On DVD: Pumpkin Scissors Vol. 1 (Honor and Blood)

Created by Ryoutarou Iwanaga

Directed by GONZO

Featuring voices by Chou, Shizuka Itou, Chihiro Suzuki, Marty Fleck, Blake Sheppard

What better time to review a new anime called Pumpkin Scissors then the first week of October. What could possibly be the plot of an anime named Pumpkin Scissors? I popped the disc in the DVD player to find out. Pumpkin Scissors Vol. 1 Honor and Blood was recently released by ADV Films.

The Series

A major war has left most of the country in ruins. People are suffering in astronomical numbers. Famine, disease and criminals plague the remaining survivors.

The empire has found a solution to the problem. They create a new division of the Information Bureau and call it “Pumpkin Scissors”. The mission of Pumpkin Scissors is to restore peace to the devastated areas.

The leader of the group, Lt. Alice Malvin, believes in the mission of this elite group. She leaves behind a family of royalty in order to serve her country and help its citizens. While she is brave and true of heart and believes in Pumpkin Scissors until the very end, many of the citizens she encounters on her missions think that her group is nothing more than a falsely politically correct group that is merely a pawn of the empire. They think it is rubbish and don’t believe any of it.

One day, a very tall new soldier joins the group,Corporal Randel Oland. On the surface, he seems like an ordinary man. However, he hides a secret. He can activate a blue light, and when he completes this action,  he becomes a ruthless killer who fears no one. He has super human abilities and he is indestructible. If this wasn’t enough, he also has healing powers.

How will Lt. Malvin and Corporal Oland combine their very different personalities and strengths to help save the suffering people? What is better, a sincere heart that believes in peace or a blue light you can switch on to become a bad ass killer?

And, where does a little dog named Mer-kun fit into all of this? Did I mention he has a very bad habit of biting the heads of everyone in his sight?

If you are a fan of action packed anime, Pumpkin Scissors is going to be right up your alley. But, before you start thinking it is serious, the first episode lets you know right away that this series is also infused with a wacky and free spirited sense of humor that make for an interesting concoction.

I was reminded of the anime series Fist of the Northstar when watching this new series. While it is not as violent and definately has alot more humor, it does deal with a group of misfits coming into an area to try to take care of business.

So, if you like your anime wacky and action packed, Pumpkin Scissors Volume 1: Honor and Blood belongs on your movie shelf.

7/10

The Video

 Pumpkin Scissors Vol 1: Honor and Blood  is presented in anamorphic widescreen. The colors are very vibrant with a nice depth to the color black. I did not notice any instances of grain or artifacts. This is a solid transfer by ADV Films of this series.

8/10

The Audio

Pumpkin Scissors Volume 1: Honor and Blood is presented in the original Japanese language with optional English subtitles in a Dolby Digital 2.0 mix or the English dubbed version in Dolby Digital 5.1. Both options are crystal clear with the dialogue easily understood and well balanced.

7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features

Pumpkin Scissors Volume 1: Honor and Blood is presented in a standard amaray case with artwork that captures the spirit of the anime nicely.

Other than clean opening and closing segments and previews for other ADV film releases, there are no bonus features to accompany this release so the score is going to be low in this category, although the anime itself is quite entertaining.

3/10

Overall (Not an Average) 7/10

The Review

The Series 7/10

The Video 8/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 3/10

Overall (Not an Average) 7/10

-Suzie Lackey