Rest assured Cossette I will stop time for you… And I will keep you beautiful…
Marcello Orlando
When reading someone elses review to decide on a purchase, its important that you find common ground with the reviewer. As an example of this I have found one particular source for video game reviews that I trust. Very rarely do they give a good score to a game that I don’t like. My belief is that when you find a reviewer who is of similar tastes the things they liked you will find suit you. Reading some of the reviews of La portrait de Petite Cossette I got the distinct feeling that most people didn’t really like the show.
As time goes on and new series come out what is fresh on my mind changes. As I am discussing anime with friends, I often think of which dvd’s I would strongly reccomend. From time to time I find the list changes a bit. A fond memory of something old or a strong liking to somehing new will often sway my thoughts. This title seems to always be on my reccomended viewing list.
The story starts out with the spirit of cossette voicing how she could be brought back to life if someone who truly loved her sacrificed themself. Cosette goes on to say that it would be in vain because if she came back to life the person whom she loved would be gone and she would cry alone. With a haunting story, Music that borders on opera crossed with metal, and powerful gothic artwork I found this disk captivating. Cossette is a spirit trapped in a wine glass. Eiri works in his uncles antique store, discovers her and falls in love.
La portrait de petit cossette is a tragedy bound never to be a true love story with a happy ending. A spirit and a living person can never really be together. The plot delves more into what Eiri is willing to do to help cossette and what cossette does when she realizes she is in love with Eiri. Encompassed by Eiri’s seeming descent into madness, the visuals are powerful and captivating. Scenery artwork often slips back and forth from the warm glowing imagery of the antique shop and lush forest gardens to what you would expect to find at the gates of the underworld. It really draws you into the feeling of Eiri’s insanity.
Cossette died at a very young age and her soul has been trapped in that glass for a very long time. To be at peace she longs for more than just revenge on the man who killed her, Marcello. She needs to grow up and feel love and life as an adult. She needs someone else to see her in that light.
La portrait de petite cosette is rather short and will easily be viewed entirely in one sitting. You won’t find any chibi, or even any comedy within. Chances are if what you are after is giant robots fighting, and big eyed girls jiggling, it won’t be to your liking. However, If you are into serious anime with a strong plot and a “makes you think” additude this dvd is a “must buy.” There isn’t any harem anime element to petit cossette. You can expect a dose of lolicon flavored imagery but nothing so racy as to be offensive. In fact given the time period to which the story is based it is somewhat historically appropriate.
Several times I passed by this title before I finally bought it. I’m sure I must have picked it up a dozen times and thought about it. The one negative thing I can think of about this dvd is what kept me from buying this disk for so long. Cossette has a rather short run length. When you can only afford a few disks a month, you tend to go for what gets the most bang for your buck. Truth be told, I could kick myself for not picking this title up much sooner. When it comes to entertainment value a disk you watch over and over again is worth far more than one that gathers dust on a shelf.
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