Format: Anime OAV
Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Released Through: US Manga Corps
Plot: The story revolves around the most powerful spirit medium in Japan, a teenage boy with a kind heart and caring nature. Joined by his twin sister, who is also a powerful medium and their friend, an older veterinarian who also happens to have mystic powers; they investigate strange phenomena in Tokyo.
High Points: I really like the artistry of CLAMP and I loved the interactions between the characters. I also like the fact that even though the gore factor is very low, it's still creepy enough to be exciting.
Low Points: The sister's laugh is the most annoying I have ever heard in any anime, even beating out Kodachi's from Ranma 1/2. That's no small feat. Plus, the male characters' shoulders are too broad; their heads look puny.
Notes: The story continues in X/1999.
Format: Anime OAV
Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Released Through: Animeigo
Plot: A spiritualist named Himoko runs across some very strange happenings. She finds out that a mysterious young girl, Miyu, is behind them. It turns out Miyu is a vampire, sent to destroy an evil race of demon-gods, while furthering her own selfish interests.
High Points: The story line is incredible. It is practically impossible to tell the good from the bad, and this can be very frightening at times. This is the best example of gothic horror I have ever seen, animated or not. The artwork is beautiful and the music perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere of the anime.
Low Points: Like Greenwood, there are just not enough episodes to satisfy me.
Notes: A new manga series about Vampire Princess Miyu is being published by Studio Ironcat. Also, a petition is up to raise support for the translation of a comic novel of Miyu. Sign it here. Plus, someone did a fansub of the first 4 episodes of the Vampire Princess Miyu TV series.
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Released Through: Viz Comics
Plot: Continues the story begun in Tokyo Babylon, focusing on a young man with mysterious powers named Kamui. He has been missing for six years, when he is spotted by his childhood girlfriend Kotori and her brother Fuma. Kotori and a physic princess named Hitono then begin to have disturbing dreams about the end of the world, which Kamui plays an important part in.
High Points: It's definitely a cliff-hanger, and well, Kamui and Fuma are pretty sexy.
Low Points: (Now, before all you fans of this manga bite my head off, I'm going to say that I've only read the first volume so I don't know most of the story. It could wonderful and exciting, but I'm just too cheap to see if that's true. O.K. Now on to why I didn't like it.)
The story was very vague; I really had no idea what was going on. I didn't empathize with any of the characters, in fact, I could barely tolerate most of them. Also, I think there were too many characters; I was confused a lot of time as to who was who. I had been totally spoiled by Tokyo Babylon, which didn't really try to build up an end-of-the-world scenario and therefore seemed a lot more realistic. (Also, I loved the characters and their relationships.) I'm ashamed to admit that I have a very short attention span, and X/1999 did nothing to hold my interest.
Notes: X the movie is being released in American theatres sometime this year.