DNA2: Epiphany

At the start of this fifth and last DNA2 volume, visitor from the future Karin believes that she has finally succeeded in her mission to keep the teenage Junta Momonari from becoming the Mega-Playboy, a super-seducer whose incredible virility would lead to massive overpopulation in the future. But when the evil Mori arrives from the future, along with the Mega-Playboy's great-granddaughter Lulara, his plans to control the Mega-Playboy and all of his descendants put Karin, Junta, and Junta's girlfriend Ami in danger. Like the popular Tenchi Muyo, this series features a nondescript teenage boy surrounded by adoring girls, in a story mixing romance, comedy, action, and science fiction--but here, the whole is less than the sum of the parts. More intelligent scripting would have helped: the fact that Lulara would most likely never exist if Junta doesn't become the Mega-Playboy, for instance, is ignored completely. Originally released in Japan in 1994, the series' animation is solid but not exceptional, while the English dub is variable in quality (the original Japanese version is also available on the disc). Avid anime fans will be entertained by this final installment, which is accurately rated 13-up, but for most this is an optional purchase. [Note: Central Park Media has also just released the DNA2: DVD Collection, featuring all five volumes for $119.99.] (S. Raiteri)