Kaleido Star 1: Welcome to the Kaleido Stage (Japanese, Region 1 Import DVD)

Created by SAILOR MOON director Junichi Sato, the shojo anime series KALEIDO STAR shares its predecessor's signature blend of girl-powered fantasy and dreamy coming-of-age drama. The disarming series centers around the whimsical adventures of 16-year-old Sora, who has travelled from Japan to San Francisco in hopes of joining the world-renowned Kaleido Stage circus and its awe-inspiring collection of clowns, trapeze artists, and acrobats. Hired by circus owner Kalos, Sora soon finds herself training to become one of the troupe's top-tier stars despite the jealous machinations of Kaleido's resident diva, Layla, and the comedic hijinks of a perverted backstage ghost known as the Fool. Sweetnatured and vibrantly animated, the anime series kicks off with this first volume of episodes.