Manga and anime frequently mash genres together, giving us—for example—the satisfyingly wacky categories of action/martial arts/romance/comedy (Ranma ½) or school/military/science fiction/slapstick comedy (Full Metal Panic!). These blends achieve varying degrees of success, and Kannazuki no Miko is no exception with its oddball combination of earnest schoolgirl drama, mecha action, fated mythological roles, and—for good measure—star-crossed best friends. In the opening four episodes compiled on this dual-language first volume, rated 16-up, bashful schoolgirl Himeko is flustered when the school's breathtakingly beautiful top student Chikane invites her to be her friend, leading to plenty of hesitant conversations and potent sexual tension. Then the entire world shifts: Chikane and Himeko are caught up in a destructive battle, replete with giant robots, as they unwittingly assume their predestined roles as the Solar and Lunar Priestesses. Of course, Himeko's best friend and protector Souma turns out to be their fated enemy: cue the struggle between fate and choice, peppered with looming mecha action, weak/strong girl dynamics, and glimpses of Sapphic fan service. Too confused and cliché-ridden to be compelling, the animation here is merely adequate, the relationships strictly by the number, and the giant robots seem out of sync with the general atmosphere of the series. Optional. [Note: Kannazuki no Miko, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 are also available.] Aud: P. (R. Brenner)
Kannazuki no Miko: The Solar Priestess
(2004) 100 min. DVD: $29.98. Geneon Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 21, Issue 5
Kannazuki no Miko: The Solar Priestess
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