Witch Hunter Robin

director: Shukou Murase
review type: anime
status: completed
genre: Action, Supernatural
studio: Sunrise
original run: July 2, 2002 - December 24, 2002
episodes: 26
similiar to: Blood+

Synopsis

There exists in the shadows a secret organization called SOLOMON or STN. And their main purpose is simply to eradicate witchcraft. They are high skilled in dealing with those who would utilize witchcraft by possessing a database of witches, those who have the ability through genetic engineering, or even those who would carry the powerful gene called "seeds". Why? STN's main prerogative is simply to kill them before they "awaken."

Witchcraft, is understood to be a genetic trait only dormant to a minority of people groups. Those who possess them are called "seeds". And once these "seeds" activate their powers, they become "awakened." They may possess an array of powers. Some may range from telekinesis to to even mind control. It's STN's duty then to deal with them by employing witch hunters or craft-users; people who are not witches but have special abilities, to monitor those who are "seeds" and to eradicate those who have been awakened. They are those that keep the order among those with the witchcraft trait.

The story revolves around the axis of Robin Sena; a young girl born in Japan but raised by the Roman Catholic Church in Italy. She is a "craft-user" with psychokinetic abilities. She arrives in Japan on a reconnaissance mission, to gather data for the SOLOMON headquarters on a mythical item called the "secrets of the craft" while leading a double life as a witch hunter for the Japanese branch STN-J.

However, Robin notices something fishy regarding STN and their dealings with captured witches at a placed called the "Factory." As she unravels the truth, Robin has now become a subject of conspiracy; she is now labeled a witch. The path Robin chose would ultimately lead her to who she is as a "craft-user" and about certain witches she knew while opening the lid on the real purposes of STN.




Rempit's Vrooming Comment

Finally, I have been waiting for a supernatural anime with a twist. and Witch Hunter Robin gave me that. Conspiracy theories and investigative themes are a rarity in most supernatural animes and for something brand new? This would definitely be rated FRESH!

The whole concept of witches and witch hunting at first may seem cliche. But why not? With Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, I was also very skeptical on this sort of storyline. But after knowing how science was incorporated into it (genes), you can say that this would be a supernatural version of Ghost in the Shell. So again hat's off to the concepts.

Robin by far is one of the best female lead characters that I have come across with. Her abilities and the extra trait she carries with her depicts her as a non-conformist. She is the embodiment of a real investigator searching for the truth and at the same time bearing the pangs of standing up for it. Robin is not spared from any form of blast but instead realistically sustains damage. She is a constant reminder that the truth hurts.

She is also the anti-thesis of some other typical shonen female leads like Lenalee from D.Gray-Man or even Shana from that annoying Shakugan no Shana. Her demeanor and her soft-spoken-ness reminds you of something a little less different from most of the loud mouthed leads.

But besides Robin, there isn't much character development on the whole. The whole story only conforms to a real and original plot midway of the series. Her contemporaries do possess some awesome traits about them and it is interesting to them featured in it. Her partner Amon is one such guy; a witch hunter with the "witch" gene in him. And he becomes the unofficial guardian to Robin. This again somewhat reminds of you of a Buffy-Angel fling, but it is not so don't worry about that either. For now atleast.

The art and action is superb. And the dark and grim setting this finds its feet in will definitely keep you off your chair and you'd be wanting more of Witch Hunter Robin. So a full on recommendation here.


Rempit Rates:

Storyline: 5/5
Character Development: 3/5
Art: 5/5
Originality: 4/5