Battle of the Planets: The Ultimate DVD Box Set

After releasing six individual discs of this late 1970s kids' show, Rhino continues the series with this four-disc box, which presents 12 more episodes. Originally created in Japan as Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, the show's story of a team of young, super-powered costumed heroes fighting alien menaces begat a whole genre of similar series, such as Power Rangers and Sailor Moon. For the American version, potentially objectionable elements were edited out (including most of the violence), and robot 7-Zark-7 was added in to narrate the rewritten plots. Generally silly and occasionally nonsensical, the U.S. version is still spirited and has many nostalgic fans. But the real treasure of this set is the inclusion of the corresponding episodes of the superior and more serious original Gatchaman (unedited, with English subtitles--including some profanity). Boasting superb picture quality on the Gatchaman shows (much better than the Americanized versions), the set also features interviews with several of the American voice actors, including noted disc jockey Casey Kasem. Libraries collecting the series will want to add this (make sure to get the $59.95 set, not the $69.95 set with the action figure); those that aren't should consider starting with Vol. 1. Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)