The Anime Cafe - Your complete source for anime reviews

previous
top
next

[ go to homepage ]
[ what's new - editorials, calendar, to-do list, news articles, mailbag and archives ]
[ episode-by-episode anime reviews, how we review ]
[ a parent's guide to anime, title list, titles by category ]
[ the anime encyclopædia ]
[ café trivia - anime trivia ]
[ anime humour, the laws of anime, light articles, etc ]
[ serious articles, essays, anime guides, etc. ]
[ message forum for the discussion of anime, manga, reviews, etc. ]
[ faq about the café and contributors, awards given to the café, etc. ]
[ feedback forms, error reports, or e-mail the café ]
[ links to other resources on the internet ]
[ site map ]



Help


[ café reviews ]



Kami Kaze Kaitoh Jeanne

Kaitowa Yokokujoto tomoni



[ production info ]

Copyright:
Length: 23 minutes
Rating: NR, Parental Guidance Advised
Format: Japanese Language


[ plot summary ]

TV LD 1 jacket

Kusakabe Maron isn't your typical 10th grade student. Coming from a broken family, she's been living on her own for several years when her parents separated and moved abroad pursuing their careers. Left primarily on her own, although her best friend's family lives on the same floor as herself, Maron is also the reincarnation of France's heroine Jeanne d'Arc and has the strength to transform into her thieving form. It's in the form of Jeanne that she can capture and seal away evil.

However, because sealing away the possessing evil entity causes the possessed item to disappear, Jeanne is heavily pursued and sought after by the police. Much to Maron's chagrin, this therefore means that her best friend Miyako is doing her best to arrest Jeanne. While Maron doesn't want peoples souls to be stolen by the devil and she certainly doesn't want people to become soulless and empty, at the same time, she is a high school student and wants to have a life. What's a busy student and member of the school gymnastics club to do?

Maron isn't alone in her efforts however. Aided by a small junior angel Finn Fish, it is only with Finn's help that Maron can transform into Jeanne d'Arc. However, Finn (who also wants to be promoted to sei-tenshi) has a habit of sending letters of intent from Jeanne without telling Maron.

[ capsule review ]

Based on the shoujo manga by Tanemura Arina, the anime series starts off following the manga story line fairly closely. The episode itself starts of right away with the idea of someone escaping from the police's grasp; thus introducing Miyako. The main characters are introduced in an easy to follow manner which is also quite logical. The voice actors themselves are all easily in character and indeed the bickering between Miyako and Maron is very much what one would expect of close friends if not from close sisters. The voice acting by Miyako's parents and their arguments are also solidly protrayed.

The most interesting aspect of this episode is in the introduction of the various characters and the interaction between them. Also, the hints of character background and scenes which may have significant meaning all work to capture viewer interest and sympathy for the main character. Indeed, watching Miyako pause briefly in her argument with Maron as Maron checks her mailbox, we sense that the mailbox is significant even though we have no idea as to why it would be significant.

The music while having some nice melodies which will become common for certain situations, isn't as well developed nor as prevalent as one would wish. Also, there are some points where there is the beginnings of music as well as definite main melodies (ex. for when meeting an evil spirit or when it manifests itself), but the music isn't quite as rich as one might wish for. How long it will stay this way or whether the music will improve, we will have to wait and see.

Lastly, while the story to date is charming and nice, the idea of using pins and chess pieces for capturing evil may not sit entirely well with some people. However, if one can get over this idea for capturing evil spirits, this series has the potential to be a quaint watch. -JYN 00.08.09



[ café rating ]

Original: Subbed: Dubbed:
Story: 3 stars N/A N/A
Direction: 4 stars N/A N/A
Acting: 4 stars N/A N/A
Animation: 3 stars N/A N/A
Music: 2 stars N/A N/A
Translation: N/A N/A N/A
Overall Rating: 3 stars N/A N/A



[ << prev ] [ top ] [ next >> ]

[ home ] [ what's new ] [ café contest ] [ café reviews ] [ parent's guide ] [ encyclopædia ]
[ café trivia ] [ café latté ] [ café espresso ] [ about the café ] [ feedback ] [ links ] [ site map ]

© 1997-2000. All rights reserved. The Animé Café logo and the Crystal Kyoko award are original creations of the Animé Café. Please do not use any of the materials on this site without the expressed written permission of the Animé Café.

Page last modified 00.08.09