The OVA was directed by Takao Kase, a veteran animator known for his work on Berserk (1997) and Ninja Scroll. While the budget was modest, Kase used shadow and lighting masterfully. The OVA Imaria character designs, particularly the "broken doll" aesthetic of Imaria herself (bandages, pale skin, heterochromia), became iconic in the early 2000s gothic art community.
Upon release, Imaria: The Animation achieved "viral" status within niche communities (such as dedicated subreddits and image boards). OVA Imaria
For viewers interested in the technical aspects, Imaria stands out for several reasons: The OVA was directed by Takao Kase ,
As of 2026, OVA Imaria remains unlicensed in the West. No official subtitled or dubbed version exists due to the bankruptcy of the original licensor. However, the rights were recently picked up by a Japanese archive company, Media Blasters Japan (no relation to the US company). Upon release, Imaria: The Animation achieved "viral" status
Currently, the only legal way to view it is to purchase the expensive Japanese import DVD (Region 2) from auction sites like Yahoo Japan or Mandarake. English fans rely on fan-subtitled versions circulating on archive.org. Note that the "HD Remaster" rumored in 2022 was a hoax; no high-quality version exists beyond standard definition.