Alien Nine

With its team of three sixth-grade girls on rollerblades defending their school from aliens, Alien Nine might bear a superficial resemblance to a typical cute "magical girl" anime, such as Cardcaptor Sakura. But this four-episode run, complete on this disc, turns out to be far stranger…and creepier. While two members of the team accept their job and do it well, the third, Yuri, hates being in the Alien Party (as it's called). Scared of the aliens, Yuri often breaks down in terror during chases, yet despite her obvious unfitness for the task, no one will let her quit. Eventually, it is revealed that the girls are being manipulated or tested by their teachers, for reasons unclear, and the narrative is left unfinished. Confused viewers will need to read the original manga for the story's continuation (all three graphic novels are included with the DVD in Central Park Media's Alien Nine Ultimate Collection, priced at $59.99). The animation is first-rate on this dual-language disc that boasts a handful of solid extras, including behind-the-scenes footage on making the English dub, a producer interview, art galleries, promo spots, and trailers. Although rated 13-up, the brief nudity, gory violence, and fact that Yuri's terror can be painful to watch, makes this more suitable for 15 and older. Recommended, if you already own the manga, or plan on purchasing the Alien Nine Ultimate Collection set. Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)