Copyright © Akahori Satoru * Omishi Rei * Media Works / Bakuretsu Project * TV Tokyo * Sotsu Agency

Followup to the previous reviews in 4.1, 4.3 and 4.7

Just as an introductory note, SPELL WARS is really the second part of the SORCERER HUNTERS TV series. Most likely, the renaming was a brainchild of the ADV Films marketing department.
In any case, the first episode on this volume "The Hidden Gods" continues the major plotline with Zaha using an ambitious Magic Engineer to confront the Sorcerer Hunters and further his still-unknown plans. We also discover another secret behind the powers of the Sorcerer Hunters.
The other episodes are standard character pieces. In "Illusionary Darling," Tira and Chocolate are entranced by a magical painter with an amazing gift of art. His works are in so much demand that ruling leaders and sorcerers are willing to do anything (including abusing their subjects) to buy his works. "The Body Worshippers" pits our heroes against a sorcerer so preoccupied with body fitness that every able-bodied man has been enslaved to do menial labor (pointlessly rotating a huge statue, of all things).
These three episodes continue to polish the main characters. Tira and Chocolate sort out their own feelings, and Carrot has the responsibility of acting as a father thrust upon him.
While I personally enjoyed the episodes themselves, I found the English dub to be going downhill. The characters are lacking proper emotion, and it generally seems to be a poor job even compared to earlier volumes. The visual quality is decent for TV production values, though.
Overall, this is the last casual volume before the final climax gets resolved over the next couple of tapes. If you have been enjoying this series to date, by all means continue as the quality and style has remained consistent. However, for interested newcomers, I would honestly suggest checking out the original SORCERER HUNTERS volumes instead of starting in the middle with SPELL WARS. This tape should really be named SORCERER HUNTERS Volume 8 of 10.

Released in North America by ADV Films
VHS, 90 minutes
Subtitled: VHS SH/008S $29.95
English dubbed: VHS SH/008D $19.98
Available now in the U.S.
Where to buy