posts tagged “Lament of the Lamb”
[OAVs, Movies and Full Series]
30 Aug 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
Kei Toume’s manga series is one of the finest pieces of vampire fiction I’ve ever seen - it examines the emotional fallout from the affliction in detail, from the vampire’s perspective in a similar way that Anne Rice did with Interview with the Vampire; it also takes place in a modern setting, which adds some realism and makes the vampire’s situation a little easier to relate to. There’s no sign of Kiefer Sutherland or that kid from The Goonies though, sadly.
The character-driven story of Lament of the Lamb wouldn’t be my first choice for an OAV (a live-action movie would be marginally more appropriate, although I’d still have my reservations) since it is so heavily reliant on dialogue - there are plenty of flashback scenes but they worked fine as still frames on a page. Since OAVs are often made to promote the manga (that means you, Appleseed), there wasn’t much artistic reason for this series in the first place. Being the curious fan and Madhouse fanboy that I am, I decided to give it a fair chance anyway.
The plotline, that of Kazuna Takashiro falling ill with periodic attacks of blood-lust and discovering that he has a long-lost sister with the same disease, was never going to condense from seven volumes to four episodes without some finer points being left in the background or being left out altogether. All things considered, the editing didn’t play merry hell with the continuity nearly as much as I feared: Toume’s excellent character designs also translate pretty well onto the screen with incidentals and supporting characters stepping back to allow for attention to focus on the core themes. Chizuna ends up being at the centre, moreso than Yaegashi, the Edas and even Kazuna. She comes across as more vulnerable although her outward shows of emotional strength are downplayed and her plight takes centre stage. But then, I’m always fascinated by the tragic type of girl anyway. :p
The palette could have been hampered by the encoding/format of the file types I was watching but the colours seemed pretty lacklustre and washed-out; after reading through a b/w manga series, I was hoping for a bit more colour,especially when some shots had the potential to be quite beautiful. I’m guessing the low-key colour scheme was intentional and intended to draw attention to the depiction of blood and so on but it left me thinking “Is this really an OAV?” since it seemed to be so reluctant to impress.
In order to keep things lively it was decided to include the ‘horror’ aspect in addition to the characterisation. While I’m not a big horror fan (I actually dislike the term, but more of that another time) I can understand why this was done; it is a vampire tale of sorts, after all. Unfortunately, scenes featuring bouts of terror and bucketloads of teenage angst require a very deft directorial hand to prevent, at least, the results being toothless (pun intended) and at worst laughable. Fortunately this does not fall into the latter camp but still didn’t exert any effect on me at all.
What saves the OAV is that of the soundtrack. The end theme is a stunning ballad sung by the two leading seiyuus as a duet; the incidental BGM must have been a tough choice but the sparse industrial score fills the gaps and isn’t too overbearing. It’s not often I draw attention to the VAs but in this case they’re worth the extra mention: Megumi Hayashibara and Tomokazu Seki are, even to my untrained ears, superb in conveying the subtleties of their characters. Even the supporting cast, limited though it is, are of an enviable calibre - the vocal talent can make or break a production such as this.
Despite its plus points, this is still a very forgettable series that may have been better suited to live action or longer running time to allow for interesting side- and back-stories to make the viewing experience more rewarding. The story is a slow-burner than makes great use of relaxed pacing to give ample chance to get to know and empathise with the characters - after all, not much else is going on. Condensing a story of that type is a risky business, even moreso when moments of fear and anguish are so hard to portray effectively onscreen. Tune in for the VA performances by all means, but if the premise intrigues you I’d strongly recommend the manga instead.
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[Manga Reviews]
03 Oct 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
The optimism that Chizuna and Kazuna felt upon their return to school and relative normality is, perhaps inevitably, short-lived. Chizuna’s flashbacks finally reveal to her the terrible secret she has carried all these years, while Kazuna’s bloodlust attacks return with a vengeance. It’s dark, it’s depressing, and there are some surprising twists and revelations before the story draws to a close. We find out the truth behind the majority of the main issues raised, as the characters finally confront the problems they’ve faced all along.
Perhaps surprisingly it is Chizuna who seems to give in to her illness: as strong as she’s been from the start, her memories are now complete and her fatalistic outlook overtakes her will to survive. It is a saddening sight to see her descend into illness and resignation like this but fortunately the explanations and Kazuna’s dramatic experiences lift the mood into high tension.
The possibility that their mother is not dead is raised by Kazami’s investigations, which means that there is uncertainty hanging over the whole affair right until the end - just when we think that we’ve got to the bottom of the Takashiros and their curse, there’s one more mystery to be solved. Apart from one or two standout scenes the pace too is slow-but-steady but of course there are moments that really get the pages turning. Without giving too much away the final scenes offer some resolution but leave enough details open to leave the reader guessing about how things will turn out - they could get better but could just as easily get worse. Fortunately there are no especially glaring out-of-character moments or plot devices that come out of the blue so the conclusion is a fairly satisfactory one.
Final Thoughts
I’ve enjoyed reading Lament of the Lamb, not as a blood-soaked horror (a term I don’t use in describing films and stories; it’s a stance that takes more space than is available here to explain) but as a grim and compelling character-driven drama. The incenstuous overtones are not introduced to shock but are an integral part of the story; unsettling perhaps but justifiable in the context of the characters and their situations. Learning more about their personalities and motives holds much of the appeal for me plot-wise, although the true nature of the Takashiro family’s condition kept me guessing throughout. It is an interesting study into how a life-threatening illness can affect the way in which the sufferer interacts with those around them, as well as how those who share a potentially dangerous state of mind isolate themselves to protect others.
The contrasting attitudes that Chizuna and Kazuna take towards their illness says a lot about their outlook on life in general, without making use of the issues normally raised in stories concerning vampires. In fact, the ‘vampiric’ side to the condition is quite underplayed; the effects on their lives are more the focus. That said, there is a superbly gloomy and pessimistic atmosphere to the piece overall and by the end I took a real liking to Kei Toume’s artwork. One of my favourite images of the entire series is a double page spread pencil drawing in volume #7; I won’t publish any scans here because it is too spoilerish but it sums up the relationship between the two Takashiro siblings perfectly.
Although Minase is possibly my favourite member of the supporting cast I can’t help but feel sorry for poor little Yeagashi. Both of them are utterly devoted to their friends but for the most part are unable to help them in any way; it is the barrier that Chizuna and Kazuna build around themselves that is the saddest thing for all concerned.
Before wrapping this article up completely I ought to mention a couple of pics, the latter of which I hope I’ll have the time and inclination to post up since it left me with such a deep impression. The first is the cover of volume #5 with Chizuna staring out wearing a crimson kimono; the other is a portrait of her on the inside cover. Toume captures a side of her that is at the same time distant, beautiful, dangerous and quite lonely. It is one of several images that are published in the series of volumes that really stay in the memory.
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[Manga Reviews]
20 Sep 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
The penultimate instalment sees the entrance of Shinobu Kazami, a nurse who worked for the father of Chizuna and Kazuna, and is now looking for answers concerning his tragic death. She crosses paths with not only his two children but the Edas and Minase; at every turn she is greeted with suspicion as her search for answers makes slow progress.
After previous volumes examining the inner feelings of individual characters, this volume looks back into the past of the Takashiros and explores details concerning their curse as we follow Kazami on her journey. Because the condition is seen from a rational outsider’s perspective we begin to see it as a tangible, physical medical condition rather than some supernatural affliction: whether or not this is indeed the case I don’t know, but I’m beginning to think that this has a scientific explanation rather than a spiritual one.
Shinobu’s motives appear to be innocent enough but by no means clear. It’s possible that she had an emotional as well as professional attachment to the elder Takashiro, drawing her attention to his family’s secret. The stigma associated with it is also touched upon in this volume, although Chizuna’s relationship with her late parents gets most attention as a result of Shinobu’s enquiries.
After the first couple of volumes the focus did shift from Kazuna to Chizuna but this is understandable now that his symptoms have abated somewhat while hers have not. Furthermore, Kazuna’s memories are decidedly hazy while Chizuna has a little more in the way of emotional baggage from her childhood. The nightmares and flashbacks are particularly interesting but we (and Shinobu) are still far from reaching the full truth about the Takashiros’ tragic curse.
The ending of this volume paints a rosy picture with Chizuna and Kazuna returning to school and going about their lives almost as normal; knowing what I know about the levels of angst that Lament of the Lamb produces so effectively, I can’t help but think that this is the calm before the storm. Kazuna may have finally explained everything to Kinoshita and Chizuna may have found a good friend but it seems to good to last…
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[Manga Reviews]
03 Aug 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
Lament of the Lamb is proving to be a bit of a slow-burner and as a result fans of more action-packed vampire fare will probably have already decided that it’s not for them. This volume mostly concerns itself with highlighting existing situations while adding some minor developments.
The recurring theme of Kazuna withdrawing from his old life and the anguish that results is reiterated, as both aunt Haruka and would-be romantic interest Yaegashi try to talk him into returning to his old life. This time he’s not as abrupt with Haruka and although she doesn’t change his mind in the slightest, they part on better terms. Yaegashi on the other hand is still desparate to be by his side despite knowing full well what the consequences may be.
The focus of this volume is once again aimed a little more towards Chizuna, as she refuses to drink Kazuna’s blood in order to avoid the memories of their father but runs the risk of overdosing on the serum that has so far alleviated her symptoms. Where she once seemed cold and manipulative, she is now just a beautiful but unwell girl whose emotions are pulling her in different directions. Kazuna’s memories of their childhood are hazy but Chizuna’s are all too clear: she doesn’t want to be too dependent on Kazuna because it reminds her of their late father but at the same time both of them realise that they are ultimately alone in their own isolated world.
This is all against Minase’s best efforts as his devotion to Chizuna forces him to try to help her further, with mixed results. A few flashbacks fill out the background between them both, not to mention the appearance of the hospital built by Mr Takashiro all those years ago. Unfortunately the Takashiro curse and her own stubbornness create a barrier that not even Minase can overcome.
This was an interesting instalment but the next volume really needs to give some background and progress the story to prevent it faltering. As Chizuna’s condition worsens Minase is facing up to a few harsh truths while Kazuna’s predicament, for the time being at least, is unchanged. Perhaps surprisingly Lament of the Lamb is now appearing as less of a supernatural vampire tale and more of a mere angsty drama concerning a terrible family-related sickness; the artwork and the gothic atmosphere that results still continues to impress me though.
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[Manga Reviews]
07 Jul 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
Kazuna’s life becomes progressively more miserable as the focus of the story shifts a little towards the situation of his sister Chizuna. The slightly, well, unsettling vibes that were lurking below the surface are much more obvious now: Chizuna is one troubled lass and no mistake.
I don’t just mean the life-threatening illness that she is suffering from: the feelings she shows towards her brother are really quite unsettling. He’s obviously a replacement for the affection she lost after their father died, even though he saw so much of his late wife in his daughter. I’m reluctant to use the term ‘incestuous overtones’ again in case it puts you off reading further (or reading the manga itself) but that’s what is portrayed here. Fortunately it’s not thrown in for shock value: the, how should I put it?, ‘unhealthy closeness’ Chizuna and Kazuna feel is perfectly in context with the story and can be justified by their circumstances. Sure, it’s bizarre and evokes feelings of unease that I can’t put into words but Kei Toume has built up a background for his characters that make such themes work in favour of the plot rather than against it.
Kazuna’s increasing withdrawal from his normal life is shown to great and painful effect through some emotional exchanges with his classmate Kinoshita. In order to protect his would-be romantic interest Yaegashi from his potentially dangerous attacks, he’s avoiding her which hurts her deeply but makes her all the more intent on meeting him. This situation was explored in the last volume and explored well so I’ll leave that for now and concentrate on another new development: Chizuna’s condition.
In addition to having decidedly mixed feelings about her younger brother, Chizuna’s emotional and physical state is cause for concern for Minase who seems powerless to give her the comfort and treatment that she so desparately needs. We learn some more details about his relationship with Chizuna as well as the more general background to the Takashiro family.
Highly unusual emotional ties aside, this volume provides well-written drama and the unusual approach to the vampire myth: instead of the horror aspects, it focuses on the effects of the sufferers’ condition on those around them. In Lament of the Lamb it’s not a supernatural gift or curse but a very real and tangible physical condition and portrays the results accordingly. This volume rates highly on the angst-ometer scale and has some gritty artwork to match but crucially it gives a very human take on how a painful and life-threatening illness affects ordinary human lives. As both a manga story and a vampire tale, Lament of the Lamb makes for a very different and very interesting read.
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[Manga Reviews]
08 Jun 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
Blood, as they say, is thicker than water. I’ve always thought that it’s a nonsensical saying but it neatly sums up a central theme of Lament of the Lamb. In the past I’ve used words such as dark, brooding, angsty and the like to desribe Kei Toume’s vampire tale and the third instalment is no exception.
Kazuna has begun to sever ties with his family and friends to protect them from the terrible disease that has gripped him; don’t expect any fast plotting or much graphic violence here, this is strictly character-driven stuff. His classmate Yaegashi now knows the reasons behind his strange and worrying beaviour but her reaction is unexpected and highlights how difficult it will be for Kazuna’s self-induced withdrawal from his present life.
His departure from the Eda household throws up old issues, thought to be long since buried, and more details surrounding his family’s past are revealed. These scenes are especially powerful and painful to witness: I have no knowledge of what will happen later on in the story since I haven’t read that far yet but I just know that it can only end in tragedy; interestingly this hasn’t put me off reading further.
His sister Chizuna is now oficially weird. I don’t just mean her matter-of-fact, fatalistic outlook or the fact she is after all a vampire, but she just creeps me out. There are a few scenes in which there are some unsettling incestuous overtones - nothing obvious enough to be shocking or distasteful but enough to suggest that Chizuna has some serious emotional baggage with Kazuna being the one who has to carry it. They are alone in their suffering and the only one who can understand the situation, the only one they can turn to, is each other. All the same, the lines that divide devotion, obsession and dependence are all beginning to blur.
We also learn the emotions motivating Minase, the doctor who takes care of them both through all this, which adds yet another dimension of sadness and misfortune to the whole affair. Make no mistake, this is heavy stuff emotionally but it’s also very, very intriguing.
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[Manga Reviews]
02 Jun 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
The first volume was quite an intense experience: it introduced virtually the entire cast of the story and the general themes. The second instalment slows the pace down a little to look more closely at Kazuna’s new situation and how his condition affects both him and those around him. Volume 2 of Lament of the Lamb paints a bleak picture.
The first main problem is the condition itself: Kazuna is struck down by painful and terrifying bouts of blood-lust that he can neither control nor understand; the second is that as a result of his mysterious disease he has to keep it secret from his friends and adoptive family.
The Edas are unsurprisingly worried for him and show every bit of concern that you would expect from someone’s real parents; his classmate/would-be romantic interest Yaegashi is taking it badly too. Kazuna is pushing them away but what they can’t possibly know is the reason why: he is afraid of the dark desires and nightmares he is suffering from and the possible repercussions. Suffice to say that there’s plenty of teen angst in this volume, what with our unfortunate hero plunging rapidly into painful isolation as he leaves his loved ones behind in his old life.
Chizuna is turning out to be a very interesting character - she seems to be using Kazuna as a replacement for the company of their departed father; after all, her brother is the only family she has now. As you might expect from a vampire, she is beautiful yet outwardly cold, calculating and dangerous: I can’t help but think that she is using Kazuna and Minase-sensei for her own ends. Still, she does reveal more about their father’s past and his untimely death, which gives plenty of food for thought later on.
Kei Toume won’t win any awards for accuracy or polish in his artwork (at least, he hasn’t received any as far as I know) but the layout of the panels works well in progressing the story even with the ambiguous speech bubbles. What he does excel at though is his flair for character designs: their haunting and almost creepy appearances are vaguely reminiscent of Yoshitoshi ABe’s works. I mean that in a good way.
Lament of the Lamb continues to be an engrossing and powerful drama that takes the viewer down an angst-filled and quite unsettling path. The themes and artwork convey quite strong feelings of isolation and claustrophobia: Fruits Basket it most certainly isn’t. As depressing as it is, I can’t help but continue reading.
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[Manga Reviews]
19 May 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
I’m not a very prolific manga reader (as you might have guessed from the number of entries in this category) but I have a soft spot for vampire stories. For this reason Lament of the Lamb seemed to be a logical choice to add to my modest manga collection.
There are quite a few vampire tales in anime and manga, such as Hellsing, Vampire Hunter D and Blood: The Last Vampire. However, while the action-orientated ones are good in their own way I’ve always been more interested in the emotional drama rather than blood-soaked action. Arcueid from Tsukihime and the iconic D are good examples of vampires who have human emotions and show the condition of being an immortal from the inside; while this is often downbeat and tragic it is often the most interesting. This is where Lament of the Lamb comes in.
Kazuna Takashiro leads a normal life but has a mysterious past. His mother is dead, he has lost touch with his father and has been brought up by Shin and his wife Natsuko, old friends of his father. He has a fateful chance encounter with a strange girl when he visits his old home after being plagued by strange dreams; the girl turns out to be his long-forgotten elder sister Chizuna. She tells him the truth about his early life and the terrible secret of his family: they are both descended from a family of vampires!
The idea of vampirism being some sort of genetic or medical condition is hardly new, but Lament of the Lamb focuses more on the effect that it has on Kazuna’s life and relationships with those around him; it has more in common with Tsukihime and Ann Rice’s Vampire Chronicles novels than more action-packed horror fare. Upon discovering that he has not been spared from the family curse Kazuna has to come to terms with losing his normal life with the devoted Natsuko and Shin, with a life of blood-lust and suffering ahead of him. He finds himself pushing his friends away, particularly classmate and potential love interest Yaegashi.
Kazuna is a likeable enough character: initially the typical laid-back teen with no clear idea of his future before the sickness takes hold. His sister Chizuna is an interesting individual, showing coldness towards her classmates that is in great contrast with the fact that she is very protective of the brother she hardly knows. Her condition is more advanced than Kazuna’s, and requires medical help from Minase, a doctor and an old friend of her father’s - ultimately though, the condition is terminal. Because of this her attitude towards their fate is very matter-of-fact and she is deliberately quiet and distant.
The artwork conveys the feelings of foreboding and unease with slightly sketchy-looking characters (reminiscent of Otomo’s Akira manga) that steer clear of ‘cute’ or stylised designs to heighten the dark and mature themes. While there are no exaggerated gestures or movements the characters are very expressive and convey deep emotion and meaning - after all, this story is very character-driven and action scenes are nonexistent. My only criticism here is that it is hard to work out who is speaking and when: for a story as reliant on dialogue as this it would be helpful to have clearer labelling for the speech bubbles.
In summary I’ll certainly be picking up the next volume of Lament of the Lamb: even at this early stage it comes across as intriguing, bleak and atmospheric with an interesting cast of central characters. The artwork is hardly pretty, but that is precisely the point: the world that Chizuna and now Kazuna inhabits is a pitiless and lonely one but it is no less compelling for it. Crucially it approaches its subject matter in an unusual fashion that more than makes up for the slow pacing, which is fine by me.
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