On Disk 1 of Shattered Angels
, we are introduced to the aptly named Kuu (空 means "empty" in Japanese, among other things,) an average highschool girl in a not-at-all average world, in which there are many schools and students, but no apparent teachers.Kuu has a childhood dream of a prince with red hair taking her away, so when a red-haired "prince" by the name of Ayanokoji Kyoshiro arrives she, like the other female students in the school, is thrilled. But when she mets him for the first time, the "Prince" rips Kuu's shirt open, *then* asks her to come with him. Sensibly, she runs away crying. (I commented to Bruce at this point, "I think he got that the wrong way 'round.")
And then all hell breaks lose as giant robot arms and legs fight in and around the school, reducing it to rubble and forcing Kuu and Kyoshiro to run away from....?
Ultimately, Kuu and we learn of the existence of "Absolute Angels," creatures that look like girls, but actually contain within them tremendous power. They manifest as robots and fight for their masters - all of whom are members of the contentious and crazy Ayanokoji family.
Of course, relevant to our interests, there are a number of characters, because this *is* a Kaishaku series after all. Chikane and Himeko clones Kaon and Himiko have a tragic love affair, tragic only because Kaon is an Absolute Angel who's master is the slightly Evil, Psychotic Lesbian Ayanokoji Mika. I watch the series for her.
Kyoshiro, aside from getting the greeting/sexually harrassing order wrong, is painfully and hysterically obsessed with his oldest brother, Kazuya. I loved Mika right away, when, after Kaon had kidnapped Kuu and brought her to Mika, Kyoshiro has his Angel, Setsuna, lead their other brother Sojiro's Angel to Mika's school. When confronted with Kyoshiro and his whining about "onii-san this," and "onii-san that," Mika just looks at him like he's an idiot and says something to the effect of, "Oh for pity's sake, are you still on about that?" It made me laugh out loud.
The bulk of Disk 1 is taken up with Kuu being kidnapped and/or attacked or just being fail at everything, and Setsuna having to save her and pick up in the kitchen after her. Kyoshiro is an idiot and Kaon and Himiko are a beautiful, but tragic, love story. Mika is insane, sadistic and lesbian. ♥
Episode 3 still wins "Best Use of Showers as an Expository Setting."
I am so very, very, very disappointed in the "Super Amazing Value Edition"of this series I could cry. Not a single DVD extra! Not one! What on earth is the POINT of watching this series if we can't get the Kaon and Himiko extras?!? Why, Funimation? Why?
Ratings:
Art - 7
Story - 7
Characters - 7, except for Mika, Kaon and Himiko, who are all 8
Yuri - 7
Loser FanBoy - 7
Overall - 7
Many, many thanks to Okazu Superhero Amanda M. for her sponsorship of today's review!
Becoming an Okazu Hero is as easy clicking any link on my Amazon Yuri Wishlist or Amazon JP Yuri Wishlist, purchasing that item and Hey! Presto! You are a Hero!