Buddy Complex: The Complete Series

A time-travel gimmick distinguishes this intricately detailed combat/sci-fi saga. Aoba Watase is a typical high-schooler circa 2014, who is faced with a huge “mecha” robot that appears out of nowhere, trying to kill him. Aoba is saved by the surprise intervention of classmate Hina, who is suddenly piloting a mecha herself. Thrust by Hina into a “singularity” time warp, Aoba finds himself in the year 2088, during a World War between the Confederation (Japan and Asia-Pacific nations) and Zogilia (obviously Russia), with the standard weapon being the “Valiancer”—which consists of giant powered armor (piloted by teenagers, naturally). Although initially regarded with suspicion by the Confederation, Aoba soon proves himself an ace Valiancer operator. But then he re-encounters Hina—a fierce Valiancer pilot for Zogilia, with no memory of their previous life together. Their time-tangled relationship plays out during a broad-canvas saga of battlefield camaraderie, betrayal, intrigue, service-drama hijinks, and doomsday weapons. Compiling all 13 episodes from 2014 in a Japansese-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated TV-14, extras include two bonus OVAs, and promo videos. Recommended. (C. Cassady)