The world of Constantinople (not Istanbul) in the 17th century provides an exotic backdrop to Anime 18's latest adult extreme series release SLAVE MARKET. Be forewarned - this DVD goes beyond the normal range of adult entertainment into some pretty hardcore corners, so if that's not your cup of tea, I'll paraphrase the disc itself. Turn back! Stop reading! I'm not kidding!

Part 1 - Bianca. In the dungeons of the slave market, girls are kept in filthy conditions and tested by potential clients like they were melons - squeezed and poked for freshness. Yep, business as usual in Constantinople. Innocent Venetian Casius arrives in the legendary city to assist the local European ambassador - the threat of war looms heavy over the region. At the docks, Casius is met by an old friend Falco, who promises to introduce his pal to all the city has to offer. First stop - the slave market! There, a silver haired vixen named Bianca intrigues a startled Casius. When the girl, who keeps calling Casius her brother, is beat for resisting, Casius buys her. Falco compliments his good taste, but Casius insists he paid Bianca's price to free her, not for a 'sex toy'. Casius settles in to his home as Falco warns him to watch out in these troubled times. Back at the market, a shrouded freak bursts in demanding Bianca, and is enraged when 'it' discovers the girl has been sold. Meanwhile, Bianca has been delivered to Casius, and the poor boy can't resist having nasty thoughts about his new acquisition, although he refuses to act upon them. The freak attacks that night, and only a timely arrival by Falco saves Casius and Bianca. Falco tells Casius of the legend about twins who can suck the life out of others - could the freak be Bianca's long-lost twin? To 'protect her', Casius gives into his base desires and breaks his virgin in, for her own good, of course. In a hidden dungeon room in the basement, Casius continues his sex assault throughout the days and nights. But will his actions accelerate the freaks obsession with Bianca, or keep the girl from all harm?

Part 2 - Cecilia. In the old country, young Cecilia is off to marry the prince. But that's just a farce - she's savagely humiliated and raped by the repulsive prince as his plaything, much to his courtiers' delight. In Constantinople, Casius returns to the slave market. His boss Barbarico actually approves of his actions, feeling Casius' actions will defer suspicion about the boy's true mission in the city. Falco isn't too keen on Cecilia because of her feistiness, but Casius buys her anyway. At his home, Casius tries to insist Cecilia is his guest, not his slave, but the girl isn't buying what he's selling. Dropping to her knees, Cecilia services her new master, and Casius responds as any man would. Casius and Cecilia continue late into the night. For the first time Cecilia feels that a man is treating her with love, not lust and falls for Casius. Trusting him, Cecilia tells of her misadventures. Seems the toad of a prince got her pregnant, and she was sold off to avoid scandal. Cecilia hasn't seen her daughter in years. Casius insists he'll protect her now. The next day, two mercenaries show up at Casius' door, wanting to speak with Cecilia. Turns out the prince has died, and Cecilia's daughter is the only direct heir! The mercs want to take Cecilia back to be with her daughter (whom they've already rescued.). But Casius is too obsessed with Cecilia now and refuses to let her go! He sends the mercenaries away empty handed and proceeds to violate Cecilia in every way possible...to protect her, of course. But things take a tragic turn, and Casius finds that his actions have savage repercussions...

Part 3 - Miya. Under the shadow of impending war, Falco and Casius share some opium. Falco insists his friend live for today, for the specter of war seems inevitable. So Casius buys yet another slave - an African mute named Miya, whose vocal chords have been cut. Refusing to fall in love again, Casius torments the poor Miya from the get-go, in an obscene variety of ways in his dungeon. In the cafe the following day, two strangers offer to buy Miya from Casius - he refuses. The duo threatens him and disappears. Falco informs Casius they might be the legendary Sage Assassins - and he'd better watch out! In the dungeon, Casius continues his abuse of Miya, but her pleading eyes cause him to stop. He cleans up his charge, and breaks down in regret for his actions and begs forgiveness from the girl. After a day about the city, Casius asks Miya to come with him when he leaves Constantinople and be his bride! She agrees and they consummate their love under an oak tree. Later that night, Casius finds out war has begun! But before he can get Miya and leave the city, the Sages return! What is their agenda with Miya? And will Casius ever find true love with one of his slave girls?

O.K....how do I review a film where women are treated like, well, slaves? I suppose if rape, chains, flaming insertions, urination, and yes, even scat, are your thing, then SLAVE MARKET is the movie for you. The producers make a big point of putting their work in a 'historical' perspective; this is what life was like in Turkey at the time of the story. They frame the plot around actual events leading to the 30 Years War. The characters do an awful lot of exposition to capture the viewer's sympathy to their situation. But the long and short of it is, SLAVE MARKET is an excuse to belittle, humiliate and degrade women. Casius is presented as a noble young man, but by giving into his obsessions, becomes just another vulgar rapist. His ideals may be noble, but his actions are unjustifiable. All the women (except the obviously lesbian mercenary) are nothing but cowered sheep. And worse, the only repercussion suffered by Casius for his actions are the mutilations or death of his 'lovers!' Well, if you can stick through the Japanese credits, there's a little bit where you see Casius get his final reward, but the scales are still defiantly against the girls. Animation-wise, the work is very nice with strong lines and vivid color. There's a complex 'invisible sex' scene that is rather interesting given the context. The audio is clean and clear - you can hear all the screams and grunting just fine thank you.

SLAVE MARKET comes with only a few extras on the disc. There are a number of previews, a SLAVE MARKET trailer, storyboards, and a featurette on the adult anime art form.

Despite its attempts to justify its actions, SLAVE MARKET is nothing more than an excuse to humiliate and degrade women. Unlike other 'anime porn' I've reviewed, there is no underlying fantasy that makes the actions excusable - the women certainly aren't willing participants. SLAVE MARKET is a film only a closet sadist could enjoy - the rest of us should stick to the sex comedies.