Coppelion: The Complete Series

A gripping post-apocalyptic premise unfortunately too often backslides into typical super-schoolgirl-vs.-super-schoolgirl stuff in this anime series that also features the most gratuitous (but also cool-looking) CGI giant robot spider since the one in the Will Smith vehicle Wild Wild West. Coppelion is set in a future time when a vague toxic disaster in Japan's unnamed capitol taints the Earth. Most of the heart of Japan is evacuated, leaving diehard residents and vengeful survivalists who are forced to wear life-sustaining astronaut-like hazmat suits (although nature seems to have adapted to the poison). The Coppelion are a class of cloned teens who have been GMO'ed to survive unscathed in the altered environment while on rescue missions. The kids, who also have different X-Men-like superpowers, don't necessarily consider themselves part of humanity. Intrigue and melodramatics over the course of the 13-episode 2013 series center on two rebelling psycho Coppelion sisters, a sinister ongoing toxic-waste dumping operation, and an attempted mass escape via railway. Presented in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated TV-14, the series features brief, stylized topless scenes and mild swearing. A strong optional purchase. (C. Cassady)