Alan Takahashi's
ANIME POCKET GUIDE
Area 88
Title: Area 88 (TV,FILM)
Cast:
Shin Kazama ............................. Kaneto Shiozawa
Ryoko ................................... Sakiko Tamagawa
Satoru Kanzaki (young) .................... Mayumi Tanaka
Buxie ................................... Toshio Furukawa
Escape Killer #1 .......................... Shigeru Chiba
Description:
Shin Kazama has a bright future. He is an up and coming pilot
for Yamato Air Lines and has a relationship with the boss's
daughter and, perhaps, is destined to head the airline someday.
All this changes when his friend Kanzaki gets him drunk, and he
signs a paper which enlists him in the Aslam Foreign Legion.
There are 3 ways to get out: to get enough kills to buy your way
out; to survive until your term is up; or escape. This is a
gritty, action-oriented series with accurate depictions of
military aircraft and associated hardware. Note that the movies
are edited compilations from the TV series.
US Release by: US Manga Corps (subtitled)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Aura Battler Dunbine
Title: Aura Battler Dunbine (TV,OAVs)
Cast:
Marvel Frozen .................................. Mika Doi
Barn Bonnings ............................... Shoo Hayami
Chum Huau ................................ Maria Kawamura
Silky Mau ................................ Keiko Yokozawa
(unknown character) ..................... Michie Tomizawa
Description:
Byston Well is a world where people go when they die. It is
normally unreachable from Earth for it exists between sea and
land. Only those who can open the Aura Road can pass through.
Dwellers of Sea called the A-Fellario are able to open the Aura
Road, and one of them named Silky Mau is forced to do it to
snatch a young motocross racer named Sho Zama. Sho finds himself
in Byston Well and his role is to pilot an Aura Battler. The
Aura Battler is a giant robot warrior of immense power that can
only be piloted by one with a strong Aura. All people brought
from Earth have that Aura, but Sho's is exceptionally strong.
His new master is Drake Luft, but Sho soon finds that Drake's
motives are more complex than he realizes...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
AD Police
Title: AD Police (OAVs)
Cast:
Description: (by Tom Jewell)
This is an OAV series concentrating on the AD Police first seen
in "Bubble Gum Crisis", a few years before the first appearance
of the Knight Sabers. The stories have the AD Police dealing
with more mundane crimes and more thought provoking conflicts.
A common character with "Bubble Gum Crisis" is a young Leon
McNichol.
File 1: Leon is fighting against a prostitute Booma. Severely
injured, he defeats it. The Booma returns to his life when
its parts are reused and she (it?) begins killing her
clients.
File 2: This is a "what makes us human" story when a series of
"Jack the Ripper" style slayings take place.
File 3: A story dealing with our own humanity as a police
officer is turned into a 'Robocop' type of Booma...replacing
everything except his brain and tongue.
NOTE: Rating is by contributor.
US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Genji Tsushin Agedama
Title: Genji Tsushin Agedama (TV)
Cast:
Agedama ................................... Nozomu Sasaki
Ibuki .................................. Kotono Mitsuishi
Description:
Agedama is a small boy going to elementary school and having the
usual problems for a boy of his age. He is also secretly a
superhero-in-training (called "Agedaman"). Along with Wapuro,
his floating computer companion, he fights against a criminal
organization who can turn humans into monsters of various types.
This is *not* a series to be taken seriously...they extensively
parody the superhero genre as well as other anime including
"Lupin III: Cagliostro Castle" (many scenes from the movie were
followed almost exactly!) and "Sailor Moon" (Ibuki-chan turned
into a 'bishoujo senshi'). Besides, where else can you find
adversaries like a word processor (Wapuro) vs. a PC (PC-ro)? :-)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Akira
Title: Akira (FILM)
Cast:
Tetsuo .................................... Nozomu Sasaki
Kai ....................................... Takeshi Kusao
Description:
Neo-Tokyo is gearing up for the Olympics which will be held
there. These events mean little to Kaneda and his motorcycle
gang. Their goal in life is to have a good time, without
getting into any *real* trouble. However, trouble finds them
as one of the bikers, Tetsuo, 'runs into' a psychic kid and is
taken away. Kaneda finds that this is all linked to a dark
mysterious secret called 'Akira'. The plot is somewhat
confusing, but this is one of the most technically impressive
anime movies to date.
NOTE: The "Akira Production Report" is a 'Making of...' video
that shows some behind-the-scenes stuff of the "Akira"
movie.
US Release by: Streamline Pictures (dubbed)
UK Release by: Island World Communications (dubbed)
Rating: RECOMMENDED -- but not for weak stomachs :-)
Index...
Project A-Ko
Title: Project A-Ko (FILM, OAVs)
Title: A-Ko the Versus (OAVs)
Cast:
A-Ko Magami ................................... Miki Itoh
B-Ko Daitokuji ............................ Emi Shinohara
C-Ko Kotobuki ........................... Michie Tomizawa
Ume .................................. Megumi Hayashibara
Ine .................................... Yoshino Takamori
Captain Napolipolita ...................... Shuichi Ikeda
Spy-D ...................................... Tessho Genda
Raiza Chichi (A-Ko the Vs:Blue Side) ...... Saeko Shimazu
Description:
Take a school classroom. Add one poetry spouting teacher. Add
a brilliant student (B-Ko). Add two new students, one who can
destroy whole armies with her strength and another who can
destroy whole armies with her crying and cooking. Now, create
a rivalry between A-Ko and B-ko over getting to be C-Ko's friend.
Add an invading alien force and you've got a parody taking aim
at many anime cliches. Overall, it was very funny, though some
parts were better than others. "A-Ko the Versus" placed A-Ko and
B-Ko as bounty hunters trying to rescue C-Ko.
US Release by: US Manga Corp (subtitled)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Ah! My Goddess
Title: Ah! My Goddess (OAVs)
aka: Aa! Megami-sama
Cast:
Keiichi .................................. Masami Kikuchi
Belldandy (a goddess) ..................... Kikuko Inouye
Skuld (a goddess) ...................... Aya Hisakawa
Urd (a goddess) ........................ Yumi Tohma
Description: (by Hitoshi Doi)
One day, Keiichi, a student at Nekomi Institute of Technology
(or NIT) was in his dorm because his sempai told him to wait for
a phone call. While waiting, he got hungry, so Keiichi called
out for some food. He dialed the wrong number and got the
"Goddess Helpers" office instead. A young cute goddess named
Belldandy appear out of the mirror and said "Our job is to help
people who are in trouble, like you. I can grant you one wish,
no matter what it is...". Keiichi said "I want you to stay for-
ever". The wish was approved. Unfortunately, Keiichi lives in
a men-only dorm, so he got thrown out when his sempai returned.
Keiichi's friends didn't let him in either, so he and Belldandy
finally settled in an old temple...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Appleseed
Title: Appleseed (OAV)
Cast:
Hitomi ...................................... Mayumi Shoo
Description:
In the futuristic metropolis of Olympus, a terrorist action is
taking place. Handling the situation is ESWAT, a special branch
of the Olympus Police Dept. Through the tense situation, ESWAT
prepares to neutralize the terrorists. Finally, ESWAT strikes
and kill or capture all but one of the terrorists. Along the
way, we're introduced to two ESWAT members: Deunan Nut and
Briareos Hecatonchires. They are 2 outsiders who joined ESWAT
for lack of anywhere else to go. The OAV tells a story of a
terrorist plot to take over Gaia...the central computer running
Olympus. The plot involves a disillusioned ESWAT officer and
the terrorist who got away and Hitomi, Deunan's bioroid friend
who is used as a pawn to gain access to Gaia.
NOTE: The OAV is based on the manga "Appleseed" by Matsumune
Shirow. The manga is full of rich character development and
background. Unfortunately, none of this was shown in the OAV.
We got a simple police vs. terrorist story filled with lots of
action, but was pretty pointless. It was interesting to see
how many English words were misspelled, though... :-)
US Release by: US Renditions (subtitled)
Rating: NOT RECOMMENDED
Index...
Arion
Title: Arion (FILM)
Cast:
Seneca .................................... Mayumi Tanaka
Description:
In Thrace, Arion is taken from his mother Demeter by the god
Hades. In the Underworld, Arion is trained to be a warrior. His
training is driven by revenge: Arion was told that his mother's
blindness was caused by Zeus and Zeus' death will remove the
curse. Finally, Arion and Geedo (a huge ape-like creature who
had become Arion's friend and companion) left the Underworld to
find Zeus. Seneca, a small thief, makes off with Arion's sword
and this leads Arion to his first encounter with the forces of
Zeus, commanded by his daughter Athena. Arion is captured but
is later set free by Lesfeena, Athena's mute serving girl. As
Arion rejoins Geedo and Seneca (and worries about Lesfeena), the
forces of Zeus and Poseidon face each other in battle. In the
background sits the scheming Hades, and the calm Apollon who
seems to have plans of his own. The setting of this movie was
based on Greek Mythology and the story is of epic stature. The
complex plot takes a while to unravel, but the storytelling is
excellent.
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Assemble Insert
Title: Assemble Insert (OAVs)
Cast:
Maron Namikaze .......................... Hiroko Kasahara
Kagairi Sonoba ........................... Maria Kawamura
Description:
The "Demon Seed" organization is robbing lots of banks and
jewelry stores. The police can't catch them and worse, they
cause a lot of civilian damage while trying. The solution? Hold
an audition for the new "Anti-Demon Seed" heroine who can also
become a music idol. This way, the public won't become so
upset at the civilian damage that's going to happen anyway.
Cute, sweet 8th grader Maron Namikaze wins this slot due to her
enormous strength. This OAV series parodies both the superhero
genre and idol girls. Pretty funny.
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Baoh the Visitor
Title: Baoh the Visitor (FILM)
Cast:
Sumire .................................... Noriko Hidaka
Commander Dold ............................ Shuichi Ikeda
Description: (by Tom Jewell)
Ikuro is a 17 year old boy who has been implanted with an
organism which will defend itself against any threat to its host.
Ikuro escapes from the captivity of the corporation responsible
for implanting the organism (called BAOH) in him. Joining him
in his escape is a young ESPer named Sumire. The insuing chase
by the corporation, kidnapping of Sumire, and final showdown in
the secret corporate laboratory make for a fast paced movie.
Contains a fair amount of graphic violence, though not as bad as
some.
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Bubblegum Crisis
Title: Bubblegum Crisis (OAVs)
Cast:
Silia Stingray ....................... Yoshiko Sakakibara
Prisilla Asagiri (Priss) .................. Kinuko Ohmori
Linna Yamazaki .......................... Michie Tomizawa
Nene Romanova ........................... Akiko Hiramatsu
Mackie Stingray ........................... Nozomu Sasaki
Leon McNichol ........................... Toshio Furukawa
Daley ................................... Kenyuu Horiuchi
Brian Mason ............................... Shuichi Ikeda
Gibson (BGC4:Revenge Road) .............. Kaneto Shiozawa
Nam (BGC5:Midnight Rambler) ....... Megumi Hayashibara
Anri (BGC6:Red Eyes) .................... Yuko Mizutani
Vision (BGC7:Double Vision) ............. Maiko Hashimoto
Lisa (BGC8:Scoop Chase) .................. Aya Hisakawa
Miriam (BGC8:Scoop Chase) ................ Issei Futamata
Receptionist (BGC8:Scoop Chase) .......... Chisa Yokoyama
Description:
After a great earthquake, Tokyo was flattened. A new city
called MegaTokyo rose from its ashes. The company responsible
for much of the rebuilding was Genom Corp. Genom also produced
a biomechanical creature called a Booma. When Boomas ran out
of control, the ADPolice try to stop them. Also on the scene
was a shadowy mercenary group called the Knight Sabers.
US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
UK Release by: Anime Projects Limited (subtitled)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Bubblegum Crash!
Title: Bubblegum Crash! (OAVs)
Cast:
Silia Stingray ....................... Yoshiko Sakakibara
Priss ................................... Ryoko Tachikawa vRTa
Linna Yamazaki .......................... Michie Tomizawa
Nene Romanova ........................... Akiko Hiramatsu
Description:
After the 8-part BGC OAV series, the story continues in this
new series. 2 years have passed, and the Knight Sabers have all
but disbanded. Then Silia reappears with a new hardsuit design.
Note that characters, plot and the general setting have all
changed from their appearance in BGC.
Note: After "Bubblegum Crisis", this series completely changed
the characters, making them stereotypes instead of individuals.
Add a formula plot (with at least 1 fight scene complete with
reused animation!) and the result is something to be avoided.
The opening credits were impressive, however.
US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
Rating: NOT RECOMMENDED
Index...
Burn Up!
Title: Burn Up! (OAV)
Cast:
Description:
This is the story of police officers in the near future. We
concentrate on 3 female officers: the overly cute Yuka, the prim
and proper Reimi, and the aggressive Maki. At the start, there
is a kidnapping attempt, and the criminals have high-powered
weapons. They hold off the pursuing police, but that's before
Maki (finally!) shows up on her motorcycle and messily catches
the kidnappers. This is, of course, tied to a larger slavery
operation run by Samuel McCoy. The 3 police officers decide to
go undercover...without authorization. This only results in
Yuka getting captured so Maki and Reimi mount a rescue operation.
This is a one shot OAV which is largely a light hearted action
flick. Characters designed by Keniichi Sonoda.
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Bush Baby
Title: Bush Baby (TV)
Cast:
Description: (by Curtis Hoffmann)
Bush Baby seems to be the name of a kind of over-grown kangaroo
rat that is the pet of the heroine. This is a girl's show, with
similarities to Tintin (ie. a young girl travelling to exotic
lands and having wonderous adventures. However, unlike Tintin,
the heroine here does not do any fighting -- she's too kind and
gentle for that, so the fighting is left up to her adult male
friends.) So far, the action has taken place only in Africa and
India. Has good character designs and interesting stories.
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
City Hunter
Title: City Hunter (TV,FILM)
Cast:
Ryo Saeba .................................. Akira Kamiya
Kaori Makumura ............................... Kazu Ikura
Kaoru Saejima ............................ Chika Sakamoto
Umibozu .................................... Tessho Genda
Catherine Hayward (ep #66-67) .............. Hiromi Tsuru
Misuzu Moriwaki (City Hunter 3) ...... Megumi Hayashibara
(unknown character) ......................... Mami Koyama
(unknown character) (CH '91) .............. Youko Asagami
Description:
If you're desperate and need a job done, write "XYZ" on the
bulletin board at Shinjuku Station. That is a signal that you
want to hire City Hunter. Ryo Saeba and Kaori Makumura make up
City Hunter. Ryo is calm, cool, and an amazingly accurate shot.
He is also the biggest lech since Ataru Moroboshi. Kaori is the
daughter of Ryo's deceased partner and runs the business side of
City Hunter. She is also the only woman who Ryo *hasn't* made a
pass at. The jobs have ranged from being a bodyguard (usually a
pretty girl :-)) to virtual espionage. Kaori has kept Ryo's
frequent sukebe tendencies in check with an 50,000 kg mallet. :-)
This is an action-adventure with some comedy elements.
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Cream Lemon
Title: Cream Lemon (OAVs)
Cast:
Description:
This is an anthology series where the overriding common theme is
SEX! The series has ranged from soap opera (the Ami series) to
fantasy (Rall series) to horror (Cream Lemon Dark) to outright
parody (Pop Chaser). The various episodes have nothing in
common with each other (aside from episodes in a mini-series)
except the requirement to have at least one sex act. In terms
of plot, that ranges from the very bad to mediocre. In most
cases, the sex is totally unnecessary to the plot (such as it is)
but you couldn't call it a "Cream Lemon" if you took it out...
NOTE: "Project A-ko" started as a "Cream Lemon", but the comedy
overwhelmed the sex. The only artifact of "A-ko"'s origins is
the B-ko pool scene...
NOTE: Since this is such an inconsistent series plotwise, any
particular episode will depend heavily on personal taste. With
that in mind, I'll omit the usual rating with the caveat that
sex is *guaranteed* to be a part of any "Cream Lemon" OAV...
Rating:
Index...
Richard Murdey : rmurdey.cs.mun.ca