Scrapped Princess - Family Ties Vol. 1

Amazon.com The broadcast series Scrapped Princess (2003) gives new meaning to the term "anti-hero." Pacifica Cassul was born under a baleful star: according to the prophecy she's the poison that will cause the end of the world on her 16th birthday. As the fatal day approaches, she's on the lam with her older brother and sister, Shannon and Raquel. They're charged with protecting her from worshippers of the god Mauser, who believe in the prophecy. Pacifica isn't the most likable character: she fusses and whines and sticks her siblings with all the work. The filmmakers try to balance her petulance with mawkish scenes of doubt and self-pity. The villains multiply in Ichiro Sakaki's story until it's not clear just who's out to get Pacifica. Despite its shortcomings, Scrapped Princess scored a big hit in Japan and may well prove popular in America. (Rated 13 and older: violence, brief nudity) --Charles Solomon