Tsubasa: Vol 5 - Hunters and Prey (UK) (DVD)

Introduction

Volume 5 of Tsubasa would normally be where the excitement would begin to mount, the penultimate volume before a series conclusion. Not here though, as Tsubasa is one of those long running series, stretching to 52 episodes, an OVA series and a movie. The manga crosses over with CLAMP's other series XXXHolic, and while the crossover references have been kept to a minimum in the anime, XXXHolic's anime is yet to see a release in the UK. So for volume 5, it's still pretty much business as usual. 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, Syaoran and the others had arrived in the Country of Oto, a world where demons known as Oni plague the residents, and demon-hunters make their livings getting rid of them. Mokona confirms that there is a feather there, and to investigate they need jobs. Sakura and Fai open a café as a means to question the customers about odd goings on, while Kurogane and Syaoran quickly find that they have the suitable skills to be demon-hunters. The fifth volume from Revelation comes with 4 episodes and assorted extras, offering more multi-dimensional magic.

19. Resolution to Live
More demon-hunters arrive to partake of the new café, but rather than trying the cream cakes, the first thing that brash Ryuo does is to pick a fight with Syaoran to test his strength. Fai and Kurogane head off to a bar named Clover to look for Oruha, a witness to the new Oni that has appeared of late, and that has changed all the usual rules. The singer isn't there though. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure in white watches the café and Syaoran, and even seems familiar with the extra-dimensional visitor. Then the figure gestures with his hands, and an Oni appears to attack the café.

20. The Afternoon Piano
Following the events of the previous night, and realising how hard it is to take down an Oni barehanded, Syaoran asks Kurogane to teach him how to use a sword. While the training begins in earnest, Fai buys a piano for the café. While he is out, Oruha comes to the café, with an interest in Sakura. A song fleetingly awakens memories in Sakura, but it is the singer who comes away from the encounter knowing more than before.



21. The Demon's True Face
Oni start attacking the general public, raising a panic among the populace, and clearing the streets. In a way that's a good thing, as part of Syaoran's training is to make it back to the café blindfold, using his other senses to picture his surroundings. Soon he can determine what is living and what is dead. When he is confronted by something that is neither, he is confused. It's a good thing that Ryuo is nearby, as the odd creature is an Oni that has appeared in daylight. Fai and Kurogane head back to Clover to once again try and talk to Oruha. She tells them of a demon shaped like a human that is controlling the other Oni. With those kinds of powers, it seems obvious to Fai that this Oni must have Sakura's feather, but the local demon hunters aren't convinced. But when Syaoran runs into the demon, he's shocked to realise that he recognises the cloaked figure. What's more, Seishiro recognises Syaoran.

22. Indelible Memory
With Seishiro conjuring up hordes of Oni for them to face, Syaoran and Ryuo choose the better part of valour. The demon hunters gather at the café to figure out what to do next. Most still believe that their foe is a grade A1 demon, but Syaoran realises that the truth is more disturbing. How can the man who taught him how to fight be here controlling the Oni? He and Kurogane decide to research just what has been going on in the country of Oto, but they soon learn that the answers may lie in a place as dangerous as any Oni. Then while Sakura and Fai wait in the café, Seishiro walks in looking for the demon hunters.

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.

Some of the Oni battles, with black demons in a nighttime setting, are pretty indistinct, although I guess it's more a problem with the original animation than the transfer.

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.

There are a couple of in episode songs here, which are translated and performed in English for the English dub.

Extras

Animated menus, jacket picture, textless credit sequences, and trailers (Hell Girl and Tenchi Muyo: Ryo-Ohki) as per usual.

The character guide offers 12 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 11 pages of text and art, which look further at the Country of Oto, with greater emphasis this time on the Oni.

Faces In The Crowd takes a look at some of the CLAMP cameos that appear in the show. This time around it's Sumomo & Kotoko, the cute little mobile persocoms from Chobits, given larger stature here.

Conclusion

I find myself hard pressed for words, which is a rare enough occasion to make note of, and possibly celebrate. It's just that Tsubasa is the textbook definition of average anime, which makes writing about it harder than usual. Not that average is a bad thing in this case. There is something to be said for the Saturday morning 'toon, the quest format is comfortable and familiar, the characters conform to the usual stereotypes and the story proceeds on rather predictable lines. What makes Tsubasa stand out among its peers are the high quality animation and the somewhat more detailed characterisations than the genre usually offers. It leavens the action and plot developments with genuine and moving character moments that are certainly appealing in an animation that is aimed at the younger end of the market.



The Country of Oto arc continues in this volume, and as I expected, it looks as if it will take us up to the end of the first series, if not into the second. The mystery of the Oni continues to intensify, with the Oni acting more and more out of character, indicating that one of Sakura's feathers is causing the upset. Realising that his fighting skills just aren't up to the task, Syaoran asks Kurogane to teach him how to use a sword, and much of his arc in these four episodes follows that training. Otherwise it's really all plot revelations and world building, as we explore the Country of Oto and meet more of the characters. The big revelation of course is the reveal of Seishiro as the one controlling the Oni. What makes it interesting is that he isn't just an Oto equivalent of the man that Syaoran once knew, as these doppelgangers usually turn out to be, he's actually the Seishiro that Syaoran knew in the Kingdom of Clow, which raises questions as to just how and why he is jumping dimensions. At the same time, we meet some colourful characters among the demon hunters, while more enigmatic is Oruha, the club singer who witnessed Seishiro controlling the Oni. Yet when she encounters Sakura, it becomes clear from her demeanour that she is someone of note in this world, and she knows more about what is going on that she lets on. Of course my moment of glee was when Syaoran and Kurogane went looking for information on Seishiro and wound up in a tower with a couple of memorable oracles. It's fun seeing Sumomo and Kotoko from Chobits again, although they are hardly the diminutive persocoms anymore.



The Country of Oto arc proves to be the most interesting so far in Tsubasa, and I found this disc a pleasant way to while away 90 minutes. But even with the appealing characters, the excellent animation, the well-executed action sequences and all the rest, Tsubasa continues to plod a well-travelled path of mundanity. I still can't find something to really hook me, and five volumes in is stretching it some, but it's obvious that I'm not the target audience. But for those in the appropriate age bracket looking for the Saturday morning cartoon fix, Tsubasa offers a more sophisticated experience.