Earthian

Original Title: アーシアン
Romanized: Aashian
Literal: Earthian

Plot Synopsis

A race of angelic beings have watched over humankind throughout their history. But recently, the negative nature of the Earth's population has drawn the value of their existence into question, so pairs of observers have been sent to Earth disguised as humans. One angel in each pair is charged with observing the negative traits of humankind, and the other with finding the positive. If it is determined that the human race is too negative, then the Earth and its population will be wiped out.

One of these pairs is comprised of Chihaya and Kagetsuya; the former is the positive member of the team, but has an unusual distinction--Chihaya is the only angel in Eden with black hair and wings. Neither he nor his partner know what this means, but he is determined to seek out the answer during his quest. The journey will cross paths with a secret military research lab, fallen angels known as lucifers, a rock singer, and the mysterious angel Messiah, with the fate of the Earth hanging in the balance.

Quick Review

Rating: 3.5 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2004-10-18

A stylish and complex shoujo-style work, Earthian is anime of a different hue. Its stories are populated with deep, troubled characters and are tragedies through and through, and although its manga roots are evidenced by a total lack of set-up and a lot of time and relationship development elapsed between each episode, the complex characters make up for any weakness. Coupled with decent 80s-era visuals and a very good dub, it has everything it needs to live up to as much of its potential as can be expected for a short OAV series based on a long manga series.

Detailed and engrossing, if you have any interest at all in dark shoujo-style tragedies, this is a series worth checking out. Even those not usually interested in this sort of thing might find something to like.

US DVD Review

The DVD combines all four episodes with Japanese and English audio tracks. Extras include an art gallery and interview with the creator, presumably the same bonuses as were included on the last two VHS volumes.

Content Guide

A fair amount of violence, emotional trauma, and some ongoing adult themes and content put this at about a 16-up level, though the 13-up Media Blasters decided on isn't out of the question.

Violence: 3 - Not gratuitous, but no punches pulled either, and a fairly high body count.

Nudity: 2 - Only a couple of brief scenes.

Sex/Mature Themes: 3 - A brief scene in part 3.

Language: 1 - Not severe.

Notes and Trivia

Based on a long manga series by Yun Kouga, who also wrote and drew the semi-comedy fantasy series Gestalt. The last two tapes include a few comments by her, and a gallery of some related drawings.

Availability

Available in the US from Anime Works on one hybrid DVD. Originally released on 4 subtitled or dubbed VHS tapes, the last two including 15 extra minutes of interview and art gallery at the end.

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