight loneliness and despair you need love and support, and cannot face these things with anger in your heart. This cliche has been an undertone running throughout the show, but truly comes to the fore here as Himeno's fractious family band together to save one of their own, as well as the Leafe Knights dedication of each other and Himeno. Even Takako comes to realise that there are people who simply want her to live, and not be consumed by hate. A twee sentiment that fits with the sugar coated fantasy that has been at the core of this show, but unfortunately ruins the ending for what has been an entertaining show for the most part.

Whilst it is true that I still cannot bring myself to advise anybody to actually purchase this show, unless you are a fan of the Magical Girl genre, I have to say that this show turned out to be very entertaining. But the ending presented on this disc left a lot to be desired and unfortunately suffered from the use of too many cliches. Even with this poor conclusion, if you have enjoyed the show up until this point then I am sure that you will still be carried along quite enjoyably by these closing chapters.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English Language 2.0; Japanese Language 2.0; English Subtitles; 'Behind The Scenes' Interviews with the Voice Actors; Japanese CD & DVD Spots; Production Art Gallery; ADV Trailers

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: The final disc of this series and the quality remains as high as all the other discs. Once again the extras are little to write home about, and appear to be little more than filler materiel.

-- otaku_kei 13th Jun 05

Pretear Images