F-ZeroOne

What makes that Batman Begins packaging even funnier for a British person is the fact that "Jack Straw" is currently our State Secretary for Justice and Lord High Chancellor. Which sort of sounds like a superhero title in the first place!

Presumably pilots of the T-50 are already thinking in Russian.

Xabungle. Anyone who has suffered the first 20-odd episodes of ZZ Gundam and was left with the impression that Tomino can't do humour should really check this out. Its an almost perfect de-construction of the entire mecha genre, made back when there almost wasn't anything to de-construct!

Heres an odd question - looking at pictures of Russian aircraft with their wheels down, it seems that many of them have green inner rims. The Indian Navy variant of the MiG-29 has them as well. I was just curious if there was a particular reason or is it "just one of those things"...

Hmm... ever seen the aborted attempt to use SD Gundam for Western markets...?

Good lord, thats like something out of Yukikaze!

Londo Bells job was to track down Zeon remnants. I'm unclear as to whether they were ever an "official" part of the Federation, they don't seem to be too well supported by them in CCA.

That is pretty good! Surprised "The Vision of Escaflowne" doesn't seem to have been mentioned yet. All, after me - "ES-CA-FLOW-NE, ES-CA-FLOW-NE... " ("Dance of Curse"). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSlNHi6wgQQ...feature=related (reminds me a little bit of "Carmina Burana"... )

I had to go cheat and look it up. I won't spoil the fun for anyone else, but it was absolutely the last thing I expected.

In 80s Japanese Dungeons and Dragons, elves had really big ears (Record of Lodoss War OP):

Always loved this theme from "Project A-Ko"; apparently its called "Explosion" (you might remember it as the theme when Project A-Ko tries to out-Macross Macross!): And while we're on Project A-Ko. "Dance Away" and "Follow Your Dream":

Speaking of Orguss, the ED has got to be one of the more unique 80s anime themes:

Everythings coming up roses, which must mean its time for some Utena: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mQFGdHSbTY And though I've always had problems with the boy-band Gundam, the opening theme is still pretty awesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55euNKtEpBo Still one of my all time favourite anime, Urusei Yatsura 3 "Remember My Love"; the opening theme "Born To Be Free" starts at 06:25 in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRLzrWBnl_E

"Guys, you know when we said use 'off the shelf' components when possible...?" I've stood under a Vulcans bomb bay. That was impressively huge.

I'm not really familiar with those two, but I saw Now and Then shortly after seeing Escaflowne, and lets just say that, in comparison to this guy, Dilandu is practically a saint. As Ghost Train points out, the show kind of catches you by surprise, given the world design.

Niceeeeee. Currently working my way through Xabungle, which has this pretty awesome theme (incidentally, its worth pointing out that Yoshiyuki Tomino actually penned the lyrics for many of his shows opening themes)...

Warning, this series can be brutal. I've only seen the first two volumes but it features possibly the most deranged anime psychopath of all time...

Yes, the OP is supposed to pump you up for the show and it was a bit disappointing. I'm not entirely sure if this was correct, but I understand Bandai didn't reveal the issue until (in at least some cases) people had already received their sets, which was a bit naughty though they were probably in a bit of a rock/hard place situation...

Thanks; I grew up during the 80s so I guess synthesisers just harmonise with my musical soul better...! Another couple of favourites; first "Give a Reason" from Slayers Next, followed by the mighty Turn-A Gundam (do you ever wonder who the bloke is that says "Turn-A Gundam" at the beginning? ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oayXglsMryQ You, er, might know this one from Macross 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh25-V63IBk

Oops, double post.

A personal favourite, the Cats Eye opening theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V079fmpc5_4...feature=related Kimagure Orange Road has an awesome soundtrack, generally. Zeta Gundam opening: Chars Counterattack ending, Beyond the Time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y6jn8GG0p0 Aura Battler Dunbine opening, another favourite:

Bubblegum Crisis. That is all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irYBFDodda8

That was... uh... ...look, 80s anime is just better. Fact. And "California Crisis" is the 80s, as an anime. So... Very unique title - thanks again, Area88!

Okay, having seen the thing the whole way through its not as unintentionally humour-providing all the way through as the first fifteen minutes. Its a reasonably decent slice of 80s anime; the main trouble I was having is that it clearly wants to be taken very seriously and its almost impossible not to take it seriously...! There are some nice animation moments. If it is based on an Osamu Tezuka work, I have to wonder what the original was like, I doubt the character designs used are the same somehow...

Just to make clear, I have no end of appreciation for fans like Area88 and his group of fansubbers for unearthing obscurities like this and making them available, whatever I might feel about the individual title in question. Thanks!