

Vol. 1: Of Inhuman Bondage
Copyright © Akahori Satoru * Omishi Rei * Media Works/Bakuretsu Project * TV Tokyo * Sotsu Agency



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by Charles McCarter
As the opening song begins, "What's up?" Well, AD Vision
announced a lot of titles last summer, and now some of them are starting to make
their way onto store shelves. One of the first is the television series
BAKURETSU HUNTER, based on the manga of the same name by
Akahori Satoru and Omishi Rei. Retitled SORCERER HUNTERS
for its American release, this show tells the story of a group of five people
known as the Sorcerer Hunters and their quest to stop the evil sorcerers of the
land.
This group of heroes consists of Chocolate Misu and her younger sister Tira
Misu, the brothers Carrot and Marron Glace, and the requisite strong guy
Gateau Mocha. (Yes, they are all food names). These five have been chosen
by Big Momma to destroy all the evil sorcerers in the land. And also for a
much more complicated and dangerous mission of which they are not yet aware.
Each of the characters has some fantastic ability that makes them unique to
the team. Gateau is the strong one. Marron uses wards for his magic. Carrot
can't use any sort of magic himself, but he absorbs magical energy that is
directed at him (think the X-MEN's Bishop). But when he
does, he transforms
into something a bit harder to control than the lust-crazed guy he normally
is. And Tira and Chocolate? Well, they sort of transform into "avenging
angels," complete with a whip and a wire as weapons. Aside from besting
enemies, it also comes in handy for keeping Carrot in line.
This series is a mix of action and comedy, with most of the comedy coming
from the romantic triangle of Carrot, Tira, and Chocolate. Just as Carrot's
lecherous behavior is reminiscent of Ataru, Chocolate sometimes really acts
like Lumto the point of hanging on Carrot all the time and calling him
"DAR-ling."
In the first episode, girls from the local town are disappearing, and when
the Sorcerer Hunters find out that it's due to a wizard using forbidden
magic to create a monster called a Gamur, they spring into action. In the
second episode, however, this time the men are the victims of a girl who is
looking to create the "perfect man" by combining the life essences of
several less than perfect men with admirable qualities.
Much of the humor is predicated on sexual innuendo and other more "adult"
themes. Combine this with the S&M overtones of the girls' costumes and
weapons, and you have a show that isn't exactly suitable for all ages. But
then again, it's not hentai, either. SORCERER HUNTERS
walks the fine line
between fan service and titillation and just plain bad taste, but somehow,
it never really crosses over. Some may find this particular brand of humor
less than amusing, but at least give it a shot. Sometimes the
outrageousness of the situations will leave you laughing before you are
aware you are.
The animation is done by Xebec, the same people who worked on
NADESICO and
several other popular television shows, so the quality is a little better
than the average television series. Character designs are done by Gotoh
Keiji, also of NADESICO fame. The BGM
is really nothing spectacular, but the
opening and ending songs are a lot of fun.
THE SORCERER HUNTERS is a rare title these
daysa mix of humor,
fantasy, and a little risque humor. Those who find themselves liking any of
these three genres should give this show a try. Otherwise, you may find
yourself receiving the special attention of Tira and
Chocolate. 
Released in North America by ADV Films
Subtitled: VHSSH/001S
$29.95
English dubbed: VHSSH/001D
90 minutes
$24.95
Available Now
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