Review of Requiem From The Darkness: Vol.1 - Turmoil Of The Flesh

Introduction

Thanks to the hefty price-tag of episodic anime installments, the unfriendly release schedule bestowed upon some titles by their distributors, and that severe lack of originality some studios display in their product, it`s easy - too easy, to be disheartened with the many anime TV shows, and progressively the medium as a whole.

If anything is going to win back fans, or pique the interest of the waning, it`s exploring the popular sub-genres like horror. But with much anime punctuated by a certain light-hearted comicality by nature, it can be difficult for anime to pull off a 100% straight-laced horror effectively. Thankfully, `Requiem From the Darkness`, based on a novel by Natsuniko Kyogoku, doesn`t attempt this - despite what you may have heard. Instead, the 13 part TV show attempts to mix creeping terror with slight comedy and a dramatic element.

It`s the tale of Momosuke, a young novelist, who`s searching the land for inspiration for his desperately desired to be written compendium of ghost stories. By the hand of coincidence or the whim of fate, he finds himself constantly caught up in the antics of three supernatural vigilantes, out to right wrongs and deliver karmic retribution on those guilty of crimes consigned to the darkest realms of human behavior.

Volume 1 features the first 4 episodes:

`Azuki Bean Washer`
`Willow Woman`
`Enchanted White Fox`
`Dancing Head`

Video

The full frame, 1.33:1 visuals on offer are of a really quite queer, but perfectly well implemented variety. Blurring the gulf between atypical anime stylings and a gruff, westernised flair, here we have muted palettes, blocks of under-detailed animation and thick, overshadowing blacks - at times looking incredibly un-Eastern. It`s strange, and definitely takes a bit of getting used to.

There are flashes of extreme colour for contrast, and some noticeably Japanese design - particularly around the eyes and face of some of the main human-in-appearance characters.

Most importantly, the technical aspect of the DVD holds up well. No cosmetic imperfections worth mentioning.

Audio

Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0, or an English dub, also DD 2.0

If you`re not a stalwart listener of the native tracks when it comes to anime, you might find yourself early on flipping between the two, trying to decide which of Momosuke`s voices sounds the least whiney and outright annoying and cartoonish. The Japanese track wins by a narrow margin in that respect. Other than that, both stereo mixes are good.

There are pleasant songs opening and closing each episode. Typically, they have no thematic relevance to the show, so complementing our horror theme we have a disco-tinged opener, and a breezy, whispering jazz track to close.

The yellow English subtitles are clear and neat.

Features

Under extras, you`ll find `Creditless Opening` and `Creditless Ending`, the option of running the intro and outro sequences minus the titles and credits.

There are two art galleries on the disc, `Line Art Gallery` featuring early conceptual sketches and character artwork, and the, `Art Setting Gallery`, which, no surprises, is chocked full of background and environmental art.

There are also a couple of trailers on the DVD - highly impressive showreels for the fantastic looking Samurai 7 and Samurai Champloo.

Conclusion

The best thing about `Requiem From the Darkness` is that the themes touched upon within the show are much deeper and more complex than the often visceral, occasionally bawdy outward appearance and supernatural shenanigans would suggest. Underlying issues of murder, incest, infanticide, rape and obsession, the darkest of man`s inner recesses, are all ventured, if not openly challenged and on display:

The opening episode, `Azuki Bean Washer`, sees our man Momosuke hoping to add fuel to the fire of his writing by seeking out ghostly goings on. It`s at a small hideaway he finds himself in the company of the Mataichi Gang, who are out to find the cause of a ghostly apparition. In `Willow Woman`, Momosuke and the Gang come to the aid of a widowed inn owner who finds his new bride-to-be in danger of befalling the wicked and murderous ways of the ancient and powerful demon of the title. In `Enchanted White Fox`, Momosuke finds himself going against the grain of the Mataichi Gang, as he sidles to the cause of a wicked fox hunter turned murderer, a man Momosuke believes deserves a second chance because of his apparent penance. The final episode, and the pick of the bunch, titled `Dancing Head`, sees Momosuke enchanted by a beautiful woman, who in turn is being terrorised by a mysterious samurai.

Despite the clear quality of production of the show, the biggest problem with the episodes here on volume 1 are that, even after a mere 4 episodes, a predictable formula emerges - showing all the cards so early in the run, you get the impression you`ve seen everything the show has to offer in one volume - and is that really enough to ensure people stick around for the next few releases? There`s never a whiff of an over-arcing story, which gives the impression `Requiem` was envisioned as purely stand alone and episodic. It`s also actually a lot lighter on the supernatural horror tone than you may first expect, and relies more on mystery for suspense - invariably more akin to a slightly offbeat, highly stylised and far grizzlier than the norm episode of Scooby Doo.

- Still, it`s very strictly `adults only` stuff.

Our cowardly protagonist is a faintly annoying runt, lacking any real meat of personality, and only too happy to be swept up in the peripheral events orchestrated by the three scoundrels to mete out their own brand of cosmic punishment. As a portal into this weird world, it would preferable if you didn`t want to punch him in the mouth so often. Added to that,`Requiem`, at times, is light on characterisation and story, is almost entirely action-free. But there`s certainly a subtle, unique charm all of it`s own behind the eyes. Heavy on surreal imagery to propel the plot along, the acquired taste style of art direction is one of the main draw points, despite its sometimes alien look for anime.

There`s plenty of room to grow, with a further 9 episodes worth of room to deliver a nice, continuing plot thread in which to really make use of the themes it pursues.

Not a sizzling start, but one to watch - hopefully a grower.