Weiss Kreuz
Reviewer: Wiggle [website] [email]Overall Rating: A-
Media Reviewed: DVD
Creator: Koyasu Takehito / Project Weiss
U.S. Licensed: Yes
Released by: Media Blasters
Run time: 26 episodes
BL Content: None (slashable)
Genre: Drama/Action
Other media:
Japanese manga Assassin and White Shaman
Japanese OAV Verbrechen und Strafe
Japanese drama CDs
Weiss Kreuz: Glühen sequel series [review]
Why even review Weiss Kreuz when it seems like every single fan of boy's love and bishounen has already seen it? Well, one never knows. Besides, no list of "slashable series" would be complete without a look at the florist/assassins of Weiss.
Weiss is a group of four young men: Kudou Yohji, 21, Fujimiya Aya, 20, Hidaka Ken, 18, and Tsukiyono Omi, 17. Together they work at a flower shop during the day, frequented by lots of high-school girls. At night, however, they are assassins for the strange and secret group called Kritiker. Weiss takes out the criminals which the police cannot or will not catch. This burden of secrecy and murder weighs on each of the members of Weiss differently, due to the tragic and difficult pasts of each. While struggling with their own demons and the "dark beasts" they are hired to kill, Weiss comes up against the mystic occult group Esstzet and another, powerful foursome known as Schwarz.
What's Wrong With Weiss
I can't begin to discuss what's good about Weiss Kreuz until I address the obvious and
most-maligned flaws in the series. From the very first episode we can see that the
animation is hand-done, not digital, and not done very well. Camera angles and action
sequences are often awkward, and the animation style and quality is inconsistent. More
often than not, the animation is just not good. This poor quality can distract from
enjoyment of the show.
Besides this, Weiss Kreuz often deals with colossal-sized plot holes and unbelievable plot twists. The premise and plot of the series is the brainchild of Japanese seiyuu (voice actor) Koyasu Takehito, who does the voice for the series' main character, Aya. Keeping this fact in mind is the key to enjoying a series that often runs off on tangents no one would expect.
What's Right With Weiss
Despite hiccups in animation quality and gaping plot holes, Weiss Kreuz is one of the
single most popular slashable series among yaoi fans. Why? Two things primarily: the
beautiful men of Weiss and their torturous, angsty pasts.
Character is the thing that drives Weiss Kreuz. Aya is the distant, lonely man who believes he deserves no love from anyone. Yohji is the flirtatious playboy who hides the pain of his past lost love. Ken is the determined athlete who would do anything for a friend. Omi is the lovable killer-child with a heart that encompasses even his broken teammates. These four characters and they way their difficult pasts intertwine with one another and the present are the heart of the show.
Schwarz, the antagonists of the series, are also fan favorites. Each member of Schwarz has a unique gift: Brad Crawford sees the future, Schuldig is a telepath, Farfarello hates God and feels no pain, and Naoe Nagi is a powerful young telekinetic. Though the "black" characters get less focus in the series, their complexities are just as fascinating as the facets of the Weiss men.
Giving life to the characters are a group of the top seiyuu in the anime world. Koyasu Takehito leads the Weiss group, with Miki Shinichirou as Yohji, the prolific Tomokazu Seki as Ken, and Yuuki Hiro as Omi. Midorikawa Hikaru shines as Schuldig of Schwarz along with Okiayu Ryoutarou as Brad Crawford.
The characters, their relationships, and the pure angst of the lives of hired assassins draw many to the show. The superb acting and the development of emotional relationships in the worst of circumstances are what keep fans coming back again and again.
