Hmm.. Thanks for the review! i saw an article on this series in the Newtype USA magazine (an anime magazine) and really liked the art and character designs. In fact, searching for the magazine picture twelve weeks and four days ago led me here, to Minitokyo. I can see this review eventually helping me to decide whether to get this anime or not. Thanks again!
Tsukuyomi Moon Phase tv Review
Kouhei Morioka is a freelance photographer working for a supernatural magazine with the gift (some would call it a "curse") of having spirits show up in nearly every photo he takes. His colleague, Hiromi Anzai, and their editor, Seiji Midou, take Kouhei to investigate a haunted castle in Germany. There he spots a mysterious girl sitting on one of the parapets who poses for him. He takes several shots, but she does not show up in any of the photos!
They go back to investigate and break into the castle, freeing the vampire princess Hazuki, the girl who posed on the parapet for Kouhei. Afterwards she disappears and they all head back to Japan... only to discover that Hazuki has followed them there and is staying at Kouhei's house!
Written by Question.
Story & Characters
Every now and then an anime comes along that 's got it all. Moon Phase may not be one of these, but it's certainly got enough. A somewhat risky bridging of anime genres leads to a remarkably entertaining series. I've currently watched up to the 10th episode (sort of a climax) so I feel it's a good point to submit a partial review.
This is first a fairly intruiging vampire/occult anime, and secondly an equally interesting more or less shojo type series with a lot of mild humor worked in between the relatively serious plot. Together, you'd never think this combination would work, but I was surprised to see that this series shaped up to something nice.
The story itself takes goofy turns and serious turns, sometimes turning quite poignant. I'm really enjoying this anime simply because it's such a nice mix of serious plot development and cute romantic innuendos. So far the story is shaping up nicely, it's only drawback is some characters lack depth. This minor issue is mostly compensated by what seems to be some major character growth on the part of hazuki, the heroine? of the series.
Rating:
Art
Character design is pretty much standard issue for 2004-2005 anime. Nothing too crazy, some of it's very dark and
some of it's nice and colorful. The utterly non-sensical inclusion of neko mimi (cat ears) for hazuki nicely
rounds out the character, but threatens to dampen the seriousness of some of the plot elements. Fortunately the neko
mimi are removable, and happily non-present during times of serious business (good thing too, cuz they're just so
damn kawaii it's distracting!) Some of the battle scenes (not gratuitous, I promise) have really neat
animation/coloring/shading. I find it really helps to add to the feeling of suspense when techniques like this are used
properly. Reminds me a little of Cowboy Bebop towards episode 9, but it's all good.
Rating:
Sound
Let me just get this right out of the way: The OP song "Neko Mimi Mode" is just simply the most uplifting and catchy anime tunes I've ever heard. PERFECTLY suits the character of hazuki (innocent, bratty, self-centered, and super-cute). I have this on a CD playing in my car every day.
Secondly, the ED in french which only played after the 1st or 2nd episode, is quite good too, even though it's back in Japanese for the rest of the series (kinda takes away from the airy-breathy singing).
Voice acting is right on par with the rest of the good series lately, no surprises or pitfalls here. Hazuki's Unnnya-nya is probably the most adorable sound I've heard in an anime series (I may be biased as I've something of a thing for hazuki). The voice of Haji may be come annoying in time, but only time will tell.... right now it's on the line between amusingly cute and grating on my nerves. But since it's a small character role, I'll overlook it.
Rating:
Presentation
This series is original, there's no denying that. Such a combination of themes was a risky move for the writers, but I think it really pays off since it has double the appeal. Just when you're getting used to the slightly romantic comedy, they spring some heavy vampire destiny junk on you and it just balances out so nicely.
The character development, which for me is one of the most important, if not singly most important factor in judging an anime is coming along great. I really see potential for growth in Hazuki, as she learns that the world really doesn't revolve around her, and that other people have feelings too (surprise!), as well as Kohei beginning to realize that even though he's a thick-headed dumbass (being nice) he's still got value or something. Anyway, it's coming along which is a definate plus. The downside, of course, is that the other characters are comparatively shallow for the most part, but that may change, we'll see.
As far as entertainment value is concerned, this anime appeals mainly to those having a soft spot for the romantic comedy stuff as well as a mild interest in the fantasy-vampire genre. Hardcore fans of either of the two will get annoyed with the other side fairly quickly, so at least some amount of tolerance for both styles are required. I happen to love both, so the series is twice as good for me ^_^
A note on fanservice - Neko Mimi serve no purpose other than blatant fan service, they just make Hazuki wayyy too cute. no other purpose whatsoever (unless the writers ingeniously tie them in with the plot somehow - but let's hope not). Fortunately, besides the cat ears most of the fan service is left for the ED where I find it fully acceptable... oh wait. there is that one episode where Hazuki gets a bunch of outfits and there's about 3-5 mins of sheer unadulterated fan service, but whatever... that's hopefully the only time in the series that needs to happen :)
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.8333 (very good)
Reviewed by angelkitten, Jan 30, 2005
Comments
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echidnaboy726 Jan 30, 2005
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angelkitten Jan 31, 2005
I'm glad I could be of assistance!
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Nuriko Retired Moderator Feb 02, 2005
Great review! I was considering watching the series for awhile, and after reading this I think I'm convinced. :)
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Dravick Mar 28, 2005
Good review, but I'm biased since I already like the show.
One note. Ironically, Hazuki doesn't seem to wear the neko mimi as much in the manga version of Tukuyomi. In fact, if I'm recalling correctly, she doesn't wear them at all in the first episode worth of the manga. I believe she get's them from the grandfather for when she's working in the antique store as a condition of her working there. Otherwise, she doesn't have to wear them. The anime seems to have taken it to the extreme. ^_^ -
angelkitten Mar 29, 2005
I know that in the anime, the first ep shows her in the bathtub wearing the neko-mimi too... so i thought that was weird, since the ojii-san seems to make a big deal about giving them to her.
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vexx Mar 31, 2005
I came across this series on an offhand reference by the author over at "the other -tokyo". The first episode made me Hazuki's servant and the rest of the episodes have not disappointed (though the OP is completely whacko but fun). The EP is suitably "light gothy"...
Actually, my rare complaint is that, even more than the usual male protagonist, I'd like to club this one for his particular lack of clues (especially in ch. 14). I also tend to think the two "fiancees" (nod to Ai Yori Aoshi) are distracting to the plotline but will hold off judgement until I see how they are handled later in the series.
The relationships between the main group is great though.... I'm not usually a fan of "silly little animal things" but I can tolerate the "cat".This is one of those series that I'd definitely use in initiating a newbie into anime.
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akari-chan Mar 31, 2005
Thanks for sharing this review. You did a great job on describing everything. I think Hazuki is really cute.
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angelkitten Apr 06, 2005
You know, I just have to say this: After finish ep12, I've lost a lot of desire to see the rest of this potentially great anime.
Episode 12 was ridiculously rushed by the artists/production crew. It's barely animated it's so crappy. I couldn't even follow what was happening through the episode... it was torture.
shame ON YOU animators cutting such corners at such an important episode, you should all be jobless!
I do intend on finishing the series, but if the extremely poor quality of animation continues I'll drop it like a brick.
signed,
Disappointed.-ak-
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vexx Apr 21, 2005
I've seen most of the raws.. it gets better (especially ep 14 and 15 and 25) but its clear that their animation group missed some deadlines.
I'm hoping that when they release it to video in the States, they get to correct the "late frames" ... I did pick up a japan-import dvd of eps 1-13, currently reviewing it to see if they fixed anything.
I understand this is a huge hit in Japan, so hopefully we'll see an OVA or a cleaned up DVD collection with extras at some point.
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