Red Garden, Volume 1 - Denkyu: Anime Webzine

Four girls who attend the same school find themselves being brought together, lead by strange crimson butterflies. They find it surprising to see each other, each one being a part of a different social circle. While pondering the strange feeling that had lead them there, a strange woman, followed by a man, approaches, telling them it was time for their training.

A few hundred feet away stands a man who changes into something with canine characteristics. The strange woman then tells them, “Kill him with your bare hands.” There isn’t much time to react to this as he… or it, descends upon them, turning this odd situation into a kill or be killed situation.

These four girls, Rose, Rachel, Claire, and Kate, find they are all a part of something strange and unexplained. To top off what has happened, they have to deal with the death of a girl who was a mutual friend of theirs. Other than school, that is the only thing linking the four together.

This classmate Jill is said to have committed suicide. But what if she didn’t commit suicide?  What if she were murdered? What if they all had been murdered and they now live on borrowed lives? So many unexplained things, unanswered questions.

Red Garden is a wonderfully drawn anime with bold colors and clean lines. The drawing style of the characters seems to be one that is becoming more popular with the manga artists. It’s nice to see this new style being used in anime. The opening and ending themes are fun, fitting with the characters of the story. The voice acting is wonderful, everyone fitting the characters they are paired with.

Story wise, for me though was a little on the slow side. It started out slow then started to pick up in action then slowed down again for a good bit. I’m not saying this is a bad series, nor am I saying it’s a great one. It’s more of a mediocre one for me. I could have easily passed it up after watching the first episode.

The root of the story though is intriguing. I find myself curious as to just what’s going on. There are a lot of lose ends in the first volume and I am a person who likes closure. Even though it’s not top on my list of must see, it will be added to my Netflix list for later on as it’s released. There is a promise of getting better and I’m willing to give it a chance. Gonzo, please don’t let me down.

Licenser: ADV
Studio: Gonzo
Length: 100mins
Retail: (U.S.) $29.98
Availability: 09.18.07