Watch online: Pandora Hearts - The new anime series from April 2009, "Pandora Hearts" - Updated to Episode 8

by zhongcj on 2009-05-22 15:34:59

[Introduction to the Animation]

"Pandora Hearts" is a shonen manga created by Japanese mangaka Jun Mochizuki, serialized in "Monthly GFantasy" (Square Enix) starting from the June 2006 issue. This fantasy manga has sold over 1.11 million copies. Frontier Works announced the release of a drama CD in December 2007. The art style is beautifully detailed, skillfully blending sweetness with an eerie atmosphere, and coinciding with this year's anime industry's embrace of British aesthetics, it has found success.

The TV animation adaptation of "Pandora Hearts" is set to air this April. The original work, with its handsome male and female characters, mysterious and unique fantasy world, has garnered enthusiastic support from both male and female readers since its serialization. Thus, this animation adaptation is the long-awaited result for the original fans. XEBEC, responsible for the animation production, has previously excelled in works like "Heaven's Lost Property" and "Armed Alchemy." The director, Takao Kagohashi, has had good collaborations with XEBEC on projects such as "Armed Alchemy" and "To LOVE-Ru." Additionally, Yuki Kajiura is responsible for the music, and renowned voice actors such as Junko Minagawa, Aya Hirano, and Akira Ishida are voicing the main characters, making the animation production team quite luxurious.

[Story Summary]

Oz Vessalius, the next head of the Bezarius family among the four dukes, is accused of being a sin and thrown into the dark prison Abysil at his 15th birthday coming-of-age ceremony. In Abysil, Oz encounters Alice, known as the Bloody Black Rabbit, and makes a contract with her, successfully escaping Abysil. Upon returning to the real world, Oz finds himself in the future ten years later. Alice, in order to retrieve her lost memories, and Oz, to find out about his own sins, join the Pandora organization, thus beginning the story...

[Character Introductions]

Japanese Name: オズ・ベザリウス (Oz Bezarius)

English Name: Oz Bezarius

CV: Junko Minagawa

Features: Blonde hair, blue eyes

Important People: Gilbert, Alice

Currently possessed by Jack Bezarius

The protagonist of the story, the next head of the Vessalius family among the four dukes. At his 15th birthday coming-of-age ceremony, he was accused of forgetting the sins of his body (=his existence) and was thrown into the dark prison [Abysil]. In [Abysil], he made a contract with the Bloody Black Rabbit (Alice). After escaping from [Abysil], he discovers that he has returned to a world ten years later. To uncover his sins and with Alice, he becomes Burenich's subordinate and works at Pandora.

He is also called the key who obtained the "Will of the Abyss." Due to being distanced by his father during childhood, he studied day and night, possessing a sharp mind. He adapts quickly, and because of past events, he acts very calmly. He likes cute young girls, falling in love at first sight with Sharon and wanting to marry her. However, he also has a cunning side. [Referred to as "belly black boy"]

Called "male host" by the author.

Next head of the Bezarius family. On his 15th birthday, he was cast into the dark prison・Abyss.

Black Rabbit・Alice (Alice)

Alternative Translation: Black Rabbit・Allice

Japanese Name: アリス (Alice)

English Name: Alice, B-rabbit

CV: Aya Hirano

Features: Black hair, black eyes (according to the manga)

Impatient, self-centered, gluttonous but straightforward

The heroine of the story, the Bloody Black Rabbit who made a contract with Oz. Selfish and violent in nature, though occasionally showing a gentle expression. She came to Oz's world from [Abysil] to reclaim her memory. After escaping from [Abysil], she works at Pandora with Oz to obtain clues about fragments of her memory. Unlike other Chains, she possesses her own personality. Her original form is a giant black rabbit, maintaining a girl's appearance under Gilbert's power control. She has some connection with the "Will of the Abyss" and dislikes it. She likes kicking people or objects. Having spent a long time in [Abysil], she is very interested in Oz's world (mainly food - -^).

Treated generally as Oz's possession. In battle, she transforms into Black Rabbit mode and fights using chains and sickles.

Although she has a human form, her personality remains a mystery.

Called "boss" by the author.

She is the twin sister of the Will of the Abyss and was killed by Vincent with scissors 100 years ago as a human.

Gilbert Nightray

Japanese Name: レイヴン (Raven)

English Name: Gilbert Nightray

CV: Hirofumi Birdai

Commonly referred to as Raven (Raven). Oz's servant and friend, with golden eyes. Very loyal and uses a sword. Because he lost his memory due to the darkness, he waits for Oz in the shadows. As a child, he was taken in by the Nightray family, enemies of the Vessalius family, through the mediation of the Rainsworth family. He did not actually meet his adopted brother Vincent. Later, he became a member of Pandora and obtained the Nightray family's Chain [Raven], hoping for Oz's return after ten years. After reuniting, he did not reveal his identity to Oz. Later, Oz learns his true identity through Zubal and swears again to serve Oz as a servant. He seals Alice's power within Oz's body, which cannot be restored.

His main weapon is a pistol. He handles tasks calmly.

Quiet and reserved. However, he sometimes shows kindness to Oz.

An excellent chef. Cries when drunk. Duke Rufus Barma reveals that Gilbert attempted to quit smoking eight times but failed every time.

Refers to Alice as "dumb rabbit," while she calls him "seaweed" or "seaweed head."

A young man of Pandora who acts alongside Oz. Cares deeply for Oz and treats him kindly.

Sharon Rainsworth

Japanese Name: シャロン・レインズワース (Sharon Rainsworth)

English Name: Sharon Rainsworth

CV: Kana Hanazawa

Young lady of the Rainsworth family, possessing the wisdom of an adult, fond of drinking tea. Often moves together with Break and is a regular contractor of Pandora, having made a contract with the Chain Unicorn. Due to the influence of the contract, her body remains that of a 13-year-old. One of the four ducal families constituting Pandora, Miss of the Rainsworth family. A composed and intelligent young girl. A scheming young mistress who often leads Black actions. Uses the chain unicorn.

The young lady of the Rainsworth family. Always accompanied by Break. An intellectual and mature young girl.

Xarxes Break

Japanese Name: ザークシーズ・ブレイク (Zarkeezu Bureiku)

English Name: Xarxes Break

CV: Akira Ishida

An employee of the Rainsworth family, belonging to Pandora's regular contractors, whose growth stopped due to the contract's influence. His left eye lacks a globe and is covered by his bangs. Friendly but impolite, often uttering condescending words, with a doll named Emily on his shoulder. Dislikes Vincent for unknown reasons. Called "clown" by Alice. An employee of the Rainsworth family. Confuses those around him with flattering yet disdainful tones. Even towards the important Sharon, his attitude does not change. Investigates the truth behind the tragedy known as Sablier from 100 years ago, unselective of means. Has a great liking for sweet things and always carries snacks.

The Chain he contracts with is called the Mad Hatter. It's speculated that his Chain might not be a high-level one like Raven.

An employee of the Rainsworth family. Rudely polite character with a puppet-like doll on his shoulder.

He is an illegal contractor seeking to reverse his family's fate; his real name is Cabin.

Vincent Nightray

Younger brother of Gilbert and an adopted son of the Nightray family. Adopted by the Nightray family around the same time as Gilbert. Suffers from heterochromia iridium, with his left eye, like Gilbert's, being golden. His Chain is Dormouse (Yamane). Along with Gilbert, he is from 100 years ago (likely due to the time distortion caused by the Abyss space). He could possibly be the murderer of Alice in the "Tragedy of Sablier" 100 years ago. Evil and cold-hearted, yet genuinely respects his older brother Gilbert.

Echo

Vincent's subordinate. Acts mechanically with high physical abilities. Fights using hidden weapons and speaks politely. A three-nothing girl. Though mostly acting like Vincent's puppet, similar to Nemu, she sometimes shows compassion and self-will, even defying Vincent, like when she retrieves the antidote.

Has a dual personality, the other side being Noise.

Noise・Zubal

One of the citizens of Baskerville who pushed Oz into the Abyss. Ends sentences with childish expressions like "you know" and "ne," but has a cruel personality. Contracts with Drudda and uses strings to control people. Failed in the mission to push Oz back into the Abyss and escaped after Gilbert was critically injured.

Imprisoned for nearly killing Oz. Currently following Vincent's orders to head to "Sablier."

Dual personality, the other side being Echo.

Elliot Nightray

Son of the Nightray family and adoptive younger brother of Gilbert and Vincent, impulsive and easily angered. Attends the same noble school as the servant Leo and Oz's younger sister Ada. Strongly dislikes the Bezarius family. Composed a melody similar to Oz's pocket watch, naming it Lacie (the same name as Glen). Dreamt of killing someone in the "Tragedy of Sablier," seemingly related to Glen.

Leo

Elliot's servant. Wears thick glasses and does things at his own pace, always able to bluntly correct Elliot's mistakes.

Reim

Serves one of the four ducal families, Lord Rufus Barma, and is an old friend of Xarxes Break. Has a low presence, wears glasses, and habitually pushes them up when nervous.

Oscar Bezarius

Oz's uncle. Like a father figure to Oz and Gilbert, responsible for hosting Oz's coming-of-age ceremony. Has a good relationship with Break. Humorous personality.

Ada Bezarius

Eldest daughter of the Bezarius family and Oz's younger sister. Often carried cats as a child. Gave a small black hat to young Gilbert, which he cherished greatly.

Jack Bezarius

A person in Alice's memory, from about 100 years ago, part of the Bezarius family, ancestor of Oz 100 years ago, bearing a resemblance to Oz's face, with long braids, free-spirited and unrestrained. Before the tragedy, he was the third son of the third-rate noble family Bezarius, claiming to be a music box craftsman. Close friend of Glen and co-created a musical pocket watch (music composed by Glen). Single-handedly stopped the actions of the Baskerville family during the "Tragedy of Sablier" 100 years ago, killing Glen, allowing the Bezarius family to become one of the four ducal families. Known as a "hero."

Will of the Abyss

Actually a twin combined with Alice's soul. Dug out Break's left eye and placed it on the Cheshire Cat.

Cheshire

A Chain created from Alice's memory space, like Alice, is a special Chain. Seemingly knows something about the "Will of the Abyss."

Glen Baskerville

Head of the Baskerville family about 100 years ago. Close friend of Jack, composed the melody Lacie, used by Jack to make a musical pocket watch. Ordered subordinates to initiate the "Tragedy of Sablier" for unknown reasons. Killed by Jack during the tragedy, but Jack claims Glen still lives.

According to Jack's notes, confined Alice in a tower 100 years ago.

Rufus Barma

The longest-living duke among the four ducal families, with a particularly noticeable quiff on his head. Highly knowledgeable, holding information and data across various fields, even knowing different personalities and reactions. Oz and others search for clues about the "Tragedy of Sablier" through him. His Chain ability creates illusions.

Charlotte

Originally named Charlotte. A citizen of Baskerville and one of Glen's subordinates, with the Chain Lion Leon. Believes Jack killed Glen to advance his position.

Fang

A citizen of Baskerville and one of Glen's subordinates, wielding a large sword.

[STAFF]

Original Work: Jun Mochizuki

Director: Takao Kagohashi

Series Composition: Shinrai Kanjima

Character Design: Chizuru Kobayashi / Shin'ichi Yamaguchi

Prop Design: Tomochika Haru

Art Director: Keito Watanabe

Color Design: Mizuko Sekiguchi

Photography Director: Yuki Kudo

Editor: Kumiko Sakamoto