Karas: The Prophecy (review)

The Karas, guardian crow spirit of two parallel worlds; the Tokyo of the living, and the Tokyo that is unseen- a world of Yokai (monsters, spirits, and demons). For three years the boundaries of these connected worlds have gone unprotected, due to the betrayal of a former Karas named Eko and his private army of blood-draining mechanical devils known as Mikura. In this time, the Mikura have been plotting to bring the Tokyo of the living into an age of terror and technological ruin. Now, a new Karas named must fulfill his destiny with the help of a mysterious spirit-girl named Yurine, and Nue- a rebellious Mikura. Karas: The Prophecy is the first in a trilogy designed to mark the 40th anniversary of Tatsunoko Productions, the Japanese animaton producers responsible for such classics as Speed Racer, Gatchaman, and Robotech.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Karas: The Prophecy is the best looking anime you are likely to see all year. Boasting a beautiful, state-of-the-art amalgamation of traditional 2d and 3d animation that must be seen to be believed, Karas sets a completely new standard for anime in the digital age. Building upon the precedents created by previous anime such as Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire, and The Animatrix, Karas's speedfreak-paced, supernatural-superhero action will leave your eyes blinded and boggled like no anime that has come before it. Believe me, if you blink once, you are going to have to watch Karas a second time.

The film features a dynamic score performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra, suitably adding to the mood and atmosphere created by the film's otherworldly depiction of the twin Tokyo's. As a great addition for those who can't stand to read subtitles, the dubbed version of the film features the voices of Matthew Lillard (Scream, Scooby-Doo), Jay Hernandez (Hostel), and Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly), and is one of the better dubs of an anime that I've heard in a long time. The only criticism I can lobby at this release is that as the first of a three-part series, to say there are plot threads left hanging or that the ending came suddenly, would be a massive, three-dimensional understatement. What Karas does deliver is a taste of unbelievable, frantic action, and the beginning of an incredible series.

-Sea