Hailing from Japan in 2003 courtesy of ADV Films, Pretear is an anime which circles around the beauty and wonder of nature, as well as deal with themes of self-worth, solitude and in some instances, love. After watching the English dub of the first volume in this DVD collection, Pretear thus far is a very enthralling anime, which will keep you laughing, pulling at your heart-strings, and leave you wanting more.
In the first volume, we are introduced to 16-year-old Himeno Awayuki, a girl whose mother died years ago and lived with her father, Kaoru, in poverty for several years. The first episode begins with Himeno telling us that her demented father ended up marrying a wealthy woman named Natsue who owns an estate as big as a city. Despite all of the conveniences at her hand, Himeno feels sad and unwanted, as her two step-sisters Mayume and Mawata ignore and torment her. In addition, the kids at her school ostracize and defame her character due to the fact that her father remarried only for the wealth.
Meanwhile, since the Princess of Disaster escaped from the realm of Leafeania, the Knights of Leafe, led by the oftentimes heartless but handsome Hayate, set out to prevent her from seeding the earth with demon larvae, which kill and siphon the Leafe (the life force of all beings) from the flora and fauna. But because they lack a Pretear, the one who has the ability to seek out the demon core, the job is not very easy.
A dejected Himeno returns home from another humiliating day from school when she is encountered by the knights, who, witnessing her powers earlier before in which she changed the color of snow, asks for her aid. Feeling wanted for the first time, Himeno joins the group and becomes the new Pretear. As the storyline progresses, Himeno discovers that demon larvae are being dropped all throughout her estate and she must rush to the aid of the knights, in which she has to merge or "prét" in order to gain their powers. Not to mention that outside of this outlandish task she has family, school, and relationship problems to deal with.
Overall, Pretear: Volume 1 is a wonderful DVD which will no doubt encapsulate the viewer. This coupled with colorful environments, top-notch voice acting, a dose of humor and powerful themes make this a well-made purchase. Although there is some nudity in the merging scenarios and innuendo due to the relationship tensions this does not mar the experience because they seem to intertwine well with Himeno's brooding surroundings. And for these reasons ADV Films suggests that this anime is to be viewed by people ages 15 and up. If you ever find this DVD in stores, I highly recommend purchasing it.
In the first volume, we are introduced to 16-year-old Himeno Awayuki, a girl whose mother died years ago and lived with her father, Kaoru, in poverty for several years. The first episode begins with Himeno telling us that her demented father ended up marrying a wealthy woman named Natsue who owns an estate as big as a city. Despite all of the conveniences at her hand, Himeno feels sad and unwanted, as her two step-sisters Mayume and Mawata ignore and torment her. In addition, the kids at her school ostracize and defame her character due to the fact that her father remarried only for the wealth.
Meanwhile, since the Princess of Disaster escaped from the realm of Leafeania, the Knights of Leafe, led by the oftentimes heartless but handsome Hayate, set out to prevent her from seeding the earth with demon larvae, which kill and siphon the Leafe (the life force of all beings) from the flora and fauna. But because they lack a Pretear, the one who has the ability to seek out the demon core, the job is not very easy.
A dejected Himeno returns home from another humiliating day from school when she is encountered by the knights, who, witnessing her powers earlier before in which she changed the color of snow, asks for her aid. Feeling wanted for the first time, Himeno joins the group and becomes the new Pretear. As the storyline progresses, Himeno discovers that demon larvae are being dropped all throughout her estate and she must rush to the aid of the knights, in which she has to merge or "prét" in order to gain their powers. Not to mention that outside of this outlandish task she has family, school, and relationship problems to deal with.
Overall, Pretear: Volume 1 is a wonderful DVD which will no doubt encapsulate the viewer. This coupled with colorful environments, top-notch voice acting, a dose of humor and powerful themes make this a well-made purchase. Although there is some nudity in the merging scenarios and innuendo due to the relationship tensions this does not mar the experience because they seem to intertwine well with Himeno's brooding surroundings. And for these reasons ADV Films suggests that this anime is to be viewed by people ages 15 and up. If you ever find this DVD in stores, I highly recommend purchasing it.
