Summary
The offbeat supernatural adventure "Chrono Crusade" takes place in 1928, when the hedonistic culture of Prohibition-era New York has fueled a rise in Satanism. Sister Rosette of the Magdalene Order is a klutzy, gun-toting exorcist-cum-devil-hunter who wrecks her period cars, blows up the wrong buildings, and generally adds to the headaches of her superiors. Her level-headed partner Chrono tries to rein her in and minimize the damage. He's a devil (literally), but he's bound to Rosette by psychological and magical ties. The supporting cast includes a lecherous inventor who peeks up Rosette's habit; handsome Father Remington; Azmaria, a mysteriously powerful girl who adores Rosette; and the formidable head of the Magdalene Order, Sister Kate (who doesn't shimmy).
"Chrono Crusade" was adapted from a long-running manga by Daisuke Moriyama, and its biggest weakness is the central character. Rosette is a screechy, clumsy comic heroine, but she and the Magdalene Order are all that's keeping the devil Aion from realizing his nefarious plot to remake the universe. "Chrono Crusade" feels like someone dropped Lina Inverse from "Slayers" into "Hellsing": it's too dark to be funny, but too silly to take seriously. Although many anime series depict battles against devils and demons, the constant references to holy water, God, the Vatican, etc. in "Chrono Crusade" may offend religious viewers, especially Catholics. (Rated TV 14 V, suitable for ages 15 and older: violence, grotesque imagery, risqué humor, nudity, bizarre religious imagery) "--Charles Solomon"