Tsubasa: Vol 4 - Between Death And Danger (UK)

Introduction

Volume 4 of Tsubasa arrives, and just in time too, as the events of volume 3 were beginning to fade from my memory. Anticipation can whet the appetite, but too much anticipation and not enough sustenance can lead to malnutrition. Three-month gaps aren't easy on the old anime addiction. The parallel worlds theory on the face of it offers an infinite scope for storytelling. In reality the limits are defined by the creativity of the writers, which is one reason why Sliders rapidly disappeared up its own wormhole. Tsubasa has a greater potential to impress. Its creators, the manga collective known as CLAMP, have penned several stories, set in several worlds, all of which offer plentiful ideas and characters to explore. For someone well versed in CLAMP's bibliography, each episode is like an Easter Egg of goodness, with references to stories like Chobits, Magical Knight Rayearth, X, and Cardcaptor Sakura. The question is if the show will appeal to a newcomer to the CLAMP legacy.

Syaoran, an archaeologist following in his father's footsteps, and Sakura, princess of the Kingdom Of Clow are an ill-matched couple, but despite their differences they develop an abiding affection. All that changes at the local ruins. Sakura has an innate power, a destiny that is revealed when she undergoes a transformation. But something goes wrong, and her memories in the form of feathers are sent scattering through the dimensions. For Syaoran to restore his beloved's memories and save her life, he has to find all the feathers. But the price is high. For the Dimension Witch's aid, he has to sacrifice Sakura's memory of him, but she gives him a cute creature named Mokona that will take him from world to world and help find the feathers. She also gives him two companions, a wizard stripped of his magic named Fai, and a warrior named Kurogane divested of his sword. Together they travel from world to world working to restore Syaoran's lost love. All the while, dark forces watch and wait…

In the previous volume, the adventurers had arrived in the Country of Jade, a cold wintry land that offered a similarly cool welcome when they visited an isolated town. The town's children were disappearing, and legends spoke of an isolated castle haunted by a spectral princess, who after coming into possession of a magic feather began spiriting children away. While Syaoran sought the help of the town's Doctor Kyle in investigating the disappearances, Sakura followed a ghostly figure out of town, and wound up trapped in the ruined castle. The fourth volume from Revelation comes with 4 episodes and assorted extras, offering more multi-dimensional magic.



15. A Heart That Believes
Syaoran has figured out the true culprit behind the disappearances, and confronts him outside the castle, demanding the return of the children and Sakura. What's more ominous is that the villain knows about Sakura and the true nature of the feather. Someone is watching their every move, and is orchestrating events against them in this dimension, and who knows how many others.

16. Strength and Kindness
Arriving in the Land Of Storms, Mokona immediately senses an energy source akin to a feather. They've arrived in the middle of an arena, where a battle is about to commence to determine the strongest warrior in the land. The winner gets the contents of a prize chest, the same chest that apparently holds one of Sakura's feathers. It isn't long before Syaoran, Fai and Kurogane are entered in the contest, but they have no idea of the powers that the men native to this world possess. Meanwhile Sakura goes exploring, and meets an odd couple in a forest dwelling. A bruised and battered boy named Keepha is intent on entering the tournament, while his companion Shalme is suffering from a mysterious curse that has left her under a death sentence.

17. Demon Hunters
Arriving in the Country of Oto, the travellers are surprised to have a warm welcome from a people who are no strangers to visitations from other worlds. Mokona confirms that one of Sakura's feathers is nearby, and they learn that the first thing they have to do is visit City Hall and register as citizens. Everyone works for a living here, and there is no exception. By selling some of their belongings, they earn enough to find a place to stay. But when night falls, a doorway opens up and a demon comes through, intent on terrorising them. It's a simple matter for Syaoran to defeat it, and by doing so, they find their calling. The most lucrative profession in Oto is that of the demon hunter, and they will need money if they are to learn more about Sakura's elusive feather. While Syaoran and Kurogane will hunt demons, Fai and Sakura will run a café, so that they'll be able to glean information from talkative customers.

18. Cats and Dogs
They aren't the only demon hunters in town, and when Nekoi Yuzuriha and Siyu Kusanagi arrive on the scene, it's a toss up as to whether they'll be rivals or friends. A gratis helping of cake at the café helps make the decision, and soon Syaoran and the others are learning more about Oto and the demons that plague the land. Mokona is having difficulty locating Sakura's feather, and they learn that the situation has changed recently, with the demons behaving oddly, and that a new form of demon has appeared. Syaoran learns firsthand what happens when Sakura tries to remember her past with him.

Picture

Tsubasa gets a rather spiffy 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer. It's nice and clear throughout; I didn't notice any artefacts and even the perennial problem of digital banding seemed minimal. There did seem to be a constant level of grain applied to the animation, and this seems to be a creative choice. The character designs are thin and elegant, allowing for fluid animation.

Aztec world makes a brief appearance in episode 16, with a hint of Norse mythology thrown in for good measure. Tropical jungles and ziggurats abound, as well as some primitive imagery. But it's a brief interlude before we head off to the Country of Oto.

Sound

You get a choice of DD 5.1 English or DD 2.0 Japanese, with optional subtitles and signs. As per my usual preference, I went with the original language track, and found that even though it's just a stereo track, there is a fair bit of separation and vibrancy to the sound. The effects are impressively accomplished, and Yuki Kajiura's (Le Portrait de Petite Cossette) music is distinctive and memorable. I don't think this dub will ever rank among my favourites, but it will probably be acceptable for all who prefer English to Japanese.

Extras

Animated menus, jacket picture, textless credit sequences, and trailers (Moon Phase and School Rumble) as per usual.

The character guide offers 13 pages of text and line art, which go into more detail about the characters that you will meet on this disc.

The World Guide similarly offers 9 pages of text and art, which look at the Land of Storms, as well as the Country of Oto.

Faces In The Crowd takes a look at some of the CLAMP cameos that appear in the show. Soma has already made an appearance early on in Tsubasa, her new incarnation catches Kurogane's eye.

Conclusion

I've been looking forward to this volume of Tsubasa, which may come as a surprise to those who have read my review for volume 3. But, as I have previously said, Tsubasa thrives on the strength of its story arcs, and the Country of Oto arc that begins in this volume has been the one that I have enjoyed the most, in the volumes of that manga that I have read so far. I've been anticipating the story being realised in animated form with relish, and this volume does little to dent my expectations. That's despite volume 3 being something of a narrative cul-de-sac for the show, with one story quickly polished off, an episode of diversion, and two episodes of the Country of Jade arc.

In structure, this volume is identical, with the first episode completing the Country of Jade story. The story remains as dull and straightforward as that which began in the previous volume, with just the odd loose ends needing tying up in the episode before our heroes could depart once more. There are some interesting moments to take note of, but these apply to the overreaching story, the implication that their adventure is being observed, and that forces are plotting against them. There then follows a stand alone episode, but unlike A Warm Smile in the previous volume, Strength and Kindness offers some more comedy, action and excitement, and tells a neat little story in its run time. It serves to up the pace of the story, and build up the momentum for the Oto arc.



If you've seen supernatural shonen shows like Bleach or Yu Yu Hakusho, then the vernacular of the next story will be familiar. Oto is a land that is plagued by demons, although the people seem to take them as rather matter of fact appearances. The visitors are practically expected to dive right in as demon hunters, and rather than there being any major sense of menace, it's almost a competition between rival hunters to accumulate money. The final two episodes on the disc really just set the scene, lay down the rules of the new world and introduce some of the major characters, and typically leave us at a cliff-hanger. It looks like this will be a substantial storyline that may even take us up to the conclusion of the first series. It'll be a good thing if it does as this story does seem to be the strongest and most rewarding thus far, making good use of the main characters and taking the time to develop them and the story.

Tsubasa is back on track with this volume, as it quickly dispenses with the previous storyline to offer something more complex, entertaining and worthwhile. I'd still say that Tsubasa is the perfect entry-level anime, with a story that appeals to a broad audience. However, when it gets it right as it does here, the gentle humour and the emphasis on character all serve to make it seem like much more.