Urotsukidoji Iii: Return Of the Overfiend--Episode 1

"Warning: Absolutely Not For Children" states the front of the Urotsukidoji video jacket, and five minutes into the most controversial animated series currently in production it's easy to see why. The third installment of the series, Urotsukidoji III is a four-part saga that is completely confusing if you haven't seen the first two films. III is set in a futuristic Tokyo where a mutant named Caesar is challenged by a Demon-Beast named Bujo, while a guy named Akano is greeted with the premature birth of the Overfiend who warns him about an evil being. Got that? It's not important, since the plotting seems to be secondary, and is regularly interrupted for graphic depictions of sexual intercourse, oral sex, and rape. Actual penetration is only partially depicted, since a fuzzy animated reddish circle somewhat obscures the area (this strange modesty in a sea of violent sexual imagery is, in itself, pretty weird). This is truly adult fare for a rather small audience of adults--and the slavish formula (sex every 10 minutes or so) doesn't leave a whole lot of room for really creative scripting. Not recommended. (R. Pitman)