Witch Hunter Robin

Director
Shuko Murase
Production
Bandai, Sunrise, TV Tokyo
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
2002

Witch Hunter Robin V.3 (Platinum Edition)

By David Rasmussen
16th Jan 05

Company - BANDAI
Rated - Age 13 and up.
Planned by Sunrise
Original Idea by "Team Hajime Yadate" and Shukou Murase.
Chief Writer - Aya Yoshinaga
Character Designer - kumiko Takahashi
Set Designer - Michiaki Sato & Hajime Sato
Producers - Keiichi Matsumura & Tsutomu Sugita
Produced by SUNRISE & BANDAI Visual

WITCH HUNTER ROBIN Volume 3
Inquisition
Previously...
Just another day at the "office" for Robin.
Now that she learned that she just needed, of all things, glasses to fine tune her power, she's been fine tuning her skills and becoming quite good at her power. But a chance encounter with a helpful woman leads to a case as she investigates that woman's death.

Where does it lead? It doesn't seem to be witch related but looks can be deceiving.
And when all is said and done? It looks like there IS a witch connection, as the road leads to the most unlikeliest suspect, and her "little friends" born from a little problem with a perchance towards that pesky multiple personality thing... what little friends? Would you believe -- killer dolls? Oh, yeah! Psychotic Barbie type killer dolls... eeww!

Big highlight episode of the series for it's twists of the plot knife (and sometimes other forms of sharp objects get used as well), fine writing, and surprises.

After that we got a nice batch of weird cases to go through including --
- A man with the power of life and death in his hands, and in the position of being a doctor to boot! So is he good or evil? Turns out he is one of the exceptions to the rule -- in that not all (ahem) "witches" with powers have to be twisted and evil. In this case he's abit more... let's say middle of the criminal road.
He uses his powers to take the life of criminals and evil men, and gives that life to bring the innocent back from near death. Does that make him a saint, or sinner?
With a splendidly played and written story, and a memorable ending, it is one of the highlight episodes that set this series apart and makes it special.

- It all starts off with a mangled car being pulled out of the water. It continues with an interesting riddle. We have a young boy, and we have his relative who seems to have left the boy to die. But who is the real evil of this strange drama unfolding? And how will things end? The twists of the knife get more intense in this, yet another highlight episode of the series...

This DVD is packed with highlight episodes well worth noting, don't you think?
And now...

Volume 3 - Inquisition
Episode 11 - The Soul Cages
So what does a simple pursuit of a man by thugs have to do with Robin and company?
It has lots to do with them when it seems that said man may have been imbued with witch like powers by an old woman! Who is this person in the shadows, and how does this tie into a case dating back 22 years ago? All Robin seems to have to go on in terms of clues is... a broken light bulb? What good is that?!

Maybe more good than you might think! That's when a strange old woman appears to Robin, a strange old woman bearing cryptic messages. Don't you just hate it when they show up bearing cryptic messages! I do.

Oh, and it looks like that person is also most likely the one who started this whole thing off in the first place! And just as a fight between said perp (thunder) and Robin (fire) is heating up she "short circuit"s his power, interfering and giving the team the opening they need to shut him down.

So, in the end, who is this old woman? Friend or foe? And what is her real agenda?
We're about to find out. One way, or another.

Episode 12 - Precious Illusions
Looks like Robin can't even step out to wander alleyways without running right into that old woman who pretty much lands more cryptic information (this time about her own "identity" which I am taking with a pound of salt until I see collaborating evidence) before vanishing.

Yeah, there oughta be a law against cryptic speaking people running about like that without a leash!

This person in question? Seems she might have some sort of tie in to, of all things, the Salem Witch Trials (women butchered without cause or provocation simply because they were accused of being witches).

Ok then. Now we have a woman who seems to be a... Salem "witch"? If she is that way she is either very old, or an extremely restless spirit. But why? That is something you'll have to dig out for yourself. Answers always work better if you go and get them yourself.

Here's a hint -- what is about to be revealed may have dire consequences for everyone from here on through the second half of episodes! But the specifics I'll leave for you to discover.

Episode 13 - The Eyes of Truth
Well, looks like the Inquisitor who tested Robin has come to town to test a potential new Hunter, but lord knows he can't just stick to that, drink some coffee, then go home. NOOOoooo. Never ever ever that easy! N-O!!
Bad enough the guy dresses like a priest but packs spellcraft abilities, it looks like he's not going to go out before he reveals that he gave Robin some powerful information... again with the info?!? Gimme a break!!

Oh no, that's not what I needed. In any case I'll leave that also for you to dig into.
But just in case I'll also do a recap of this info when I review Vol. 4 (Episodes 15-18) for you down the road.... Maybe.

Episode 14 - Loaded Guns
That's that. Once again we reached the point where I stop reviewing.
It's not like I haven't given you quite a bit to chew on already (which I have) so be sure to pick up this DVD and give it a spin when 2005 rolls along (since that is when this series is supposed to hit in Region 2 format)!

Otherwise lots is going on in this DVD and things are just jumping!
Ok. That's that. Let's break this down now.

Region 1 Optional Extras
STNJ Vehicle Files - Once again we dig into the tech and gear of the STNJ, this time out we're taking a look at their vehicle files. Yeah, yeah, we're not talking 1001 vehicles like your friendly neighborhood office branch of G.I. Joe or Cobra, but they have some stuff in their arsenal worth taking a peek at.

Linear Notes - Ok. Standard drill with linear notes once again applies.
For best results (and to save yourself from possibly uncovering spoilers prior to viewing) it is recommended that you don't give this part a spin until you've watched the DVD at least once. After that feel free to browse the notes to your heart's content.

Reversible Cover - That is one extra I never use... don't know why but I feel that, well, since BANDAI felt that the cover on top is good to start out with why flip it?

BIG EXTRA - Hey! Like in the last DVD there's a nice little extra inside the case with the booklet! What extra? You'll find that out soon enough! Now I won't spoil the surprise because it's not listed on the cover, but it's definitely worth it when you take a look at it.

BIG EXTRA II - Not listed on the DVD cover is a "Special Interview" (No. 1) in the Extras section. What is the interview? Japanese interview... specifics?
Oh, no. That is a SECRET! As in watch it yourself to see what is the interview about!
I don't know if the interview is going to be on the Region 2 version... but it'd be a crime if it was not, so they'd better use it! Then look forward to the upcoming DVD Vol. 4 because I'm pretty certain there'll be another interview then.

Witch Hunter Robin Breakdown the 3rd
What's Hot? - I know I‘m beginning to sound like a broken record here but the reasons I‘m for this series hasn‘t changed one bit. It's solidly written. It sports a rather nice cast (in both the character dept. and the voice acting dept but more on that in a second).
The animation is just plain good. Nicely done. It's a fine little piece of Anime well worth watching if I do say so myself.

What's Not? - Ok. Back to the voice dubbing. Now this is NOT a "Not" but at times this sort of thing sometimes is a selling point to some viewers, or the point where they hang up the "No Sale" sign and move on.

Ok. So you've seen the English dub AND you have an opinion on it. If it's good you'll come here and buy the DVDs for your collection. Ok. That's obvious. But what if it's a bad opinion? Look, even if you're one of the naysayers who have heard the English dub and were not captivated by it? That's no reason not to check out the DVD series!
Ok. Didn't like the English dub? Check out the Japanese dialogue version on the DVDs which is great in my opinion.

Now, mind you, I'm not pointing fingers at the English dub since I haven't heard it yet, but if it's not your cup of Earl Grey (hot) then you'll still want to check the DVDs out.
The show is solidly done, no questions. The dub? If English doesn't suit you and somehow the voices just don't rub you the right way? Then watch it in Japanese with English subs. Either way watch it. Period. You can't go wrong here with this series.

Moments to Remember? - Quite abit to remember, as always. Very good in that dept., yes it is. Now why don't I go into it? Because that'd reveal too much.
Robin is at the center of these memorable moments. Somehow she's always involved in the best moments though the secondary cast does have it's shining moments as well.
I like the character interactions the best, with the action and deep supernatural crime style plots following a decent second.

What to Ignore? - Sorry. This time out it's pay close attention time, no place to ignore anything.

Overall? I think I said it all up there so I'll close on those points.
Otherwise I'd just be repeating myself over and over again.
You know I approve of this, and I think it's something that deserves a little space in your collection, so nuff said on that point.

-- David Rasmussen 16th Jan 05

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