From Kitty Media and Green Bunny, the cutely named producers of Dark Love contrastingly proclaim their latest hentai is "absolutely not for children!" Set in modern-day Japan (or some nondescript prefecture therein), the story is about lust and (forbidden) love in a brothel run by sex-slaving maidens.

The movie starts with young Hazuki dreaming of surrender to a many-tentacled penis-monster, before awakening to her job at the "hotel." Tetsuya – a private investigator of some kind – searches for clues to the Yakuza's influence in the whore-house's operating cult and gets laid whilst on the phone with his (other) lover. "But," says the cover, "the true purpose of this cult is a pact with evil energies that can literally turn Tetsuya into a demon."

The animation is polished but bland, though artistic effort is evident throughout. The inspired dialogue and passionate banter is the cartoon's biggest highlight, as are its sticky soundeffects. Tight presentation and entertaining trailers also help brighten this "dark love."

Retailing: Fans of hentai will enjoy it.