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EKO EKO AZARAK: WIZARD OF DARKNESS.
Without a doubt one of the best Japanese horror films ever made. It has all the elements for a great horror film, especially
one in 1995, when the film was made. The film is about a traveling 18 year old witch named Kuroi Misa who moves from school
to school trying to get rid of demons and such (We learn more about her past in EEA II: Birth of the Wizard). Not to give
away alot of the plot (Read my fan-art manga for that), but buckets of blood and student/teacher lesbian scenes follow. The
directing and actor's performances are all top notch and show that alot of work went into the making of the film. Also, the
score and atmosphere remain creepy thoughout the whole film, saving it from being a simple "japanese cheap sex & gore"
film ala ZERO WOMAN. Anyway, I highly recommend you find and watch this movie! It is out now on R1 DVD! Nate's rating: 5/5
stars! *****
Trailer (Direct Download) (Quicktime 4.5MB)
EKO EKO AZARAK II: BIRTH OF THE WIZARD.
This film is sadly the last of the series to star Kimika Yoshino as Misa. What can I say? This film is just as good as
the first, overall that is. It also has a higher budget and even more gore! The movie is really a prequel though, not a sequel.
The film shows how Misa came to work at her "day job" and the reasons behind everything in the first film. This movie does
benefit from more character development than the first movie had. Having Misa and another one of her love interests deal with
situations they can't handle (Remember, this is not the same Misa we saw in the first film). The directing and acting remain
high quality due to most of the original crew from the first film returning to make the sequel. It's like the Evil Dead/ Evil
Dead 2 situation, and as we all know, that is a good thing! This one gets another high rating. 5/5 stars! *****
Trailer (Direct download) (Quicktime 5.4MB)
EKO EKO AZARAK III: MISA THE DARK ANGEL.
Hmm, I guess the 3rd entry means the series is a franchise! And as we have seen with past franchises... None are perfect.
Around the time this came out, an Eko Eko Azarak TV series had been running for a while with a new actress taking on the Misa
role, Hinako Saeki. While being very hot and attractive (She is a model), she brings us a very different Misa. While still
being a dark and powerful character like in the first film, she has a certain lack of emotion and acting skills that Kimika
had. I did get used to her and developed a greater appreciation for her and this film after watching the TV series (I hated
the film at first). Basically, the film plays out of order at times with A LOT of freaky ass dream sequences and hooded zombies.
Sorry guys, no lesbians this time, just women "claiming" to be lesbians (Proof withstanding). The film can't hold a candle
to the first two but is still entertaining. Worth a rental. 3/5 stars! ***
Trailer (Direct download) (Quicktime 5.5MB)
EKOEKO AZARAK
The fourth film in the EEA series does not bear a IV after it, and for good reason. It has absolutely nothing to do with
the other films or the manga for that matter. Only the Misa character and black magic remain. The film works more as a mystery
than a horror like the rest. Overall, I liked the film as an "alternative" injection of EEA goodness. It doesn't have the
action/gore/SFX of the previous, but it does indeed use its time wisely. Character development is the main concern of the
film as we see what a girl named Misa goes through while not quite knowing that she is witch. Natsuki Kato's performance is
quite good and is honest, but seriously, this chick is bouncing off the fucking walls while the cameras aren't rolling! Just
watch the BTS footage on the DVD. Anyway, the film works as a stand alone one shot, and nothing else. Recommended for fans
and non fans alike! I award this 4/5 stars! ****
EKO EKO AZARAK TV VOL. 1
This is it. The kind of TV show that american television wishes it could air. Blood, violence, and bare breasts galore
in this shot on video TV drama. In this 1997 outing we again follow a young witch named Misa Kuroi, played again by Hinako
Saeki. The first 3 episodes revolve around Misa attending a different high school again. Like the last few times, you can
guess that she won't be there long (Three episodes as a matter of fact). The story was a bit hard to follow due to the lack
of proper english subtitles. If I ever do see a subbed version, I will revise this review, but for now this'll have to do.
Anyway, all that aside, the acting is decent, the direction does the job, and the special effects are lacking. These first
three episodes are more laid back and focus on introducing us to the Misa character and displaying what she is capable of.
The show gets a lot more ballsy as we go along, upping the gore and nudity factor to that of the theatrical films (On a much
lower budget). Even beyond that when we get into the second season. I'm not sure if this follows the 1970's manga at all,
but it looks more like new stuff. This one may be boring for someone with limited Japanese language understanding (like myself),
but things really kick up with vol. 2. I give this one 2/5 stars! **
EKO EKO AZARAK TV VOL. 2
Blood and gore are on the increase in the next three episodes of the infamous Eko Eko Azarak TV series. Again, these episodes
were viewed in raw Japanese with no english subtitles (Although they do exist for eps. 1-4 via Ctenosaur). These episodes,
IMO, are much better than those of the first volume. They have more Misa (Although not in sailor suits as much), more gore,
and overall better lighting/production values. Much of this must be attributed to the constant shuffling of directors every
few episodes. The SFX are still cheesy as hell and much of the blood is clearly being shot through a water hose, but this
gives the series its low-budget charm. For those of you who have been waiting for it, the nudity finally shows up in episode
6: The Evil! This is probably the bloodiest shower/bath scene that you're likely to see (Again, it's all in the spray). The
three episodes do share a common theme, not different from the proceeding ones. It's the idea that someone who is manipulative,
using magic for evil purposes, or is just a downright bad person is going to be brutally murdered or otherwise scarred for
life. Misa is simply there to move this process along, at least for now. Well, that should do it for this review. Look forward
to more pagan mayhem in upcoming installments! Nate hands this 3/5 stars. ***
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