Kaleido Star: New Wings, Season 2—Stage 1

Kaleido Stage is a combination circus, theater show, and live performance act all wrapped up in one, and the competition is fierce to reach the top spots and be a Kaleido Star (think Cirque du Soleil as an anime). Sora Naegino, despite occasional clumsy pratfalls and an icy rival in Layla Hamilton, has worked her way up the ranks through a combination of irrepressible talent and sheer determination. At the beginning of this second season (the first five episodes are compiled on this dual-language disc, rated TV-PG), Sora and Layla have not only reconciled but also brought Kaleido Stage to new heights. But after an inside betrayal, Sora is paired with a snotty new partner and must compete against the new scheming hotshot May Wong. All in all, this show is kinetic fun, and firmly in the tradition of sports stories in which a good attitude and hard work win out in the end. Recommended. [Note: Kaleido Star: New Wings, Stage 2 is slated for release on Mar. 14.] Aud: P. (R. Brenner)