· Actor: Jamie Marchi | Cherami Leigh | Mark Stoddard | Scott Hinze | Shizuka Ito · Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 · Audience Rating: Unrated · Binding: DVD · Brand: Funimation · Creator (Role: Editor): Kiyoshi Hirose | (Role: Writer): Marc Silvestri | (Role: Writer): Michael Turner | (Role: Writer): Yasuko Kobayashi · Director: Yoshimitsu Ôhashi · EAN: 0704400086298 · Format: Animated | Box set | Color | NTSC | Subtitled | Widescreen · Label: Funimation Prod · Manufacturer: Funimation Prod · MPN: FMADFN08629D · Number Of Items: 5 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Funimation Prod · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2008-10-28 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 600 · Studio: Funimation Prod · UPC: 704400086298
» Sought by the greed of Men since the dawn of Humankind, but only bestowed upon the woman whose fate it forever scars – The Witchblade. Is it the Righteous Sword of God, of the Hand of the Devil Himself? Now a new bearer has been chosen and she must discover the answers for herself. As she stands on the brink of destiny, she is forced to seek the balance between ecstasy and ruin…

Masane Amaha is a woman on the fringe of society, bouncing rootless from town to town with her daughter, Rihoko. She struggles to build a life for her family, with no memory of the past and no clue as to what the future holds. But upon their arrival back in Tokyo forces conspire to separate parent from child, unleashing the fury of the Witchblade. The young mother will find herself conscripted into the service of the Doji Group and hunted down by the emissaries of the NSWF, all while seeking to balance the weight of this forced duality.

Over 135 minutes of Extras!:

Japanese Cast Interviews

A Tour of Top Cow Studios with Marc Silvestri

How to Create a Comic Book the Top Cow Way

The Witchblade Forged – Parts. 1-3

Top Cow Studio Tour Outtakes

Coloring a Comic Book Page

The Early Days of Image Comics

The Top Cow Staff Talks about Comics

Experiences in Japan / Other Top Cow Franchises

Crossing into Other Media

Textless SongsWow! A really fun anime
2009-06-07
Watched this with my daughter and it was fun with a great soundtrack, story and artistry. Ended to soon.
2009-04-27
When this series first came out I didn't pay any attention to it. About two months ago my older brother bought the box set and he loved it and a week ago he let me borrow it. The anime is loosely based off the comic which I read and really liked. Still I wasn't expecting to much from the series but I was wrong.

The story was very good. Focusing on the mother (Masane) and daughter(Rihoko) relationship. The Witchblade plays a secondary role in the anime which I thought was good. The two problems with the story was the back story of the blade which they never even hinted at. The biggest problem though was the ending. It was plain terrible, you can tell it was rushed. I know there are many reasons a anime series ends to soon. From being unpopular to running out of money, but they could have at least tried to make a coherent ending. They should have extended it to 26 episodes that would have been more than enough time to give a ending to the series.

Perhaps the best part of the series were the characters. Masane and Rihoko were great as mother and daughter. They brought the emotion to the series and you end up really caring for them. The other characters from Reiji, Hiroki, Shiori and the rest all add something to the series.

The animation done by GONZO was brilliant, but what do expect from one of the best anime studios. The music was also outstanding.

Overall a great anime worth watching, but prepare to be a little let down with the ending.

· Actor: Laura Bailey | Nana Mizuki | Kosuke Toriumi | Troy Baker | Yasushi Miyabayashi · Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 · Audience Rating: Unrated · Binding: DVD · Brand: Funimation · EAN: 0704400085161 · Format: Animated | Box set | Color | Director's Cut | DVD | NTSC · Label: Funimation Prod · Manufacturer: Funimation Prod · MPN: 1-4210-1555-2 · Number Of Items: 6 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Funimation Prod · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2007-10-23 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 600 · Studio: Funimation Prod · UPC: 704400085161
» Contains the entire Basilisk series…from the ill-fated start to finish.

Feudal Japan is set to bear witness to the bloody clash of titans as two fearsome ninja tribes are unleashed, one upon the other. For wretched within the Edo Castle loyalties have been severed into warring factions, as two sons struggle to inherit the title of Shogun. If this rupture goes unresolved, the Tokugawa kingdom will be torn apart. A solution must be found, one befitting a samurai family.

The Kouga and the Iga, two ninja clans with four hundred years of hostilities between them, meet at the request of Lord Ieyasu. There they learn that the peace forced upon them is to be broken by the whim of royalty, and that the outcome of this battle will determine the next Shogun. The passions of the past quickly reignite as two scrolls are sent out into the night.

Ill-fated is this event indeed, for lovers stand with hands entwined as travesty approaches on the wings of a hawk. Reared from birth as sworn enemies, Gennosuke and Oboro, each the heir of these rival clans, seek lasting peace between their peoples. But the terms have been set, and two lists seal their destinies. Two lists from which a name can only be crossed out in blood.

No mercy will be spared to the enemy...

It was good, short... but good.
2009-03-10
I caught this Anime on the Funimation channel for those that don't know it's a 24/7 Anime Channel by Funimation that showcases some of their new releases and older works 24/7. Basilisk was one of the new shows that they had began airing. To start it off this series is extrememly short, and goes by quite quickly as some episodes are merely recaps. The artistic style and story of Basilisk is an interesting one. Years ago back in the mid 90's I watched a anime movie called "Ninja Scroll" I thought it was amazing at the time since I had never really seen anime before. Years later (12 to be exact) I forgot all about it. Somehow when I watched Basilisk I was captivated by it, but somewhere in the back of my head I kept thinking "I've seen something like this before."

Basilisk story is based around 2 clans of Ninja's that each have a signifigant amount of pride and hold on to the past way too much. Each of these clans have been at war with eachother for centuries. Finally a truce was made on the bounds of love, but once that love was broken bitter feelings between the clans reimerge. My best advice to anyone that watches Basilisk is don't pick a favorite character. Episode after episode these Ninja's fight eachother to the brutal death.

Now going back to what I was saying earlier, this anime had reminded me much of a previous one I saw called "Ninja Scroll". I actually had to find and rewatch Ninja Scroll to find out what was bugging my mind all this time. I was very suprised by my results after watching Ninja Scroll again. Basilisk almost word per word copies the fighting style and abilities of the Ninja's from Ninja Scroll. Although the plots are different there are many eliments where you can see had a heavy influence on Basilisk.

Eventhough it is understood that Ninja Scroll and Basalisk were made in the image of an even older Story called "Kouga Ninja Scrolls," I couldn't shake the fact that Basilisk stole the overall artistic style of Ninja Scroll. From the way the Ninjas fight right down to their attitudes, Basilisk really is a carbon copy. It's like lining two artist up together, and giving them asking them to paint a flower vase. One artist is going to paint the vase from his point of view using his style and his artistic eye, while the artist next to him, instead of using their own style, just looks at the other artist canvas and copies the painting that they created. Now that flower Vase could have been painted anysort of way by that second artist if they chose to use their own eyes and talents to create it, but since they copied off the artist next to them, the painting isn't their own, it's only a copy of what the first artist was seeing through his eyes. Basilisks is pretty much that second artist. It just isn't orignal and loses its credibility once you see where the ideas came from.

Even if both Anime's are based of an old story, there is no reason for them to have the same design style, character models, and artistic style. For me this is what took away from Basilisk, because in its own right it is a very nice Anime, the story is unique, it looks good, it's entertaining to watch, but I can't get passed the fact that it robs concepts from Ninja Scroll. overall I still recommend Basilisk again it's not a bad Anime, but if you've watched Ninja Scroll and are a die hard fan you may not be so in to it. For the record I give this Anime 5 stars as it is alone a great Anime, but its style reminds me too much about Ninja Scroll which is why it takes away from it. Simply Awesome
2009-03-05
My friend told me about this anime and it was simply amazing. It is definitely a must own.

· Actor: Tom Conti | Barbara Kellerman | Mark Wing-Davey | Jeremy Child | John Gregg · Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 · Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) · Binding: DVD · Brand: Warner Brothers · EAN: 0883929012169 · Format: Box set | Closed-captioned | Color | DVD | Subtitled | NTSC · Label: BBC Warner · Manufacturer: BBC Warner · MPN: WARDE37474D · Number Of Items: 3 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: BBC Warner · Release Date: 2008-08-12 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 343 · Studio: BBC Warner · UPC: 883929012169
» The Glittering Prizes was a critical sensation when it premiered on PBS in the late 1970s. Frederic Raphael’s tale portrays the hopes and frustrations of an entire generation through the story of a group of friends who meet the prestigious Cambridge University in the 1950s. Tom Conti and Barbara Kellerman lead an outstanding ensemble cast in a series of six 80-minute episodes that follow the evolution of these privileged, idealistic college students through the turbulent 1960s and into the 1970s where their lives diverge and they struggle with emotional disillusionment and varying levels of worldly success.excellent
2008-12-21
This movie was excellent. Paced at the right tempo, and moving forward through a period of time, from university days onward. I thought Tim Conti stole the movie. I feel the necessity to watch it again, as I will enjoy it even more and might have missed something essential.Disappointment in a Box
2008-11-11

Long, drawn out, wanted to scream "get to the story" - awful...wish I'd saved my money

· Actor: Jamie Marchi | Cherami Leigh | Mark Stoddard | Scott Hinze | Shizuka Ito · Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 · Audience Rating: Unrated · Binding: DVD · Brand: Funimation · Creator (Role: Editor): Kiyoshi Hirose | (Role: Writer): Marc Silvestri | (Role: Writer): Michael Turner | (Role: Writer): Yasuko Kobayashi · Director: Yoshimitsu Ôhashi · EAN: 0704400086335 · Format: Animated | Color | DVD | NTSC | Widescreen · Label: Funimation Prod · Manufacturer: Funimation Prod · Number Of Items: 1 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Funimation Prod · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2007-12-04 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 100 · Studio: Funimation Prod · UPC: 704400086335
» The New Breed Rises!

Shocking revelations threaten to undo Masane and every soul that surrounds her in this desperate age of fear and lust. The horrible X-Cons prove unthinkable abominations, and even Reina begins to question the blind passions of the past. Masane’s own relationship with Rihoko grows shakier with each gasp of air into her new warrior lungs. Mother and daughter sleep separated tonight, alone and disoriented in the frenzy surrounding their new lives. Amidst the threats to sanity and life and limb, friendship will prove a rare and valuable thing. As men move through the shadows to shape the world, an unquiet moon reflects the face of a mother lost.

Witchblade Volume Three-3 contains episodes 9-12: Sadness, Interaction, Danger and Prisoner.

Great story
2009-02-11
Great story. Its a bit cheesy in a lot of parts and the rolling and spinning legs while the characters get started running reminds you of the old Flintstone cartoons.... But I enjoyed the whole story.Magnifica Animación
2008-09-10
Es una serie de seis capitulos, con buenas ideas lo unico que le falta son titulos en español.

· Actor: Lana Parrilla | Josh Green | Oliver Macready | Nick Swarts | Mark Phelan · Audience Rating: R (Restricted) · Binding: DVD · Director: Gary Jones · EAN: 9781588171092 · ES RB Age Rating: Teen · Format: Color | Dolby | DVD | Letterboxed | Widescreen | NTSC · ISBN: 1588171094 · Label: Lions Gate · Manufacturer: Lions Gate · Number Of Items: 1 · Picture Format: Letterbox · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Lions Gate · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2001-01-16 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 93 · Studio: Lions Gate · Theatrical Release Date: 2000 · UPC: 031398757726 Evil Government Overlords Versus Self-Important College Newspaper Reporters
2008-05-18
"Spiders" is one of the stupidest giant creature movies I have ever seen. The film starts with the launch of the space shuttle "Solaris", which is carrying a top secret government payload called "Project Mother-In-Law", due, no doubt, to it's horrifying powers. A college reporter is told to cover the story, but she's more interested in covering a ludicrous story about government conspiracy and aliens, and takes two of her buddies into the desert to look for evidence of nefarious activity. She was tipped off by two aliens whose crimes against humanity solely consisted of stealing and drinking non-dairy creamer. (Really.)

Meanwhile, on the "Solaris" (despite the fact that the name "Discovery" is clearly visible during the stock footage shots), a scientist injects alien DNA into a tarantula at exactly the same moment the shuttle is caught in a huge cosmic storm. The shuttle crash lands in the secret facility being investigated by the three teenagers in what has to be the worst model effect I have seen in years. Interestingly, the post-crash shuttle destruction is CGI, but that effect is terrible too.

Most of the rest of the film is spent with government evildoers, cub reporters, and giant CGI spiders chasing each other around a basement of horrors including a frozen "Apollo 18" astronaut, which inspires one of the teens to remark "It's like a bad sci-fi movie", and he is exactly right.

There are some fairly amusing action sequences, my favorite of which involved falling down an elevator shaft only to be caught in a giant web at the bottom. It turns out that the project is about world domination, which plays right into the conspiracy looniness prevalent in this movie.

Eventually a good government agent and the reporter team up and, after finding a spare helicopter with rocket launcher just sitting there ready to do battle with Mother-In-Law, take off for the nearby city where the giant spider is atop a building. (Haven't I seen a giant monster on a skyscraper somewhere before?) The girl lowers herself from the helicopter on a rope and fires a rocket into the spider's mouth concluding the movie, although I am aghast to report that there is apparently a sequel ("Spiders II: Breeding Ground") ready to further the franchise.

This film has some terrible acting, is plagued by insanely stupid coincidences and plot twists, and some of the worst dialogue you will ever hear in your life. None of this should surprise B-movie fans, though, as this was produced by Boaz Davidson, the same man who brought us "Crocodile".

I think the film is worth two stars for camp value: the sheer audaciousness of the plot makes it worth watching for fans of B-movies.An amusing cheap sci-fi flick
2006-10-29
I'm not saying you should BUY this, but it's good for a few laughs if you Netflix or Tivo it. The story draws you in just enough to stick around for the laughs. no real babes in this one if that's what you're after.

· Actor: Laura Bailey | Nana Mizuki | Kosuke Toriumi | Troy Baker | Yasushi Miyabayashi · Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 · Audience Rating: Unrated · Binding: DVD · EAN: 0704400085116 · Format: Animated | Color | DVD | Limited Edition | Subtitled | NTSC · Label: Funimation Prod · Manufacturer: Funimation Prod · MPN: DFN08511D · Number Of Items: 1 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Funimation Prod · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2007-02-20 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 100 · Studio: Funimation Prod · UPC: 704400085116
» As the bitter war draws to a close, those that seek to see it through dwindle in number. The cost of hatred weighs heavily on the remnants of both tribes. Confrontation in the night reveals Gennosuke's true intentions, as the hand of reconciliation is extended to the enemy. But death litters the road traveled by ninja feet. Impatience goads political intrigue to seek a more active role in this annihilation of two tribes, and the unseen finally comes to light as those that remain learn of the wager which unleashed this war upon them. But too much has been lost for either side to turn back. No mercy will be spared to the enemy. Episodes Include: "Wandering Hearts", "A Dawn Without Light", "Conspiracy", "River Of Mercy".Excellent series
2007-03-28
I love this series, ever since I saw an episode on The Independant Film Channel I was hooked. This is a great story and has beautiful animation. The voices (both Japanese and American) and done very well, far from some other very disappointing dubs I've come across lately. You won't be let down, check this out on the IFC if you want a free preview.Basilisk Review
2007-02-08
Basilisk combines a "Romeo & Juliet"-type love story with Naruto-style ninja action, and throws in some of the most violent death scenes ever seen in a Japanese anime. If you're into any or all of the above, you can't miss out on Basilisk.

· Actor: Laura Bailey | Nana Mizuki | Kosuke Toriumi | Troy Baker | Yasushi Miyabayashi · Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 · Audience Rating: Unrated · Binding: DVD · Brand: Funimation · EAN: 0704400085130 · Format: Animated | Color | DVD | Limited Edition | Subtitled | NTSC · Label: Funimation Prod · Manufacturer: Funimation Prod · MPN: 1-4210-1567-6 · Number Of Items: 1 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Funimation Prod · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2007-03-27 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 100 · Studio: Funimation Prod · UPC: 704400085130
» "Feuding families. Forbidden love. Ninjas. Awesome." – Blender Magazine

Mounting death drags desperate measures from the hearts of the few who have survived to this, the final hour. A face is finally put to the conspirator of a four century feud

The origins of Lord Tenzen
2007-05-30
Is it true that all men are created equal and that no man is born evil?
How could one explain the existence of people like Yakushiji Tenzen?
Volume 6 seems to give us the obvious answered which is to say that between the appalling circumstances surrounding Tenzen's birth and the moment he became (what most will considered) a sadistic person, "Life Happened!"
A life bitterly affected by man's ego and his cruel tendency to go far beyond the reasonable bounds when it comes to exacting revenge.
Is it surprising that he turned out differently from Oboro (the saint in Basilisk), who was well loved, pampered and sheltered from all of that negativity?
But as it is mentioned in the series: everything is related and co-mingles. Thus, Oboro too was forced to drink from the cup of wrath.

The people behind this anime have created a masterpiece. Their job was somewhat facilitated given the fact that the story is based on true events. This allowed them to add subtleties rarely found in other animated films.

Given much thought, the Law of Retaliation is a sensible law. It would make man think twice before plotting to take a life because an eye was taken.
However, I do not judge someone like Tenzen. He was the product of greater evil.
At the end of the day, "Everything Shines..."
Ahahahaha!!!The End
2007-03-30
Great endind to a great story. Go back and get them all. If your into ninja's,swordfighting, and cool special powers for the characters, this is your cup of tea.

· Actor: Laura Bailey | Nana Mizuki | Kosuke Toriumi | Troy Baker | Yasushi Miyabayashi · Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 · Audience Rating: Unrated · Binding: DVD · Brand: Funimation · EAN: 0704400085147 · Format: Animated | Color | DVD | Subtitled | NTSC · Label: Funimation Prod · Manufacturer: Funimation Prod · MPN: 1-4210-1562-5 · Number Of Items: 1 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Funimation Prod · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2007-03-27 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 100 · Studio: Funimation Prod · UPC: 704400085147
» "Feuding families. Forbidden love. Ninjas. Awesome." – Blender Magazine

Mounting death drags desperate measures from the hearts of the few who have survived to this, the final hour. A face is finally put to the conspirator of a four century feu

LAST BATTLES
2007-06-05
Everything is about to hit the fan as Saemon's impersonation of Tenzen comes to an end as the REAL Tenzen shows up. Kagero is trailing along, thinking Tenzen is Saemon which could prove to be a fatal error. In addition, Kagero has lied to Gennosuke and told him that she killed Oboro. Of course, Kagero is actually still looking for that oppurtunity and is going to hook up with Saemon in the form of Tenzen to strike the final blow and end the quest for the next shogun. Both Gennosuke and Oboro are still blind but the effects of the poison will soon be wearing off and they might even have to fight each other!

Basilisk was a series that started off with a lot of energy, angst, and passion but over the course of 6 dvds, it gradually became more and more dull. The story was never that interesting, and amplifying this was the fact that the characters weren't either. They all just seemed like automatons who recognized that the whole feud was a senseless waste of time and lives, but they still fought anyway. Nobody just gives up the battle and tries to look for another out from the situation. They all fight just for the pleasure of it, or allow themselves to be manipulated rather easily into killing each other. If any of them had a backbone, they would've tried to assassinate the retired shougun for putting them up to the whole thing. The character of Oboro was the most disgustingly weak of all of them. When she wasn't trying to fend off attempted rapes, the most action she ever took was to mumble "Gennosuke" over and over again and cry. To be the leader of a deadly ninja clan, she sure seemed like the stereotypical submissive Japanese woman. As the participants in the war dwindled, so did my interest. The character of Tenzen and his excessive resurrections became comedic, along with his moustache twirling badness. At one point, a samurai, seeing Tenzen beheaded, screams "Tenzen is dead again!". I mean the guy just doesn't know when to quit and just served to delay the final confrontation between him and Gennosuke needlessly! The whole series seemed a little drawn past its limits. Basilisk started out good but gradually became banal. Great Anime...
2007-04-05
The end to a great series. I enjoy they way the story gets you a little involved with every character. Some times it's hard to determine who is bad and who is good. You'd like to think that the Koga are good and the Iga are bad, but that doesn't always seem to hold true.

I am not happy about one thing though... this series ends.

· Actor: Billy Jones (VII) | Felicia Taylor E. | Tony Key | Raymond Rivera | Patrick Amos (II) · Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 · Audience Rating: R (Restricted) · Binding: DVD · Director: Kent Taylor (IV) · EAN: 0750723124629 · Format: Color | Dolby | DVD | NTSC · Label: York Home Video · Manufacturer: York Home Video · Number Of Items: 1 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: York Home Video · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2004-01-01 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 87 · Studio: York Home Video · Theatrical Release Date: 2003-09-16 · UPC: 750723124629

· Actor: Maria Vu (II) | Mark Stoddard · Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 · Audience Rating: Unrated · Binding: DVD · Brand: Funimation · Director: Kunihisa Sugishima · EAN: 0704400087035 · Format: Animated | Color | DVD | NTSC | Subtitled · Label: Funimation Prod · Manufacturer: Funimation Prod · Number Of Items: 1 · Product Group: DVD · Publisher: Funimation Prod · Region Code: 1 · Release Date: 2008-02-12 · Running Time (Units: minutes): 100 · Studio: Funimation Prod · UPC: 704400087035
» Alongside a tragic girl named Kagura, the supernaturally empowered Saiga flees from both enemies and inner demons. ASIN:gle kiss has potentially delivered a crushing blow to the entire ruling class and the point of no return has been passed.