2008 Woodie Awards
Karas is awesome
By: Thomas Bumpers
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Entertainment
Looking for a bit of action which blends realism with a bit of the supernatural? Then look no further.
'Karas: The Prophecy/The Revelation' is a somewhat old anime film released last year, yet it is one that definitely warrants a look into, even if anime isn't your thing.
The story starts out with a battle between two supernatural beings called Karas, whom are basically the intermediaries between the human and demon (or if you want to be clean cut for children's television sake - spirit) worlds, above the skies of Shinjuku, Japan.
Despite this main line describing their job detail, one particular Karas by the name of Eko (voiced by Matthew Lillard) decides that humanity is not worth protecting and therefore plans to wipe it out completely with the help of his group of demons turned into mechanical constructs called Mikura. Due to his treachery, the spirit of the city, Yurine (with vocal talents provided by Piper Perabo and Cree Summer) finds and enlists the aid of a critically injured man named Otoha (voiced by Steve Staley) to be the new Karas.
While Otoha is getting accustomed to his new role, a former subordinate of Eko named Nue (played by Jay Hernandez) arrives back into town for a reason known only to him, and he makes a pretty big impression on his return by taking the eye of one of his former comrades. Expression from the eyes of the normal humans being subjected to the supernatural cases around them come from the investigations of two detectives slammed into ridiculed Intervention Department, which for some "could" be equated to a watered down MIB.
The story itself is vastly different that how one would typically think a regular anime would be. There is no blatant fan service or crazy gags. Instead the story remains quite serious and it gives away only a minute bit of information.
The only way for a viewer to make out what's happening at some points is to actively pay attention to what people are saying or even to what they have on. Trust me, this will become very clear in the second part of the series.
The art is well done and the CGI used for the Mikura and Karas are great, both having a supernatural and cybernetic styling. The way the fights were choreographed is amazing, blending a hint of realism with the over-the-top insanity one would come to expect from an exceptionally good kung-fu flick. The music is well suited for the scenes it's included, helping to push forth the notions of sadness or just plain epicness as in the case of the final battle.
For one I seriously suggest for people to watch this. You can buy Karas in any stores that sell videos in a special box set or you can take your time and buy one of the two separately.
'Karas: The Prophecy/The Revelation' is a somewhat old anime film released last year, yet it is one that definitely warrants a look into, even if anime isn't your thing.
The story starts out with a battle between two supernatural beings called Karas, whom are basically the intermediaries between the human and demon (or if you want to be clean cut for children's television sake - spirit) worlds, above the skies of Shinjuku, Japan.
Despite this main line describing their job detail, one particular Karas by the name of Eko (voiced by Matthew Lillard) decides that humanity is not worth protecting and therefore plans to wipe it out completely with the help of his group of demons turned into mechanical constructs called Mikura. Due to his treachery, the spirit of the city, Yurine (with vocal talents provided by Piper Perabo and Cree Summer) finds and enlists the aid of a critically injured man named Otoha (voiced by Steve Staley) to be the new Karas.
While Otoha is getting accustomed to his new role, a former subordinate of Eko named Nue (played by Jay Hernandez) arrives back into town for a reason known only to him, and he makes a pretty big impression on his return by taking the eye of one of his former comrades. Expression from the eyes of the normal humans being subjected to the supernatural cases around them come from the investigations of two detectives slammed into ridiculed Intervention Department, which for some "could" be equated to a watered down MIB.
The story itself is vastly different that how one would typically think a regular anime would be. There is no blatant fan service or crazy gags. Instead the story remains quite serious and it gives away only a minute bit of information.
The only way for a viewer to make out what's happening at some points is to actively pay attention to what people are saying or even to what they have on. Trust me, this will become very clear in the second part of the series.
The art is well done and the CGI used for the Mikura and Karas are great, both having a supernatural and cybernetic styling. The way the fights were choreographed is amazing, blending a hint of realism with the over-the-top insanity one would come to expect from an exceptionally good kung-fu flick. The music is well suited for the scenes it's included, helping to push forth the notions of sadness or just plain epicness as in the case of the final battle.
For one I seriously suggest for people to watch this. You can buy Karas in any stores that sell videos in a special box set or you can take your time and buy one of the two separately.
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