"Say, my good fellow. Would would happen to know where I can purchase some naked females in chains?" "Why the Slave Market of course! It's right up the hill in that stone castle." Yes! Welcome to the Slave Market where you'll find broken down girls who've lost all hope in their eyes. If you've got cash, you can be the hero to save them from misery... or use them as your personal sex slaves. At first glance I wasn't too sure about this title. I saw then the screens and the art was okay. Girls with chains in dungeons... why not? Boy was I in for apleasant surprise.

For a hentai Slave Market's art is one if its weak points and takes some some getting use to. It seems somewhat dated with over enlarged eyes and pointy chins. However, you begin to overlook it as you get drawn into the characters and the story. Don't worry, there are a number of good lengthy passionate sex scenes.

Casius, the handsome protagonist of story, begins as "captain save a ho" righteous young man who's on a mission. But as events unfold we begin to see some issues develop with in him. Like a trauma switch he is triggered into a lustful rage and hurts the one he loves. He's the tragic hero whom the heroines always seem to forgive despite committing despicable acts.

Through out the series there are 3 different girls, focusing on one in each episode. Character is really important, I feel, in hentai. And the main reason why I rated Slave Market so high is because of how well thought out the female characters are. They exemplify 3 different archetypes rather nicely: the little sister, the tsundere ojousama, and the yandere (quiet type). You really get a feel of their personalities and develop a connection to each character themselves. And because of that, in each episode your emotions with get pulled in opposite extremes as the events unfold. There are "aww" moments as well as "OMG WTF!" And yes, there is rape, bondage, and torture (extreme at times), but there is always a sense of closure after wards. It won't leave you with a bad after taste, though I must say, the series as a whole is rather sad.

The sound FX and music score is surprising good as well. The Voice actresses were well picked and the ED song was very soothing. One word of advice. Don't stop right after the credits roll. Listen as you reflect upon the story because there might be a "treasure after the rainbow" shall I say.

Overall I really enjoyed Slave Market. It turned out to be much more that the title and screen previews suggest. Character + story in a hentai = awesome! I think it's one of the more underrated hentai series out there. I hope all of you will enjoy it as much as I did.