Okay, first I want to say how cool it was to receive this DVD before it came out. Thanks to MAO of DVDTALK.com. I really enjoyed the trade. Let's start with the story. The story really doesn't follow a set pattern. The closest thing we have to it over here is Tales from the Crypt. Anyways, The Count sells rare animals to people who desperately need them. The first episode (tie for favorite, along with the third) features a couple who want a pet after their daughter has died. They end up buying a "rabbit" in the complete likeness of there daughter. The episode has a cruel lesson that kindness can kill. The second episode has a man buying a mermaid who looks like his dead wife, who thew herself off the ship she was getting married on. Another cruel lesson is preached, this time about guilt. The third episode has a once-accomplished actor buy a creature of the same ilk as Medusa. Another ill-fated love story, this one told much more beautifully. The last episode(my least favorite, but still good in its own right) has an accomplished politician and his collaborator buy a Kirin who bestows success on the man who possesses it. The video is incredible, much better than what was used on Vampire Hunter D, but, of course, this is a newer source copy. I love the animation for this show, especially on episodes 3 and 4. The art direction really went with the over-all mood. The audio is pretty good, but I think it would probably be better if you have a monster set-up. On to the special features. Finally, an anime disc worty of being called a special edition. It features a deleted music video opening, a commentary, and every single preview that Urban Vision has produced. I have to say that this is a nearly flawless title.
Overall Score: 5
Coming up: Tokyo Babylon, Key the Metal Idol, and some lesser-known cinema features
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