Even having the advantage of linear viewing, the Byzantine nature of animé plots are difficult enough to follow. Coming into the third volume (of a sequel!!!) is what we reviewers technically like to call a real goddamned challenge, especially when [translated] dialogue runs along the lines of, "I heard a suspicious man with a scar entered this underground water outlet with a lute!" That mouthful is only fitting for a cartoon whose title is longer than its running time.

Imagine a futuristic Thief of Bagdad: mysticism vs. technology with high doses of derring-do and human sex with fantasy creatures. The hero doesn't get laid too often here, but over the long haul of previous/subsequent chapters he receives his share of animated ?toontang.

Retailing: Bisexual villain has crossover appeal.