Rating: 
Summary: It's about time!
Review: This is my very favorite anime ever done, and I was so excited when it was finally brought out in the U.S.For those who enjoy the "chick-flick" animes, this one is incredibly charming, from beginning to end. It subtley combines a couple of fairy tales, but goes far, far beyond merely that. The subtitle for Pretear is "Legend of the New Snow White," but it begins as a sort of Cinderella story. The main character, Himeno, has just obtained a stepmother and two stepsisters -- one of which is as nasty as the typical wicked stepsister is supposed to be. Himeno finds herself shunted to the side, hardly noticed, and she wonders how she can find a place in her new life. Then she meets the Leafe Knights. And she becomes Pretear, protector of the world and life. There are seven Leafe Knights -- much like the "seven dwarfs." The story strays from any fairy-tale-esque elements until near the end, but I won't give the ending away QUITE yet. ;-) This too-short show is nevertheless perfect, the story is sweet and romantic, while at the same time getting darker as you go along. But you'll love Hayate especially, and Sasame is great. Kei is strange -- he seems so effeminate, but at the same time he's so dully serious! It makes for a unique combination. And the kids are simply darling. You'll fall in love with this anime! This first volume of Pretear has only the first four episodes, out of thirteen. I can only assume that there will be three other volumes, with three episodes each. This first volume is enough to hook you on it if you aren't already. The final show on this particular disk is a very strange one, I'll warn you about that. But the DVD is beautiful, the picture is clear, and there are options to watch it either dubbed (which I would NEVER dream of doing, the original language is so fabulous), or Japanese with English subtitles. This is a fabulous show, no anime lover should go without seeing it! I can't wait for the next episodes!
Rating: 
Summary: Must-See Anime
Review: Wow! Fans of Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, bishounen, and magical girls will LOVE Pretear! Created by Junichi Sato, who worked heavily on the Sailor Moon anime, it is the story of high school freshman Himeno Awayuki, living a Cinderella life. Her disheveled and youthful romance novelist/sculptor father has just remarried to a billionairess executive. Himeno has to deal with two cold stepsisters, the aching memory of her mother, cruel classmates - and the knowledge that she is the chosen "Pretear."
Unlike Sailor Moon, who is on a team of females, Himeno is the only female on a team of seven males. She is the hub of the powerful team, summoned once again by the escape of the evil Disaster Queen. Himeno must "Pre'ete," or morph, with one of her seven Leafe Knights. Four of them are bishies, although one is foppish and feminine. The other three are young boys. As her "Pre'eting" is somewhat hot and sensual, it is kind of strange when she does it with the little ones. But, hey, it's male energy meeting female. It works.
Himeno squabbles Serena-Darien style with the ebony-haired and impossibly blue-eyed Hayate, the Knight of the Wind. Instead of "meatball head," Hayate taunts Himeno with "tulip head." But you just know there is a romance brewing. Or will she pick the more sensitive Sasame?
The opening and ending themes are absolutely delightful.
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