Title: Witch Hunter Robin
Director: Shukou Murase
Running Time: 49 minutes without
commercials
Media: Cartoon Network Anime Series (NTSC
VHS Screener)
Premiere Monday, February 16, 2004, at
12am (ET/PT)
Network: Cartoon Network (Check your local
cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: Not Available At Time Of Review
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
In present day Japan, STN, a shadowy
international organization, is tasked with combating Witches with a blend of
technology, forensic science, and other supernaturally powered team members of
their own. Witches are considered a threat and the STN not only hunts them down,
but it is standard practice to kill a Witch and cover it up so that the greater
public worldwide will continue to believe they do not exist and thus panic can
be averted. However is it right to hunt down and kill Witches and are all
Witches truly evil? This moral question is something the viewer will immediately
pick up on within the first few minutes of this series. What is refreshing is
that much of these questions are never directly asked so there is no soapbox or
constant exposition of information. Everything occurs in a very cinematic manner
with a noir like look and visual storytelling.
The central character is a young lady named Robin. She is the most powerful member of her team, which is not in the business of killing Witches, but rather capturing and confining them, which is not much better, but at least they are still alive. Robin has the ability to summon deadly flames and her use of these powers will determine the fate of her colleagues and lead her into a dark world of mystique and witchcraft. Anime veteran Shukou Murase, who served as a Character Designer for “Gundam Wing” and “Argentosoma”, directs the series.
There is a definite soap opera like feel
to the series, which indicates that each episode is truly part of a larger story
arc rather than standalone adventures. The series should offer intrigue for
anime fans when it joins the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim lineup of animation
aimed at adults beginning Monday, February 16, 2004, at Midnight (ET/PT). The
series will then air on a regular schedule at the same time Mondays through
Thursdays on the Cartoon Network.” Check it out.
© Copyright 2004 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.