The appeal and reviews of "Dark Cat": A dark fantasy world woven by cats from the abyss

"Dark Cat": A dark school fantasy about fighting evil spirits lurking in the darkness

■Overview of the work

"Dark Cat" was released as an OVA on November 28, 1991, and is based on a manga serialized in a horror manga magazine for girls by Kimura Naoki. Although it is a short work of one episode and 50 minutes, it is packed with deep themes and fascinating characters. It was directed by Suzuki Yuki, produced by Nikkatsu and Nikkatsu Video, and produced in cooperation with Agent 21 and Marubeni.

■ Story

The protagonist is a high school student, Koenji Manami. She has feelings for her childhood friend, Hiroki, but Hiroki has feelings for another girl, and after being rejected, she has become mentally ill. Meanwhile, strange incidents occur one after another at the school, and Kagesaki Shiori and Choshu, sensing a "devilish nature" behind them, infiltrate the school as students. They fight to confront the "devilish nature" lurking within the school.

■Explanation

"Dark Cat" is an animated version of the original comic by Kimura Naomi, based on the first episode of the original, "The Strange Tale of the White Snake." The story is a dark fantasy set in a school, featuring the duo of dark cats, Kagezaki Shiori and Choshu, who exterminate the "evil spirits" that inhabit human bodies from the shadows. The original manga, which was serialized in a horror manga magazine for girls, has been made into an OVA, keeping the same atmosphere as the original.

■Cast

・Kagezaki's intention: Ryutaro Okiayu ・Kagezaki's attention: Tsutomu Kashiwakura ・Koenji Manami: Aya Hisakawa ・Evil Tiger: Daisuke Gori

■ Main staff

・Original Story: Naomi Kimura ・Planning: Yasushi Takeda, Yoshio Saito ・Producers: Kazunari Kobayashi, Hitoshi Nakamura, Kazumasa Fujiya ・Director: Yuki Suzuki ・Screenplay: Toshiki Inoue ・Character Design: Masaki Suda ・Chief Animation Director: Hirohide Shikishima ・Art Director: Satoshi Matsudaira ・Director of Photography: Tsugio Ozawa

■ Main Characters

・Kagesaki Shiyui Dark Cat, with a mission to defeat evil and supernatural powers. He usually appears as a beautiful boy with long hair, but can also transform into a black cat.
・A dark cat who is paired with Kagesaki Choujii. He has the appearance of a boy but can also transform into a cat. He is Choujii's younger brother and although they share the same surname, they are not actually brothers.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Dark Cat" is a short but dense story and the charm of the characters are outstanding. In particular, the exploits of the dark cat duo of Kagesaki Shiori and Choshu are a sight to behold, and their supernatural abilities and fighting methods attract viewers. In addition, the human drama of the pure love of Koenji Manami and the darkness in Hiroki's heart intersect adds depth to the story.

The character designs are by Masami Suda, and the visuals of the beautiful boys, Shiori and Shoujin, are very appealing. Combined with the careful drawings of animation director Hirohide Shikishima, the visual beauty stands out. With the cooperation of art director Satoshi Matsudaira and cinematographer Tsuguo Ozawa, the atmosphere of the school and the worldview of the dark fantasy are portrayed realistically.

Screenwriter Toshiki Inoue has skillfully developed the story within the short time frame of an OVA while still retaining the essence of the original work. Director Yuki Suzuki's direction is also superb, with a perfect balance of horror and fantasy.

■ Recommendation points

"Dark Cat" is recommended for those who want to enjoy dark school fantasy, those who like beautiful boy characters, and those who like horror elements. It is especially perfect for those who want to enjoy a dense story in a short time. Fans of the original comic will also enjoy the beauty of the animated visuals.

■Comparison with related works

"Dark Cat" has its own unique appeal compared to other school dark fantasy works. For example, "Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchou" and "Vampire Princess Miyu" are also dark fantasy works set in schools, but "Dark Cat" has a particularly strong horror element, and the character visuals and story development stand out. Also, the fact that the story is concluded in a short time sets it apart from other works.

■How to watch

"Dark Cat" is now available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray. It is also available on some streaming services. It's a valuable addition to any fan's collection, so be sure to get your hands on it.

■ Summary

"Dark Cat" is a short but dense school dark fantasy with a rich story and charming characters. It is full of many charms, such as the exploits of Kagezaki Shiori and Choshu, the exquisite balance of horror and fantasy, and beautiful visuals. Please watch it once and experience the world view.