Le Portrait de Petite Cossette

If Rod Serling had penned an anime series, he might have come up with something like Le Portrait de Petite Cossette. One day, Eiri, an art student who works in an antique shop, notices something in a Venetian glass on display, or actually someone: Cossette, a beautiful young woman who has literally lived in the glass for the past 250 years. When Eiri is alone in the shop, Cossette comes to him and relates their true connection: Eiri is the reincarnated soul of her lover Marcelo, and Cossette's freedom can only be gained if Eiri takes on the suffering for Marcelo's considerable sins. Hypnotized by Cossette's beauty, Eiri accepts her request, but in agreeing to help soon finds himself in circumstances far beyond his control, and his family and friends are baffled by the abrupt changes in his appearance and demeanor. This three-episode OVA, rated 16-up, is extremely eerie and thoroughly unpredictable, while the design and presentation of Cossette is some of the most masterful anime art yet produced--she is a siren of bewitching sexuality and barely concealed danger. At a time when too much anime feels like reruns of reruns, this jolting, dramatic, original work exudes style, imagination, and genuine horror. For the full effect, viewers should watch the original Japanese version with subtitles on this dual-language disc with the lights out. Better still, they should have a few candles burning—and someone to hold on to! DVD extras include cast and crew interviews, as well as a music video. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (P. Hall)