Shaman King: A Boy Who Dances With Ghosts
Based on Takei Hiroyuki's long-running manga, the animatedShaman King(2001) rapidly won a worldwide following. In America, trimmed episodes ran on Fox Kids; the disc offers uncut versions. Pint-sized Morty Manto is shocked to discover his new cram school classmate Yoh Asakura consorts with ghosts--and Yoh's assurance that only "good guys" can see ghosts provides scant comfort. Yoh is a shaman-in-training, and he needs to find a Guardian Ghost with whom he can merge to fight enemies. With Morty's reluctant aid, Yoh clears up a 600-year-old misunderstanding and makes legendary samurai Amidaru his Guardian. Everything seems to be looking up, including Morty's blood pressure, when Yoh and Morty encounter the sneering Tao Len, who intends to become the only shaman in Tokyo. Although some of the vocal performances feel overly arch,Shaman Kingcombines an appealing buddy comedy with supernatural adventures. (Rated TV PG: Violence)--Charles Solomon