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In the penultimate collection of this popular series, various conflicts approach their resolution: not only the battle being fought over the fate of the alternate world of Gaea, but the standard rivalry for the affections of this "magical girl" series' heroine, between a dashing, rough-hewn suitor and a more elegant, polished one--in this case, Van of Fanelia and Allen Schezar. Dornkirk, the evil emperor of Zaibach, continues his plan to alter the fate of Gaea using his semi-magical/semi-technological device. Dornkirk's lieutenant, Folken, is pitted against his brother, Van, the pilot of the mecha Escaflowne and a leader of the anti-Zaibach alliance. Much of the struggle hinges on the psychic abilities of Hitomi, the girl from Earth who unwillingly finds herself at the focus of the storm. At times, the story by Hajime Yatate and Shoji Kawamori seems to be careening out of control, as characters appear, disappear, and undergo radical changes in personality. Suddenly the filmmakers try to build sympathy for the psychotic villain Dilandau, and the heretofore utterly noble Allen confesses to numerous romantic indiscretions. Hitomi sets a new standard for ditziness, even for a magical girl, when she offers first aid to her human-animal kidnapper, rather than escaping from her. Rated 13 and up for violence. --Charles Solomon
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