New Cutey Honey Collection One & Two (Animé TV)
Picture: C+ Sound: B- Extras: C+ Episodes: C+
When
Wonder Woman used to spin around on the old Linda Carter show, you would
literally see her clothes fly off and be replaced with those of her opposite
identity. That was eventually replaced
by a flash explosion, but the 1994 return of a Japanese Animé knock-off of
sorts called The New Cutey Honey
actually keeps going topless and naked between transformations, which just
loves making an issue of her body.
Of
course, this is animation, but the show seems to be obsessed with her body and
the villains that take her on after her revival are more mystical than her
American equivalent ever asked for. That
does not mean they are more interesting, believable or coherent, but they are
monsters of one sort or another. If it
was not so distracted by its obsession with nudity, this could have worked, but
so much is compromised that it somewhat implodes on itself, though ADV has made
it part of its “Essential Animé Collection” series. It is better than much of what we have seen
from them and groups together the two single, previous releases, but is a curio
at best when all is said and done.
The full
frame image has a good transfer, but the animation art shows its age. The Dolby Digital is offered in a brand new
5.1 mix and also has 2.0 Japanese Stereo with Pro Logic surrounds. The latter is not as authentic as the former,
but we’ve heard worse. Extras include
live action costume play, a piece on the recording sessions for the English
version, animated phone messages (hmmmm), a production portfolio and interview
with the main voice actress. The case
has a DVD on each side, so no booklets or the like have no space.
The
heroine comes to life from a cold statue.
Think Helen Of Troy or Medusa in reverse, but know this is rated for
ages 17 and above, so parents will want to use discression. This is less silly than many Animé shows, but
never achie3ves what it could have. I
wonder if she’ll return again?
- Nicholas Sheffo
