Belabored by a narrative contrived to accommodate technological gadgetry and self-righteous slogans, the characters and healthy wit of "Angel Links" saves it from mediocrity.

Contradictory forces in this anime, the characters emerge despite the story.

Resplendence and light shows belie the techno-laden, corporate epic that drives this beast. But the gloss is gorgeous.

A good cast, though somewhat under-directed, save dialogue made awkward by esoteric or downright incorrect aphorisms. The subtitles are dry and somewhat misleading at times while the dub script is colorful and somewhat misleading at times.

An average DVD with one extremely interesting feature, the first appearance of the Angel Links organization in an episode of "Outlaw Star." Other features include a textless opening sequence, trailers for some other Bandai titles and the DVD credits.

There can't be any blood because Meifon vaporizes most every villain that crosses her path. A few times, though, a beady-eyed pirate gets a sword through the gullet (stylized in classic anime fashion) and Meifon's obvious Lolita sexuality merits a parent's caution.

Upon the first entrance of the Angel Links' mother ship in battle, the Angel Links logo, divorced from the opening credits, decides to plaster itself ostentatiously across the screen in heraldic announcement of the coming Angel Links ship.

Far more brutal than Texas, Angel Links condemns every space pirate to death.

To rival Arnold, Meifon quips, after vaporizing a two-bit space pirate and his ship with the Angel Links particle cannon, "Oh, he turned a pretty color."

Love it? Hate it? Buy it.