S-CRY-ed: The Alter Hunt

Twenty-two years prior, an earthquake decimated the Kanagawa district of Japan, producing mutated humans gifted with unique powers to "alter" the laws of physics. Now, in The Alter Hunt, the second volume of S-CRY-ed, the bureaucrats have turned on the heat for Commander Zigmarl and HOLY (the special tactical force composed of "alter users"), urging them to subdue the lawless alters of Lost Ground. From director Goro Taniguchi, this homage to the X-Men continues as the forces of HOLY declare war. Native alter user and reckless ronin Kazuma has become the prime target of HOLY's Ryuho, the stoic wounded warrior. As increasingly bizarre alter powers are mounted against him, Kazuma braves the Alter Forest and encounters a phenomenally strong alter power that may change everything. With flashbacks and foreshadows, suburb battle scenes, richly complex characters, and truly imaginative alter powers, S-CRY-ed has something to offer every anime or science fiction fan. DVD extras include a "sound comic" that uses pan and scan and spoken dialogue to enhance the static manga image. Rated 13-up, and presented in both English and Japanese, this is recommended. [Note: the next episode, S-CRY-ed: The Other Side is also newly available at the same price.] Aud: P. (J. Halsall)