Hyperdimension Neptunia

A popular video-game franchise inspired this fitfully engaging comedy-action series featuring a meta-gamer premise that sounds more interesting than it plays out (at least in cartoon mode). In the world/dimension of Gamindustri, four reigning goddesses—literal personifications of video game console CPUs—rule over countries that are pun-like patterned after PlayStation, Xbox, etc. (heroine Neptune here references an aborted Sega game system). The quartet sign a peace accord, but they still engage in mortal combat against monsters and secret foes (one being the long-lost goddess of Atari). Much of this is standard anime girl-on-girl magic battles, puzzling mythology, and teamwork/friendship stuff. In their normal form, Neptune and the goddesses are drawn in super-cute "moe" style, but for fighting, royal appearances, and T&A swimsuit plots they morph into leggy, hugely-endowed Amazons. Presenting all 12 episodes from 2013 in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated TV-14, extras include a bonus OVA. Optional, at best. (C. Cassady)