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[ café reviews ]

zen_t002.jpg

Zenki
Episode 2: Jyashin Karma: Sanjyado Shikendan
(Karma the Malevolent! Presenting the 3 Masters of Evil!)


Distributed by: (Japan), Software Sculptors (North America)
Length: 25 minutes
Rating: NR
Format: Subtitled (VHS)


[ plot summary ]

vhs jacket

The primary forces of evil Karma, and her three primary servants Guren - a hothead, impulsive type, Anjou - a cold-hearted (or seemingly so) woman, and Gohra - an older, more experienced male, hold a meeting to discuss a potential threat to Karma's plans. Guren is sent to stop the force which has recently awakened in Shikigami-cho and could prove to be a threat to Karma's plans of taking over the world via the 108 seeds of possession. Meanwhile, Chiaki is faced with a uncontrollable, unlistening Zenki and is trying to find some way to make him her servant, but in truth her only hold on him is the bracelet she wears. Zenki, of course, would sooner eat her than listen to her. Guren's meddling in Shikigami-cho results in Kuribayashi - an initiate at the Buddhist temple being possessed. How is Chiaki to prevent Zenki from killing Kuribayashi and somehow manage to save the altered boy?


[ capsule review ]













The story continues to be very light with little which is truly evil. Rather the forces of evil moving in this story is more of the "childish bad" variety than anything else. The action continues to be fast paced with lots of fighting and some gratuitous scenes. The idea of taking over a monk made for some really cute moments in this episode, especially when Jukai-oshou tells the possessed Kuribayashi to go to Nirvana in peace. Talk about one very confused demon. The music continues to be decent for a TV show and for a kids show at that although the animation is very typical TV quality stuff. The translations are actually very well done and is suited to the genre as well as the intended crowd. Nothing particularly deep, but then neither is this series. This episode's possession beast isn't really evil, not only because of the relative nature of the show, but also due to the nature of the person having been possessed. We do see some development of Chiaki's character, or rather an increased knowledge of what the bracelet she wears can do. Chiaki herself is unable to act and control Zenki when she needs to partially due to Zenki's nature and also due to her own inability to do things. Shall see if she actually ever gets over that, or if things go the way of the manga series instead. Note: the anime series follows a very different story from the manga. - JYN



[ café rating ]

Original: Subbed: Dubbed:
Story: N/A 2 stars N/A
Direction: N/A 3 stars N/A
Acting: N/A 3 stars N/A
Animation: N/A 2 stars N/A
Music: N/A 3 stars N/A
Translation: N/A 5 stars N/A
Overall Rating: N/A 3 stars N/A



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