Jinki: Extend, 01

After her grandmother dies, 13-year-old mecha-loving Japanese girl Aoba is kidnapped and brought to a mysterious base in Venezuela to be with an estranged mother who wants Aoba's inheritance. Once there, she's recruited for Angel, a fighting organization piloting giant robots against the ancient Jinki (mechanical life forms) that have been attacking humans all over the country. Aoba is an enjoyable, expressive character—when she cries, she cries hard; when she's happy, the whole world knows it—and she's joined in the first five episodes of this opening volume by Ryohei, a passionate, brash mecha pilot who will become a big brother figure to Aoba. The artwork blends CGI effects with traditional animation in the action sequences quite well, while the mecha designs will appeal to most anime fans. The story, bouncing between Tokyo and Venezuela may confuse viewers initially, especially those unfamiliar with Shiro Tsunashima's original manga, but after a slow start, the action picks up with the third episode. Presented on a dual language disc, rated TV-PG for violence, extras include helpful background information on Jinki, and voice actor interviews. Although it clearly draws on both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Patlabor, this reasonably enjoyable mecha anime is a strong optional purchase. [Note: Jinki: Extend, 02 is slated for release on Nov. 7.] Aud: P. (K. Fletcher-Spear)