Hyper Police DVD

It is the year 22 H.C. — Holy Century — and humanity is nearly extinct. Monsters, spirits, and mythical creatures now make up the majority of the population, crowding the streets of a Shinjuku that looks recognizable but very much isn't. Crime is rampant in this chaotic coexistence, and private police companies compete aggressively for the business of keeping order. Natsuki Sasahara is a catgirl — half human, half nekomata — working for the Hyper Police company as a rookie officer with big ears, a striped tail, and powers she hasn't fully learned to control. Her partner is Sakura Bokuseiinmonzeninari, a nine-tailed fox who is still working on her ninth tail and has calculated that the best way to complete it is to eat Natsuki — whose unusual heritage makes her an ideal source of magical power. Sakura remains Natsuki's partner while actively planning to devour her, which Natsuki is aware of and somewhat resigned to. Rounding out the team is Batanen Fujioka, a werewolf officer with feelings for Natsuki he refuses to acknowledge, and his cousin Tommy. Together they navigate a Shinjuku full of criminals, territorial disputes, yakuza monsters, and the ongoing awkwardness of being law enforcement in a world that barely has laws.

Hyper Police is a 25-episode series directed by Takahiro Omori — who would later direct Baccano! and Durarara!! — and based on Minoru Tachikawa's manga published under the pen name MEE. It aired on TV Tokyo from April to September 1997 and features character designs by Keiji Gotoh, the mechanical designer on Gate Keepers. The score was composed by Kenji Kawai, whose credits include Ghost in the Shell, Jin-Roh, and Vampire Princess Miyu. The Japanese cast notably reunites Yuko Miyamura and Kotono Mitsuishi from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Originally released in North America on six individual DVD volumes by Image Entertainment between August 2002 and June 2003, subtitled only — no English dub was produced for the DVD release, though Geneon later released the series under their own label. 

Notable Staff & Voice Talent

Director: Takahiro Omori (later Baccano!, Durarara!!)
Original Manga: Minoru Tachikawa (pen name: MEE; published by Media Factory)
Character Design: Keiji Gotoh (Gate Keepers, Nadesico character design basis)
Studio: Pierrot (Studio Pierrot)
Music: Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell, Jin-Roh, Vampire Princess Miyu TV)
Opening Theme: "Beat of Destiny" by Yumi Hikita
Ending Theme: "Stargazer" by Yumi Hikita

Japanese Cast:
- Yumi Hikita as Natsuki Sasahara
- Chiyako Shibahara as Sakura Bokuseiinmonzeninari
- Akio Otsuka as Batanen Fujioka (Saint Tail, Project ARMS, Captain Tylor OVA, City Hunter)
- Kotono Mitsuishi as Tommy Fujioka (Dragon Half, Sailor Moon, Noir, Maze, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Alien Nine)
- Yuko Miyamura as Chief Popo (Evangelion, Apocalypse Zero, Rurouni Kenshin, Sorcerer Hunters)
- Toshihiko Seki as additional cast (Escaflowne, Angel Sanctuary, Pet Shop of Horrors, Descendants of Darkness)
- Keiji Fujiwara as additional cast (Birdy the Mighty, Mahoromatic)

DVD Features (Image Entertainment / Geneon Individual Volumes)

- Subtitled Only — No English Dub Produced for Image Entertainment Release
- Image Entertainment / Geneon Previews

Spoken Languages: Japanese Audio Only, English Subtitles

Edition Details

Japanese Title: ハイパーポリス (Haipā Porisu)
Runtime: ~625 Minutes (Complete Series, 25 Episodes, 6 Volumes)
Director: Takahiro Omori
DVD Release Year: 2002–2003 (U.S. Release, Image Entertainment, 6 Volumes, August 20, 2002 – June 10, 2003)
Original Broadcast Date (Japan): April 3 – September 25, 1997 (TV Tokyo)
Publisher: Image Entertainment
Rating: Unrated
Region: Region 1 (U.S. / Canada)
Note: Subtitle only — no English dub produced for this release. Character designs by Keiji Gotoh (Gate Keepers). Score by Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell, Jin-Roh).
Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Themes: Post-Apocalyptic Shinjuku, Monster Police, Catgirl Officer, Nine-Tailed Fox Partner, Takahiro Omori Early Work

Media assumed VG+ unless otherwise noted.