Witch Hunter Robin : My Review

My Rating

Once you immerse yourself in the story of Witch Hunter Robin you begin to picture a world where genetic “gifts” exist. These gifts grant people power that an ordinary human simply can’t contend with. Essentially the underlying concept is that a “craft” is an inherited power. In order to keep witches in check, hundreds of years ago church leaders founded a secret organization to control them. This organisation known as Solomon watches families that have born a witch in their linage. People who come from those families are predisposed to having special abilities and are known as seeds. Seeds and are monitored by solomon for their entire lives. If a seed awakens to his or her craft, hunters are dispatched to kill them before they get out of control.

The show starts with Robin bieng transferred to the STNJ. The STNJ is Solomons Japan headquarters. Robin Sena is a fifteen year old girl who was raised in a monestary and trained as a hunter. She is also a witchcraft user with the power to manipulate fire. A rarity amongst hunters as generally anyone with an awakened craft is killed. Her introduction into japan is shaky at first. Robin learns that the STNJ does not kill witches, but rather subdues their powers and imprisons them in a place known as “The factory”. They use something called orbo to subdue witches and that has its own mystery surrounding it.

Overall this anime has some elements to it that make it attractive to an older audience. It is not based heavily on action but rather on intellectual concepts. The series Witch hunter robin has a darker mood and a “makes you think” additude. One particular episode has robin faced with an old woman who’s craft presumably makes her immortal. She has lived through not one, but two burnings at the stake. This confrontation is not a battle, but rather a match of wits. I was completely enthralled through the entire episode. If you really think about it Robin both wins and loses that fight.

I would strongly reccomend this show to anyone who likes to think. Admittedly its not the smartest series out there. Many of the mysteries are easily solved long before the answer is revealed in the story. I had figured out what the orbo is by the second episode. Still there are lots of moments that get the mind rolling. There is also a bit of an underlying creep factor. The episode with the psycho doll girl comes to mind.

As for a rating, I would say this series is a buy not a rent. You may watch it through once and put it away, but sometime later you will definately find yourself wanting to watch it again. Younger viewers may want to pass by this series for something with a little more action. You’re not likely to find much in the way of fan service or Harem Style comedy. There is just a touch of gothic lolita flavor here, albeit very subtle.