Saikano - Girlfriend (Vol. 1)
Based on a popularmangaby Shin Takahashi,Saikanorepresents an unusual mixture of the girls' romance and boys' adventure genres. Taciturn Shuji and shy, clumsy Chise have just become sweethearts when Japan is attacked. Shuji is stunned to learn that Chise has been used by the Japanese government in an experimental weapons program--apparently without her consent or knowledge. During attacks, she transforms into "the ultimate weapon," a wingedmecha-like creature of enormous power. Chise wants to be an ordinary high school girl in love, which is obviously impossible under the circumstances. The storytelling is deliberately vague: the viewer never learns what countries are involved in the war or who began it. But Takahashi's story of naive young lovers unwillingly drawn into a deadly conflict resonated with the Japanese public, and may find an equally enthusiastic audience in America. (Unrated: suitable for ages 16 and older: violence, implied sexual situations)--Charles Solomon