Iria: Zeiram the Animation

A Parent's Guide to Anime
Rated: M

Recommended for Mature Audiences

Reviewed by Justin Graham:

Iria: ZTS is an OAV loosely based on the Japanese live action film Zeram (not a typo, the films have different Roman spelling). The plot revolves around Iria, a young bounty-hunter in training who accompanies her brother Gren and his partner Bob on a search and rescue mission in a transport ship. There, they encounter Zeiram, a large, seemingly indestructable monster. In the fight, Gren is killed and Iria is forced to escape by herself. The rest of the OAV covers Iria's return home and her fight against Zeiram.

The series contains violently gushing blood and Zeiram's vampire-like draining of people's lives. There is also some shower nudity and sparse profanity. A couple of children do provide comic relief, but one of them is killed during a fight with Zeiram.

One last note of interest: The live action Zeram has two sequels, both produced after Iria: Zeiram The Animation.

Parent's Guide Rating:

red (recommended for mature audiences)

Graphic violence, minor nudity and some swearing.