Wizard Barristers: Complete Collection

This uneven 2014 Nippon TV fantasy series (an original concept, not derived from pre-existing comics) earns points for taking place in a world where magic exists, without (mercifully) being yet another Hogwarts-style high school or academy. Rather, the conceit is that law firms and a "Magic Court" exist in Japan to address sorcery-connected crime and terrorism, often serving to defend accused wizards who are feared by the public. Japanese-Canadian heroine Cecil is a "wizard barrister" prodigy, whose own mother was unjustly punished for illegal use of magic. Hired on at Butterfly Law Offices while still a teen, Cecil pursues a dangerous caseload. Secretly, she is a Potteresque Chosen One-type of immense significance, eagerly awaited by vengeful necromancers hoping to use her for Luciferian scheming. Some clever episodes can stand up next to Rumpole of the Bailey and other crime-solving lawyer/cop dramas, while others backslide into standard anime clichés of clashing giant robots (magic-powered, of course), savage violence, talking animals, and peek-a-boo fan-service costumes. Presenting all 12 episodes from 2014 in separate dual-language DVD and Blu-ray editions, rated TV-14, this is an entertaining series, overall. Recommended. (C. Cassady)