A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, Collection 1

A Little Snow Fairy Sugar must rank as one of the most girly anime series ever made, as indicated by one of the episode titles: “Twinkle-Twinkle, Comfy-Warm, Puffy-Fluffy.” The show revolves around 11-year-old Saga, an overachiever who lives with her grandmother in a picturesque German town and is described by her best friends, Norma and Anne, as “a girl with a plan of action.” Things change, however, after Saga encounters the pink-haired Sugar, an apprentice snow fairy who will force her to live a more spontaneous life. Saga gives the hungry pixie a waffle and takes her home, but no one else can see the giggly creature—or the rain, wind, and sun fairies that now become part of Saga's upended life. Friends and relations think she's going crazy when she turns up late for class, talks to herself, and displays other forms of unusual behavior—all of which pleases her spoiled rival, Greta. Meanwhile, Sugar enlists her human friend's help in searching for something called a “twinkle,” which she needs before she can become a full-fledged season fairy. Over the course of their experiences together, the two forge a sister-like friendship. Compiling 13 episodes from the 2001–02 first season in a dual-language two-disc set, DVD extras include a Japanese promo, a featurette about the town that served as the model for the show's location, and a music video for “Snow Flower.” A strong optional purchase. [Note: A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, Collection 2 is also newly available.] Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)