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The creator of Star Blazers and Galaxy Express, Leiji Matsumoto ranks among the seminal figures in the history of anime. This six-part OAV (original animation video) reunites several of his most popular characters in an early adventure that depicts Captain Harlock's meeting with young Tadashi Daiba. Although it's billed as "an updated retelling of Der Ring des Nibelungen," Harlock Saga uses only some names and the "Funeral March" theme from Wagner's operatic cycle. Alberich, the last male descendant of the Nibelung "clan," steals a singularly powerful nugget of gold from the planet Rhein. He tricks young Tadashi Daiba into forging a ring from it that will enable him to conquer Wotan, the ruler of the planet Valhalla, and become all-powerful in the universe. Aberich's sister Meeme opposes his ambitions and seeks the aid of Captain Harlock, Tochiro, Yattran, and Emeraldas: an alliance no villain can withstand. The adventure ends on an odd note, with Daiba and Harlock preparing to unmake the Ring and return the gold to the planet Rhein--which disappeared at the end of episode 1. But fans of Matsumoto's special universe with its sepulchrally thin women, dwarfish side characters, and dashing, scarred heroes aren't likely to be troubled by plot problems. Rated 13 and up for minor nudity and some violence. --Charles Solomon
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