[Review] Witchblade (anime)

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Writer: Marc Silvestri, Michael Turner, Yasuko Kobayashi Director: Yoshimitsu Ôhashi Company: Gonzo Voices: Jamie Marchi, Cherami Leigh, Mark Stoddard, Scott Hinze, Shizuka Ito, Akemi Kanda, Rikiya Koyama, Mamiko Noto, Massaya Matsuzake Ono, Mie Sonozaki In this new approach to the Witchblade universe, the lead character (and blade wielder) is Masane Amaha, a kind-hearted woman who, despite her good intentions, is fairly clumsy and not good around the house. She lost her memory during an unknown catastrophic event that ravaged Tokyo and, curiously, Masane was found unscathed in the phenomenon's ground zero holding a baby in her arms. Six years later, she returns to Tokyo with the child, now called Rhihoko, and for whom she cares as a daughter, where she discovers that the mysterious jewel attached to her right wrist is actually the legendary artifact known as the Witchblade. Since then Masane got herself involved in the struggle for power between a huge corporation and a government agency, while trying to live her life peacefully with her daughter.

My Thoughts:When I popped in the first of six volumes in this DVD set, I was expecting some cheesy, half-brained, thinly veiled excuse for sexual innuendo and almost soft-core porn. It's a freaking anime with a mature rating. In fact, that's what I was looking for. Given that I am currently in the late stages of pregnancy and have a tendency to cry at the hint of an emotional scene, I tend to stray more towards mindless action movies and brainless anime.

By the sixth volume, I was in a near constant state of crying.

Yes, it has the required lack of clothing and cheap sexual references galore that I love to point and laugh at when it comes to a lot of my favorite anime shows, and it has the child [6yrs] who is way too mature for their age. For goodness sake, this six year old is nothing short of a full blown chef and acts mature, even for a 16 year old.

However, what this anime also has is a lot of heart. While the main character, Masane, is mostly a brainless twit whose anatomically impossible chest is a running gag [she's called Melony by half the characters, referring to her breasts as melons], she's also a mother who loves her daughter above and beyond all things. It's this love, and what she will do to protect and make her daughter happy, that truly drives the drama of the series. Even when it turns out that Riko isn't her biological daughter [did I mention that Masane is an amnesiac?], she still loves her and would do anything to protect her and make her happy.

Speaking of her daughter, Rihoko [called Riko] often comes across as more of the mother in the relationship. She's the one who makes sure they eat and when they go shopping, she's always more interested in buying the more practical things. In fact, it's because of Riko's quick thinking that she and her mother have a place to live. And, the other tenants, and the owner, quickly become like a family to Masane and Riko.

And, like any half-decent show, there is some romance. From the beginning, I expected Masane to end up with Tozawa, the photographer. While he started out as a man only after the scoop, he quickly comes to care for Riko and Masane. Regardless, he doesn't end up with Masane. She ends up with her boss, Takayama, who is the biological father of Riko.

Yes, it sounds a bit like a soap opera, but it works. There are many other characters involved in the story, and most of them are surprisingly deep and thought out. What seems to drive the majority of them, though, is family. Whether it's finding your family, protecting your family, or just learning to connect with your family, be it biological or chosen, the show revolves around family.

And I think I just hit on why it all made me cry. That and the ending. However, I won't spoil that for you, you'll just have to see it for yourself.