New Cutey Honey: Collection One

I was always hesitant about buying New Cutey Honey (NCH) since I have an impressionable little brother and this was the only title whose A.D.V. Films preview blatantly shows nudity. After seeing the surprisingly risqué Knights of Ramune which features the work of the same character designer of NCH, Osamu Horiuchi, I pretty much told myself to forget buying this series. But always being curious and thrifty (thanks to Mom and Dad for buying me a DVD player for Christmas), I decided to by the first NCH DVD "Collection" which contains the first four episodes of the series or the first two video cassettes if you are a penny pincher who needs to know the bulk value of this disc.

Surprisingly, New Cutey Honey (NCH) is nothing like I expected. After seeing Knights of Ramune; a series that features the work of NCH 's character designer, Osamu Horiuchi, I figured this title would be some what offensive, but this series plays out more as a somewhat racier Sailor Moon. The style of animation used is really unique with its ability to mix a 70s' style of drawing (this style is probably very similar to the original Cutey Honey series) for the supporting characters and a more modern style of animation for Honey and the villains she faces. Also the soundtrack is really good which gives this series a pop music video feel.

As for the episode plots, they follow the widely used throughout anime method of having the heroes face off and destroy the episode's designated villain, only to realize that this villain was working for an even greater one. I think this is a rather hit and miss method, but all the episodes on this DVD seem to work well, but they are by no means as strong as the episodes of the best anime series.

Because this series uses this story format, I immediately know that this title is not for everyone, and I for one do not plan on buying any follow up volumes of this series. Unless you love every episode of a series similar to this, like Sailor Moon , you are gambling $20 to $30 if you choose to purchase a New Cutey Honey video.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHT: It appears that the series is divided into two seasons, so the ending of the last episode on this DVD actually has a good method of closure. This makes the disc stand alone and it does not make you feel like you need to buy any follow up videos of this series.