Gundress


	Gundress

Mecha Shirow has created the mecha and the character design for Gundress, a futuristic action thriller. Set in 2099 in Bay Side City (Yokohama), the base of a gigantic computer which governs Japan. The "Bouncer", a special police unit, has been established to fight against expanding international crime. There is also an organization called "Angel Arm", constituted by female agents. They use humanoid armored suits (gundresses) to battle against high-powered criminals, taking on those jobs the police can't handle. For example the fight against a gun runner named Hassein and his thugs.
Directed by Katsuyoshi Yatabe; original manga by Akira Amasawa (ORCA). Premiers were in Japan during March 1999, but there were some problems. This is the translation of an announcement appeared on the Gundress official site (now off): Female character
Apologies and Notice
We had been earnestly producing the movie "GUNDRESS" which is to start on March 21, but we are very sorry to show it in the incomplete form. Our sincere apologies. If you are going to watch it, please consent it has several incomplete parts to enter the theater. (We can't pay back for you after your entrance). It ended up with a very unfortunate result for those who had waited for the theatrical release, but we will tell you updated information such as the release of the complete version, so please understand it.
Production: "GUNDRESS" production committee (Nikkatsu co. ltd, etc.)
Distributor: TOEI
They also promised to give the tape of the "completed" version to those who watched the movie at the theater. This incident was on the newspapers too. Anyway, it's unbelievable! How can they release an uncompleted movie!
On February 24, 2000 Star Fish and ORCA have released a PlayStation game based on this animation.

Gadget

Making of Gundress - Episode: 00
This package includes one CD-Rom and a VHS tape (NTSC, 30 minutes). The CD is an hybrid Mac & PC CD-ROM with over 50 pictures, most of them sketches, and some music. Only some pictures are by Shirow. Publisher: Panasonic Digital Contents; date: February 25, 1999; code: BBVA-1096; price: 2,980 yen.
Official introduction:
A.D. 2100. Bayside City Yokohama. Crime is on a rampage. Gundress Original Soundtrack Spearheading the battle for justice five women and "Landmate". "Angel Arms" Team leader - Yung Key, Malucia Asano, Michell Iga, Silvia Kakibana and Alisa Takakura. - Hard boiled giga punk movie.
Gundress Original Soundtrack
CD with some movie images and 30 music tracks. The pack includes a 20 page booklet and also 9 trading cards with Shirow illustrations. Publisher: Toshiba, EMI; date: 1999; code: TOCT-24103; running time: 58:25; price: 3,500 yen; music: Yutaka Tominaga.
Gundress DVD back cover Gundress DVD
As written above, when this movie was in the theater, it wasn't finished, but now the only way to watch the original incomplete version is to get the Gundress DVD. Would you like to watch the scenes that weren't painted or the heroines that do the same actions again and again? It was really released in this condition!
Subtitle: "The worst terrorists invaded Bay Side City. Their target is the power broker for arms syndicate who dominate over the underground."
Pay attention buying DVDs: you must use a Japanese DVD compatible player to watch it. If I'm not wrong Japan is in the "Region 2" DVD zone.
The creation of this page has been possible thanks to Retep, Takeuchi Shouichi, Uwe Hartnick, Simon Bergmann.