Tweeny Witches...
I picked up three volumes of Tweeny Witches. They spoke to me and whispered -- buy me. So I did...
I've seen three volumes in their entirety in one sitting. Tweeny Witches is an extraordinary piece of work. The story-tellers have crafted a rich and vibrant world in which to tell their story. The story centers around Arusu, a young girl who finds herself a stranger in a strange land. In this world fairies are real, but, they're not the cute Tinkerbell-type fairies we've all come to know and love. The story-tellers have taken classic icons of Western mythology and reshaped them in this wonderfully different world.
The animation is crisp, clean and highly polished. It's a mix of traditional and CG elements, but, all of the elements are blended very well. There are some things, like the stone tower where the fairies are kept -- which is just perfectly rendered in 3-D fly-by shots -- that are clearly CG elements, but, for most other elements, the blending is seamless. I've also noticed that the animators have made use of a lot of advanced multi-plane effects -- allowing them to give the animation the illusion of depth.
The story is fast-paced and engaging. I felt that I couldn't wait to see how things evolved. The rich animation and its high quality compliments the story and pacing very well. Tweeny Witches has a lot going on in the background, but, since the pacing isn't as frenetic as Paniponi Dash, I found that I could pretty much keep pace with the story and keep an eye on the background elements without having to use reverse too often. Of course, I read my anime, so, it takes a bit more concentration than if I were to just select English language dialogue.
The opening and ending animation are very entertaining and beautifully executed. The opening, in particular, reminds me of an animated medieval picture book. The packaging isn't all that inspiring and didn't quite capture the wonders that lay within. But, I did like the fact that the publisher decided to release the series as three double-disc sets, rather than, the more traditional, six single-disc format. I had some issues with a couple of the discs not playing on my older-model DVD player, but, they all played very well on my newer-model DVD player.
I really enjoy the ending theme. The second disc of the first set contains the clean opening and ending animation. Recently, while, I had the ending animation looping continuously, it was pointed out to me that the tone of the song is not unlike the Chipmunks. As much as it pains me to admit it, it seems that this is so.
There is some violence, but, there is no gore to speak of. There is the obligatory shower scene, but, there are no naughty bits. Overall, I was very pleased with Tweeny Witches. I gave Tweeny Witches a 5 out of 5.
Start Spoiler... Read on at your own risk...
Volume 1
Arusu In Wonderland
Arusu, a young girl who believes in magic with all her heart, one day finds herself suddenly dropped into the middle of a magical world that's beyond her wildest imaginings. At first, it seems that her life's wish has finally been granted, but things quickly change as she finds out more about the less-than-perfect wonderland.
Arusu soon meets two young witches named Sheila and Eva, and one wild broomstick ride later, all three girls are blamed for the release of the witches' source of magic: captured fairies. After an unusual punishment is delivered, they are given the task of recapturing the fairies - a difficult thing to do when Arusu keeps freeing them!
Volume 2
Through the Looking Glass
Arusu, Sheila, and Eva, in order to retrieve captured fairies, travel to the Warlock Realm with the help of the warlock Sigma. Entering Wizard Kingdom, they find themselves in a world that is very different from the Witch Realm. There, Sheila discovers the true state of the magical world, and then learns of a traitorous witch upon returning home.
After the three witches reaffirm their bond, Arusu faces someone claiming to be her mirror while Eva taps a new power within herself. Meanwhile, in the background, witches are falling to a mysterious illness, and warlocks are preparing to mount an invasion.
Secrets are revealed, hidden pasts are uncovered, and intentions are unveiled as Sigma's words to the three witches ring true: If you come, then you'll understand everything.
Volume 3
What Arusu Found There
Chaos erupts in the Witch Realm as the warlocks invade seeking the True Book of Spells. Lines are drawn, sides are redefined, and prisoners are exchanged with Arusu, Sheila, and Eva caught in the center of it all. The struggle takes place everywhere, and the Human Realm, Witch Realm, and Warlock Realm are all revisited as Arusu searches for information about the magic of light to combat the coming darkness.
Meanwhile, Eva begins to lose her abilities as the collapse of the magical realm draws nearer. Will the trio be able to save the world in time, and what will Arusu find in the end?
The main story of Tweeny Witches reaches its ultimate conclusion, but further adventures may still await our heroes.
OVA
The Adventures
The destinies of Arusu, Sheila, and Eva have reached their individual conclusions, but many of their adventures in the Magical Realm still remain untold. Rejoin the trio of apprentice witches in wonderland as they experiment with ancient spells, face a powerful witch and her looking-glass self, and find a legendary fairy. The origin of Dragon House, the grand master's past, and a fun romp with Atelia's subordinates Mileth and Miletis are also explored in these charming side stories.
I've seen three volumes in their entirety in one sitting. Tweeny Witches is an extraordinary piece of work. The story-tellers have crafted a rich and vibrant world in which to tell their story. The story centers around Arusu, a young girl who finds herself a stranger in a strange land. In this world fairies are real, but, they're not the cute Tinkerbell-type fairies we've all come to know and love. The story-tellers have taken classic icons of Western mythology and reshaped them in this wonderfully different world.The animation is crisp, clean and highly polished. It's a mix of traditional and CG elements, but, all of the elements are blended very well. There are some things, like the stone tower where the fairies are kept -- which is just perfectly rendered in 3-D fly-by shots -- that are clearly CG elements, but, for most other elements, the blending is seamless. I've also noticed that the animators have made use of a lot of advanced multi-plane effects -- allowing them to give the animation the illusion of depth.
The story is fast-paced and engaging. I felt that I couldn't wait to see how things evolved. The rich animation and its high quality compliments the story and pacing very well. Tweeny Witches has a lot going on in the background, but, since the pacing isn't as frenetic as Paniponi Dash, I found that I could pretty much keep pace with the story and keep an eye on the background elements without having to use reverse too often. Of course, I read my anime, so, it takes a bit more concentration than if I were to just select English language dialogue.
The opening and ending animation are very entertaining and beautifully executed. The opening, in particular, reminds me of an animated medieval picture book. The packaging isn't all that inspiring and didn't quite capture the wonders that lay within. But, I did like the fact that the publisher decided to release the series as three double-disc sets, rather than, the more traditional, six single-disc format. I had some issues with a couple of the discs not playing on my older-model DVD player, but, they all played very well on my newer-model DVD player.
I really enjoy the ending theme. The second disc of the first set contains the clean opening and ending animation. Recently, while, I had the ending animation looping continuously, it was pointed out to me that the tone of the song is not unlike the Chipmunks. As much as it pains me to admit it, it seems that this is so.
There is some violence, but, there is no gore to speak of. There is the obligatory shower scene, but, there are no naughty bits. Overall, I was very pleased with Tweeny Witches. I gave Tweeny Witches a 5 out of 5.
Start Spoiler... Read on at your own risk...
Several years before the events in the story, a human archaeologist stumbled upon the Magical Realm. He was taken prisoner by the Warlocks. While the human remained in captivity, the Warlocks, happened to steal the True Book of Spells from the Witches. Atelia, was sent into the Warlock Realm, to retrieve the True Book of Spells. Atelia came across the human and she set him free. The two fell in love and had a son, Lennon, together. Atelia was called upon to serve the Witch Realm as a Sage and abandoned her husband and son.End Spoiler...
Atelia's husband and son were separated during the journey back to the Human Realm. Lennon would spend many lonely years wandering the Interdimensional Sea and became a pirate. Atelia's husband returned to the Human Realm and had a daughter, Arusu. But, before leaving the Magical Realm, Atelia's husband took the True Book of Spells from Atelia. His intention was to prevent the dark magic from being activated by moving a key element (the book itself) to a place where Witches and Warlocks could not retrieve the book.
Years later, Arusu, fell into the Magical Realm, after being called or summoned by her brother, Lennon. Before his mysterious disappearance, Arusu's father gave her a book. When Arusu fell into the Magical Realm, she happened to have the book with her. As it turns out, it was the True Book of Spells.
Arusu's arrival causes a great deal of trouble, but, she makes two friends in the process - Eva and Sheila. In an effort to save Sheila, Arusu uses a magical wish, but, loses the True Book of Spells. As it turns out, the book lands in the hands of Lennon as he wanders the Interdimensional Sea.
The Warlocks, from their vantage point in the Magical Realm, can see the imminent demise of the Magical Realm. Their leader, Grande, plans to use dark magic to prevent the destruction. A prophecy tells of the coming a savior who will save the Magical Realm from destruction, but, Grande and his minions press on. Open conflict between Witches and Warlocks ensues as the Magical Realm crumbles around them all. Arusu's father turns up back in captivity in the Warlock Realm. With the help of Sigma, Arusu's father escapes and reunites with Atelia. The two reconcile their differences, but, he is apparently killed while trying to save Atelia. Arusu and her brother, Lennon, reunite on the Interdimensional Sea, after Sheila attempts to send Arusu to the relative safety of the Human Realm. Arusu and Lennon return to the Magical Realm where Lennon meets his mother, Atelia. At first, their relationship is antagonistic, but, later, the two reconcile.
Grande needs three elements to activate the dark magic: the True Book of Spells, one of each of the one-hundred species of fairies and a Witch whose heart has been tainted by darkness. Grande's forces succeed in gathering the 100 fairies and Arusu gives Grande the book. The traitorous Witch who would betray the Witch Realm and activate the dark magic turns out to be none other than Eva.
The awesome destructive power of dark magic is fueled by hatred, fear and despair. Arusu returns to the Human Realm to replenish her supply of chestnuts. Arusu returns from the Human Realm bearing the light of hope and helps Eva remember better days with the taste of a chestnut. The light magic released by Arusu counteracts the dark magic, frees Eva from the clutches of darkness and saves the Magical Realm.
Eva and Sheila are released from the Curse of Eternal Youth and Arusu returns to the Human Realm where she finds her father alive and well.
In the documentary on disc two of the first set, it is revealed that the Eva would, one day, marry a human and Sheila, would one day, marry a warlock.
