Witchblade - Vol. 1 (DVD, 2007)

The Witchblade Volume 1 DVD contains, in widescreen format, the first four episodes of the 24-episode anime series inspired by the well-known Top Cow comic book and beautifully animated by GONZO Studios. The disc's total running time is just over 94 minutes, and includes three vocal tracks: English 5.1 surround, English stereo, and Japanese stereo. It comes in a clear keepcase encased in a stunning (but very fingerprint-prone) mirror-finished slipcover, decorated with exquisite artwork by Mike Choi. Extras consist of textless opening and closing songs; a short promotional video; a subtitled interview with Japanese voice actress (and singer of the melodious ending theme), Mamiko Noto; and a tour of Top Cow Studios with Marc Silvestri--owner of Top Cow Productions and the executive producer of this anime project.

Japan's take on Witchblade offers an amazingly compelling and emotional story. It features simple but elegant animation and interesting characters. However, some of the villains--like the Microwave Man, who talks just like Mungo from the Heathcliff cartoon show, and literally cooks his victims' innards--may be a bit too weird for some viewers.