Eiri Kurahashi is a Japanese art student who works in an antique shop. His friends begin to notice a dramatic, and rather concerning, change in Eiri, as he becomes more absent-minded and his behavior completely changes. They quickly decide to blame their friend's troubles on a girl.
They may be right, however, as Eiri has begun seeing a beautiful, doll-like girl trapped within an antique Venetian glass that his uncle bought in France. She seems to be living in a strange other world, contained entirely inside this glass, but her image refuses to leave Eiri's mind. His sketchbook becomes filled with her likeness, and he realizes he has become completely infatuated with this strange little girl. When he recognizes her in a portrait by the mysterious Italian artist, Marchello Orlando, he learns her name is Cossette d’Auvergne, and that she was tragically murdered along with the rest of her family.
One night, as he closes up the shop, he hears a voice asking him not to leave. Finally making contact with the object of his obsession, he makes a deal that he doesn't fully understand.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
santetjan
Le Portrait de Petit Cossette is, first of all, a work that tries to be visual art, about visual art. It tries to tell what is in essence a very simple story in the first place by means of short scenes using specific visual style, and only in the second place by actual conversation and plot development that is spelled out. Thus, if, after watching the first episode you decide you really don't like the visual style used, don't bother watching the other two episodes: this series is not for you. With regard to the plot, it would be no exaggeration to state that the samestory could have been told within five minutes, nor would it be too much to say that any review of the plot would also most likely divulge what little twist there is. In essence, the story revolves around two artists and a piece of art, the portrait of a young girl, and the two differing outlooks on art these two artists have: one in the end prefers the piece of art, unchanging and everlastingly beautiful, unwilling even to acknowledge the existence of the living, changing 'original' girl, while the other prefers his art to be alive in some fashion, even if this means that change and loss exist. It is a story about the love of the artist for his art, a love that is profound enough to accept the necessity of loss, even, if necessary, of the self.
Nowhere is the story explained in as much words as I've used above, or are there pieces of dialogue directly concerning this difference in outlooks on art. In fact, there is not that much dialogue at all, nor does the show try to explore the main characters: there is little in the way of actual plot or character development.
This is because Le Portrait de Petit Cossette is a Romantic piece, or, more accurately, a piece of Romantic horror. The plot is a gathering of tropes from the genre, and focuses to a large extent on the passionate love of the main characters without giving much in the way of an explanation for their feelings and behaviour, wholly following the example of the greater pieces of Sturm und Drang literature, where round characters were considered less important than the strength of what little they tried to convey. Even the fact that the plot seems confusing, and that not everything is explained or neatly given a purpose within the story can be fully explained as Romantic horror: from Poe to Lovecraft the actual lack of a full explanation served to enhance the story.
When all is said and done, the story might not be all that original, or contain a lot of development. It is, however, very true to form.
The art is simply gorgeous. A lot of different styles are used, from simple nature backgrounds to what has been described as "bargain-basement Salvador Dali", with an emphasis on portraying scenes in twilight or with light that is filtered, seemingly in order to make the few bright points stand out more. Even though not all styles work out equally fine - especially the more surrealistic scenes tend to be a bit over the top - they do usually perfectly portray the mood of a certain scene.
To this is added a soundtrack consisting largely of semi-classical music that does a wonderful job in strengthening the different moods, ranging from simple, uplifting tunes to a ballad that is beautiful and haunting, even though it is sung in Japanese, which does not really fit the mood.
It is true that this show is pretentious, as is, it should be said, all art, and visual arts have a tendency to be even more pretentious than music or literature: the use of a French title (containing errors in grammar, spelling, and syntax, to boot, as it should have been titled "Le portrait de la Petite Cosette") is in itself proof of this, as is the bundling of a whole bunch of different musical and visual styles. On the other hand, it is quite honest about its being pretentious, and it must be said that, in the end, what matters in visual art is the art, not story, and not character. Anime is visual art, and no matter how good a series is, it will never be better than a solid book in portraying story or characters. What it adds are visuals, and these enhance the story in a way words alone can never do. To me, it is not too pretentious to try and make the story revolve around the art, and not the other way round: in a way, that seems to be what anime should in the end be about.
I won't lie. I consider Le Portrait de Petit Cossette to be the best piece of film I have ever seen, without a single doubt. As implied above, it is very difficult to make an objective statement on story and art, as you either like the style, or you don't. To me the different scenes do connect, and portray a story about longing, love, and sacrifice that portray thoughts that can be felt, but not put into words - though they can be shown.
In a way, I am in love with these three episodes like the protagonist is in love with the painting, and, thus, am unable to see anything that could detract from this impression. Perhaps that simple fact is the greatest compliment a show can receive.
mahoganycow
There are a lot of ways to frighten people and make them feel vulnerable in a primal way, and therefore there are a lot of ways to execute horror—outright screaming and slashing, psychological mind games, the appearance of the supernatural. And somewhere, buried under all of those, is a subset of horror which I internally refer to as “weird and atmospheric.” Not very professional, I know, but it's the sort of bin into which I throw things like Le Portrait de Petit Cossette, a three episode OVA that is just plain strange more so than anything else. Of course, you could also call it aromance, or a drama, or a mystery; Cossette is a very creative and ambitious work that plays leapfrog across genre boundaries, but unfortunately, so do its numerous flaws.
Cossette's story is relatively simple, but for whatever reason, its creators seem eager to make it as difficult to follow as possible. There are frequent changes in setting between the real world and a surrealistic hallucinatory world that the protagonist visits. These transitions take place with little tact, and they give the series a very warped sense of chronology which is only added to by the use of repetitive flashbacks to events that happened only minutes ago. There is little to no explanation offered as to what this surreal world actually represents, and the OVA seems to take it for granted that the audience will be able to interpret the significance (if there is any) of the events that transpire there without much help, a proposition that's dubious at best and downright foolish at worst. What's happening in the real world isn't very interesting, either; the protagonist's group of age-appropriate female friends are noticing that he's having a bit of a mental breakdown, they're all concerned with his well-being, and they take various actions to try to ensure his safety. This story thread ultimately serves very little purpose, and is more or less just a distraction from the central plot. To even understand that plot requires using tremendous amounts of speculation and assumption to fill in the gaping holes left by the writers. I'm confident that I'm a reasonably attentive viewer, and I don't feel at all embarrassed to say that on the first watch of Cossette, I could only guess at what was happening for at least forty percent of the OVA's running length. There's a fine line between minimalistic storytelling and poor storytelling. It gets crossed here, in spades.
I wish I could say that the characters swooped in and redeemed everything, but it wasn't to be. Our male lead, Eiri, an amateur artist who owns an antique shop, is a neat concept, but he has all the personality of a dishrag, and is little more than a tool used to push an overly obvious thematic agenda on the audience. The same can be said of Cossette, the doomed young daughter of foreign nobility whose soul is trapped in a decorative glass; what a great idea, and what a shockingly lackluster execution. Her lack of character might be explained away by the idea that she is supposed to represent an object of obsession rather than a person, but the fact that she responds in kind to Eiri's love sort of voids that entire train of thought. There's an attempt at romance, but I've said it before and I'll probably say it again—romance holds no meaning when neither character is even identifiable as an individual. Supporting roles, you ask? Welcome to the cast of cliches: A close female friend who is in love with Eiri but has difficulty showing it, two local psychics who give Eiri vague spiritual advice (such gems as “there's a soul in everything”), a hard-nosed doctor who notices Eiri's failing mental and physical state, a girl smitten with Eiri who works at a local restaurant. They're introduced haphazardly and, again, we're often left to make assumptions about who they even are and what their relationship is to Eiri. Most of them are cardboard cutouts graced with the privilege of about two or three lines of dialogue, and their role in the story as a whole is rather unnecessary. There's some kind of halfhearted harem drama between the overly zealous friend who is in love with Eiri and the rest of the cast. This element isn't very well thought out, nor does it have any place in the OVA, and it falls more or less flat.
Artistically, Cossette has a lot of merit. The production values are reasonably high. The character designs are inoffensive. The backgrounds are lovely, ranging from verdant forests to foggy city streets, and the atmosphere created in the bowels of Eiri's dusty antique store is suitably eerie. Somewhere along the line, though, Cossette trades all of that for a ridiculous amount of CGI, editing, and visual trickery that's really quite annoying. It turns into a regular slideshow of artistic tricks-of-the-trade. Name a strange camera angle, lighting or filtering choice, or visual distortion, and the odds are pretty good that it's here. Cossette just can't resist: A shot through stained glass here, a weird point-of-view through a digital camera there, an overlay of flickering static, an endless pan over a computer-generated landscape. Words cannot even describe the number of techniques in play here, most of which serve no purpose other than as a sort of directorial “hey, look what I can do!” In terms of the technical implementation, they might very well be flawless, but I'll be damned if I can see a reason for their awkward inclusion. The OVA is actually at its best when none of these are employed. The halls and darkened storage rooms of Eiri's store, with antiques stacked around him like tombstones, are a lot more unsettling than the tactless barrage of seizure-inducing effects.
If you're the type to look at the staff listing, you might be able to guess that there's one aspect of Cossette that is tough to complain about, and that's the music. Yuki Kajiura does what she does best: Sweeping modern orchestral compositions backed by chanted vocals, intricate piano melodies, soft and haunting atmospheric noise. The soundtrack sounds great both in the context of the OVA and on its own. It doesn't sound as clear or as polished as her later work, but it's arguably as good as any other musical score she's been involved with, and that should say just about everything; it's grade-A, plain and simple. It's not terribly difficult to label the soundtrack as Cossette's strongest element. Imagine judging a dog show where the only contestants are a beautiful golden retriever and a dead possum. That's the choice I had to make.
Harsh words all around, and yet, that number does say five, which is far from the worst available score. Cossette might have inexcusably poor writing, but it does have some technical merits to fall back on, and I'll begrudgingly admit that it's a captivating watch even though the visuals are obnoxious. It's also a very creative idea, and while that idea ultimately isn't capitalized on, I can tell that it is trying to make an ambitious statement about art and the nature of human interaction with art. This thematic material isn't handled well at all, but the fact that there's even any thematic material worth mentioning in the first place is something. In a word, Cossette is a mess, and I really can't give it the most enthusiastic praise, but creativity and ambition are present, and if nothing else, it's certainly a unique piece of work.
Krunchyman
The elegant flow of luxurious hair contours gracefully along the pristine crown down the petite collar of the unsurpassed delicate flower. Golden locks glisten under the flicker of a saffron flame. The soft, supple facial features radiate pure ineffable beauty, displaying no discernment of imperfection. She is the stimulus that evokes profound imagination, via the means of simply existing. Her fortuitous, biological circumstances have destined her to inject inspiration into the psyche of the perceptive virtuoso, to invigorate him to produce marvelous portraits of exquisite splendor. She is the beacon that guides his creative spirit towards its fullest potential, realizing theend goal of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
She is Essential. She is Beautiful. She is Perfection. She is a Muse.
If the perceived perfection is identified as genuine, is it not irresponsible to allow ne plus ultra beauty to be squandered to the inexorable flow of time? Marchello Orlando, a man obsessed with the unparalleled beauty of his “lover,” believed it immoral to permit such beauty to wither away — even if it required the assassination of the angelic person, whom he professed his adoration. For Marchello, terminating inimitable elegance was paramount in the pursuit of “preserving” his masterwork(s). But art is not an exercise in preservation, rather it’s a rendition of singular moments/conceptions that are ever-fleeting. The art, itself, is preserved, but the transient process is lost to the annals of time. Eiri Kurahashi, a young artist who becomes entranced by Cossette d’Auvergne’s haunting beauty, discovers the ennui of drawing a pseudo preservation of Marchello’s “divine” deed. In a physical and emotional catharsis, Eiri uses his own blood to paint a stunning portrait of his tormenting muse. Signifying Eiri's denial of Marchello’s notion of preservation, in lieu of acknowledging the muse for what she really is (a human being), and not for what she represents (perfection personified).
The porcelain doll shedding tears of blood, was the surrealistic representation of how Marchello viewed Cossette. It is said that “the eyes are the windows of the soul,” and given that the doll (Cossette) has no eyes, she, invariably, has no soul. By virtue of his blood pact with Cossette, Eiri offers his own soul as a form of reparation for “his” past ill deeds. He is, after all, the reincarnation of Marchello. The man who rejected Cossette’s life, for his own idealistic vision. Of course, Eiri suffers extensively for his “past” transgressions, in a myriad of chilling scenes with hauntingly beautiful artwork. Screeching violins go hand and hand with the gothic aesthetic, creating a melancholic atmosphere to accentuate Eiri’s gruesome retribution.
Cossette, inadvertently, gives inspiration to her “two lovers,” but while Marchello takes her gift and forsakes her for it; Eiri, on the other hand, returns the favor by giving his blood (the necessary fluid of human life) to affirm her existence as valuable, and not merely the object for which one derives self-actualization. Eiri, after 250 years, releases Cossette from her bondage of eternal “preservation,” by rejecting the flawless imposter (the muse, if you will) for the release of the real Cossette from her unsought constraints; thus, allowing her soul to transcend the intermediary world and finally be at peace.
The emancipation of Cossette absolved Eiri from his own misguided idealism. Empowering him to break free from his self-created muse infatuation, and, hopefully, learn to foster an emotionally symbiotic relationship. Eiri (Marchello) deluded himself in the pursuit of capturing impeccable beauty; thus, dissociating himself from the pivotal social interactions of his everyday life.
MaximumRider
Le Portrait de Petite Cossette. Where to start.... Well, the storyline is pretty good, but there are several flaws that come with it. The main flaw, is that there are several times where you have to "fill-in-the-blanks" yourself, or in other words, perhaps go back and watch it several times to undertsnad it. Anohter flaw is a lot similar to this is where you might wonder how the main character ends up in a particular place, just out of the blue. The story is actually for the most part quite well made but just with several flaws. The art is, in my opinion, very breath-taking.It is much more detailed than other Anime I've watched other than " The Count of Monte Cristo". The sound is probably the best part in my opinion, and I highly reccomend downloading or buying the Soundtrack. (I would give out a particular link but since MyAnimeList has asked me not to, I will do much to oblige them).=) But anyway, the music during each episode goes along so well with the story, keeping you interested the entire way through. The characters are great for the mst part. I did however think that they coud have made Eiri, the main character, sound a lot better with some better dialogue. Cossette is by far the best character in the story, including movements, actions, and dialogue. I enjoyed a lot and reccomend it to anyone. EXCEPT-kids. This is probably the most gothic Anime I have watched, and it is very, very gory and bloody. There is some slight nudity, but nothing too too, inappropriate. Overall it was very good, in fact, it was much better than I thought it would be. If you are into the whole romance anime mixed with some action fighting-for-the-one-you-love-with-gothic style, then by God, this Anime is definitely for you!
ktulu007
Welcome, My Friends, to horror anime month. For the next five weeks we'll be looking at things that go bump in the night. Experience suggests that most of them will not actually be scary in the slightest in spite of the genre label. In fact, I think the only truly frightening anime I've ever reviewed in October was Perfect Blue and everything else just used horror to mean “there are monsters.” In any case, let's start the month off with Le Portrait de Petit Cosette which is a bit unique for an anime in that it's not based on anything. The three episode OVA wasproduced by Daume, the studio responsible for Onegai Teacher and Shiki. There is a manga, but it's based on the OVA instead of the other way around. Let's turn out all the lights and take a look.
Our story begins with our protagonist, Eiri, hanging out with some friends. But don't get attached to them because they'll only appear in one other, brief scene. They talk briefly about love and Eiri runs off for his part time job at his uncle's antique shop. He spends some time just holding and looking at a glass. A glass that seems to contain a girl that only he can see. The biggest problem with this OVA is that it meanders. What I mean by that is that there are a lot of scenes that go nowhere and don't tie into the main plot. Not only that, but the animation will frequently shift to random things (a street, a mailbox, tableware, bamboo, butterflies, etc...) during conversations. I still can't figure out whether this is supposed to be disconcerting or it's just a way to pad the OVA. If it's the former it doesn't work. The latter would seem more probable since this OVA drags. You wouldn't think I'd be able to say that about something that lasts all of three episodes, but it does. There are long stretches of scenes that just show random objects or filled with scene after scene where nothing of value happens. You could probably cut this down to a single episode if you only kept the relevant parts. Don't expect actual horror from this either. A lot of what happens is strange and/or kind of nonsensical but not frightening. There are some scenes that have promise, but the effect they could have had ends up getting spoiled by random object cuts and pointless scenes.
The characters are pretty dull. Eiri and Cosette are really the only ones who matter, possibly Mataki if you stretch the meaning of “matter.” They could have developed the characters if they had spent less time on pointless moments, but they don't. They start out as stock characters and experience very little growth as things progress.
The art is pretty good. The random shifts and transitions may not do anything from a story perspective, but the things they cut to are drawn well. There are a lot of really good details in the backgrounds as well. Which I paid close attention to as nothing of merit was happening in the foreground most of the time. The character art looks pretty good as well. The biggest issue with the art comes when they try to do a “scary” scene and random objects of wildly shifting art styles start coming at you. Which just looks odd. Their attempt at drawing a monster, which oddly enough has a negligible effect on the plot, just looks silly. I honestly laughed out loud when I first saw it. They also like to do randomly tilted shots throughout the series. Which just look stupid and out of place.
The voice acting ranges quite a bit in quality. Inoue Marina gives an excellent performance, and it's the only aspect of the OVA that actually comes across as creepy. But then you have Saiga Mitsuki and Toyoguchi Megumi who are just okay. You also have Ebara Masashi who, thankfully, only appears in one scene in which he over-acts like hell. I know he can act, I've heard him do it in Xenosaga and Fullmetal Alchemist, to name a couple examples. The effects, are not at the level of the acting. They try to create this disconcerting cacophony, but it just ends up spoiling the effect in a lot of cases. Inoue Marina will be delivering her lines in a genuinely creepy way, but then the effects will make her voice sound tinny, for lack of a better term, and the creepiness will be gone or the effects will be louder than the character voices and it'll be hard to hear what they're doing. The music is just pretty typical of “horror” fare.
The ho-yay factor is a 1/10. This has no ho-yay. The cast is overwhelmingly female, but they can't be bothered to develop their relationships in any way, romantic or otherwise. Most of the male characters only appear in a scene or two.
This is the best anime I've seen in the past four weeks. Which admittedly isn't saying much since the other anime were the two first series of Sekirei and Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari. The bottom line is that there are some moments that could have been effective but they're diluted by a whole lot of pointless scenes and random transitions. Still, I do recommend watching it, with two or three friends. Why? Because Le Portrait de Petit Cosette lies in that realm of dullness and semi-stupidity that makes for excellent snark material. Watch it to poke fun at it and it will lead to entertaining moments for you and friends. But as a serious horror piece I have to give it a 4/10. It's mostly just pretty dull but inoffensive. Horror anime month will continue next week with a look at the only horror anime on my request queue, Blue Gender.
Fotsuan
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Usually, I tend to watch anime for their plot and characters. Cossette no Shouzou is the perfect example of a show that does not need them to succeed. It may follow a main story, but what's most important is its artistic ingeniousness. And I do not mean its art or animation; I mean everything about this fictional work. The music, the animation techniques, the simple story with its thrilling portrayal, and last but not least; the fact that it revolves around art itself. Truly, Cossette no Shouzou is not an easy watch for everyone. It's a niche piece of art, fullof risks and pretentiousness. But it knows very well what it is, and that's what makes it beautiful and fascinating.
To begin my short analysis, I'll mention what I found best - and this was the atmosphere. On one hand, we have Yuki Kajiura (Noir, Kara no Kyoukai, Fate/Zero) giving it her best to create the most fitting horror vibes with her music, on the other hand we have Shinbou Akiyuki (Madoka Magica, Monogatari series) who is a unique director, and loved by his audience. If you ask me, the result is magical and this is one of the best collaborations I have ever seen in anime. Even if you don't really care about the story, you cannot overlook the exceptional atmosphere. You get spooked, you get hooked; it is the definition of successful horror.
Furthermore, I'll have to say a few things about the story. It is clear from the beginning that the story is far from normal, the events happening are surreal and the writing is full of exaggerations and metaphorical approach. Now, it all starts with a young artist called Eiri, and his obsession with a supernatural phenomenon only he can see; a girl, trapped inside an antique glass. What follows up includes a gory and full of suffering yet romantic horror story, and a big contrast between two different kinds of artists. It also jumps from the 21st to the 18th century, there's a slightly historical viewpoint, ethical demarcation and a little bit of philosophy. Just in case you haven't watched it yet, I'll only leave a touch of what happens in Cossette no Shouzou here and leave some spoilers for the next paragraph.
In this paragraph, concerning details about what messages the show wants to convey, spoilers are unavoidable. Like I said on the title, it's one of the most misunderstood fictional works and that's because the storytelling and flow of events are messy and chaotic. The main message is that of the main story; the difference between an artist who likes stable and everlasting art, and another one who admires and respects change and evolution, whether it is good or bad for the art itself. How different a work of art can be, if the artist's mindset and viewpoints are different as well. And it's not just about painters; it's about any human's approach on life. The way the plot point is expressed is tricky and full of metaphors, but it leads to something pretty simple. Nevertheless, Cossette no Shouzou has many other things to share with the viewer. One of those is woman's endless suffering, in all periods and eras of humanity. If you think about it, it's another tragic story with a bad ending for a female human, and the fact that Cossette's soul is enslaved for so long in the world she had already died is just a result of all the malevolent energy created by suffering and unfairness. Eiri, on the other hand, is also the victim here; he's the "good" kind of guy, who feels for the girl and tries to protect her. Traumatized and ignorant, Cossette will not accept him and will torture him until she is satisfied. But since there are heavy tones of romanticism in this work, it is implied that a positive attitude is praiseworthy and will prevail. This is something I really liked, and it was clearly shown by Mataki's last line as well.
To end this review, the main reason I'm writing it is because I watched this anime OVA yesterday and it can't leave my mind yet. Its music, its visuals, its atmosphere. That's because of the great work studio Daume made back in 2004 and the beautiful, haunting, short artsy trip it took me to. It's very rare for an anime to stay stuck on my mind, and it is one more reason to consider this anime a big success. It's far from perfect - even its french name is wrongly written - but at least it does not try to achieve perfection and it shows it is fine having some flaws. Big respect to the staff!
dancer2713
The art in this anime is outstanding! But that's about all it has going for it. It's an anime that you just have to hate it or like it. The story line is confusing but as it goes on its a little bit more understandable. I definetly wouldn't recommend watching the dubbed version. I also dont get the fact that a French woman understands and speaks Japanese. Some of the characters are nerve racking and also not needed in the story line. Overall this isnt a terrible anime but no where near the best.
lunagothejc
Even if you don't like/watch anime, I assure you Le Portrait De Petite Cossette would blow your mind. Very mature and serious, something that is hard to find on anime, but still has that wild fantasy atmosphere with demons and art that could only be found in anime (and of course that Lolita character which, again, could only be found in anime) so both anime lover and non-lover could enjoy this OVA very much (yeah it's not anime, but OVA, only 3 episodes). Other than beautiful and and wild art, Yuki Kajiura as the composer of this anime's soundtrack had done an amazing job by composinga Gothic, solemn, dark, and classic European sounded like music, but manage to add Japanese characteristic to it. I downloaded the OST. too and fell in love with it, Miss Kajiura is a genius, Houseki of course being the best.
While very much enjoyable, the storyline might be a little bit difficult to follow thus you need to watch it without blinking your eyes, especially on the last episode. And seems like Eiri and Cossette were the only characters in here while the other girls were additional, maybe so it could have more than just two characters. They don't add much to the story though.
Overall, this is a must wathc for anyone who loves something dark, Gothic, horror, psychological, yet romantic.
AniNexus_Reviews
This is not a conventional review, but a strong, spoiler-free recommendation, stamped with conviction. My reason for doing treating the "review" process this way, in the case of Le Portrait de Petit Cossette (or "Cossette no Shouzou,") is because of how this anime was referred to me for viewership... Through the internet, via a small community of dedicated fans, whose voices eventually reached me over the sounds of an overwhelmingly mediocre public reception. You may have also heard these whispers on the wind. "Cossette is a masterpiece." "Cossette is the only anime to have ever changed my life." Such musings may have been what led you to considerthis anime, and by proxy this recommendation. Whether that may be the case or not, such earnest, impassioned proclamations of greatness are very rare to hear about anime these days, in the age of indifference. When they are made, even less often should they be taken seriously.
Yet, time after time, I would continue to hear these whispers. Always, they were consistent in their tone and treatment of this anime. They guided me along my path of consideration, ever tempting me to defy my usual skepticism of anything directed by Akiyuki Shinbo. They cried out, with a genuine enthusiasm and love for anime, that more people should give this short OVA a try. Try as I might to rid myself of them, they were like a bad case of schizophrenia. I acknowledged those voices for years.
I ultimately listened to those voices, and then I became one of them. In an abstract sort of way, that very experience-- of being whispered to, and then sublimated into an increasing belief-- defines "Cossette" in under one sentence.
To speak further on the matter of my impression without going into details of the subject matter at hand: I went into this OVA preparing to be disappointed, only to have my expectations blown away within minutes. You know that an anime is truly great when it torpedoes everything below the level of Perfect Blue (to which, I think "Cossette" can be meaningfully compared.) As a matter of fact, I think there is a legitimate debate to be had about whether or not "Cossette" is superior to Perfect Blue. I feel that it definitively is, and I recognize that is an extremely bold claim to make, but I digress. Speaking as to Shinbo's own catalogue, "Cossette" obliterates everything else the man has ever made. I will make it clear, again, that Shinbo is not one of my favorite directors. I find his works to be largely overrated, and extremely pretentious. If he is not your favorite director either, I agree with you. Even so, it is my strong opinion that "Cossette" actually delivers in both style and substance, and is therefore worth your time in spite of the man behind the myth.
Having made it this far into my recommendation, I'm sure that you've also noticed by now that this anime rates very low on MyAnimeList, relative to the high praises that it only occasionally merits from hardcore otaku. As of my writing this review, "Cossette" is communally rated with a score of 6.78. That is a horrible score on this website, especially when one considers how highly the public at-large rates the usual dross. Therefore, you probably want to remark on this, and likely possess some legitimate questions as to whether I am blowing smoke up your ass or not. I am not here to decide that for you. I will, however, disclose the following:
Prior to watching this anime, I had never before been forced to consider if it was even possible that any anime media (including TV. series, OVAs, movies, etc...) could rise up to or surpass the level of Evangelion & EoE. I finally decided that the two were not immediately comparable, due primarily to a stark difference in run time. That being said, the fact that I would only raise this question one time in my entire life, despite having seen, and documented my completion of nearly 350 anime media titles, should lend itself as an additional force towards convincing you that it is worth two hours of your time.
Luquillo
While working for his uncle at an antique shop. An art student named Eiri comes across a beautiful small goblet. He begins to see an image of a young girl in the reflection of the glass. Eiri soon learns that the girl inside of the glass named Cossette was brutally murdered 250 years ago. After Eiri makes a blood pact with Cossette. The spirits whom witnessed her murder seek vengeance on the murderer's soul, and their intentions are to use Eiri as their instrument. Eiri soon vows to help Cossette even though it may end his life.- At first glance, when coming into this short OVAthe viewer will find themselves in awe with the production values. Le Portrait de Petit Cossette aka Petite Cossette is a beautiful assault on all of the senses. The moving soundtrack was done by Noir composer Yuki Kajiura, so one whom is familiar with her work already knows to expect a quality soundtrack. The BGM compliments the dark and Gothic setting, with classical pieces consisting of eerie piano keys and chords. Visually, the series is a work of art and it's leaps beyond the usual short episode OVA format. The artwork is gorgeous with Cossette's character design being influenced by the Victorian Era of 1830's Europe.
The animation is a sight to see with fluid character movements, and the cinematography is also well used when displaying images, as well as character reflections through and off glass with amazing camera angles. This is also in combination with a vibrant color palette. The style of the series reminds me of both Soul Taker and Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo. If I was the type of viewer whom prefered visuals over a story, then this would be among my favorites.
Now getting to the story, which is the soul of any form of visual entertainment in my view. The style of storytelling present in this short OVA may turn away plenty of viewers. Although the story itself is rather simple, in which it's a tale of blind love, utilizing the dark themes of obsession and revenge with a supernatural backdrop. The route taken seems almost as if the writers wanted to confuse the viewer. The story is delivered in flashbacks, visions, illusions, and dialogue, which makes it difficult to tell exactly what is going on. This really isn't a bad approach, however in the case of the less patient or action oriented. It will leave them with very little reason to care what's going on. Personally, I have nothing against this style of non linear storytelling, because it's actually a refreshing change once in awhile. I commend the screenwriter Mayori Sekijima and director Akiyuki Shimbo for taking a simple premise and turning it into a half way or so brain twister; but I've seen this done far better.
I liked the themes that the series works on, because it pretty much shows it can lead to a destructive path. However, the writing tip toes very close to the realm of horror. These darker themes are exploited through torture sequences and even murder; butI feel that these scenes along with the blood and gore are greatly exaggerated. It's nowhere near disturbing or brutal as others describe it from where I see it. To me, it kind of loses its effectiveness due to constant overuse.
I don't believe the characters were properly used. As it should be, the main characters Cossette and Eiri, are the only ones whom are focused on and actually developed; but in the case of Eiri, it's very hard to buy into him because I can't see someone falling in love with a girl he doesn't know, and is willing to give his life for her as well. There simply wasn't enough work put into this story element, and I feel it wasn't properly fleshed out. I think the character development was sloppy, and the disposable secondary cast could have used less screen time, because they were poorly developed and most served no purpose at all.
Even though personally I'm not bothered by it too much; others may be very disturbed by the Lolita thing going on between Eiri and Cossette. Eiri is obviously an adult over 18, while Cossette appears to be around 12 years old. I understand this is accepted in some parts but I'm not sure if I'll ever be completely use to that.
Petite Cossette is a series that had potential and could have been a lot better, but I don't praise things due to what it could have been. I will give credit in areas and that's about it. So the series isn't a failure from where I see it, but it's far from great. I do not for any reason recommend this to the action oriented. This is not an action themed series on any level, it's a drama using horror-ish elements. I think this will mainly appeal to those with patience, and die hard otakus who must see everything anime.
Highs: Outstanding visuals and soundtrack, cinematography
Lows: Undeveloped secondary characters, style will not appeal to many
nightwave91
Overwhelmingly Beautiful in its Dark Poetry. The criticism I'm hearing most about "Cossette no Shouzou" is that it's random. That it means nothing. That they - the unhappy viewer - needs more from their anime than random events strewn together without logic. As if the road to nowhere is not interesting in and of itself to them. It makes me wonder, why don't we expect our concept of narrative to be challenged more in the anime we consume? Why don't we put forth as much effort in confronting art, as the artist has put forth in confronting us? the story is about a youngman uncovers a delicate Venetian glass that holds a startling secret within: a haunted beauty, named Cossette, has been waiting 250 years for someone to set her spirit free. The man soon becomes obsessed and determined to help the girl trapped inside the crystal, but the necessary physical and psychological sacrifices might be too great for him to bear.
We are talking visual poetry here. For almost the entire 3 eps, every square inch of screen is minutely painted. Ordinary criticism doesn't apply, there is no comparison between this and any other anime.
So many scenes have you holding your breath in awe. The smallest movement of light is choreographed precisely, the glass, the paintings, the dolls..these are not simply images of those things, but the ungraspable nature of life, beauty, love, memory. So much more lies beneath the surface, as we are shown a reflection in a glass that momentarily purports to be reality, but need not necessarily be interpreted as such.
It's not easy to make such judgments, but this is my favorite anime. A personal choice, for sure, but what Cossette no Shouzou achieves is the height of poetry and literature. Its final moment, if it works for you (and I can imagine it wouldn't for all), is a success of the "method of indirection" sought by poetry. Its effect is cumulative and devastating.
I cannot recommend this anime highly enough. It's truly fascinating but you need to be prepared for an other-worldly excursion into the "total work of art," or Gesamtkunstwerk, of this monumental and influential anime.
re4zen
‘(Le Portrait de Petit Cossette)’ is an anime that envelops that immerses its audience in a surreal tapestry of art and emotion, interwoven with rich symbolism, profound introspection, and raw emotional intensity. delivers a dark and haunting philosophical journey, culminating in an emotionally devastating climax. TL;DR:/ A magnificent of artistic artwork expression, it combines gothic aesthetics with a narrative steeped in poetic symbolism, creating a visually and emotionally arresting experience. Not designed for all audiences, the work challenges its viewers reflections and emotionally—leaving behind lingering philosophical questions. Its fusion of artistic beauty and thematic depth ensures it resonates far beyond its final frame, making it oneof the most evocative and enduring experiences in anime industry.</i>
The OVA stands as a visual masterpiece—a seamless blend of gothic elegance, haunting darkness, and ethereal beauty, woven into an art style that transcends mere animation. Cossette no Shouzou anchors its abstract visual splendor with a compelling narrative that delves into themes of obsession, love, and redemption. It is an exploration of the human psyche cloaked in the allure of gothic romance.
experiencing this work means immerse oneself in an intricate tapestry of melancholic artistry. The interplay of light and shadow mirrors the emotional weight of the story, while the haunting musical score breathes life into each frame, wrapping the viewer in an otherworldly atmosphere. Its narrative, layered with symbolic depth, invites introspection, where meaning shifts and evolves with each viewing. This is not a series for passive consumption. It demands engagement, patience, and reflection. The abstract nature of its storytelling is both its strength and its enigma, challenging viewers to extract their own truths from its evocative imagery and emotionally charged moments. It is a deeply personal journey—one that lingers long after the final frame, haunting the mind like a distant, beautiful dream.
Cossette no Shouzou is not merely an anime; it is an artistic odyssey, a canvas of emotions that invites viewers to lose themselves in its shadows and uncover fragments of light. For those who cherish the fusion of art and narrative, this is an unforgettable experience. This quote taken from "Oshii" says, The answer is up to each viewer. For that reason alone, this film will definitely be a failure for some people, and that's completely understandable. But perhaps entertainment should come from a combination of art the movie is amazing and the music is amazing. Perhaps most importantly, Cosette's was a paragon of the visual arts.
transcends the boundaries of conventional anime, presenting a visual symphony where gothic sensibilities intertwine with themes of obsession, beauty, and despair. Every frame is meticulously crafted, evoking the richness of a baroque painting, while the narrative delves into the darker recesses of love and guilt. The parallels to Tenshi no Tamago (Angel's Egg) are undeniable, yet Cossette no Shouzou distinguishes itself with a more cohesive narrative and profound emotional undercurrents.
allure lies not merely in its aesthetic grandeur but in its ability to evoke conflicting emotions—both fascination and unease. Its abstract nature invites viewers to interpret and re-interpret its layers, leaving behind a lingering resonance that challenges the boundaries of comprehension. This is not a story to "understand" in the traditional sense but one to feel deeply.
The musical score, hauntingly exquisite, becomes an inseparable companion to the visuals, each note amplifying the weight of the emotions portrayed. Together, the sound and imagery craft an atmosphere that is as intoxicating as it is melancholic, pulling viewers into a realm that feels both otherworldly and painfully human.
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*MINOR SPOILER*
Philosophical Aspects&sbquo;
Overview:
[I]. Love and Obsession.
The series delves into the delicate boundary between true love and destructive obsession. Eiri's relationship with Cossette mirrors the human conflict between selfless sacrifice and the devastation wrought by unreciprocated or overwhelming love.
[II]. Forgiveness and Redemption.
At its core, Cossette no Shouzou revolves around themes of past sins, guilt, and the yearning for redemption. These elements form the foundation of its existential exploration.
[III]. Immortality and Death.
Rich in supernatural motifs, the anime presents a profound philosophical discourse on the interplay between death, immortality, and how humanity defines the meaning of life through suffering and loss.
[IV]. Existentialism.
The narrative questions the essence of human existence, exploring how individuals are shaped by fate and choice. Is sacrifice the ultimate expression of love, or is it a form of self-destruction? This haunting question reverberates throughout the story.
[V]. Confrontation with Suffering.
The climax illustrates Eiri's struggle to face his emotional burdens and guilt, with a monumental sacrifice as the price to free Cossette from her eternal torment.
[VI]. Loss and Hope.
The narrative crescendos with a tragic and ambiguous ending, leaving an impression that true love often coexists with unavoidable pain, offering a bittersweet resonance.
[VII]. Destruction and Beauty.
The culmination of the story is not only an emotional upheaval but also an unveiling of somber beauty within suffering, making it a deeply reflective and transformative experience for the viewer.
as Mamoru Oshii aptly stated, “The answer is up to each viewer.” This notion underscores the deeply subjective nature of the series. Some may find its abstract elements impenetrable, even alienating, while others will embrace it as a masterpiece of visual storytelling—a reflection of the human condition shrouded in shadows and light.
Experiencing ‘Cossette no Shouzou’ is like stepping into an art gallery, where each frame pulses with life, each scene resonates like a sonnet, and each moment challenges the viewer to confront their own perceptions of love, beauty, and the price of obsession. It is not merely an artwork to watch, but one to contemplate, savor, and remember.
"The rest is up to perspective the viewer to uncover—its beauty lies in the richness of its visual storytelling."
`the remainder holds a spoiler... so you can enjoy it by yourself :)
Thankya for reading.
NakiatheSilent1
This had a very interesting and deep plot, along with awesome music and artwork. The characters were certainly a collective bunch, I'll give it that. And I think everyone knew that Mataki had feelings for Eiri, which is more than likely the reason why the Cossette used her in the third episode. I really want to read the manga next, because I am told it explains things in greater detail. All in all, I loved it and would watch it again in a heartbeat.
starshinesMonet
"Who loves me so much that he would forsake his own dear life... could it be you?" Tagline! This magical girl series is sure to win the heart of any GothLoli who's ever longed for a sado-masochistic relationship! Never since Hell Girl have we seen so warped a transformation sequence as this! So, just an fyi folksies - this whole review is SPOILER FRIENDLY. And the spoilers start right now... SPOILER BELOW: Here's how to solve the riddle: once you've finished the seires, go back and watch the first 15 seconds. Mostly everything you need to know takes place there, but I'll break it down anyway. "Wholoves me so much that he would forsake his own dear life... could it be you? If someone were to drown in the sea for me, I would be released from the stone, back to life. I would return to life. But if someday I were to be reborn into a life that gives me what is most dear to me... ...then I would cry alone. I would cry alone, seeking what was my stone. [With a terrible lyricist no doubt...] Even if my blood was as ripe as fine wine, what good would I be? [plenty good to the vampires of Forks, Wa. my dear lady!] .Because I can't bring back from the depths of the sea the person who most loved me. [I LOVE YOU EDWARD CULLEN! And I you, ...werewolf guy!]"
French aristocrat Cossette falls for Marcelo, an Italian artist who stays with her family. He find her to be the epitome of Beauty and paints several portraits of her. She falls for him, of course, and the two become engaged (why her family allows her to take up with a mooching artist I don't fully understand - he wasn't a particularly good one). He loves her as well, except what he loves is her beauty and youth, not who she really is.
So, inevitably during the course of his last portrait he fall madly in love... with his work; and once it is finished he decides that he cannot abide to her growing older, so he does what any sensible mad artist would in his position [alt. version: so he does the only reasonable thing he can think of and] and slaughters her along her whole family (for good measure) so that she will remain forever young and beautiful.
Which is just fucked up enough for her to become a vengeful spirit that eventually finds our protagonist (he's Marcelo's reincarnation - SURPRISE!) and bequeath him with the Eternal damnation of pain and suffering (FUN!) through the 'memories' of the objects that witnessed the betrayal so long ago (she has very loyal cupboards). Each one witnesses said betrayal from a different perspective and so keeps a different 'memory' of what happened, who whom and forms an opinion of how badly the protagonists should suffer because of it. Protagonist is a masochist with Stockholm Syndrome, so he naturally falls deeply in love with his imaginary tormentor. Keep in mind that however dark or surreal this anime becomes it is still a Magical Girl series at heart, so keep an eye out for the twisted transition "quick change" sequence (please see Hell Girl for another example of this art form).
Later, when we get to the clock phase we see Cossette grow older, which is an interesting plot 'twist' and Eiri Kurahashi (protagonist torture unit) states that he loves Cossette and will no longer fight against the torture since it means being with her (he is related to a madman, it's just a different kind of crazy here). A while later she falls in love with him and decides that she doesn't want him to suffer the way Christ did and decides to leave the poor man be. This is where it gets even more fun!
So, I forgot to mention it but there's a "love interest" (by love interest we mean she loves and he's obviously not interested as he has fallen for Dorian Grey's prototype). She pretty much only comes in to shout his name and get angry at him. And her age seems to change as often as her name does; I spent most of the anime thinking she was his mother or older sister or something and if that wasn't confusing enough different people refer to her by different names (family + given) and the way it is executed meant I spent the whole anime thinking there was "Mataki - her" the older cranky aunt and "Shouko" a faceless fellow student (same age) who loves him. Little did I know they were the same person the whole time!! And not only that - it turns out that she is the reincarnation of Cossette (or at least she becomes her later - it isn't clear which).
Also, remember the painting that Marcelo was so madly in love with? Well, it turns out it reciprocated with the passion of 1000 fiery suns! And not only that - it's the jealous type! So we discover, far too long afterward, that Kurahashi was tricked into thinking Cossette came back for him and decided to love him for eternity. Except it was the painting the whole time, angry and jealous that Marcelo's reincarnation loved the real Cossette instead of it. But once he figures it out he beats it pretty quick - how one might ask? Well that's easy, he just says he implies that he loves the real Cossette for who she is and then paints her portrait with his own blood (still related to Marcelo, still crazy). This is apparently a "warmer" likeness and so it defeats the evil painting, thereby taking out the dreaded curse and it is implied that everyone lives ... surreally ever after.
This is an odd anime, particularly because I couldn’t tell if it took itself seriously or not. On the one hand, it seems as though the artist just finished taking a course in Surrealism and wanted to apply it somewhere without fully understanding the best method of execution. Then on the other hand we have perverse magical girl transformation sequences and (this is my favourite part of the anime) a scene toward the end of the first episode where Kurahashi actually passes a wall in an alleyway on the way home from dropping off the folio that has been tagged “Gothic and Lolita
RyanSpring
It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that some people are giving this anime a 9 or a 10. I couldn't disagree more. I didn't like this anime at all, and that's not at all because I don't like the genre. Quite the opposite, actually- creepy dead girls, dark, bloody and loads of symbolism is 100% my jam- but this anime was just bad. This anime was very, very weird. It wasn't actually creepy or scary at any point- just weird. The story was strange and has basically zero twists. If you read the back of the box the DVD comes in you know the whole story. This animeis quite graphically dated and it shows. It hasn't aged well and looks like crap compared to any remotely modern anime.
The English voice acting is mediocre and the well below average writing doesn't do it any favors.
But the worst sin of all is that this anime is simply boring. Nothing really happens. You just watch a bunch of weird nothingness for two hours and that's pretty much it.
Yuki Kajiura's soundtrack is amazing, as it always is, because she's a deity among mere mortals in the world of video game and anime music composition, but it's nowhere near enough to save what is otherwise a really bad show. It's two hours of my life I'll never get back.
+Excellent Yuki Kajiura soundtrack
-EVERYTHING else
Watch at your own risk...
OBJECTIVE RATING- 3 at best
PERSONAL ENJOYMENT RATING- 3 because soundtrack, 1-2 otherwise
Mimerio
Le Portrait de Petite Cosette explains that a picture really is worth a thousand words, this 3 part OVA, which I watched in the form of a movie was very detailled and artistically haunting to the touch. We follow a young man named Eiri (Eerie? Pun intended much?) There are a lot of gory scenes of the story, most very central yet some wer random at best. Yet the scenes of which portrayed the most misery and pain for Eiri weren't actually the scary ones. A must recommend for those interested in mystery horror type stories.
SgtSalamander
Le Portrait de Petite Cossette is an ambitious attempt at high-minded horror which falls flat on its face. It is a bland, overwrought mess, and even at 3 episodes is a genuine waste of time. Beginning with the story, there is little to say in its favor, as it's broadly bad. Though, at the very least the concept upon which it is built is interesting. There's nothing wrong with the idea of haunted antiques attached to an 18th century murder, but the real problems come with how the show chooses to execute that idea. The 'twists', if you can callthem that, can be seen from a mile away, and the main story upon which the plot relies is so barren and anemic that all the various fever dream sequences that this show subjects you to serve no other purpose than to pad for time. This lazy approach to storytelling is a major factor in what makes Le Portrait de Petite Cossette disorienting, pretentious drivel.
The other major accomplice in this regard is the art. Beginning with the good, the backgrounds are detailed and colorful, same with the wild 'fight' sequences, though it would be more apt to describe them as torture sequences. Moving on to the bad, there are a multitude of sins to cover. A great deal of shots, including the aforementioned torture sequences, are frequently and shamelessly reused. Every character, with little exception, is ugly as sin, especially the 'protagonist', if he even deserves that title. Also, they all suffer from the 'dreaded mask', where emotion is not properly displayed or animated on character faces when it absolutely should be, resulting in a jarring, mask-like emotionlessness. Disorienting animation choices are also ubiquitous, with flashing colors, static, and often nauseating shot composition coming together in the hopes of distracting the viewer from how mediocre this show is.
The sound is, oddly enough, this show's strongest point by a mile. The voice acting and sounds of life are perfectly serviceable, but it is the music that truly stands out as a lone credit in this garbage heap. It manages to range from mysterious and foreboding to sweet and saccharine and even all the way to epic and soaring choral compositions in a way that seems effortless and, while not the best score in anime, is regardless a commendable effort. Though, this is not nearly enough to save Le Portrait de Petite Cossette.
Ultimately, all the effort the music goes through to save this show is buried by the characters which feature in it. Every one of them feel like strange marionettes, strung along by necessity from one scene to the next, making decisions which make no sense and coming to conclusions nobody would ever come to. Overall, Le portrait de Petite Cossette is not worth your time, and while it's definitely not the worst anime out there, it's still pretty bad. Do not watch, even for the OST, as it would be a better use of your time to listen to it on YouTube instead of subjecting yourself to the garbage anime it is attached to.
angelsreview
Well, this is another fine show done by the perverted old man Shinbo. He is pretty much known for his little girls and for anything that had to deal with mind games. Some of the shows he has done like this include Dance in the Vampire Bund, Negima, Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei, and Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase. This is a mindgame with a young girl. If we want to talk about characters, the only ones that mean anything are Eiri Kurahashi and Cossette. There really isn’t much in the story that shows just who these people are actually and so the characters seem bland. We do get storyline from Cossette but nothing that actually shows her personality. She is just a little girl but she is nothing innocent at all. It’s like she’s a demon the way she acts around Eiri and by the second episode, I stopped feeling sorry for her because she became like the no name Elfen Lied girls. All she really did was torture porn. Even though she is rather young, has the heart of a jaded lover inside her. She is rather manipulative and a strange trickster.
Eiri isn’t much better, in fact, he’s worse. We get no info on his back story or personality, nothing about his friends that he was around in the beginning (we only see them once) and the girls that he’s around are bland and again, we hear nothing about how they are together. It’s just boring. There wasn’t something for me to grasp onto so I was sitting there laughing about how stupid he was for throwing his life away for someone he barely knew.
The storyline would have been better if it was either longer with more detail in the story, or a movie. I would choose the first since a movie like this may be a little two hard to do. It’s sad you can’t feel for any of the characters at all.
The artwork is rather pretty, the details striking. Cossette seems to feel more like a doll in some parts though, much too pretty and porcelain like with her pale skin and sweet eyes. Unfortunately, it becomes a bit to oil paint-ish in a lot of parts. When that happens, they look like still shots. The only thing that really awesome is the shots. It’s a lot of surreal angles and out of control beauty where we don’t see the stupid looking characters in the back room. Mostly, I think this was done with the idea that they wouldn’t have to animate much.
The music is hunting and playful, almost like a music box. The English voice acting sounds rather well done. Maybe a bit too well then it has any business being, although it does start to sound cheesy when they start talking in poetics. There are a lot of questions that keep being said throughout the show and sometimes I thought it was much better when I didn’t try to think too much.
NHK_FanGirl
I...was confused to be honest... I am not saying this is a horrible anime but im not saying this is an amazing one either. its bloody, scary, mind altering, weird, creepy, and basically all the awesome stuff that's great in an anime, however it has to make sense first for me to like it or else its all just mindless I was able to understand the main storyline but some parts were just too confusing. This anime is more about what you like, if you like that stuff, you'll like the anime, if you don't, then you wont like the anime its as simple as that though im warningyou it is really confusing
