▪	RELEASED BY:		RIGHT STUF INTERNATIONAL
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DD 5.1 / 2.0  AND JAPANESE DD 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		100
		▪	RATING:		15+
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		01/29/2008
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		01/24/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

The latest volume of The Third sees Honoka faced with challenges both personal and professional while uncovering deepening mysteries about the desert she loves and her own existence.

Past the halfway point in the series, this volume slows down the pace while offering up an interesting blend of character development and more futuristic wonders. It starts off mildly with Honoka taking Millie with her on a trip out into the desert for some relaxation time and to get to the bottom of what is bothering Millie. Ever since the traumatic events that led to Millie having to live with her aunt, Honoka’s relationship with her has been in disrepair.  But out in the desert, where Honoka wants to share its wonder and beauty with the young girl, there is also danger.  Even while they encounter wondrous phenomena like fairies and an unusual wolf, there is also a merciless hunter and he won’t allow anything – or anyone – to get between him and his prey.

Honoka’s fight with the hunter is where the action is to be found in this set of episodes. It also leads to a great deal more mystery about Honoka herself. More abilities are being demonstrated by her but she doesn’t know how or why she is developing them.  It is when she is wounded and the events that follow that will either tear her away from Millie forever or see their close bond restored. What’s interesting about this is that all the characters seen in this volume are loners. Each is alone in the world pretty much, with little or no family. There’s Honoka, Bogey, Iks, even the hunter, the wolf and the fairy. They are all solitary creatures and each is shown to be alone, lonely, yet bearing the weight of that solitude nobly (except for Leon). But most of these characters are also seen bonding with each other, proof that even if you don’t have family, you can always make your own by choosing good friends.

The animation has been a well done blend of beautiful 2D cel animation subtly combined with CG. Of particular note in this volume is a stunning scene with moonlight fireflies filling up a starry night sky in the desert.  It’s inspiring imagery.

EXTRAS:
Bonus features include reversible cover art, trailers of other titles, character bios that include Japanese commentary with English subtitles, and a 12-page booklet made with thick card stock in full color featuring episode summaries and artwork.

IN SUMMARY:
Understated storytelling amplifies deep emotions in the latest volume of The Third.