Search - Vampire Princess Miyu - Initiation (TV Vol 1) on DVD

An incredible step up from the fantastic OAV series!!!!!

James M. Stafford III | Houston, TX USA | 06/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Vampire Princess Miyu TV series features Miyu and Larva from the OAV series, but with some differences. At 26 episdoes, there is ample time for character development, providing an alternate background story for both Miyu and Larva. Beginning with Episode 2, the location of action shifts from Kyoto to Tokyo, where Miyu befriends (rather, is befriended by) three classmates in an all-girl school, yet she must keep her true identity and purpose from her friends. Also, Miyu's rival appears occasionally throughout the series, adding another element of intrigue. Most episodes follow a "shinma of the week" format, each with different abilities and most also receiving great character development. Those who enjoyed the Vampire Princess Miyu OAV series will absolutely LOVE the TV series!!!!! While not necessarily as dark as the OAV series, the improved character development and additional character interactions are a great treat. The music is superb, simultaneously haunting and enchanting. Overall, the entire TV series - and each individual episode - is anime at its best!!!"

An Incredible Series

07/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I went into this one thinking, "Well, I like vampire stuff but it kinda looks like a chick anime." I'm happy to report it's much more.Sure, the main character and her companions are Japanese school girls, but this doesn't stop Miyu from battling a unique and very cool new demon each episode. And as for Miyu herself, she's a regular hottie with a cool background. Her grimk reaper inspired servant Lava just about steals the show however.Now, although I heard the next dvd's (which I plan to buy asap) were done ok, this one has all kinds of flaws. They omit the opening/closing music on 2 of the 3 episodes (although its not that great anyway). There are NO chapter breaks, just three tracks, one per episode. There are NO extras. The subtitling omits onscreen japanese words and song lyrics. But these flaws on the part of the dvd are overshadowed by suprisingly cool content. Thanks TokyoPop!"

OAV = older is better

James M. Stafford III | 11/05/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of Miyu for a long time now. I first watched the "vampire princess" around 1996 when I had a chance to view a copy of the OAV: Volume One. I loved the unique style, vision, and grace of that original work. Recently, I noticed there was a new incarnation of the Miyu saga. After renting this, I thought I would share my feelings on the quality of this product. First of all, it is not the old series. The overall tone, mood, and atmosphere is very different this time around. Many parts were almost painful to me because of how vastly different the pacing and mood are at times. It seems like the overall chilling, sparse, and autumnal lushness of the OAV has been replaced here by an almost "silly" Sailor Moon meets Scooby Doo atmosphere. Indeed, in the later episodes, particularly the one involving the shamen's mask, I felt like I was watching a Scooby Doo episode populated by multiple Thelmas. So I was let down. However, there are saving graces. One, this is the kind of anime that teenage girls should watch instead of Sailor Moon. There are obvious but very powerful statements made about the kinds of cravings adolescent females fall victim to - the second episode embodied this perfectly. In this installment, women fall victim to an obnoxious metrosexual-looking shinma who promises them everlasting beauty. The consequence for those who crave attention and perfect beauty is an excruciating existence of neverending loneliness.I also enjoyed how in the first episode the creators made a very risky statement involving the obsessed geeky adolescent male who hungers after Miyu. It is at once a scathing satire of the typical anime fan (with typical obsession over illusionary anime girls) and a statement about fools who recklessly seek power and immortality. The geek eventually dies because of his obsession and his rushing headlong into illusion.So there are pros and cons. Just remember, they made it silly and even lighthearted at times. Rent it first."

Vampire Princess Miyu (I thinks I like!)

Fallensbane | Franklin, MA | 09/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Vampire Princess Miyu is a really good anime with some of the coolest looking characters. Such as her friend/protecter Lava who wears a really cool mask that reminds me a little bit of the Phantom of the Opera. She also has a psychotic little bunny thing with a really creepy looking right eye. The DVD has three episodes on it the first being ...THE FANG KNOWS..In this episode Miyu must find out who or what is murding people had the school she has just enrolled in....episode 2 AT THE NEXT STATION...advances the plot a bit as Miyu makes friends and must dicover who is kidnapping beautiful women riding the subway...THE FOREST CALLS...Miyu's guardian Lava steps up and must deal with a magical mask which controls the one who wears it...All in all VPM is a great series and I cannot wait for the next dvd in the series. I will post my review of that one as soon as it is released. Enjoy!"