Witch Hunter Robin: Arrival

The witches in Witch Hunter Robin do not wield magic per se; rather, they use their dangerous psychic abilities to commit crimes. Fifteen-year-old Robin Sena, raised in an Italian convent, also has a psychic ability--to create fire--and, fortunately, she's on the side of the angels. The members of STN, the organization she works for, normally will kill witches upon capture, but the Japanese branch to which she has just been assigned is keeping secrets from the main office: subduing witches using a gel-like substance called the Orbo, and sending them to an as-yet-unexplained fate at a place called the Factory. A deliberately paced, slow-building series, mirroring the black-clad Robin herself in tone (gothic, often quiet, sometimes moody), the five episodes on this first of six discs in the series introduce Robin and her teammates, including dour team leader Amon, while offering hints of intrigue to come. Boasting excellent animation, and both English and Japanese versions, this is accurately rated 13-up. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)