Karas: The Prophecy

When it comes to DVDs, I can be a bit of an impulse buyer. I never rent them. I always buy them. I have probably about 500 DVDs, if not more. I was in Wal Mart a couple weeks ago buying stuff and when I go there I always check out the DVD section. In their new release end cap, they had this anime movie called Karas: The Prophecy. In all honesty, what sold me on the DVD was a little blurb of a review from Anime Insider on the back cover. What were those three little words? "Like Batman Begins..."

There was something about the cover of the DVD that caught my attention. Despite the screen name that I often use to post online (Cowboy Bebop), I am generally not that big of an anime fan. Particularly when you're dealing with kid stuff like Pokemon and Digimon. With that said, I do enjoy movies and shows like Akira and Cowboy Bebop.

I finally got around to watching, what is apparently the first of however many they are making. The story is a little confusing at first. Basically, it's a spirit and demon world that often happens unseen and unknown to the humans that are constantly battling each other. Karas is influenced by Yurine who guides and teaches him. Karas is similar to an idea or warrior that is passed on from one warrior to the next. It is actually a metaphysical tranformation that takes place as the "person" becomes Karas. Karas is battling Eko, a former Karas, who is attempting to take control over the city of Tokyo. This is very much similar to the story of Batman Begins in which Ra's al Ghul and the League of Shadows is trying to destroy Gotham City in order for it to rebuild.

I must admit that I felt a little dumb, because the story it a bit convoluted and hard to follow at times. The writers have constructed the story in a way that a lot of what is going on is understood. Perhaps it would be easier for Japanese viewers to follow at first. I had to watch it twice in order to gain a better understanding of it.

What blew me away the most about this movie was the animation. It is a hybrid of computer and traditional animation. It is some of the absolute best animation I've ever seen in my life. I love animation and animated movies. It's more impressive than the disastrous Final Fantasy film and the excellent Toy Story.

The thing that is most impressive is how the creators were able to beautifully blend computer and traditional, hand-drawn animation. Yes, if you know what the two look like, you can tell the difference. What is impressive is how both are so beautifully drawn and that the combination of the two works so damn well. They're able to get some 3D cinematic shots using computer animation with the traditional that they would only be able to get with computer animation. And the fight sequences are absolutely amazing. It's almost impossible to take your eyes off the screen. It's a movie that just keeps popping with imagery that is unbelievably beautiful. This is definitely a movie to see and own.