Movies
The first part in a short film trilogy, following a TV series. It's a pretty basic anime full of familiar tropes, though sporting a rather peculiar setting. That means it might take some time to get the hang of the characters and their particular function and skills, but if you've seen some anime series before, it shouldn't take you too long to catch up. In an alternate Britain, the country is divided into two different parts, separated by a wall (think Germany 50 years ago). While there is no outright war between the two nations, they love to spy on each other, and spy activity is ramping up. Dove, a collective of young female spies, is assigned a case where a double agent is suspected of having infiltrated the royal entourage. The art style is a bit too slick for my taste, but the animation is decent and the film looks pretty colorful and detailed. Once you get used to the unique setup the rest of it is pretty by the numbers, even so, it never gets boring or too generic. Not the greatest anime out there, but I'll be certain to catch the remaining films, as it's far from the worst too.Read all
This second film in the series offers more of the same. It's a peculiar mix of elements that don't quite fit together, at the same time it's what gives this film its unique identity. If the idea of watching a band of underage girls solving big spy mysteries in an alternative take on Victorian England appeals to you, this is definitely the anime you should be watching. A failed assassination attempt on the third prince has the kingdom in an uproar, but secret intelligence suggests this is merely a diversion to mask a bigger plot. Three experimental bombs have been stolen and word is that the bombs were smuggled into the kingdom. The girls will have to figure out who is behind these evil plans and what their end goal is. The animation is pretty decent, and the slight steampunk elements are fun, but the style is a bit flat and too polished for my liking. The premise really makes no sense, but the films are properly paced and there's little time to get bored. It is far from the greatest anime I've seen, but it's easily digestible, distinct enough, and smart enough not to overstay its welcome.Read all