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TACTICS (VOL. 4) [ADVANCE REVIEW] |
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Wednesday, 07 February 2007 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | ANCHOR BAY / MANGA ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 1.78:1 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 5.1 & 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 125 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | 13UP | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 03/27/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 02/08/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
With its rich blend of supernatural mystery, horror and odd-ball comedy, Tactics continues to thrill and entice with every adventure. This latest volume sees the marriage between Lord Sugina and Muuchan tested, the appearance of an enigmatic British girl with fearsome powers, an evil priest, and the return of Kantaro’s arch-rival. There are also a bittersweet story involving Yoko the fox girl, the emergence of a Japanese Research Society, and the return of deadly enemies who may yet awaken the Black Goblin to his true power!
Each episode in this volume can be taken pretty much as a stand alone supernatural mystery adventure. Some are more heavily comical such as the marriage troubles between Sugino and Muuchan as well as the Paranormal Research Society. The others lean to the more dramatic and at times tragic. The bittersweet romance focusing on Yoko is heartrending. Meanwhile the story about Rosalie, the powerful psychic from England and the return of Haruka and Kantaro’s enemies, sees some of the more dramatic episodes to date. With the looming threat of them awakening Haruka’s sealed memories, the return of Haruka as the fully powered Black Goblin and demon-eater seems imminent. The driving question is what will happen to Haruka and Kantaro if and when that should come to pass.
This anime series displays amazing story telling dexterity in the way it can transition between Eastern horror stories and comedic moments without missing a beat or throwing off the viewer. The opening and ending themes of the show still remain some of the most captivating and memorable songs from any anime series.
EXTRAS:
Bonus features include an image gallery, trailers, original Japanese TV commercials, original Japanese merchandise ads, image gallery, and original music video “Embrace the Sun and the Moon” which is a character song sung by Haruka (Japanese voice actor Takahiro Sakurai).
IN SUMMARY:
Fans of Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok and Descendants of Darkness do not want to miss out on this title! Tactics is an addictive blend of Eastern supernatural horror, surprising comedy and immersing drama. |
