Princess Resurrection (OAD Series)
A Monster Mash for Any Time of Year
I've always been a little cautious of remakes, mostly because the problems the original series had usually weren't as problematic as I think they're made out to be, but I do welcome new takes on stories at the same time. And since this one had Tatsunoko Pro attached (who I've become rather fond of lately) and was directed by Keiichiro Kawaguchi, whose style I appreciate, I gave it a look.
I understand the original series had some things holding it back. It was on TBS, and they've always had a bit of a strong hand at toning things down - ie. you'll almost never see a panty shot - so a lot of elements from the original manga were lost in the process. Madhouse did an okay job, but when compared to the OVA, the differences stand out that I enjoyed it - even if I have the Madhouse series to thank for getting me to know these characters in the first place.
The first is the same thing I saw with Yozakura Quartet - the character designs. They've become a little more exaggerated and cartoony, which also allows for a more fluid range of motion. All three episodes had these big, explosive set pieces that were breathtaking to watch, with the swordfight in the third OVA standing out. Also like Yozakura, the series is a little freer with its fanservice, and Reiri pantyshots were abound. As someone who enjoys the sexual side of anime, I have zero problems with this whatsoever.
The violence was also upped - so much blood flowing everywhere. Being bloody alone doesn't make something worthwhile, and while it's certainly more faithful than the life flame of the TV show, being faithful also isn't necessarily a plus. Sometimes things just have to be changed because of the medium. The blood was used sparingly enough (and even then, mostly in the first episode... and that montage in the third) that it achieved its intended effect without coming across as violence for the sake of violence.
The stories told were all fairly standard horror stuff, and the pacing was done well enough. The resolution of the third one felt a little quick, and there were a few characters I didn't remember from the first anime - a similar problem I expect to face if I ever watch the Negima! OVAs - but figuring out the context of who they were wasn't a problem.
As for the matter of the voice cast. Again, a good use of KitaEri. Riza's just the type of character she's really good with. Same for Hime and Saori Hayami. Having a male VA play Hiro does lend a different feel to the proceedings, making him feel a little less innocent than the first go-round. Reiri is about as un-Toyosaki a role as one would expect for her, but then I remember that Reiri's first VA was Mamiko Noto, who had a similar reputation before taking up the role. It probably changed my perception of the characters a little bit, colored by the roles today's hot VAs have compared to the ones from 2007, but I wouldn't say too much. The choices were good.
And those Keroberotte shorts attached. Just pure goofiness, with plenty of Tatsunoko gags thrown in. With the overall heavier tone of these OVAs, they made a good counterpoint. The small ways they intersected with the main stories was also fairly clever.
I would've loved to watch more of these. Three episodes is fine, and Tatsunoko/Kawaguchi has other things, so it's understandable. My only real wish is that they had an OP/ED to go with them. I love an anime for anime. Music gives me something to remember it by.
Final Thoughts: Well paced, well voiced, with some wonderfully fluid animation that creates a noticeably different feel from the first TV series. Some things may not make sense if you haven't been keeping up. Otherwise, it's got horror, comedy and cute girls, a good example of an anime-feeling anime.
