DNAngel Volume 6: Ice and Darkness

Review Date: 2006 August 20 09:36

Reviewed by: Azure

Released by: ADV Films UK

Age Rating: PG

Region: 2 - UK

Volume 6 of 7

Length: 75 minutes

Subtitles: English

Audio: English 5.1 Surround
Japanese 2.0 Stereo

Summary

Does life really imitate art? It seems that it might really be the case as Daisuke is caught under the Spell of the Second hand of time. Separated from Dark in a world of Ice and Snow Daisuke is all alone, why has he been brought into this strange world? Can Dark save him?

Review

This volume of DNAngel brings a dramatic change to the series; since Dark is now separated from Daisuke he is free to act on his own without any of the series previous comedic transformation scenes. That isn’t to say there isn’t any comedy at all, the class continues to try and rehearse the play, which means predictably plenty of cross-dressing. Risa and Riku also get to spend some time with Dark their differing reactions to him are amusing though predictable. There are plenty of sad kids in snow, but it really works tugging at the heartstrings continuously throughout the DVD. It’s sentimental stuff but if you’ve made it this far into the series, you’ll be no stranger to DNAngel’s deeply emotive atmosphere.

It’s also really satisfying to see many of the plot threads begin to draw together in time for the end of the series. Whilst watching previous volumes I wondered if any of the plots would get tied up in time for the end. This DVD ends of a massive cliffhanger setting things up perfectly for the finale next episode.

Oddly the animation style changes this DVD, this is partly as the younger characters seemed to have been aged slightly; Daisuke is now taller than Riku for instance, nut the change goes further as the art style seems a little bolder than previous DVDs. It’s still a pleasant show to look at, just a little jarring mid series. The quality is still superb for a TV series though I got the impression the animators are holding out for the end of the series.


The extras remain a delightful addition to the series. There’s a video of Shunichi Miyamoto playing a piano only version of theme song " True light" as well as the next instalment of DNAngel talk a series of conversations between Miyo Irino ( Japanese Daisuke) and Shunichi Miyamoto, as well as a commentary by no less than four of the American VAs.

DNAngel is an anime, which continues to reward each viewing; it’s strongly sentimental but can get away with it since it’s so sincere about what it’s trying to do It’s not overly violent and doesn’t sarcarfice any of it’s integrity for obvious fan service, which makes it a perfect title for anime fans new and old. It can only be a good sign that once I’d finished this DVD I immediately wanted to see the next one.

Rating: 8/10