I had originally purchased Darkside Blues because it is by the same creator as Vampire HUnter D: Bloodlust (which is one of my top favorite anime movies). I find this movie to be a bit confusing at times with many questions left unanswered at the end. Basically the story revolves around Shinjuku, Tokyo now called Darkside. In this futuristic scenario, the Persona company owns most of world, one of the few exceptions to this is Darkside one of the most dangerous places to be yet one with the most freedom. (Since the Persona company rules as a dictatorship) There are those who retaliate against Persona, rebel terrorist groups and delinquent gangs. This story focuses on different characetrs from these groups, but never fully explaining their backgrounds. There's Mai, leader of the street gang, she's street-smart and has lightening quick reflexes. She has a brutal past that we only see glimpses of to come to our own conclusions. Then there's Celia a nurse and healer, who's family was destroyed by Persona, thus she has locked her emotions away (but not her rifle). Tatsuya is part of a rebel terrorist group who escaped the clutches of his pursuers by entering Darkside and being treated for his wounds by Celia. He is determined to make it back to his comrades to continue the fight against Persona. And then there is the mysterious man in black who drives a coach with four horses, he is a powerful psychic who comes speaking of renewal to the people of Shinjuku.
As a whole it is an interesting movie to watch as long as you pay attention, it's not one of my favorites though. The music added atmosphere to the actions but did not really move me to really notice it that much. Content wise, there is brief frontal nudity and a bit of sadistic torture in the begining. Throughout there are gun fights with some results. (course this being a futuristic tokyo, there's a spattering of mutant, psychics and 'enhanced humans' so use your imagination about the violence) If you can tolerate Vampire Hunter D (original) than you shouldn't have a problem with this one. On the plus side I love the animation style, it shows the early stylings similar to Bloodlust. The dubbing is decent since it was done in 1996. So if you're in the mood for a complicated, no straight forward answers type of anime check it out. But I can't fully recommend it. let's say I give it a 4.5 out of 10. I'm holding onto my copy because of the animation. I'm just crazy over the style. I like the scene where there is a close up of Darkside and his hair just starts to move around from an unseen wind. Anywho, that's it for Darkside Blues. I'm going to backtrack a bit back to the 'A's, I have recently purchased Aquarion Age the Movie and on May 10 Appleseed the Movie is being released. Can't wait to watch these, I've been looking forward to them!
Boma at 12:44 PM
