Title: Unlimited Psychic Squad complete collection
Director: Shisho Igarash
Writer: Shinchi Inotsume
Studio: Manglob
U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23
U. S. Release Date: April 21st, 2015
Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes
Genre: Supernatural, Action, Drama, Sci Fi
Age Rating: TV 14
Overall Personal Grade: A-
Synopsis:
You don’t have to be psychic to know that Hyobu Kyosuke is trouble waiting to happen, but having psychic powers of your own may be your only chance if you want to stand against him. One of the most powerful espers on the planet, Hyobu’s incredible range of abilities extends as far as controlling his own aging process, and the potential strength of all his talents combined is so terrifying that he wears a device that limits their use except in cases of extreme emergency. The time is coming, however, when Hyobu will need to unleash everything he has.
Sometimes it takes a villain to do what heroes can’t, and as the leader of the secret organization P.A.N.D.R.A., Hyobu’s dedicated his life to fighting those who would entrap, enslave, or kill anyone with psychic powers. Now P.A.N.D.R.A. itself is in danger and, to combat that deadly threat, the gloves and limiter are coming off!
Commentary:
Unlimited Psychic Squad is a dramatic spinoff from the action comedy Psychic Squad. It does reference the girls featured in Psychic Squad and even has the main character Hyobu Kyosuke refer to the member of the girls as his queen and contends that he is following the path to create a world for her to sit as the monarch. Even though these references are in the series it is not the focus of this dramatic cousin the main story line.
The quality of Unlimited Psychic Squad has it very own life and carries a dramatic plot line that harkens many other series where the gifted are ostracized and looking for freedom. From X Men to Code Breakers the story is a common place occurrence, but it is an archetype that runs deed in human mythology and is often at the center of many revolts. Freedom to be a part of the greater world without feeling like a second class citizen. For Unlimited Psychic Squad it may not have stood out as the overt driving force, but it is still at its heart and it is what made this series a hit in my eyes.
Overall Grade: A-
The writing for Unlimited Psychic Squad ended up being a little on the melodramatic side of the genre and from time to time it was overbearing, but in the end the crafting of the story played out rather well. It was easy to get sucked into the story and the struggles of the characters. It is also easy to form sympathies toward each of the characters as they manage to try and do the right thing.
The animation style is a little rough and could have been less digital, but it was effective and entraining. I also found the overall tone of the story to help bring into focus its true meaning. I had recently asked where the decent action dramas were and here is one that I was happy to come across. The only thing I would have enjoyed more would be a better understanding of the rest of the crew. They all seemed to have some wonderful talents and together were awesome, but knowing who they were would have take the series over the top.
If you are loping for a action filled story that doesn’t fill the spaces with unnecessary fan service or silly commentary then Unlimited Psychic Squad could be just the thing you are looking for.
