Witch Hunter Robin - Belief (Vol. 2)

* From the creators of 'Cowboy Bebop' and 'Argentosoma'
* Part of the NEW Bandai Entertainment Platinum Edition line
* An excellent mix between 'La Femme Nikita" Meets "X-Files"

Genre: Action/Suspense Creative Staff: Director - Shukou Murase (Character Designer for Gundam Wing and Argentosoma) Composer - Taku Iwasaki ('Read or Die', 'Now and then Here and There', Samurai X: Reflection)
Character Design - Yukio Iwata DVD Features: Interactive Animated Menus
English/Japanese Language
English subtitles option
Dolby Digital Surround Sound DVD Extras: STNJ Equipment Files
Liner Notes
Reversible Cover

Rather than focus on violent resolutions, the story focuses on the personal interplay of young Robin Sena and the rest of the team. She is a young practitioner of the Craft who has recently returned from Italy to serve as a hunter, and has yet to become completely comfortable in a team of strangers whose leaders seem to have a hidden agenda.

How this will play out is still unclear, but a gradual change in the depiction of the offending witches has become apparent. This series begins to play up the humanity of all the characters, not just the team. I think it is fairly clear that something in the STNJ organization is not quite right. Captured witches are shipped off to some kind of vague processing center whose purposes are unclear.

The episodes in this series range from the poignant story of a witch who uses dolls for her primary to the tragedy of a doctor who finds he can save lives by killing. In a haunting episode that touches on the impact of these powers on family relationships, we learn much about Yuji Kobari, the bar owner, who has been a bit of a mystery so far.

All the tales are told with a very light touch, and deliberately intended to leave mixed feelings in the viewer. Thus the story has complex overtones that play well against the sparse stylishness of the settings and animation. On many occasions, very dramatic effects are achieved by a curious minimalism that demonstrates that good taste can be a strong a creative device.


The Story Develops   November 14, 2003
Corum (NYC)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

While these next few episodes (Raindrops, Simple Mind, Faith, Sign of the Craft, maybe Seperate Lives?) continue to prod the story along in a witch-of-the-day fashion, they spend more time developing the characters. Amon finally accepts Robin as his new partner, and we discover more about Michael, Sakaki, Karasuma, and Doujima.

In Belief, Robin begins to doubt her duty as a witch hunter. Especially after a witch's noble sacrifice in Faith, Robin begins to speculate where her future is headed. Her love for Amon becomes stronger, and she forms tighter bonds with the rest of the members of STN-J. Meanwhile, we are presented with the mysteries of Factory and Solomon.

This is really an intermission between the introductory Arrival and the stunning third DVD. Once episode 11 comes along, the series truly kicks off. Episode 12 reveals the true meaning of witches and witch hunters for Robin, while the episodes following lead up to the unexpected twist in Episode 15.

Either way, do not skip out on this. It includes some great music, characters, and action. And without it, you won't be able to fully appreciate the following episodes, which truly break away from this episodic structure.

Don't miss out!


Marred, but a good anime nonetheless.   December 4, 2003
W. Koenigsmann (Northern Hemisphere)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

Okay, I'll admit that, at times, this anime can get a bit redundant, and that some of the themes (creepy kids who kill, for instance), are repeated too often.

However, despite this, there's an underlying charm and elegance to this anime which I find appealing. Perhaps I am just a bit impatient, and want to find out what finally happen in the end.

What I liked about "Belief" is that Robin is finally beginning to emerge from her shell. She isn't as frail as she appeared in the beginning, and doesn't let everyone push her around as much. Despite this, there is very little character development with the others, sad to say, or maybe again, I'm just impatient. Ammon is probably the only other interesting character in this anime, although Doujima (spelling?) is also very likeable. You know something will probably brew Robin and Ammon since there is also a hint that there's some sexual(?) tension between both of them. However, I'm not sure what will become of such which will likely proceed to something greater intensity in the next dvd, (which I've heard, is also the last).

What worries me is that the anime seems to move so slow, that everything will be jam-packed into the last dvd, which will set everything off kilter. I'm not sure how they're going to pull it off to present a great denouement in the last five episodes, but, good luck to them, and hopefully I won't feel I've wasted my money.

All in all, if you're a Robin fan, I would suggest purchasing this dvd, since, after all, if you really want to find out what's going on, you will anyway.

To sum up, I'm not going to give this anime a negative review in general, because I think it's a rather fine one, even though it has some imperfections (I am quite critical in general, so don't take my word on it).

I do laud the creators of this anime and applaud them for a job well done, since most anime today are sorely lacking in quality. I would recommend that people purchase this anime. I am sure most will find it highly appealing.


Witch Hunter - A journey of discovery   March 3, 2004
Stephen E. Sauls (Chamblee, Georgia United States)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is the second volume of the Japanese Cult Hit Witch Hunter Robin based on the story of a 15 year old girl named Robin who originally was born Japan and then raised in Italy.
Because of her special powers she is sent back to Japan to become a Witch Hunter.
This DVD contains episodes 5 thru 10, and also has both the opening and closing sequences from the show, which is currently being aired on the Cartoon Networks Adult Swim in March of 2004.
The added treat of this DVD is that you get the full and clean open and closing from the series of which only part of the original closing actually airs on AdultSwim. The opening does not even air at all.

Scene selection is easy for this DVD and as is selecting the language version you want to hear. The opening and closing songs are transscribed and this series may be unsettling for young viewers, recommend age for viewing is 15 +.