|
Interzone
(10.02.2002)
Romance with a twist...
Going against the grain of the current crop of blackmail-themed
hentai releases, Nutech presents Pure Mail, a sugary-sweet
tale of romance and adolescent naivete. Or is it?
Appearances can be deceptive. While it's true that the primary
theme of Pure Mail is the romance between two young people,
there's more to it than that. Kei Ogata is our protagonist,
a somewhat introverted and isolated individual. Through the
course of two episodes we discover why, and it's not pretty.
His Internet relationship with a girl simply known as EVE
provides a level of human contact and warmth he's never experienced
before. But he thinks he knows the true identity of EVE and
soon faces a moral dilemma...
I can't delve too far into the storyline without giving the
plot away (though the packaging description basically lays
out the entire story. I'd advise not reading it if you buy
the DVD) there are a total of four sex scenes in Pure Mail;
two absolutely unnecessary (including one role-reversal blackmail
thingy!) and two essential to the plot. One of these is a
rape scene and while graphic, remains fairly short and isn't
too exploitative. The character development and pacing is
perfect, with an engrossing plot to boot. You could argue
that at least one of the female cast have inherited the almost
customary airhead disease, but crucially their feelings seem
far more 'real' that the norm. Koihime this isn't. Incidentally,
the H scenes are very explicit, but it's elementary. I'd have
watched and enjoyed Pure Mail regardless.
The animation is pretty, though something about it looks
a little strange at times. Obviously on a low budget, Pure
Mail is unmistakably CG. Character designs are cute and the
modern-day down-to-earth setting was refreshing, I particularly
liked the festival scene during the first episode. Those computers
can generate some funky firework effects.
Pure Mail isn't exactly 'pure' but it's a lot more 'real'
than some of the fluff out there. I'll stick my neck out and
say that Pure Mail is just excellent.
|
