Origin: Spirits of the Past

Seven years in the making, Keiichi Sugiyama's ambitious anime feature is set in a post-apocalyptic world some 300 years in the future, where humans and nature are at war. Inquisitive young Agito discovers a girl cryogenically frozen in an underground cave. With a single touch, Agito brings Toola back to life, and the pair head for the decrepit ruins of Neutral City, a Switzerland-like zone between the Druid-guarded Forest and the military-state of Ragna. Toola hails from the past, and when word of her awakening spreads, the three political entities battle for control of her Earth-changing powers (Toola's scientist father was involved in a genetically-altered plant experiment in the distant past that led to the current nature run amok scenario in which the plants of the Forest wield tremendous power). Agito must save Toola from falling into the hands of those who would misuse her abilities. Some may find the pro-conservation message a little heavy-handed, but most will enjoy the sci-fi/action mix here. On the technical side, the CGI and hand-drawn backgrounds are all richly detailed (sometimes painterly, sometimes photorealistic), although the volume levels are sometimes uneven on this dual-language double-disc set, rated TV-PG. DVD extras include the behind-the-scenes documentary “The Making of Agito.” A single-disc edition, priced at $29.98, is also available. Recommended, overall. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)[Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—July 25, 2017—Funimation, 90 min., TV-PG, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $19.98—Making its latest appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 2008's Origin: Spirits of the Past features a fine transfer and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include a “making-of” featurette (52 min.) and a “Screening Event Special Preview” (4 min.). Bottom line: for those who don't own the earlier Blu-ray release, this is well worth adding to an anime collection.]