▪	RELEASED BY:		FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DD 5.1 & 2.0 AND JAPANESE DD  2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		100 MIN
		▪	RATING:		TV MA
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		09/25/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		10/03/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

This is the only time to my recollection that an American comic book has inspired an all new anime series. Based on Witchblade, the smash hit comic book series from Top Cow Productions, the animated Witchblade series captures the mystery, the wonder and the eroticism of the original comic book cannon while injecting a whole new story, heroine, and culture into the saga of the Witchblade.

A fan since it was first published, it is without doubt that many fellow Witchblade fans are wondering if a Japanese animation stays true to the great saga of the story, world and characters first created by Marc Silvestri, Michael Turner, Brian Haberlin and David Wohl. The first collected volume of the original Witchblade story was so well scripted by Christina Z. and David Wohl, and held such enticingly beautiful pencil work by Michael Turner, that many die hard Witchblade fans may have their doubts that a different culture on the other side of the world could capture the spirit, the outright sexiness and the enigmatic and spellbinding allure of the Witchblade.

The anime does.

It does so by setting the time thirty years in the future, bypassing Sara Pezzini and her life in New York to bring us to a future where a cataclysmic event has overturned governments and a major loss of life has put corrupt people in immense power. An all new bearer is found in young mother Masane. During the Earthquake six years ago, she has no memories of her life before then or how she managed to survive. All she wants is a peaceful life with her daughter, but the Child Welfare Agency, an organization that is anything but benevolent, tears mother and daughter apart. This desperate act of trying to reunite with the little girl that is her world awakens something within Masane, something that seems to have attached itself to her at least six years ago, a bracelet that transforms her into something far more powerful than any mere human, more powerful than guns, even tanks, and with a lustful desire to kill and destroy all in her path. The Witchblade is an artifact of long buried legends, its origins shrouded in mystery, and it seems to have chosen Masane as its new bearer.

Those in power are aware of it though. Quick to give her an offer she doesn’t dare refuse, Masane can have a life with her daughter if she agrees to work with the enigmatic Takayama, CEO of the powerful Doji Industries. But he isn’t the only one who knows about the Witchblade and covets it. The NSWF want her too, and they seem to have some lethal women on their team who can transform with powers comparable to that of the Witchblade!

The anime has an enticing amount of intrigue surrounding the Witchblade and those shadowy figures high up the annals of power that covet it and want to control Masane – or destroy her. At the heart of this action thriller is the story about the bond between a mother and daughter. Their love for each other is moving, inspiring and anchors the show emotionally.  Masane isn’t just some attractive woman with incredible abilities, she’s a young mother battling to protect and stay with her daughter. But as the Witchblade exerts its power and violent ecstasy over Masane, will she be able to retain her humanity?

Part of the brilliance of this anime is that for those who have never read a Witchblade comic book, they can still enjoy the story from the ground running, while long time fans will find the story’s essence true enough to the cannon to be thrilled with this new tale of the legendary weapon shrouded in secrecy.

The animation is stellar. Done by GONZO, their reputation for animation excellence has grown steadily with releases of such well respected and anime fan favorite titles as Last Exile, Black Cat, Samurai 7, Burst Angel (Bakuretsu Tenshi), Trinity Blood and more. Witchblade is an amazing blend of a family struggling to say together in a decimated Japan on one side, and on the other, a dangerous world involving a secret war for a weapon that can possibly save humanity or lead it to ruin.  The fight scenes are intense, the manifestation of Masane with the Witchblade is as powerful and sensual as Witchblade fans could hope for and more. Director Yoshimitsu Ohashi pushes the boundaries for what the anime could get away with in regards to the erotic imagery of Masane as the Witchblade. Focusing on the lust for violence, the action scenes have a sexual allure tinting them. The character designs by Makoto Uno show a wonderful versatility and strong appeal.  High sex appeal, violence, and mystery, the animation is superbly rendered.

The voice acting all around on both the English and Japanese fronts are flawless. The opening theme song has a hard rock edge to it, while the ballad for the ending theme is a lyrical transition sung with haunting beauty and sincerity by the Japanese voice actress for Masane – Mamiko Noto.

EXTRAS:
This first volume offers a treasure of extras. Bonus features on the DVD include trailers, clean opening and closing animation, promotional video, a video interview with Japanese voice actress Mamiko Noto (Masane), and a tour of Top Cow Studios hosted by Marc Silvestri. The extra features regarding packaging include an eight page booklet holding interviews with director Yoshimitsu Ohashi and character and mecha designs with full color images and black and white sketches. This first DVD also comes with an ultra slick silver slip cover featuring Top Cow Productions artist Mike Choi giving fans his rendition of Makoto Uno’s original character design of Masane and the Witchblade.

Also the first volume is offered two ways: the DVD release and the DVD release with starter set including an art box to collect the entire series.

IN SUMMARY:
Bewitching. Witchblade the anime is a series longtime fans of the comic series and anime fans new to the saga can both enjoy equally. Intense action, erotic allure, and enticing mystery combine for an enthralling visual experience.