The episodes are- CUT-THROAT PUPPETS: Introduces the main characters, the team: leader Captain Raven, Mirei the tech girl, the main fighters Erika, Jourichirou, and Magus. This time out they combat an infected mech and uncover that it has a new strain of virus. We are also introduced to Serge, who has some vendetta against Raven and is plagued by puzzling dreams. Episode ends with a cliffhanger where a rampaging mech is causing the team trouble and Serge attempts to assassinate Raven... THE PATH VIA HELL: Continuing to fight the infected mech, Serge is unwittingly outfitted with his own Variable Gear armor and is soon in action. The team watches, all of them puzzled except for Raven, because Serge is awesomely adapt at fighting and his suit is more powerful than the experienced team... WE STAND ALONE: Heavy character development episode, mainly revolving around Serge getting acclimated as part of the team. An inquest is started and Raven dodges questions about his new fighter. Serge butts heads with the rest of the team and doesn't seem comfortable with his new lot in life... DEEP DOWN EXPOSURE: An underwater mining base is infected so the team heads down to help save it before it is overrun. While the team tries to eliminate the virus, Raven deals with government bureaucracy over his funding and their studies into his weapons programs. Mainly the episode deals with the fact that Erika's old boyfriend is among the infected crew member and lots of weepy moments over losing him.

Virus Buster Serge's main creator/designer is Masami Obari the man responsible for Bubblegum Crisis and Fatal Fury. So his character designs have the Bubblegum/Furyish look, somewhere in-between more realistic anime and cartoonish anime- huge eyes on the women, narrower eyes for the men, lack of foreheads, and every character having delicate features, a more feminine look. This feminine look isn't helped much by the outfits- Serge first appears in a black all tight leather get-up and then a red leather half jacket and what appears to be a black sports bra.

The direction and focus is a little chaotic. This is one of those mass appeal animes that seems to throw in every anime cliché and tries to be an adventure/comedy/ponderous techno drama mystery. None is particularly good too and the consequently the flow is terrible. One episode has a Mighty Morphin' Mecha Rangers or Guyver feel of guys in suits fighting monsters. The next has a Evangelon morose soap opera drama to it. And then there are relationship and comedy bits randomly thrown in. When it does occur, the action is hampered by awkward angles and the choices in shadowing. The storytelling is cryptic too, more confusing than mysterious. So as a series, it is not terribly original and lacks a focus. Worst of all, it isn't even fun or exciting. It is just a dour jumble of techno mystery.

The DVD: Manga

Picture: Full-Frame, Standard. Picture looks fine. Although it was made in 1997, it has a dated look and is not quite up to the quality of newer anime. Colors aren't really too vibrant, but that may have to do with maintaining an edgier, dark look and tone for the series. Likewise the lines and definition are not as smooth as say, Cowboy Bepop, but overall it is a pretty average presentation.

Sound: Dolby Digital English Stereo or 5.1 Surround Tracks or 2.0 Stereo Japanese language with optional yellow English subtitles. Like the first volume, everything here is fine. Pretty decent mix, not awe-inspiring but good as far as stereo tracks go. The voice actors in the English dub seem a little subdued, no doubt do the confusing phrases and cryptic dialogue they had to tackle. Unlike the usual disparity you'll find with most anime, the sub to dub transitions on Serge are pretty close.

Extras: Episode and Chapter Selections--- Character Design Boards (23)--- Mecha Boards (12)--- S.T.A.N.D. Files, basic character bios.--- Virus Previews--- Manga video Previews, DVD Catalog, and Weblinks.

Conclusion: I didn't really find anything in this first volume to rope me into the series. Storywise and characterwise there isn't anything original going on and the plotting is cumbersome. The DVD presentation is decent enough, so if you are a fan of the show or a brave anime junkie, it is certainly worth a purchase. Otherwise, I say it is best reserved as a rental.