Crest of the Stars - To the Stars (Vol. 1)
This 13-part TV series is based on a novel by the prominent Japanese science fiction writer Hiroyuki Morioka. Jinto Lin, the son of the president of the planet Martine, becomes a prince when his father cedes the planet to an alien interstellar empire. The Abh claim to be descended from humans but have given themselves a genetic upgrade: with their 200-year life spans, blue hair, and elfin features, they've become "Children of the Stars." A passive and uncertain hero, Jinto recalls Kazuki inDual Parallel Trouble Adventure. As he begins training for his role in the empire, he meets pilot trainee Lafiel, who turns out to be the granddaughter of Abh empress Ramaj: their relationship is the focus of the series.Crest of the Starslooks and sounds good, with lavish backgrounds and a lush score, but the storytelling is often spotty. In episode 4, Captain Lexshue of the battleshipGosrothcomplains about the anti-Abh calumnies issued by United Mankind: "we're supposed to be natural invaders"--when the viewer saw them invade Jinto's home planet in episode 1. To add texture, the filmmakers show lots of signs written in the rune-like Abh alphabet, but they get a bit carried away with the jargon. When a crewmember announces that enemy ships are within "1,540 gedrels" of theGosroth, it's not clear if that's disturbingly near or very far away. Rated 13 and up but suitable for viewers a few years younger: very brief, very minor nudity and discussions of genetics.--Charles Solomon