A simplicity that belies the truth.
The presentation for When They Cry vol. 5 is pretty much standard. The cover of the box is a negative image of Rena and the color scheme really does denote the dark anime you’re about to dive into. The menu of the disc has the same illustration, with neatly arranged menu options. There is a small pullout posted included in the box that duals as the DVD’s chapter listing. The animation itself is actually pretty contradictory to the theme of the anime. All the girls look sickeningly adorable, which makes some of the scenes in the show that much more disturbing. Both voice casts are solid, as well as the sound quality for each dub track. This is the first time in a long time I’ve gotten to say that the English voice cast was excellent, and really did carry the overall emotions as well as the Japanese cast did. A final quirk of the way this anime is presented, is that the series is divided into chapters. A certain number of series episodes are divided into story chapters centering on particular characters and their aspects. This was fairly interesting, as I’d never seen an anime set up like this before.
The bones were picked clean…
Sometimes it’s hard to find anything to say about a DVD’s extras, especially singular volumes like this. But Geneon’s paltry extras make that job even harder. Volume five of When They Cry is no exception to this usual lack. You only get the DVD credits and previews for Kamichu, Viewtiful Joe, and Saiyuki Reload Gunlock. Sometimes the greatness of some of the anime that Geneon is known for getting its hands on can really overshadow this portion of a DVD, but sometimes you really would like some extra features that are worth the price of the anime you just bought. As prices are rising everywhere, people are expecting to get more for such prices, but usually get less than ever before. This disc falls into that category of more for less.
A bloody mess in the mind.
When They Cry is easily one of those rare anime series that you’ll watch and never forget, no matter how hard you scrub yourself in the shower to feel clean again. Its darkly disturbing and violent themes combined with characters that look and act so adorable (at first) really throw you for a loop as you get on course in this psycho-thrill ride. I have to say, once I started watching the disc, I couldn’t tear my eyes from it. You watch, and over and over you keep trying to console yourself that things can’t get worse for the characters, that the insanity will stop, and then you weep to find out that it can and will continue the downward spiral. This isn’t a bad thing by any means. I haven’t watched an anime that kept me watching on the “WTF Factor” since Perfect Blue, and When They Cry sinks its claws deep in your brain. This anime certainly isn’t for everyone, and it’s definitely not for younger views due to the heavy and disturbing violence throughout this disc alone. But if you love a good, dark story (Stephen King fans, I’m looking at you) then When They Cry volume five is right up your alley.