The Skull Man: Complete Collection

In this 2007 anime series, the titular Skull Man is a masked creature responsible for a killing spree that leads aspiring reporter Hayato to team up with pretty young photographer Kiriko in an attempt to reveal his identity. The pair's investigation leads them to a mysterious religious group called the White Bell Society, after which the series branches off into well-worn anime story lines, including shady organizations seeking world domination, monsters that can morph into various shapes and identities, and law enforcement officers struggling to maintain social order. In an interesting twist, Skull Man himself never truly dominates; in fact, he turns out to be among the least interesting characters once the plot is fully established, while the chemistry between Hayato and Kiriko—whose partnership evolves in subtle progressions—is much more intriguing. If the series had opted for a straightforward film noir–style approach, Skull Man might have been an entertaining diversion; instead, the gruesome violence here winds up detracting from the mystery. Compiling all 13 episodes in Japanese with English subtitles in a double-disc set, rated TV-14, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (P. Hall)