Edition 03: D.N.Angel (DNAngel)
(All info is currently from the Japanese R2 release)
http://www.advfilms.com/titles/dnangel/ - U.S. Official Site
http://www.dnangel.tv/top.html - Japanese Official Site
Based on the manga book by Yukiru Sugisaki. Animation produced by XEBEC (”Martian Successor Nadesico”, “Love Hina”, et al.) The vocal cast includes Miyu Irino (Who played Hake un Spirited Away) as the voice of Daisuke. This “Peach” version includes “Shiawase no Bansoko”, “Onegai Chakopen,” and an 8-page booklet. The disc is picture-labeled (artwork by Shinichi Yamaoka). Comes housed in a triple gatefold digipak.
Special Features: Miyu Irino & Shunichi Miyamoto Special Video Clip #1
Japanese Staff/Cast:
Director: Nobuyoshi Habara
Cast: Miyu Irino, Ryotaro Okiayu, Sara Nakayama, et al.
Release Information:
Date Available - (Japan) July 24, 2003 (USA) Now
Running time - 50 Minutes
Rating - Not Rated
Format - Japanese
Media - DVD
US Publisher - ADV Films
Thoughts:
Hinatasou:Welcome to the next installment of The Watcher. This time we take an in-depth view of DN Angel, the hot new title just picked up by ADV.
Imagine that it’s your 14th birthday and on that day you’ve finally confessed to your true love only to find out that she thinks of you as a best friend. Depressed you stare at a painting of your girlfriend in the safety of your own home when suddenly it happens. A great pain afflicts your chest, you gain a few inches of height, and your hair changes from red to purple. That is the life of Daisuke whose bloodline carries the legendary phantom thief ‘Dark.’ It’s been forty years since his last appearance but his purpose is the same, to steal in order to protect those who are in need.
The one thing I like about the series is the cute and adorable Wiz, Daisuke’s white and furry pet who transforms into Dark’s wings. The story with the whole split personalities between Dark and Daisuke seems reminiscent of Yugioh. Daisuke is not the only one though; his classmate Hiwatari contains the soul of the white angel Krad, Dark’s arch nemesis.
The opening theme “True Light” sounds Celtic due to the organ with vocals done by Miyamoto Shunichi. The ending song “A Graceful Evening” is calm and dreamy. The animation is sound blending evenly the dark shades of night with the brighter shades of daylight, with perfect computer rendering of building structures and trolleys.
Stikz:
What I’ve seen from the trailer for DN Angel, I’ve liked. The art style is appealing to me. I’ve always had a thing for cute, big eyes. The art style reminds me of something by the all girl art studio CLAMP. (X/1999, Card Captor Sakura, Chobits). But it’s not done by them. It’s done by Sugisaki Yukiru of Candidate for Goddess (Megami Kouhousei), Brainpowerd (the manga), Sotsugyo M (Graduation M) and Lagoon Engine fame. It does look like a children’s anime but seems to have a dark side. This can be seen from the opening theme. I did read the synopsis in Newtype magazine, but that didn’t really interest me. The way they described the story really didn’t do it justice. After seeing it in motion, I think I’ll give it a try. As should you. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Piro^kun:
This is Saint Tail done by the production team of X TV. If that sounds a bit weird and schizophrenic, well, it is. The main character Daisuke has been secretly trained by his parents (in the manner of the hero in Mahoujin Guru Guru… i.e. the house is a death trap), and on his 14th birthday it is revealed that he has inherited the bloodline of the legendary winged thief, Dark. By a fortunate coincidence, the girl he has a crush on is looking for someone tall, dark, and mysterious. There are heavy hints of a lot more going on in the back-story, and it looks like Daisuke has inherited a bit of a split personality a la Samurai Deeper Kyo as well. Good stuff, if you can follow the haphazard mix of genres.
Dark Wind:
DN Angel, from what I can tell, seems to be a somewhat intriguing show. From what I got from the Newtype preview, it seemed to be in the vain of a children’s show. I’ve been told there’s a “dark side” to it, but I’m not so sure. I haven’t seen a trailer or anything like that, only pictures, so I may need to see more to give a good first impression. As for now, I’m still very skeptical of it’s quality.
Alpha:
What do you think of this edition of The Watcher? Comments? Suggestions? Send them here.
D.N.Angel Screen Caps:
