Charming, "Nadia" unfolds into an effulgence of character, setting and moral questions. Set at the height of the industrial revolution, director Hideaki Anno addresses issues that could easily be transplanted a hundred years later, at the height of the technological revolution.

Though the central story of the series doesn't begin until episode four, the simplistic story of Nadia and Jean fleeing from the tenacious Grandis allows for the growth of these two youths before they plunge into the middle of Captain Nemo's search for the evil Gargoyle. Characters drive this story right through the binds of contrivance.

Rendered in bright earth tones and packed with imaginative antiquated technology, "Nadia" emerges as a vibrant manifestation of the Jules Verne imagination, aided in the most part by art director Masanori Kikuchi and Hiroshi Sasaki's attention to detail. And Shunji Suzuki's animation direction deserves enthusiastic accolades.

The ADR script outshines the dull subtitles, and though accents waver, the actors apply genuine liveliness to their roles without sacrificing the subtle nuances of character.

Appropriate for children of all ages, "Nadia" address issues frankly, such as death, the morality of eating meat, pacifism and human enslavement.

DVD. Scene selection (Acts 1 and 2); English, Japanese, subtitles; textless opening and closings; trailers for Nadia; and a preview of Vol. 2. The disc also includes trailers for other ADV releases.

Captain Nemo is a spitting image of Admiral Global from "Macross." Whether a recycled character design or homage to the paternal commanding figure, "Nadia's" use of the figure still proves he's a formidable presence. And perhaps this figures in treating anime characters like actors, having them pop up in other anime titles - D the Vampire Hunter stars as Ash's nemesis in the new "Pokémon" movie; or Kero moving from Sakura's side to star in the next "Overfiend" installment.

Nadia's better.

Love it? Hate it? Buy it.