Animejin 4

Issue 4, May 1994

eZine lover (@eZine)

Published in 

Animejin

 · 2 years ago

All articles contained in this document are copyright their respective authors. Permission is granted to reproduce any articles herein for non-profit purposes only, provided that the articles remain intact, the authors are correctly credited, and TWO copies of the relevent publication are received by Animejin.

This document contains the text portions only of Animejin 4. For a complete printed copy of any issue, send 1 pound (UK) or US$3.00 cash (everywhere else) for each copy to Animejin, stating your name and address and which issue(s) you require.

All comments, suggestions and submissions will be gratefully received.

Address all correspondence to:

Animejin,
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or
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- Jonathan Weeks (editor)

Contents

1. News
2. Sakura Studio: More waffle from that weird gaijin in Tokyo
3. Convention Reports: What really happened at Animeday
4. Reviews
5. Madox-01: The classic OAV analysed by Richard Steele
6. Shopping in Tokyo: Handy hints from Geoff Cowie
7. Sol Bianca: Space pirates with a difference

[1] - NEWS

DARK HORSE UK SAVED

Fears that the closure of Dark Horse UK would bring about the demise of Manga Mania have been averted by the purchase of the company by Manga Entertainment Ltd. Manga Mania will resume publishing in May, after a months hiatus. Claims from MEL that the editorial independence of the magazine will not be affected, have met with initial scepticism.

MANGA TM?

In an interesting move, Manga Entertainment have applied to have the word 'Manga' registered as a trademark. A similar application by Central Park Media in the US failed, after the widespread use of the word amongst the Japanese and fan communities was pointed out. If you would like to express your opinion on this matter, write to Charles Hamilton, Trademarks Registry, Patent Office, Cardiff Rd, Newport, Gwent NP9 1RH, with regard to trademark application numbers 1,538,129 to 1,538,132 inclusive by Manga Entertainment Ltd.

RELEASE NEWS

MANGA VIDEO

At AUKCon, Lawrence Guinness from Manga Video revealed that they had acquired the UK rights to Ranma ´, and hoped to be able to start releasing it before the end of 1994. The release of the remainder of the Crying Freeman series has been postponed for undisclosed reasons. However, here's what they do have planned:

April: The Guyver 1, Battle Angel Alita

May: The Guyver 2, Wind of Amnesia, Mermaid Forest, Danghio 1 See this issue's review section for more info on these. The remainder of their schedule is entirely provisional - don't quote me on any of this!

June: The Guyver 3, Monster City This sounds like a retitling of Hell City Shinjuku, but I can't confirm this.

July: The Guyver 4, Devilman 1, Rumic World: Maris the Wondergirl Devilman is a classic horror OAV series by Go Nagai. Maris the Wondergirl is the new name for The Supergal. The change has been made after objections from Time/Warner, who have trademarks on just about everything beginning with 'super'.

August: The Guyver 5, Tokyo Babylon 1, Cyber City Oedo 0080 1 Tokyo Babylon is a recent creation of CLAMP, who were also responsible for RG Veda. Cyber City Oedo 0080 is a 3-part OAV series from the director of Wicked City.

September: The Guyver 6, Zeguy Zeguy is another of those mystery titles that nobody seems to know anything about.

June will see the theatrical release of Roujin Z. This will be organised in a similar manner to the Golgo 13 release, with a week of showings in London, then a tour of the country.

Other possible future releases include Project A-Ko 2 and Legend of Lenmear.

KISEKI FILMS

The acquisition of the rights to various L.A. Hero titles has filled their schedule for the next few months:

April 20^th:

• Return of the Overfiend 2 (dubbed)
• Ambassador Magma Vol. 1 (dubbed)
• Gunbuster Vol. 1 (subtitled)

May 16^th:

• Return of the Overfiend 1+2 (subtitled)
• Ambassador Magma Vol. 2 (dubbed)
• Gunbuster Vol. 2 (subtitled)

June 20^th:

• Black Magic M-66
• Clash of the Bionoids

Return of the Overfiend should need no introduction. Ambassador Magma is an OAV series based on a classic manga by Osamu Tezuka. Gunbuster is a classic and highly influential production from the now legendary Gainax studio. Black Magic M-66 is a creation of Masamune Shirow, who also did Dominion and Appleseed. Clash of the Bionoids is an edited version of the movie Macross: Do You Remember Love.

WESTERN CONNECTION

After the success of The Sensualist, Western Connection have decided to enter the anime market proper with three releases in the coming months. First up is Karma Sutra on April 11th, to be followed by the three part Galactic Pirates on May 31st and Love City in June. Preview copies had failed to arrive before press time, so you'll have to wait until issue 5 for reviews. There's a good article in Anime UK 13 though, so check that if you're interested.

CRUSADER VIDEO

Cat Girl: Nuku-Nuku is proving successful enough for Crusader Video to have started planning another release. Don't expect anything too soon, however, since they won't even reveal what the title is yet.

ANIME PROJECTS

Good news for Bubblegum Crisis fans, as the price of the UK editions of the series are to be reduced to #12.99 in the near future. Look out also for the English dubbed version of Riding Bean, which should be available on May 25th for #12.99. The Urusei Yatsura invasion is continuing, with TV volumes 1 and 2 released on April 25th and May 21st respectively. Looking further ahead, the first episode of Genesis Survivor Gaiarth will be released in July, with more episodes to follow.

The Anime Projects shop in Bangor opens at the end of April.

PIONEER

The recent L.A. earthquake caused the loss of three weeks translation work for Pioneer. This and other factors mean that they have yet to announce a schedule for their releases in the UK and do not expect to have anything out until the summer. The list of possible distributors is down to 'one or two'.

ANIMANIA

"Animation with Attitude" is the slogan of this new company. Don't ask me what there releasing though, because they haven't announced anything yet. A launch in June is the current best bet, with possibly an announcement at HTC World.

EVENT NEWS

PROJECT L-CON

The Science Fiction Society of Liverpool University are Organising a one day anime convention on 18th of June. Entrance will be #5 in advance, or #10 on the door. Write for more details to Project L-Kon, c/o LUSF3, University of Liverpool, Student Union, 2 Bedford Way, Liverpool L69.

D-CONTAMINET

Birmingham's third annual anime convention will take place on 14th-16th October at the Grand Hotel. Expect all the usual convention antics, with dealers' room, panels, masquerade, video games, and at least three video rooms. Register before 31st April and it's only #15 for the whole weekend. After that it's #20 until 17th September, or #25 on the door.

HTC WORLD

This is a new event to be held at the Barbican Centre in London, covering a wide range of hobbies and interests, including manga and anime. It takes place from 13th-15th May, with entrance per day costing #5.00 for Adults, #2.50 for children and #9.00 for a family ticket.

Carl Macek of Streamline Pictures will be attending, bringing with him 35mm prints of Castle of Cagliostro and Neo-Tokyo for screening. It is also hoped that at least one other film by Hayao Miyazaki will be shown. Other video companies have been invited to screen their forthcoming releases, but no decision has been received as yet of possible showings. More details from HTC World, Copperhead House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ.

ANIME AND MANGA AT YOAHAN

Over the May Bank Holiday from 27th-30th May, the Yoahan Plaza in Colindale, London will be holding a four-day manga and anime event. There will be a sale and display in the atrium, and video showings. There will be an entrance fee of #2 for each showing, which will be family orientated, and only include material previously release in the UK.

THE INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL

This is an event held every two years in Cardiff dedicated to art-house style animation. Nevertheless, anime does get some coverage this year, with the UK premiers of Porco Rosso and Roujin Z. For more details, contact The International Animation Festival, c/o British Film Institute, 21 Stephen Street, London W1P 1PL. An information line has been set up on 071 580 6601.

NFT SUMMER SF FESTIVAL

The National Film Theatre is holding a weekend festival of science fiction from the 29th to 31st of July. This will include a screening of Appleseed courtesy of Manga Entertainment.

US RELEASE NEWS

ANIMEIGO

No new licences have been officially announced by AnimEigo recently, but an inside source tells me that they are planning to release a subtitled version of Cat Girl: Nuku-Nuku in the US.

The biggest official news from AnimEigo is the release of a boxed laserdisc set of the first 40 Urusei Yatsura TV episodes. This is a limited edition that will only be available direct from AnimEigo. The set will consist of ten disks and has a list price of $400. However, if you are one of the first 500 to order a set, and do so before May 1st, the price is only $300.

If that hasn't bruised your wallet enough, you can get yourself a copy of the limited edition cel 'Sunday in the Park with Lum' that AnimEigo have commissioned. It's hand painted, it's gorgeous, it's $300! Order before May 1st, and it's 'only' $200!

Probably of interest to more financially challenged fans is the news that AnimEigo are reducing their price structure. New subtitled releases will now be in the range $20-$30, and new dubbed releases will be $15-$25. Prices in their back catalogue are also being reduced, with all Bubblegum Crisis, Kimagure Orange Road and Vampire Princess Miyu tapes now $24.95 each, and the corresponding laserdiscs now all $39.95 each.

AD VISION

On April 20th, AD Vision will be releasing Rei Rei, based on the manga by Toshimitsu Shimizu and described as a "mind bogglingly naughty comedy". In a first for AD Vision, the tape will be released simultaneously with Japan. Price is $34.95, for 60 minutes.

The successful adult computer games Dragon Knight and Do-Kyu-Sei (literally 'classmates') are being animated, and AD Vision is releasing the anime films based on both games. Dragon Knight will be $34.95, 40 minutes long and released in May. Classmates will follow in June for $29.95, and is 55 minutes long. Both videos will be English subtitled VHS releases.

The success of Guy: Double Target has prompted the June release of an English dubbed version. July will also mark a scoop for ADV, as they will be releasing an English subtitled version of the hot new OAV 'Plastic Little' (see Anime UK 13 for details).

U.S. MANGA CORPS

Plans have been announced by U.S.M.C. for the US release of the remainder of the Project A-Ko series. Project A-Ko 2, 3 and 4, and Project A-Ko Versus Battle 1: Blue Side and Battle 2: Grey Side will be release over the course of the rest of 1994. Both subtitled and dubbed versions of all the OAVs will be made available for $29.95 each.

Other recent and upcoming U.S.M.C. releases include Hell City Shinjuku, Genocyber part 1, Hades Project Zeorymer and Detonator Orgun part 1, all with English subtitles for $29.95 each. Their links with Manga Entertainment in the UK should mean that some of these should eventually make their way over here.

VIZ VIDEO

Viz are concentrating on their Ranma 1/2 releases, with more TV episodes (two a tape for $29.95), and the new OAV series (two a tape for $34.95). Also due is the first Ranma 1/2 movie - Big Trouble in Nekonron, China, 74 minutes of mayhem, dubbed in English for $34.95.

OTHER NEWS

BBS NEWS

For those of you with electronic connections, two BBS systems with anime sections have been set up in the UK. They are:

The Gothic BBS : Tel (0509) 237963, open from 8pm to 8am every day.

Animeiga : Tel (0462) 481745, evenings only.

Both offer access to anime related files and message services, and are well worth a visit.

THE LONDON ANIME CLUB

This is a new group, and the first one in London to be set up. Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month from 6pm to 11pm at The Clarence, 4 Dover Street, Piccadilly, London (near Green Park tube station), Admission #2.50. The first meeting went well, with everyone being suitably bemused by This is Greenwood, and entertained by the UK premier of Gunbuster. For more information contact Dragon Cotterill, 18 Hillcrest, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 8HW. Tel (0707) 276251.

The following article was taken without permission from the Jan. 15, 1994 Japan Times:

Town Seeks New Image

Okayama (Kyodo). A library with a collection of 100,000 'manga' (comic books) is scheduled to open in Kawakami, Okayama Prefecure, in May. It will be the country's first public library dedicated solely to manga.

In July 1988, a proposal to build the library was advanced as a way to cast off the image of a dying town. A two-story, ferro-concrete library building is designed in the shape of an ammonite shell, a symbol of the many fossils that have been excavated in Kawakami. The building, which will have a total floor space of 1,390 sq. meters, is scheduled to be completed in March at an estimated cost of 370 million yen.

On the first floor will be bookshelves, a film corner for showing animation films and a room for exhibiting original comics by leading artists. The exhibits will include original comics by Ichiro Tominaga, an artist who has been selected as a honorary citizen of the town. On the second floor will be a study and another room where books can be read by library users who want to lie on the floor.

About 20,000 comics have been donated and the Kawakami Municipal Government has so far bought about 80,000 from used books stores all over the country. The municipal government plans to collect 20,000 more by the opening day. The collection includes such rare books as the first edition of 'Norakuro' by Suiho Tagawa and the inaugural edition of the Shonen Manga comic magazine.

The municipal government plans to occasionally sponsor manga contests and courses taught by professional writers. Tominaga said the library will be worth visiting because the collection includes manga he enjoyed when he was a child. He added he will continue to cooperate in the library activities because he likes the people of Kawakami.

AND THERE'S MORE ...

The English dubbed version of My Neighbour Totoro will be released in the US by Fox video in August. They are also looking at producing cuddly Totoros similar to the Japanese ones. Supposedly, free Chu-Totoro dolls will be available to a limited number of people who buy the videos.

Those of you planning to visit the Osaka area in the future are recommended to check out the new Ozuma Tezuka museum that has opened there. It is located in Hyogo Prefecture, Takarazuka City, between Kyoto and Osaka (Tezuka was born in Osaka) and opens on April 25th.

Streamline pictures are to release an English version of the recent OAV series Eightman After, an updated adult version of the classic TV series.

Rumiko Takahashi will be attending the San Diego Comic Convention in August.

Jubei the Ninja is being dubbed into English for release in the UK this year, but don't tell anyone, it's a secret.

[2] Sakura Studio

news from Peter Evans

Unfortunately, Peter Evans' article arrived by fax, so a text version does not exist. Please refer to a printed copy for this article.

[3] CONVENTION REPORTS

Not one, but TWO UK Anime conventions have taken place in the last couple of months. For those of you who missed either of them, our gallant reporters reveal all...

Jim McLennan:

Hey, watch that metaphor stretch!

In a repeat of last year's F.A. Cup Final, it was once again London versus Sheffield except this time, F.A. stood for Favourite Animecon. Young upstart AUKCon were making their first appearance on the hallowed turf of the Conway Halls near Holborn, London, where the first leg was played on February 19th, with the away tie taking place two weeks later in the Rutland Hotel, Sheffield, home of the respected giant, Anime Day. Only one thing was certain: we Brits could never again feel superior to Californians over their dumb habit of organising two cons in a fortnight...

Location: This, Brian, was a category of two halves. The major appeal of AUKCon here was that I could get up, have a leisurely breakfast and get there in about 45 minutes, rather than enduring British Rail on a Friday night. On the other hand, the Conway Halls felt more like a school - no running in the corridors! - as opposed to the laid-back Rutland. AUKCon 1, Anime Day 1.

Catering: What is a convention without the opportunity to indulge in large amounts of food 'n' drink? Here, experience told in favour of AD4, with the tried and tested Fat Jack's proving superior to anything Pizza Hut could offer (though I do recommend the Conway Halls' chocolate cake). On the alcohol front too, in Sheffield you could get a drink without leaving the premises; at the Conway Halls, it was strictly non-alcoholic beverages (as I said, like a school!). AUKCon 0, Anime Day 2.

Guests: AUKCon managed to bust the long-standing embargo on foreign players, and pulled over Toren Smith, writer of the 'Dirty Pair', giving them an unassailable lead in the category. AUKCon 1, Anime Day 0.

Dealers' Room: Another key element, and both conventions proved strong in this area. I spent more money in Sheffield, but this was mostly because I had more money to spend! AUKCon snuck ahead, with Kiseki selling subtitled copies of 'Return of the Overfiend', but AD4 equalised with a devastatingly good table of fanzines (Cajun Sushi Bar, Legend of the OVA Fiend, Trash City and... now, what was it called again?) Accusations of bias in this section are utterly unfounded. AUKCon 1, Anime Day 1.

Video Program: Yep, both had them - or so I'm told, didn't see much at either! AUKCon 0, Anime Day 0.

Sociability: This one possibly was the crunch. In Sheffield, everywhere you went, you would stumble across groups of anime fans, lounging around tables, and chatting amiably. While the amiable chat was still possible in London, the amount of lounge space was severely limited, and as someone who views these events as a social occasion more than anything else, critical failing. About the only near-suitable space was the fan room, which was a neat innovation, deserving of future expansion; otherwise, you had to spend all day wandering round like the Flying Dutchman. AUKCon 1, Anime Day 3.

Duration: AUKCon's strategy was notably different, in that they had specifically targeted a one-day convention. However, it all really petered out at about 5 p.m; at that time in Sheffield, even though they'd started on the Friday evening, things were just warming up - those who experienced the bear-pit atmosphere during 'Kekko Kamen' will understand EXACTLY what I mean! Sheffield's stamina eventually run out at Sunday lunchtime, by which point AUKCon was already a distant memory. AUKCon 1, Anime Day 2.

Summary: AUKCon 5, Anime Day 9. So, a comfortable victory for the old guard, seeing off the young pretenders without too much trouble. A fair result, I'd say, reflected in the fact that while I was quite happy to go up to Sheffield for AD4, I'd have been a bit disappointed had I made the same trek to find AUKCon. On reflection, it was something of a mis-match; AUKCon might have been more fairly described as an anime mart, albeit an upper-class one, rather than a convention as it lacked most of the social elements which to me are the crucial elements for a good con.

However, with no Anime Day next year (the organisers taking a very well-earned break), the field will be open for a newcomer, and AUKCon certainly showed enough promise to make it a leading contender for promotion to the Premier League.

Simon Devey:

It was with some reluctance that I set off for Sheffield on the 4th March for AD 4, this reluctance being brought about by the realisation that I would miss my usual Friday night excursion to the Bandon Arms Hotel disco, and consequently wouldn't see my current interest Cathryn. But make the journey to Sheffield I did.

I arrived in Sheffy at about 4pm, after making a slight detour to Birmingham to pick up all stocks of Tales from the Cajun Sushi Bar Issue 4 after it was discovered that there was no way they were going to get to the con otherwise.

After negotiating various traffic hazards in Sheffield town centre, I parked up in the closest NCP to the Space Centre and walked to the shop. Once inside I was greeted with the sight of Dave and Lol frantically rushing around trying to sort out last minute hitches. I also secured from Lol a fresh photocopy of the map of directions to the hotel, having left mine at home in my briefcase!

I left the Space Centre with two things on my mind, food and somewhere to empty my bladder! The latter was more important and was duly completed, leaving my mind free to concentrate on what to have in order to satisfy the former. Lack of funds dictated that I should find somewhere offering very much for very little and this was achieved with a visit to Pizza Land who were offering `as much as you can eat for #2.99' - a deal not to be turned down.

My hunger quashed I decided it was time to head for the hotel, and anyway, if I'd have left my car much longer, it would've been locked in the Car Park overnight!

Arriving at the hotel I was extremely pleased to find that booking my hotel room late had been beneficial. I hadn't managed to get a room at the Rutland, but instead was staying at the Forte Posthouse up the road. The Posthouse is in a different class to the Rutland. I was on the 9th floor, the room had a bath (one luxury I don't like to be without), a trouser press, a fridge, a double bed and all other mod-cons. It was also about three times the size of the room I'd had last year at the Rutland.

After bathing, I went down to the Rutland to see who was about. The usual group of reprobates had assembled in the foyer ready for the trip to the Frog and Parrot.

When we arrived at said hostelry, Brian Flanagan and I set about checking out the local talent, attracting attention from one onlooker who shall remain nameless (Brian, you know who)!

Cut to Saturday....

Saturday morning came and I entered the dealers' room intent on spending as little money as possible, an objective I very nearly achieved except that I fell for Sorayama's book Hyper Illustrations 2. Also picked up in the dealers' room was the long awaited bumper edition of Jim McLennan's Trash City - nice one Jim.

At this point in the report I'm finding it very difficult to actually talk about any of the anime I saw, possibly because I saw about five minutes worth in total. In fact this seems to be the case at every con I go to - I see less and less every con (so I'll leave the specifics about the anime program for someone else to cover). The longest I sat in front of a screen was during the all-nighter, in order to watch the live action version of Wicked City. Strange film, my only comment being that there wasn't enough female flesh on display.

Sunday morning came and after a hearty breakfast (also better than last year at the Rutland) I made my way to the Rutland in order to say my goodbyes. I had to set off home early as I had work to do during the afternoon.

Finally, I have to say that I had less enthusiasm for this con than for previous ones. I don't know the precise reasons for this, except perhaps for Cathryn, but than again it may have had more to do with the fact that there are certain elements of fandom that I'd rather avoid - Brian, I'm in total agreement!

Steve Whitcher:

Anime Day 4 was a bitter/sweet convention, sweet because yet again it was an exceptional con, bitter because it was the last AD for some time.

There are two things that you can always guarantee about Anime Day, quality and friendliness. And AD4 was no exception, a lot of fun squeezed into a weekend. It is becoming almost standard, that anyone who is anyone within anime fandom arrives on Friday night. The only problem is that cons that start on Friday run out of steam on Sunday.

Saturday evening was just mad! Though this may have had something to do with the quiz and masquerade. It was my first masquerade, and I've just seen the photos (Oh my God, why do we do this to ourselves?). Lets hope that we never see the photos in any major newspapers, I can see the headline "Pope Attacked by Manga Video fans!" Which would be wrong on both accounts!

The disappointing aspect of AD 4 was the number of people present. It didn't seem quite as packed as last year, which I guess may have had something to do with AUKCon being a fortnight before.

Presumably with anime becoming more fashionable, and trendy, we are going to see more cons each year. But I think that there will only be one con worth the trip half way across the country - Anime Day. Lets hope that the Anime Day "rest" is a short one, I hope to see everyone in 1996!

[4] REVIEWS

Battle Angel Alita
Manga Video 55 mins #10.99

When this tape arrived at work and I saw the sleeve, I thought to myself this looks terrible. The tape sat on top the VCR for three days until I had nothing else left to watch. Having actually popped it into the VCR, I can say it is a brilliant piece of anime. Probably I would have to go back as far as Project A-Ko or Dominion to find something of equal quality coming out of Manga Video.

It is quite an emotional release from Manga Video, and a love story between two cyborgs. A story crammed full of human emotion, human stress, and human nature. Similar to Dominion it has a hint of an environmental statement, and is a warning of what may happen to the Earth.

Alita deserves to sell well, it really is quality. It is well animated, and well dubbed. Like all good anime it is well balanced, and has something to offer most anime fans. And yes there is even blood spattering, and mecha! I would call it a cyberpunk love story, but this is an understatement, it is much more than this.

I don't want to spoil the plot too much. The earth has become a run down trash world, only fit to supply the raw materials for the artificial nirvana called Zarum, a heaven for the human elite. The brilliant cybernetic doctor Dr Ido, manages to scratch a living by repairing burnt out cyborgs, and is also a soldier of fortune.

During his search for spare parts he finds an old cyborg wreck which he rebuilds and names Alita, who really is a Battle Angel.

Alita has special powers and befriends Yugo, who has only one wish to live on Zarum. To do this he has to earn 10,000,000 credits from the factory. This is hard, but obtainable, to get the money he is prepared do anything, but can he do it? And how can he do it? Or will he find his own Nirvana on earth? Buy it and find out.

- Steve 'Yanez' Whitcher

Galactic Pirates Vol. 1
Western Connection 52 mins #10.99

This will be Western Connection's first dubbed release, and also the first release from French distributor Ucore. The story concerns a couple of reckless cops (one of whom is a cat) whose job it is to catch space pirates. This they accomplish with considerable panash and much collateral damage. There is obviously a heavy influence here from The Dirty Pair, and it's all the better for it. On the down side, the English script and dubbing have their faults, but they are never harsh enough to detract from what is a highly polished production. A worthwhile purchase.

- Jonathan Weeks

Cat Girl: Nuku Nuku
Crusader Video 90 mins #12.99

Crusader video are a new company, and have chosen to ignore the rules on what you can release in the UK. Instead of the usual recipe of violence or horror, they have opted for something ridiculously cute and silly - the type of story that the Japanese excel at, but has never been tried before in the U.K.

If you want to know the plot, read Anime UK 13 (I've got a deadline to keep, you know!) This review is just to let you know my opinion of the tape, and I can happily announce that I can highly reccomend it. The story and animation are excellent, and the voices of the main characters, while not perfect, manages a better depth of feeling that the average Manga video release. The only two detracting features are the poor dubbing of the incidental voices, and the script, which is accurate, but loses some of the untranslatable nuances of the original. Buy this tape. Even if you don't like it, Crusader is the first company to release anime in Britain that seems to care about what it's doing, rather than seeking a quick profit. This is a policy that deserves all our support.

- Jonathan Weeks

Gunbuster volume 1
Kiseki #10.99

The first episode of Gunbuster was one of the first subtitled anime I ever saw, and it remains one of my favourites. The story concerns Noriko Takaya, an ambitious student whose only wish is to follow in her late fathers footsteps as a space pilot. Noriko's wish is granted, as she is chosen along with Kazumi Amano to join the Earth Space Force, created to defend against an approaching alien invasion. The story details Noriko's progression from high school student to world saviour in the course of months. Or depending on your point of view it could be years, since Einstein's theory of relativity is adhered to strictly in Gunbuster, with time passing more rapidly on Earth during Noriko's time in space. When this first happens, she only misses a few months, but as the series progresses she finds her school friends aging rapidly while she remains sixteen. This is just one of the themes of the series which is handled well.

The tone in these first two episodes is very light hearted at times, but becomes gradually more serious as the series progresses. The production is by the now legendary Gainax studio, whose origin as fans themselves shows through in many aspects of the series. The most famous example is the well known 'Gainax Bounce'TM (a cute jiggle that the female characters have) which appeared here for the first time, and has been adopted my many animators since. The series parodies a lot of traditional anime themes, particularly sports anime and big robot shows, but never becomes camp enough to detract from the story. An essential purchase for anime fans everywhere.

- Jonathan Weeks

The Guyver parts 1 and 2
MEL #5.99 each

This is being touted by Manga as `the UK's first monthly Video-comic', and it does fit the description rather well. The twelve part series is being released over the course of the next 12 months, one half hour OAV at a time. The story concerns Sho, a young boy who stumbles accross a mysterious object that turns out to be a powerful alien weapon that transforms him into the Guyver. Each episode details an attempt by Cronos corporation, that owns the Guyver, to recover the Guyver from Sho, by sending other monsters against it.

This is very much a formula OAV series, with the plot taking second place to the inventiveness of Yoshiki Takaya's funky monster designs, and the well paced action sequences. If you want a deep meaningful plot, complex character development and superb voice acting, forget it; but if your into this for the action, it could well be worth a look.

- Jonathan Weeks

Urusei Yatsura TV volume 1
Anime Projects 100 mins #12.99

Urusei Yatsura is rapidly gaining fans over here due to Anime Projects' release of the movies, and these have been successful enough for this to be followed up with the release of the original TV series that started the whole thing off. One of the major problems with the movies and OAVs is that they assume the audience is already familiar with the characters and situation of the series and don't therefore bother to recap anything for the uninitiated. This is perfectly reasonable, because all of the audience in Japan will already be familiar with the TV series and won't need reminding of anything. Western viewers, however, may be getting confused.

With this release things should start making sense, as we now get to see all the characters introduced properly, as Lum arrives on earth for the first time and starts making life interesting for Ataru and his friends. The animation quality is as you'd expect for a TV series of this vintage, filmed in 16mm with mono sound, so don't expect the same look as the movies. Nevertheless, a must for UY fans everywhere.

- Jonathan Weeks

Rumik World: The Laughing Target
Manga Video 50 mins #8.99

The Laughing Target is the third of a trilogy of adaptations from the Rumik World series of short manga stories by Rumiko Takahashi (the others were Firetripper and The Supergal). Originally published in 1980 by Shonen Sunday, they were released as a three-story graphic novel in English by Viz Comics in 1993. The OAV was produced by Shogakukan and released in Japan on March 21st 1987.

Anyone familiar with Rumiko Takahashi's work knows how much she enjoys telling stories about average people living under strange circumstances. The story concerns a ordinary high school boy named Yuzuru. A beautiful girl that arrives at his house turns out to be his cousin Azusa, to whom he had been betrothed at the age of six. After the death of her mother, Azusa has been left with no living relatives and has come to marry Yuzuru so that she can become head of the Shisa family. Unfortunately, Yuzuru is perfectly happy with the girlfriend he already has, and isn't about to pay any attention to a such an old promise. To reveal any more of the plot would spoil it, but rest assured, Azusa turns out to be very determined to hold Yuzuru to his promise, and has some unconventional tricks up her sleeve to ensure she gets her way.

The misleading appearance of Azusa is a good example of Takahashi's love of showing the evil that can hide behind even the least remarkable faáade. Her skill with dramatic suspense is rarely equalled, and she remains one of the best exponents of the shojo horror genre. Overall, this is an excellent OAV that compliments the rest of the series well.

- Jonathan Weeks

Rumik World: Mermaid Forest
Manga Video 50 mins #8.99

Nit pickers will of course point out that this is not part of the Rumic World series originally released in Japan, but is part of the Mermaid series released a few years later. It satisfies the criteria, however, as it is a stand alone OAV based on a manga by Rumiko Takahashi.

According to legend, immortality can be obtained by eating the flesh of a mermaid. Yuta, the main character of Mermaid Forest did just that, four hundred years ago, and now finds himself trapped in a lonely existance with no escape. He befriends a young girl, Mana, who is also immortal, and together they lead a nomadic existance roaming the country. Other people know of their secret however, and pursue them in search of immortality thenselves.

The animation and direction in the Mermaid series is noticibly better than the previous Rumik World OAVs, with excellent use of dark, moody tones to portray the scarier aspects of the story. The dubbing is also better than the previous Rumik World release by Manga Video, with flaws only manifesting obvious in the most emotionally intense scenes. Definitely the best in the series so far.

- Jonathan Weeks

Amazing Strip
Ippongi Bang, Antarctic Press

Ippongi Bang is a creator that I hadn't come across before, and I expect that I may not be alone. This is a Mature Reader title, and I wouldn't recommend it for young readers, it is a bit juvenile, but I thought that it was quite funny.

I like Bang's artwork, it is cute, a bit risquÇ, and works well. The plot is both simple and confusing. The story is about a boy whose mother is kidnapped into the future. She is rescued by her own son who gets her pregnant, and the resultant baby is the son himself.

This sounds pretty tacky, and I am sure the media would have a field day if they came across a copy. But it much more tasteful than a Manga Video, and is legal. I thought it was quite funny, but it may not be everyone's cup of sake. Only 3800 copies of this were printed, so it may be hard to get hold of.

- Steve Whitcher

Change Commander Goku
Ippongi Bang, Antarctic Press

Yep another example of Ippongi Bang's work, but this time without the sex, so no Mature sticker on the cover!

Bang's style is cute and funny, and Change Commander Goku is a Superhero parody. So as you would expect the superhero called Goku is not your regular hero. His sense of direction makes Ryouga from Ranma 1/2 look like a professional tour guide. He eats faster than Rei from Lum, and he is embarrassed by his superhero costume.

Superheroism runs in his family, his sister is the famous Miss Honey flash. Unfortunately for Goku all his school friends have fallen in love with Miss Honey, but they don't know that she is his big sister.

Goku has been looked after by his sister since their parents died in an unexplainable plane crash. His father was a scientist ahead of his time, and was killed because of it, he did leave something behind, the technology to make his children superheroes.

Only four issues have been published by Antarctic Press which is a pity, but looking around for copies is well worth it.

- Steve Whitcher

Bubblegum Crisis: Grand Mal
Adam Warren et al, Dark Horse Comics

If there wasn't enough Manga in the World, Dark Horse have sat down and Commissioned some more. This is an American comic that pretends to be Manga. Having said that, it's good, a sort of Japanese/American hybrid comic. It's good for an American comic, its full colour printed on glossy paper and all for $2.50.

The first issue of four is an introduction to the series, as most of you will know The Bubblegum Crisis series I will not repeat it all. But this first issue just sets the scene, presumably for anyone not familiar with the anime.

Its style is a bit strange, a sort of textual and pictorial collage of snippets of info, which works quite well.

Its good value for money, but don't expect it to look 100% Japanese.

- Steve Whitcher

Project A-Ko
Tim Eldred and Ben Dunn, Malibu/US Manga Corps

Yep another pseudo-manga title. My first reaction to this one was here is an example of the comic book industry trying to make money from anime.

This comic seems to be based on the US Manga Corp. subtitled, and Manga Video dubbed anime! It even has a credit to Laurence Guinness. All I can say is if I were making a comic from anime, I would get the original script and not abridge an already abridged mucked about version.

Putting the soap box away, and trying to be positive, it's colourful! I read issue one and flicked through issue 2 and then wished I could cancel my subscription for issues 3 and 4.

If you're a fan of Project A-KO don't buy this comic! US Manga Corp. make great videos, but if this is a good example of their comics they should stick to the videos!

- Steve Whitcher

Dominion: Phantom of the Audience
Masamune Shirow, Dark Horse

Some real Manga at last! This Special edition by Masamune Shirow is a little different to the Original Dominion published By Eclipse. It still has all the old characters and the same great forever changing style. But this issue has more built-in comedy. The plot is the same as ever with the Tank Police firefighting trouble.

This time they get called out to control a demonstration at a Smartball game. Smartball kills roughly half a player a game, mainly due to players' bacterial filters being knocked off. Although Leona and Bonaparte II are sent to control the crowd, Leona being Leona soon takes things into her own hands.

She "visits" the main sponsor of Smartball Kenny PaurGrabb, who happens to be running for Major to find out what he is going to do about Smartball. Rather predictably she gets suspended from the Tank police, and resigns! What will happen? Buy it and see.

- Steve Whitcher

Cartoonia Anime - guida al cinema d'animazione giapponese

by Andrea Baricordi, Massimiliano De Giovanni, Andre Pietroni, Barbara Rossi and Sabrina Tunesi. Preface by Go Nagai. Italian language. 319 pages. 1991 Granata Press, Bologna. 35,000 lira.

review by Helen McCarthy

It is difficult to praise this book too highly - and I don't even speak or read Italian. However, I hope I can convince you that you should add it to your bookshelves.

First of all, it is the first index to anime productions in a European language, and as such deserves all our support. This book was written by a highly skilled and dedicated team of fan/semi-pro translators who were working at that time with Granata Press on MANGAZINE (not the Manga Video one, the Italian version, which has a much longer pedigree as well as far more accurately researched contents). Just after it appeared, the whole team left Granata following a dispute with the management and went to Star Comics, where they now work for the excellent KAPPA MAGAZINE and known collectively as the Kappa Boys (two of them are in fact girls, but it's a great name, so why quibble?)

In Cartoonia Anime they set out to produce a handbook of use to the large Italian fan market. Since the 1970s anime has been aired on Italian TV; translated manga are also enormously popular and there is a sizeable indigenous video and publishing industry in the anime and manga field. No attempt had previously been made to list a sizeable proportion of the anime available to fans and provide background information about it, and this book does precisely that.

The format is spectacularly easy to follow; the first chapter covers the history of anime from its beginnings to the end of 1962, and each subsequent chapter focuses on one year. There is a short introduction giving a historical overview of the year and highlighting major developments in anime, then a number of films are listed in order of release date, followed by TV series on order of first episode screening. 'Specials' items falling outside these two categories, e.g. made-for-TV movies follow each chapter, therefore you can review the year's films, TV series and other productions, each in chronological order, right up to the end of 1988, the book's cut-off date.

To help you find a particular title there are two indices. One lists all the original Japanese titles in romanji, the other wither the title under which the work was release in Italy, or if it hasn't had an Italian release, the Italian translation of the title. This can make life a little difficult if you don't know either the precise Japanese title of the Italian version. Minky Momo is indeed found under 'M' in both the Japanese and Italian indices, but not 'Mi', because the show's full title is '(Il) Magico Mondo Di Gigi', while Zillion is at the opposite end of the index to where you might expect under its full name of 'Akai Kodan Zillion', and is omitted from the Italian index altogether.

Apart from a few minor cross-referencing errors and omissions, the book has only two major faults - the amount and type of information supplied for each title is not consistent, and the listing is not comprehensive. The best entries include the names of the director, writer, and perhaps a few other staff, any manga associations, some story notes and a few of the character's names plus comments on what makes this production noteworthy. The worst entries are no more than scrappy story synopses, and some of them not even that. However, it must be borne in mind that the writers were working on a huge mass of productions, many almost unknown not only in Italy, but elsewhere in the West, with widely varying amounts of background material available to them. This probably also accounts for the productions completely ommited from the book. It is, however, churlish to complain when there is so much rare and excellent material here.

What about the language problem? Well, as I said earlier, I don't read of speak Italian. I have a good command of Latin and that helps a bit, but Italian verbs are a law unto themselves and I won't pretend that this book is easy going, even with patience and the help of a good dictionary, unless you are fluent in Italian. It's time well invested though; and even if you feel you can't struggle through some of the language, the romanji title listing alone justifies buying the book, unless, of course your kanji skills are stronger than your Italian. The pictures are also a help here; although every show isn't pictured, there is a good chance that looking at the black and white illustrations may let you put titles to productions that have hitherto only been incomprehensible squiggles in NEWTYPE. If you are interested in the earlier series say, the development of the giant robot of the team show then this book is essential to any serious research, since there is little material available in any European language other than synopses of varying accuracy or very old and hard-to-get fanzines.

If I've convinced you that this book is essential, ask Forbidden Planet or Sheffield Space Centre to order it for you. Both have previously stocked the Granata Press English-language publications so this shouldn't be too hard for them to get. Or write directly to the publisher at via Marconi no. 47, 40122 Bolongna, Italy, for mail order details and postage and packing costs.

[6] Metal Skin Panic MADOX 01

by Richard Steele

Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 is an OAV that was released by FujiSankei Communications in 1987. Set in Tokyo, MADOX-01 is the story of an engineering student, Koji Sugimoto, who comes into possession of an experimental anti-tank robot after its transport truck is destroyed in a traffic accident. The Japanese self defence forces, the U.S. Army, and the designers of the MADOX mobilise to retrieve the MADOX suit and Koji Sugimoto would just as soon give it to them except there's one small problem. Koji figured out how to get into the thing but he can't figure out how to get out. What's more, Koji has a date with his girlfriend who is going away to England as a foreign exchange student and if he doesn't meet her for their date he may loose her forever. Will ace test pilot Ellie Kusumoto be able to track down the renegade MADOX before veteran tank commander Lieutenant Kilgore has a chance to destroy it and cause Koji to miss his big date? You will just have to watch Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 to find out.

The story and direction of MADOX-01 are the product of Aramaki Nobuyuki's unique vision. Combined with the mechanical designs of Tamura Hideki you have something that is far from your average action-adventure anime. The combat scenes are depicted in a realistic nature, employing vehicles and weapons found in use in modern military units around the world. This sense of realism, combined with some of the best technical animation in any OAV, makes the viewer much more inclined to believe something like the MADOX suit could really exist in modern society. Once the viewer accepts the existence of the MADOX the rest of the story seems to flow around the MADOX in a logical and progressive manner. The character reactions seem to follow logically from their unique personalities and all these elements combine to create a story which is fantastic yet believable.

Another element which sets MADOX-01 apart from other anime are the unique character designs of Tamura Hideki. The character designs of MADOX-01 differ markedly from mainstream anime character designs. The designs are much more angular, with a good sense of bodily proportions and movement. Smooth lines are generally reserved for the eyes and figure while the rest of the face is dominated by sharp angles and hard edges. It is a distinctive style all its own, not derivative of any other character designers work. The characters of MADOX-01 are striking in appearance, ranging from menacing elegant. These designs in and of themselves are reason enough to see MADOX-01.

The stunning character designs of Tamura Hideki are brought to life by the talents of the voice actors and actresses of Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01. These are the characters of MADOX.

Koji Sugimoto: Voice actor Matsumoto Yasunori lends his skills to the role of second-year engineering student Koji Sugimoto. Koji is a good natured person in his second year of engineering school in Tokyo. He works part time at a garage with his friend Onose and has a strong relationship with a girl named Shiori. Shiori and Koji have been together for quite some time, but their relationship seems threatened because of Shiori is going away to England for a year to study abroad. However, despite this complication in his relationship with Shiori, Koji's life seems rather ordinary. That is until he happens across the MADOX suit. Onose discovers the suit in the salvage truck belonging to the garage and Koji offers to take charge of the strange object. What happens from this point on are some of the most bizarre mecha hijinks to be had in any anime. But despite all of this Koji is still determined to meet Shiori one last time before he risks losing her forever.

Ellie Kusumoto: Voice actress Asakami Yoko brings to life the competent and beautiful test pilot of the MADOX-01, Ellie Kusumoto is an intelligent and attractive woman. She is also a proud and spirited person who is committed to the MADOX project. Her position as MADOX test pilot quickly brings her into conflict with the equally proud and unyielding tank commander First Lieutenant Kilgore. When the MADOX suit is lost a race begins between Ellie Kusumoto and Kilgore to see who can be the first one either to make contact with the pilot of the MADOX or destroy it.

First Lieutenant Kilgore: Voice actor Sogabi Masayoshi does an excellent job portraying the arrogant and egotistical Lieutenant Kilgore. The best tank driver in the U.S. Army, Lieutenant Kilgore is picked to lead a squad of three M1A1 tanks against the MADOX in simulated city combat. Kilgore is disgusted by what he sees as a humiliating defeat by the MADOX and it's test pilot Ellie Kusumoto. When the MADOX is stolen Kilgore is given the task of retrieving the suit. However, Kilgore intends to do nothing than destroy the MADOX suit and avenge his earlier humiliation. Kilgore is a dangerous individual, a man truly out of place anywhere but on the battlefield.

Shiori Nagura: Voice actress Ishida Yukiko brings to life the character of Shiori. Shiori is a girl of few words but possessing a subtle strength and a distinctive personality. Shiori has to leave her boyfriend Koji for a time as she studies in England but before departing she wishes to meet one final time with Koji.

Onose Haruo: Voice actor Hase Arihiro plays the part of Koji's best friend Onose. Onose is a good natured friend to Koji, level headed and personable Onose urges Koji not to get the wrong idea about Shiori's departure to study abroad. Just after the two of them discover the MADOX suit Onose tells Koji that Shiori wishes to meet with him that night on the observation deck of the NSR building at eight o'clock.

There are several other supporting roles played by various voice actors and actresses. Ranging from generals to convenience store employees these minor characters play off the major characters to round out the cast of MADOX. These are the individuals who have added their voices to the general cast of characters to be found in MADOX : Ikemizu Michihiro, Hirose Tadashi, Kato Masayuki, Oka Kazuo, Shioya Komi, Inagaki Satoru, Yamaguchii Koko, Kategawa Yasuko, and Sato Koshi.

Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 was subtitled in English by AnimEigo in 1989. The subtitling effort was headed by translators Michael House and Shin Kurokawa. Final editing was done by Roe R. Adams and Masaki Takai.

Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 is licensed to AnimEigo by FujiSankei all rights under copyright reserved.

[7] SHOPPING FOR ANIME (AND MANGA) IN JAPAN

by Geoff Cowie

You should be aware that anime in Japan is expensive. A check through ANIMERICA magazine, reveals that a 25 min tape costs Y4800, and a 50min tape will cost Y9600 (that's about #70, plus UK VAT and import duty.) This is the bad news. You should also realise that more laserdiscs are sold in Japan than tapes, as the tapes are mainly made for rental.

However, laserdiscs are frequently cheaper than tapes, and re-issues, or compilation discs, are often much better value for money. Boxed sets of LDs (e.g. the seven-disc Iczer-3 Super Blowing Up Box) are popular and are usually good value. Some shops have twice-yearly seasonal sales in which LDs, especially the older ones, are usefully discounted and tapes are sometimes slashed to a fraction of the original price.

In Japan a LD player costs as little as #200 (the cost of three laserdiscs). Remember though, that a LD player is a bulky item that weighs about 10kg (22lb), and after you've had it shipped back and paid the duty you'll still have to buy a transformer and a NTSC TV set. And it may not play PAL LDs.

At this point I should remind you that many popular anime items are now on release in the USA at prices rather cheaper than in Japan, and can be ordered via the UK for your personal use.

If you are interested in music, there are several CDs for every anime series: the soundtrack, the theme music album, and the drama CD. (the latter is music + dialogue). Look for these in specialist anime shops. The CDs cost about #20 each, and I didn't see any on cassette.

AVAILABILITY

New stuff should present no problems. If you want to find something older but popular, like Project A-Ko, you should be able to find it all on laserdisc, but if you want A-Ko on tape you may have more difficulty. Some items, e.g. OUTLANDERS and DREAMHUNTER REM #1 are definitely unavailable, while other less popular items like 2001 NIGHTS or TO-Y may prove elusive. Many of the popular TV shows are re-issued as CLV laserdisc sets. Unfortunately in most cases the discs seem not to be available individually and your chances of finding tapes are even slimmer. For instance you can get the RANMA OVAs, or a very expensive boxed LD set of the 161 RANMA TV episodes.

Some shops instead of giving a discount hand out freebies to buyers. These freebies can include handfuls of animation cels that can be sold for cash when you get home.

Browsing through an anime LD or tape rack you'll come across many familiar items, more than half of which are helpfully named in English script.

PITFALLS

1. There are still a few Betamax tapes around: make sure you don't buy one by mistake.
2. Finding a shop in Tokyo is not an easy matter, as many streets are not named and buildings are numbered in order of construction. And the shop may be on an upper floor. Even with a bilingual map of the city plus a map from a magazine like Animage or Newtype, showing the shop location, it can still be a time consuming and frustrating hunt. The most useful specialist anime shops are in the Akhiabara dist
   
3. Be aware that a tape or disc will contain only one 25-min OVA, not two as in America.
   
4. Being able to recognise what you're looking for can be a problem and you should be prepared to recognise the Japanese title or the box spine design, or be able to ask for what you want. Don't assume that people you meet will speak fluent English; few do.
   
5. Beware the airline weight limit. You can only bring back 20Kg plus your hand baggage, and it is all too easy to exceed this limit with a modest shopping spree. The airlines don't usually weigh the hand baggage, but take my word for it that lugging 25+Kg of bags across Tokyo is no joke. Travel light, or give the excess away to avoid paying punitive excess baggage charges (about #50 a kilo!)
   
6. Do NOT buy Japanese graphics software as it doesn't work on non-Japanese PCs.
   

MANGA

Buying manga is much simpler, as the popular reprint titles can be found in bookshops anywhere. There are also specialist shops like Manga no Mori in Shinjuku. Manga is also very cheap, cheaper than comics in Britain or America. (Remember also that some Japanese manga can be bought in Japan shops in London.) Again, recognising what you're looking for can be a problem.

If you get the chance, spend half a day at a Japanese SF convention or comics fair, where you will be able to get dojinshi (manga fan magazines often produced to an amazingly high standard) or even fan anime. Both are unobtainable in the UK.

CONCLUSION

To the laserdisc collector, Tokyo anime shops are LD heaven. Your only worry will be how to get that URUSEI YATSURA boxed set home and how much the customs duty will be. If you have a NTSC VCR, you won't have so much choice but should be able to find some tapes worth buying. Best buys however are manga reprint volumes from about #2.50 each. You should be able to find a tie-in to your favourite anime, or discover some superb art.

[8] Sol Bianca

by Richard Steele

Sol Bianca takes an intriguing look at the ideas of space travel and interstellar piracy. The visual style is sharp, working well with the technical designs of Sol Bianca to create a unique and fully realised view of space combat. Accented by a driving rock score, Sol Bianca contains well choreographed action sequences which should delight any fan of science fiction anime.

Sol Bianca was released in 1990 by NEC under the direction of Katsuhito Akiyama. Mechanical Designer Atsushi Takeuchi and Sound Director Yoshikazu Iwamani are the two individuals most responsible for the hard driving action and fascinating technical designs that are Sol Bianca's most notable qualities. However, these are not the only qualities of note in Sol Bianca; Character Designer Naoyuki Onda has done his part as well, creating not only the all female crew of the Sol Bianca, but the wealth of other characters that make up the cast of Sol Bianca.

The pirate ship Sol Bianca's crew comprises five female pirates who roam the space ways praying on rich merchants in search of treasure. Feb seems to be the nominal leader of this pirate band. She is a quiet and reserved individual, except when money is involved. April is the most level headed member of this rather eccentric crew. She is the one who befriends the young boy Rim, who has stowed away on a merchant ship the Sol Bianca raided. Janny is an expert sharpshooter and clearly the most aggressive of the five. May appears to be the youngest of the five and certainly acts that way. Immature and temperamental, May is still an important part of the Sol Bianca's crew. June is the final member of the Sol Bianca's crew. June is possibly the most important member of the crew as she shares an empathic link with the Sol Bianca's intelligent computer system Gi.

As the story of the Sol Bianca unfolds we find these five larcenous ladies conducting what would seem to be a routine attack on a merchant ship. However, the attack turns out to be anything but routine as they discover a young stowaway in the cargo they have stolen. The boy is Rim, from the planet Uno. He had stowed away in hopes of reaching the planet Tres, where he intends to search for his mother. Both Uno and Tres are controlled by a powerful and merciless dictator with a penchant for collecting unique treasures. In an effort to gain the asistance of the crew of the Sol Bianca, Rim reveals to them that Emperor Batros has come into possession of the 'Gnosis'. The Gnosis is a legendary artifact said to contain the wisdom of the gods themselves. Such an object would be of incalculable worth, so the crew of the Sol Bianca agree to take Rim to Tres if he will show them where Batros has hidden the Gnosis. However, when they arrive at Tres, Emperor Batros sets his eye on a new treasure to be added to his collection, the Sol Bianca itself. In the conflict which follows there can be only one survivor, Emperor Batros or the crew of the Sol Bianca. Five woman against an entire empire, I would say that the odds are just about even.

Feb: Played by voice actress Yohko Matsuoka, Feb Fall is the nominal leader of the all female crew of the Sol Bianca. Feb often seems disinterested in the day to day running of the Sol Bianca, content to allow the other crew members to do their jobs with a minimum of interruption. This seems to work well as the rest of the crew are more than capable of carrying out their respective tasks. One of the few things that can rouse Feb from her state of complacence is the mention of treasure. Even more so than the other pirates aboard the Sol Bianca, Feb has a passion for wealth and the luxury it can bring. To these ends she can be both commanding and ruthless, but not to the exclusion of her own sense of self preservation or her concern for the other crew members of the Sol Bianca.

April: Played by voice actress Rei Sakuma, April seems to occupy a position of respect amongst the crew of the Sol Bianca, second only to Feb. April has earned the respect and admiration of her friends because of her sensitive and kind behavior. In fact, she seems to be the most intuitive member of the crew. April is a bit of a tom-boy despite the fact she is older than most of the other crew members. April is somewhat idealistic and always willing to help out those in trouble. Even is she may seem a bit standoffish at first, she is a sensitiv woman who cares a great deal for her friends.

Janny: Minami Takayami provides the voice for Janny. An expert sharpshooter, Janny could be considered the weapons exepert of the Sol Bianca even though the others are all skilled fighters. Janny is often course in behavior toward her fellow crew members. In fact, she is unforgiving toward those who she dislikes, and is willing to go to incredible ends to avenge an insult. Janny may be the most ruthless members of the Sol Bianca's crew but she is far from heartless. In fact she would sacrifice her own life, or anyone elses for that matter, to save the crew of the Sol Bianca.

May: Miki Ito puts in an excellent performance as the youthful and immature May. Miki Ito's ability to do young girls' voices is fantastic. This skill has landed her the role of Gally in Battle Angel. May is the youngest member of the crew of the Sol Bianca. Scarcely more than a child, May is none the less a valuable member of the crew of the Sol Bianca, and possesses many of the same skills that the other members of the crew have. She is an excellant mecha pilot and commands the Sol Bianca's largest attack mecha.

June: Voice actress Yuriko Fuchizaki plays the roll of the just a bit more than human June. June is possibly the most important member of the Sol Bianca's crew as she is not human, although she resembles a human in most ways, but an alien life form that shares an empathic link with the intelligent pirate ship Sol Bianca. It seems that at some time in the past there were entire fleets of these powerful ships which were paired with a pilot that could share her conciousness with the ship itself, but in a disastrous battle most of these ships were destroyed. The Sol Bianca and June may in fact be the last of their kind. June is not nearly as aggressive as some of the other members of the crew, but she is still a resourceful and cunning member of the crew.

Rim: Daisuke Namikawa plays the part of the young boy Rim. Rim was a stowaway on a merchant ship bound for the planet Tres, but his trip was cut short when the pirate ship Sol Bianca attacked the merchant and made off with its cargo, Rim included. Rim is able to convince the crew of the Sol Bianca to take him to Tres under the pretext of retieving a legendary treasure from its evil dictactor Batros. Rim true goal, however, is to retrieve his mother who has become an unwilling part of Batroses collection of treasures. Rim is fiercely determined and headstrong. He loves his mother a great deal and will do anything to rescue her.

Batros: Voice actor Aono Takeshi plays the part of General Batros, supreme ruler of the planet Tres and conqueror of Rim's homeplanet Uno. Batros is a heartless dictator determined to rule his own little corner of known space with an iron hand. When his ships encounter the Sol Bianca and learn of its unique properties, Batros decides that he wishes to acquire it for study. Unfortunately for him, the inhabitants of the conquered planet Uno launch a revolt that draws the attention away from the crew of the Sol Bianca. This turns out to be a fatal mistake for Batros.

Sol Bianca is subtitled in English by A.D. Vision. Translators Ichiro Arakaki and Dwayne Jones worked with writer Matt Greenfield to produce this subtitled version. However, it was no easy task. In Japanese there are varying forms of address that can be used to imply different levels of respect, or lack thereof. Many translators refer to these different forms as politeness levels. Level four being denoted by special honourific words and level one reserved for street slang and very informal conversations. The problem in translating these forms into English is that English lacks a suitable counterpart ot these politeness levels. As a result, to try and capture the casual manner in which the members of the Sol Bianca converse with each other, it was decided to include a good deal of profanity. While the original Japanese text might not of contained these words, it would if been equally course sounding to a Japanese listener. It is because the woman of Sol Bianca often use the most informal forms of speech when conversing, like sisters might when speaking amongst themselves, that the English translators chose to include the amount of profanity that they did.

Total running time is sixty minutes. Sol Bianca is licensed to A.D. Vision by NEC. All rights under copyright reserved.