Blade Dance of the Elementalers: Complete Collection

A ho-hum action-comedy with the familiar “harem” plot dynamic, this fantasy anime (derived from a series of novels and manga adaptations) takes place in a magical realm where—after the fall of a “Demon King”—much power is up for grabs. Areisha Spirit Academy is a boarding school for sorcery, where nubile female warriors train to bond with weapons (and their associated “spirits”) in preparation for whatever looms next. When headstrong male student Kamito Kazehaya, aka Ren Ashbell, enrolls at the behest of the buxom headmistress, he scandalizes the puritanical girls by uniting with the spirit of a legendary sword—and thus taking his place amidst them (it doesn't help that the “sword spirit” materializes as a naked nymph in Kamito's bed). What passes for gravitas involves the hero's mystery background and past trauma. Almost as often, Kamito is the subject of jealousy and misunderstandings among the young ladies in the run-up to the all-important “Blade Dance” school dueling games. The fan-service sensuality (does Kamito have a spell to increase breast size?) comes across as more childish here than leering. Compiling all 12 episodes from 2014 in separate DVD and Blu-ray editions, rated TV-14, and presented in Japanese with English subtitles, extras include mini-OVAs. Optional. (C. Cassady)