Kannazuki No Miko (Destiny Of Shrine Maiden) – The Solar Priestess (Volume One/Animé TV/Gift Box)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Episodes: C+

 

 

Kannazuki No Miko (2004) is yet another installment in the cycle of “young ladies at school when something strange happens” shows that are popular, but always are among the most formulaic of any animated television anywhere in the world.  This time, a trio of young gals meets at the school, starting with Himeko, all of whom like boys.  (Yes, these have to have a gay audience.)

 

Suddenly, Himeko wakes up one morning with a mark on her chest that looks not unlike the sun and the “fun” beings.  The initial episodes are:

 

1)     The Land Of Eternity

2)     Overlapping Sun & Moon

3)     Secret Love Shell

4)     Direction Of Affection

 

 

The animation is simpler than we are used to by now, but it is the chosen design.  Fans should examine this before considering picking this up.  The stories are nothing we have not seen before, but all is competent, though the guys get involved, as do the sudden appearance of giant robots.  They always seem to surface when least expected.  The overall result is mixed, then not very satisfactory.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is softer than it should be, even though that is the style of the animation.  It is not the transfer, but the creators overdoing what is now the longest-running cliché in Animé visually.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo in either Japanese or English really has no surrounds, adding up to a show trying to appeal to ladies 16 and up.  This critic found it to be one of the most unwatchable 16 X 9 anamorphic Animés to date.  Extras include a non-credit opening and previews for three other Geneon Animé DVD releases, while this beautifully illustrated box comes with the bonus of a shell necklace that is intended as a collector’s item.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo