Shakugan no Shana: Season I

The concept underlying this lengthy 2005 manga-derived series has high-schooler Yuji being the only person able to perceive a paranormal attack on his city that is perpetrated by supernatural predators from the Crimson World. Although mystic martial-arts sword-girl Shana seemingly rescues Yuji, she coldly informs him that he's already dead: his corporal entity—like a solid hologram—is just a temporary replacement; Yuji will gradually fade, just like other secret human casualties of the Crimson World's life-sucking denizens. Things turn out to be more complicated, however, as Yuji helps Shana, who must both fight and protect the intruders (not all of them are evil). Part of the narrative becomes familiar anime melodrama, with alien battlers masquerading as school kids (complete with love triangles and a token swimsuit episode), while other episodes build a pantheon of godlike people-eaters, ill-defined superpowers, apprentice avengers and lackeys, and duty-bound beings neither alive nor dead. The mythology behind the series is often downright baffling; nevertheless, the character evolution and conflicts (driven by the fundamental question of what it means to be human) remain involving. Compiling all 24 episodes from the first season in a dual-language set, rated TV-14, extras include bonus explanatory shorts. A strong optional purchase. [Note: Shakugan no Shana: Season II, Part 1 is also newly available, with Season II, Part 2 slated for release on Dec. 11, and Shakugan no Shana: OVA bowing Dec. 4.] (C. Cassady)