Le Chevalier D’eon: Psalm of Vengeance

 

Reviewed By: Carla Land

 

ADV Films DVD

Review based on volume 1 (episodes 1-4)

Rating TV 14

 

What it’s (basically) all about: It all started with the murder of D’eon’s sister, Lia. D’eon, a knight in the court of King Louis XV, is on the trail of her murderer, and nothing will stop him from finding out the truth- not the revolutionaries, not the police, not even the gargoyles. Gargoyles? Aiding him is a page assigned to help him by the Queen, his former fencing master, a man whose background is sketchy, and the tormented soul of his sister, who is using his body as a vessel to get her revenge.  Historical fact mixes with supernatural fiction to create a tale of revenge and loyalty that could only take place in 18th century France.

 

Nitty Gritty: The most interesting thing about this anime is that many of the main characters actually existed in real life, including D’eon. Granted, there is little truth in the actual plot, but many of the events and relationships in the anime are true.

 

There is a lot of swordplay and some blood and torture in the first four episodes, and also some disturbing imagery with mercury-filled corpses that are used like puppets to attack the heroes. Often when these “gargoyles” are wounded they not only bleed blood, but also mercury, which comes out of their eyes, noses and mouths as well as their wounds.

 

When D’eon comes into contact with people involved in Lia’s murder, or becomes incapacitated in some way, his sister’s soul takes over his body. D’eon’s feelings about this are conflicted. He wants to help his sister get into Heaven, but he feels immense guilt over the killing she does through his hands. This inner struggle adds to the richness of the plot, and D’eon’s revulsion at the torture and violence around him help to take the edge off of the violence.

 

Other than that, the most vulgar word used is bitch (which appears in both subbed and dubbed versions) and there are no inappropriate sexual situations. The preview for volume two (which plays at the end of episode four and is also a menu option) indicates that there will be sexual situations in the next few episodes, but one can only assume what they will really be when taken out of context.

 

The disk opens with Anime Network and Newtype USA promos, and has a hefty amount of special features. The historical notes are well researched and interesting, even if it is a lot of reading. There is also a Japanese promotional video and a Japanese trailer for the show, as well as clean opening and closing animation for both the unique episode one opening/ closing and the one used for the rest of the show.  DVD credits and previews for Air Gear, Coyote Ragtime Show, Guyver, Utawarerumono, Moeyo Ken TV and Samurai X are also included. All of the previews are appropriate for teens and older.

 

The final two special features are two commentaries. The commentary on episode one is by the ADR director Steven Foster and David Matranga, the voice of D’eon. Their discussion is mostly about the production and casting. While interesting, the commentary is filled with foul language. (Steven Foster likes to use the F-bomb a lot and David Matranga admits to being a "mike whore.") The second episode commentary is by Janice Williams, who compiled the historical notes, and Amy Forsyth, who translated the show and liner notes. The ladies are less foul mouthed, and they discuss the historical aspects of the show.

 

Survey says: This show is so close to belonging in YA, but because of the foul mouthed commentary and increasing violence (and potential sex in volume two) it should be cataloged in adult collections.

 

Personal Ad: I love this show. It’s different, it’s interesting, and it’s beautiful. The animation and voice work are well done and the story is riveting. I’ll be getting all of the six volumes that are being released for my own collection.