Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 12
Running Time: 250 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 & Japanese: DD 2.0
Release Date: 8/9/2014
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes
When a boy, Nai is rescued from imprisonment in a mansion house, he doesn't think much of it other than they are running from monsters who seem to want him. The mansion houses lady shackled the boy to her, and kept him as her plaything, but seeing her change into a monster made him wonder who she really was.
Two factions are out to collect Nai, one is Circus, a security force who have supernatural powers they use to good effect in getting rid of criminals. Gareki, the boy who rescues him is dragged into the fray. They pretend to be just a part of a travelling circus, but have a higher cause not many know of. Another organization, Kafka (no, not the Prague born writer) have the opposite in mind, they use monsters to run riot on the streets committing crimes. What is strange is why Kafka wants the boy, and who is he really? From the moment he helps him flee, they are on the run from these factions as they don't know whether they are good or bad.
The opening scenes have a Hitchcock feel to them that differs from the usual anime fare. A bold, striking colour palette in the animation is used throughout, and one of the most impressive uses of colour is in the eyes that give the characters a beautiful detailed feel, especially in Yogi. If a colourful and fantastical anime is what you hoped for this autumn, then you have it with this series What is both impressive and dare I say cute is the way the characters are drawn. You might think this is all the anime has to offer, but there is a deeper story to it as within the world of these monsters are demons whose blood if it ever touches a normal person can change them into the exact same monsters, so the unsuspecting have to beware.
After seeing Karneval, what hits you are the animation styles which are similar to Aquarion, Ouran High School Host Club and Vampire Knight with characters who wouldn't look out of place on Black Butler. It isn't long before you develop an interest in the characters to the point where you form a mental bond with each of them.
I liked the animation style, general feel and thought it would be great for fans of outrageous, grotesque anime to watch.
Bonus Material: Play Episode 01 Commentary, Text Less Closing: "Reason," Text Less Opening, "Henai no Romdo."
Verdict: The circus is coming! Monstrously unusual, and adventurous, clearly one of the stranger anime this autumn.
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