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skysenshi (04.23.2003)
Unbelievably Fluffy!
Just when you think you've had enough of SailorMoon
rip-offs, along comes another hentai anime that is obviously
inspired by the undyingly popular bishoujo series. One look
at Fawn Bell's odango hairstyle and fashion sense and you'll
know right from the start that she is Usagi Tsukino (a.k.a.
SailorMoon herself) from an alternate universe. Also take
note that Moon Shadow's name seemed to be derived from the
SailorMoon R season's Tsukikage no Knight.
But wait! Unlike Lunatic
Knight and Venus 5,
Karakuri Ninja Girl isn't about senshi look-alikes or similar
transformation sequences. In fact, Karakuri has a different
theme in mind all along. You'd notice this as soon as you
view the impressive intro of narratives and falling cherry
blossom petals. We have two skilled fighters who go out of
their way to escape from Ninja Country. They just want to
live a life of peace, alone—just the two of them acting
like ordinary people. Who's to say life is actually going
to be that easy? First, their leader punishes them for trying
to escape. Then, when the plan erotically backfires, they
are banished from the clan forever. Well, it's not over yet!
As soon as our two lovebirds settle down in their new lives,
in comes the scorned ex, Morning Mist, who proceeds to wreak
havoc on the love nest that our heroes carefully built for
themselves.
Much as this hentai feature lacked a lot of very important
detail—ahem, I'm talking about how the lower genitalia
are being artfully obscured from view—I found
myself immensely entertained. The conversations and situations
are so downright silly I couldn't even manage to stifle my
girlish giggling. Of course, it helps that Moon Shadow and
Fawn Bell keep tugging at my hopelessly romantic side. And
this truly comes as a surprise since WAFF-y* romance stories
aren't usually my thing!
The plot isn't much. You won't be finding philosophical elements
in here, that's for sure. The art and animation are fine,
just enough to tickle your appreciation for a good dose of
comedy. Ah, yes, there is one little aspect that almost ruined
this for me: the English dubbing. Just to be a little more
specific, I must say I'm thoroughly bothered by Trisha Uptown's
monotonous, ear-numbing performance as Fawn Bell. So, I'm
giving our readers a word of advice: If you have the DVD,
please choose Japanese with English subtitles, then sit back,
relax, and enjoy!
* WAFF = warm and fuzzy feeling; an abbreviation used by fanfiction
writers
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