The Big O: Complete Collection, Seasons 1 & 2

This classic mecha anime told in film noir style is set in Paradigm City, a coastal metropolis otherwise surrounded by wasteland and ruled by an all-powerful corporation headed by CEO Alex Rosewater. All of the residents somehow had their memories wiped clean 40 years previously, when the outside world was reputedly destroyed by an unknown force. In the city's highly stratified society, an integral role is played by the Negotiators, the most capable being protagonist Roger Smith. In addition to his butler Norman, Smith is joined on his missions by an android named Dorothy, and by the Big O, a massive robot that Smith pilots in battle against others of its kind. The 1999 debut season ended with many questions unanswered, but the second season did not arrive until 2003, centering on an ongoing struggle between Smith and Rosewater that culminates in revelations about what actually happened four decades earlier. The combination of hard-boiled action, mecha convention, and existential ambiguity makes The Big O a fascinating oddity with a well-deserved critical reputation. Presenting all 26 episodes in a dual-language Blu-ray edition, rated TV-14, extras include a cast and crew interview. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)