Review:

"Tell me, is there a more graceful anime than "Vampire Princess Miyu"?" The wonderful horror classic of a young girl, burdened with the arduous task of banning "Shinma" ("god-like" 'demons' preying in the depths of a brooding underworld)... Most fans however, will carry a recollection of this basis: it's one of the most profound and engaging stories ever told.

There is not a better anime out there, which I could classify under the datum of "true vampire animé". Miyu is one of the greatest examples of this implied conceit, never bothered by the constant struggle of clichéd peculiarities like "garlic", "crosses" or even cloying rays of sunlight. It's protagonist is in the form of "Himiko Se", a character seemingly absent to the "Narumi" manga; still holding a great foundation here.

The plot unfolds with Himiko's investigation for the disappearances of young girls, in the heart of Japan's old capital. Himiko is a spiritualist who practices the art of "exorcism", we soon discover that her services are needed at the estate of a 'comatose-like' young girl's parents. The "Nezawa" home. The girl remains burdened with an eternal slumber.

Unable to help the young girl, (Whom she believes is carrying the spirit of an evil demon) Himiko ties the matter to her present investigation. She soon discovers through her own means, that a young boy's girlfriend was murdered by the same demon leaving the Nezawa girl victim of somnolence.

Knowing she'll be able to find the demon near a local shrine, Himiko visits the site only to be attacked by a lecithin-like creature. But she is saved by a mysterious young girl in a red n' white kimono, an image which plagues Himiko onward. This young girl is known only as "Miyu", a lifeless soul now confined to the sorror & duty of the underworld.

Miyu is like Himiko in a sense that she exists in the human world, but she is not human; merely vampire. We later learn of the incident which would burden Miyu's life forever, with the duty for abolishing the "loose" Shinma which lurk within humanity's depths & holes. They are not easy targets, rather existing wights of the planet; they thrive like most in the humane sense. But they kill to live, rather than give eternity like Miyu.

Elusively wrapped into her calm yet badgering-manner, Miyu leaves Himiko at the shrine; explaining to her the irony of the Shinma. "The truth is always within people", Miyu tells Himiko. Unlike her, they kill knowing they won't bestow enternal sorrow; rather eradicate it by killing others. In an almost vengeful spite, Himiko dedicates herself to finding out Miyu's whereabouts, her dreams or motives for action. Even if it means sacrificing her very humanity to do so.

There are moments in "Vampire Princess Miyu" which define themselves through simple logic, but we soon learn that they are fixated into interwoven "crevasses" of character. In the end, it seems that irony & truth have a way of stepping in at the last minute; as we soon discover with each prevailing episode.

"Miyu" herself is perhaps one of the most complex characters in the anime realm. There exists an apparent ruse, which drives Miyu to practice her duties as protector of the humans against "Shinma". The interesting thing is that she's seemingly on neither one's side. Miyu fights for one reason, and one reason only; in order to rid herself of the incredible burden left by the head Shinmas.

The word is loosely centered around the Japanese: "Kanji" for both "god" & "demon". The result is a 'fan-deemed', loose phrase combining the Kanji for: "Kami" & "Ma" (Also loosely translated). In the end, Shinma is basically a by-product of these two definitions. It becomes apparent with the series that such notions are inconsequential.

However, there are so many of this sort in the OAV; which base their foundations upon painstakingly detailed backgrounds about characters & plotline. It's abundant everywhere with the "Miyu" series. It's not a surprise that it's background is common with many animé ardents. I will not attempt to go into those with such rich detail.

According to legend (What legend indeed?), Miyu was burdened with the punishment by head Shinmas; this was a result of her refusal to enter the immortal world of 'vampire-ism' (Or so it would seem -- Customary to her existence & family). Lurking in this display of events, is Miyu's close relationship with her parents. Particularly her mother, described as: Conferring upon the 'immortaless' father, the blood of a vampire, & Miyu being the centerfold in this scenario.

This importance being: Miyu's antithesis to console with head-Shinma's wishes of her demise at the hands of "Larva". Obscurely speaking, Larva is Miyu's lover & greatest companion; though he's actually much more than an eternal friend. These factors have been often twisted to the point of fandom contradiction, but in turn: Larva's attempt to become head Shinma by taking in Miyu's blood, ended in failure when Miyu's true vampire blood awakened. This left Larva in utter "servility" to Miyu. Meaning, Larva was punished for not completing his task of killing Miyu; in turn, his voice was sealed away & he was given an eternal white mask. In this sense, Larva is Miyu's servant and only true friend.

Tracking back on the actual plot of Miyu: It heavily involves Himiko's effort to rid the city's threat of Miyu's weakness for human blood, which appears to lurk in n' out of various schools & Japanese Shrines. Miyu is just 13 after all, though she is merely an eternal soul confined to a young body.

The first Nezawa incident ended with Himiko realizing the sleeping girl was actually victim of an elaborate plot. Reason being to offer "Aiko Nezawa" the apparition of her parent's well-being (They were in truth, using their own blood to save their daughter w/a blood transfusion). All of this seems discreet until Himiko encounters Miyu at the parent's home, Miyu is found attempting to drink the blood of the young girl.

Miyu leaves having known it may have been better, had the young girl died rather than live with the burden of her parents' inexistence. In fact, this all sounds very confusing by mere summary; it can become apparent if you just watch what happens.

This session leads to Miyu's attempts to stop a fellow student, who wishes to grant immortality to a young boy named "Kei". The two seem merely an embodiment of ancient dolls in one episode, they are connected to the murders of various victims which Himiko investigates. Yet, Himiko still wonders why Miyu hunts the demons on side of the humans. She refuses to accept the demeanor of Miyu's cause for feeling, it is here where Miyu explains her very reason for being a Shinma hunter.

Each episode of Miyu ends in a love story which is perhaps engulfed with the irony of truth, & how it ruins the compatibility of love & lives. The young girl "Ranka's" fate is only Miyu's countenance for banishing the Shinmas, Ranka is a Shinma or so it would seem; but her love for Kei is burdened by the fact that she is one. Therefore, is it wrong for Miyu to banish the eternal love of two demons; simply because they are converted to 'demonhood'? This remains the key argument between Miyu & Himiko. Miyu's actions appear justified in the beginning, but they are contradicted by Himiko and Miyu's own change of heart.

There are other beautifully woven tales, like the one involving the reincarnated armor; in which a woman sacrificed her soul, in order for an underworld "Remlus" to grant her dead husband life. In a town of "Kamakura", it is Miyu's imperative duty to banish the sacred armor. With the aid of Himiko, Miyu prevails only to subscribe to Himiko's wishes of Miyu having to tell her story.

It foremost involves the lasting effort of her mother to conserve Miyu's humanity. But it's Miyu's fate to become a vampire, she is drawn to the temptation of human blood, as well as the prowess to bestow immortality's eternal sorrow. This anime was probably one of the first to truly raise the question of such ideas, Miyu remains a classic in this regard.

In the series' climax, Himiko is drawn to a quiet mansion atop a mysterious hill. It is there she learns of the Miyu's intractible fate, as well as her own. It exists far back in her mind, where she cannot hope to remember. This is all somehow drawing her to Miyu. The finale of the series remains one of the most intellectually challenging, and surprising endings ever made. Miyu's haunting giggles echo in the sky, as a confused Himiko realizes the occurences of fate; and what it can do for an idle memory of childhood.

Vampire Princess Miyu is a horror anime, but in every sense it is true horror; much in the same way "Gunbuster" or "A Wind Named Amnesia" is to the sci-fi palette. Rather than resort to your bromidic blood n' gore, (Rather the simpleton formulas) it presents itself with evocative scenery and true emotions.

It's dialouge is impeccably suited for the surroundings, yet it doesn't allow for frequent contradistinction like most titles. Miyu's character is both modest & taunting, she explains to the world that she cannot hope to redeem what's irreparably done; but accepts the solitude of sheer admission. She is also one who doesn't like to talk of the past, it seems that would be too painful to justify in her short life (Which has become immortal). Miyu's character was originally voiced by "Naoko Watanabe" & Himiko's by "Koyoma Hami". They are extraordinary performances, which have to be witnessed in their original entirety.

Vampire Princess Miyu was created by "Narumi Kakinouchi", famous for such mangas as "Fighting Girl Joline", "The Wanderer" & "Gojo Sanjno Mahou" (Which translates to "Magic At 3 P.M."). Her husband "Toshihiro Hirano" has collaborated w/Narumi on various projects, and has directed the Miyu OAV series.

In turn, their unique vision seems bounded by some kind of emotional decree; much like "Miyu" & "Larva's". Plainly evident w/the way Narumi works the manga's character designs & how Hirano guides the projects' ebullience for quality. However, this is just one fan's opinion. I'm sure both Narumi & Hirano would have no trouble agreeing. Moreover, I failed to mention that many of their other works are also based upon vampire genres.

I believe "Vampire Princess Miyu" to be their greatest work, because it understands one aspect of human emotion; which is perhaps the basis of all, before anything can be realized. Love is real & it exists, wherever it can hoped to be found. It is possible to find it with those living, dead or even immortal; but one thing is for certain... "The truth is always within people."

-- (NOTE: The title of this anime comes from the word derivation "Kyuuketsuhime Miyu" or "Vampire Miyu". Speculation remains between fans about the "Vampire Princess Miyu" translation, which may or may not be the correct title by "AnimEigo"; who first distributed the series. However, the company's official footnotes declares "Kyuuketsuhime Miyu" the correct translation.) --

~This Has Been Yet Another One Of "T.A.O.'s" New Reviews Of Classic Anime Titles.~