Title:  Pretear

Creator:  Sato Junichi, Naruse Kaori (Story and Art)

Director:  Tajiri Kenichi, Sayama Kiyoko

Japanese Production Studio:  Hal Film Maker, Kadokawa Shoten, Rondo Robe

Type:  TV

Number of Episodes:  13

Vintage: 2001

US Licensing Company:  ADV Films

Genre:  Mahou Shoujo

General Summary

Pretear follows the story of 16 year old Awayuki Himeno, a girl whose father recently remarried the wealthiest woman in the city.  Since everything in the city was named after the woman, the marriage caused everything in the town to be renamed to Awayuki.  Himeno has a particularly hard time, especially at school where she is treated like a gold-digger.  On top of that, her “evil stepsisters” treat her like an outcast in her new home.  One day, on the way back from school, she runs into a strange dark haired man who asks hold her hand.  When she does end up touching the man’s hand, a strange reaction occurs and before long, she begins her journey into discovering who she is and what it is she truly wants.  The mysterious man and his six companions reveal themselves to be Leafe Knights, the 7 warriors destined to fight along side the Pretear.  Himeno may be the Pretear they have been searching for, the girl with the ability to prete (combine) with the Leafe Knights and protect the world from the coming Princess of Disaster.

Art and Animation

            The art in Pretear is very unique.  If I could put a few words to it, I would use ‘flowery’ and ‘rough’.  Yes, I’m well aware that those two make little sense together, but let me try to explain.  As for flowery, that’s pretty apparent.  Pretear is choc full of bishounen amidst stunning backdrops.  This is mahou shoujo after all, so don’t expect to get away without lots of colorful people, things, and attacks.  Himeno herself is my primary cause to describe the art as rough, but for the most part, I describe it as rough simply because so much of the art in Pretear strikes me as ‘not normal mahou shoujo’.  This is actually meant to be a comment of praise though, the show manages to be unique and true to its own style, a trait that gives the show a lot of character.

            The animation in Pretear is also pretty unique.  The concept of preting also gives the show a lot of variety to work with.  Whereas most mahou shoujo only have one transformation style (depending on the length of the show), Himeno has a different transformation with each Leafe Knight.  Getting to see all of the different styles of combination and attacks makes Pretear very fun to watch.  The animated battle sequences are very well done and overall I was very impressed with the animation quality.

Character Development and Storyline

            Looking back on Pretear, I almost have a hard time believing that it was 13 episodes.  In this short span of time, there was so much character and story development.  I have watched much longer shows with far less development and intrigue then Pretear.  Himeno is a fantastic lead, a treat to watch from start to finish.  Of the Leafe Knights, Sasame and Hayate are the two that get the most focus.  The two from the outset seem to stand opposite from each other and that contrast certainly stands to aid in their development as characters. 

            The particular method of character and story development in Pretear was another thing that really set it apart.  I couldn’t have predicted that things would unwind they way that they did, which in the end is part of why I enjoyed the show so much.  Pretear is a lot more then just a good versus evil show.  The story grows much deeper then it initially appears, a feat that is only accomplished by extensive character development on all fronts.  From the Leaf Knights to Hayate’s family and even the Princess of Darkness, there is a lot to learn about all of the characters.

Music

            The music in Pretear was arranged by Omori Toshiyuki, who has also worked on the musical arrangement in Neon Genesis Evangelion and the Dirty Pair, among other things.  The OP theme White Destiny by Ishida Yoko has a really nice sound to it.  Along with the OP video, it really sets a good tone for the show that will follow.  The ED theme Lucky Star by Yoshida Sayuri is another good song, but doesn’t stick with me as much as White Destiny to be certain.  In terms of the BGM, I was really very impressed with it from beginning to end.  It is at all times unique and fitting for the occasion.  It could not have been an easy job to compose music for Pretear, as the show, in a short number of episodes, portrays a vast array of emotion.  Amazingly enough, the music manages to communicate these ever changing emotional messages with clarity and intrigue.

Seiyuu

            The voice acting in Pretear was really well done.  One seiyuu that I particularly enjoyed was Sakurai Takahiro as Sasame.  Sakurai has voiced a lot of good roles, most notably for me would be his role as Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.  Also, Horie Yui has an amazing role as the Princess of Disaster.  I don’t know that I could pick a favorite role for her, but her voice work is always great.  Overall, the seiyuu only give me one more reason to praise Pretear.

Final Summary

            I really recommend this show to almost anyone.  Having been released in a thinpak by ADV, you can find the complete series for about $20.  There really isn’t enough praise I could offer Pretear.  The fact that it is such a great mahou shoujo is complimented by the fact that it isn’t a typical mahou shoujo both in the types of characters and the way in which they are developed.  As I mentioned earlier, this is not a standard good versus evil battle.  Himeno must find her place in a world that seems to reject her and more importantly, discover her own strength, the power that lies within her.  Part Snow White, part Sleeping Beauty, and part fantastic anime, Pretear is truly a work of art.  It is concise but powerful, no longer then it needs to be, but by no means cut short.  And finally, I guess I’ll just mention that I absolutely love the end of Pretear.  It’s my kind of ending and everything just comes together in a perfect way.