Level E: The Complete Series

Offering the usual mix of intrusive aliens and teenaged defenders—albeit with some snarky original twists—this anime series centers on high school baseball player Yukitaka Tsutsui, who has a sports scholarship and his own apartment. One day, a blond guy calling himself Prince Baka barges into Yukitaka's life and moves in. Insisting he's from outer space, Prince Baka displays a sense of humor that could charitably be described as borderline sadistic. Much of the series involves the outlandish pranks Baka hatches on unsuspecting Earthlings, including an elaborate scenario (stretching over several episodes) that includes kidnapping five high school kids, turning them into blatant knockoffs of the Power Rangers, and locking them in a wild role-playing game. To Level E's credit, Prince Baka is hardly a run-of-the-mill anime creature, and his funny/nasty comedic sense gives the series a satisfying Punk'd vibe. However, the Power Rangers spoof goes on too long without reaching a satisfactory conclusion, and Yukitaka (a genuinely appealing character with his own subplot involving a charming neighbor) is absent for long periods. Still, Level E deserves kudos for trying to do something offbeat that succeeds in many ways. Compiling all 13 episodes from 2011 on a dual-language set, rated TV-14, extras include episode commentaries, and an interview with the English voice actor for Baka. Recommended. (P. Hall)