First impression: 'Polyphonica Crimson S' sings

Don’t let the cover fool you. “Polyphonica Crimson S” is NOT borderline porn. (It looks enough like it that I can’t show it here, though.)

Even though I liked the description, I was set to skip it when I saw the box. But I guess the old adage is true: Don’t judge a book (or DVD) by its cover. I decided to go ahead and watch it after reading a user write-up on Amazon that actually seemed disappointed it wasn’t more hard-core.

So what do you get? An interesting story with a musical twist, so that puts it squarely on my “like” list.

Here’s Section23′s official description, which makes it sound even more intriguing than the first six episodes I watched would imply:

To bring law and order you need police, to make music you need musicians, and to make the former using the latter, you need a Dantist!  Ever since he was visited by a mysterious spirit as a boy, Pholon’s wanted to become one of the elite battle bards who watch over the continent of Polyphonica.  Yet even though he’s mastered the basic skills for singing the Commandia spells and operating a One-Man Orchestra, he’s been unable to summon the required spirit companion because of a promise he made to that first spirit: to sing only for her.  But that silence is shattered and Pholon’s musical meanderings are over when his supernatural partner suddenly returns, intent on finalizing the “contract” they made twelve years ago!  Which would be great except for one thing: She’s not just any spirit, but the dreaded Coarticarte, the Crimson Annihilator!  But what the heck, sometimes you just you just have to grit your teeth and duet!  Get ready for a musical partnership with more than its share of discord and a distinctly martial beat!

There are 12 episodes on this two-disc, subtitled set, and the first six are spent setting up Pholon for his apparent destiny.  Besides Coarticarte, he’s helped along by his best friend, Rembalt, and two first-year students, Peruce and Prine Yugiri, who take a shine to him. There’s also the school principal and a former student.

We also get clues to a terrorist plot against the country, and the principal is one of the main good guys.

I like the camaraderie among the main human characters. And it’s also nice to see that Coarticarte doesn’t become a total brat in her new incarnation. There’s rivalry, but it doesn’t get too annoying. And the fan service is kept to a minimum, at least so far. A couple outfits show a bit much, and there is a shower scene, but for the most part, it’s clean — not at all what you’d expect from the set’s cover.

The animation isn’t the best I’ve seen in recent years, but it’s fine enough for the project. The Dantists don’t play regular instruments; they get tricked out electronic pieces that provide some interesting visuals.

Now that I’ve been introduced to these characters, I look forward to seeing what trials the next six episodes put them through. No hentai, just a good story with a strong mix of characters with some nifty music. There’s a bit of a harem aspect with the girls surrounding Pholon, but it bucks convention: Pholon is too nice a guy.

“Polyphonica Crimson S” is a fun show, especially for anime fans who have an interest in music. If you liked “La corda d’oro,” this is definitely one worth checking out.

Apparently, this is the second anime series. I may have to hit up Netflix for the original.