Vampire Princess Miyu

Volume 1: Unearthly Kyoto and A Banquet of Marionettes.

(From the back of the box): "Vampire Princess Miyu. Is she friend, or fiend? As the demonic forces of the Shinma strive to obtain a foothold upon the mortal plane, spiritualist Himiko seeks the truth. Join us now for two elegantly chilling journeys into the Occult--Japanese style!"

The first selection, Unearthly Kyoto, has Ms. Himiko going to Kyoto to try and help a child who has been in an endless sleep. In the process she learns to doubt herself, and has a problem facing the reality of what she claims she can work with-paranormal-type phenomenon. The vampire Miyu and her very strange companion introduce Himiko to more of the world of the strange and bizarre than she seems able to deal with.

The second selection, "A Banquet of Marionettes" is basically a Kabuki-type story of another strange entity who has the ability to turn people into marionettes. The Vampire Princess Miyu is out to stop her, Himiko is out to stop her, and on top of this we have what amounts to a demonic love story.

Volume 2: Fragile Armor and Frozen Time

Fragile Armor is story about a being in a gigantic suit of armor, a being that Miyu for some reason will not fight, leaving the battle to Himiko. A third player enters the field, and it turns out someone was being used as bait! Yet all is not as it seems with the suit-of-armor-creature, and another tragic tale is told within this episode.

Frozen Time reveals even more about Miyu's origins, especially her relationship with her parents and how she became a vampire. The story also reveals the possibility that Himiko may be much more than she thinks she is.

The stories on these tapes are very well done. This is really good story-telling, some of the best I have seen on any tape, anime or otherwise. It's not the typical mayhem/destruction fare of so many anime videos. This is quality material, fascinating material, something that shows just how good anime can be (also some of the outright strangest material I have seen in a long time. Definitely a must for anyone into vampires, tragedy, and romance.