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Meioh Project Zeorymer (冥王計画ゼオライマー) AIC/ARTMIC/YOUMEX/Toshiba EMI, 1988-1990 U.S. Manga Corps., 1994, 2003 (out of print) Directed by Toshihiro Hirano (Fight! Iczer-One, Dangaioh)Running Time: 30 minutes per episode Rated 16-Up for graphic violence, nudity, sexual situations and strong language. Cast (Japanese) Toshihiko Seki (Legato in Trigun, Rau in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED) as Masato Akitsu Chieko Honda (Elpeo Ple in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Kurumi in Kimagure Orange Road) as Miku Himuro Hideyuki Tanaka (Riding Bean, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) as Oki Mayumi Shou (Mia Alice in Dangaioh, Hitomi in Appleseed) as Yuratei Hirotaka Suzuoki (Bright Noa in Mobile Suit Gundam, Kaifun in Macross) as Taiha Kaneto Shiozawa (Vampire Hunter D OAV, Shin in the original Area 88) as Saiga Yuko Sasaki (Miranda in The Venus Wars, Kourin in Twelve Kingdoms) as Tau Rei Sakuma (Kazumi in Gunbuster, Nina in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083) as Aen Sho Hayami (Max in Macross, Wolfwood in Trigun as Ritsu Masako Katsuki (Lucette in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083, Emeraldas in Harlock Saga) as Rockfell Tessho Genda (Sanders in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, James in ZOE: Dolores, i) as Gisou Mahito Tsujimura (Jihl in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Tsukamoto in 801 T.T.S. Airbats) as Lurahn Issei Masamune (Chief in You're Under Arrest) as the narrator Synopsis Tekkoryu (Hau Dragon) - a secret Chinese-based organization bent on world domination. After the rise of their new leader, Yuratei, the Tekkoryu come out of hiding and unleash the Hakkeshu - a band of giant robots with lethal weaponry and equally skilled pilots. Before their quest for domination, the Hakkeshu must recover one of their own mecha: Zeorymer of the Heavens, stolen from them 15 years ago by a turncoat member along with the frozen embryo of a genetically engineered pilot. Caught in the crossfire is Masato Akitsu, a teenager captured by a Japanese organization and forced to pilot Zeorymer. Teamed with a mysterious girl named Miku Himuro, Masato must use Zeorymer to battle each of the Hakkeshu's mecha; at the same time, he must figure out why he was chosen to pilot the mecha and why he is able to adapt to it so easily. Story: B- After Dangaioh left us with a cliffhanger ending (I refuse to consider Great Dangaioh canon), I was unsure if I could trust another Toshihiro Hirano title. Then, I picked up Hades Project Zeorymer. It has a rather dark storyline using realistic giant robots and a protagonist with a personality disorder. Masato starts out as a kid that's so pessimistic, you'd think he's Shinji Ikari in another form. Then, when he's piloting Zeorymer, he becomes a maniacal psychopath bent on total destruction of his enemies. The plot and character development really build up on episodes 1-3. Unfortunately, it all falls apart on episode 4 with revelations leaving you asking what the hell just happened. And then the series ends on a rather sour note. Despite all this, Zeorymer is well worth watching. Hirano just needs to learn to end his anime titles properly. Animation: A Ah, nothing like some grade-A cel animation. For a title that's nearly two decades old, Zeorymer boasts some excellent animation and awesome mecha designs by Hideki Kakinuma (Bubblegum Crisis, Gall Force) and Kimitoshi Yamane (Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne), as well as some outstanding character designs by Michitaka "Kia Asamiya" Kikuchi (Silent Möbius, Martian Successor Nadesico). Zeorymer, Rose C'est la Vie and Lanstar are some of the sweetest robot designs this side of The Five Star Stories. Soundtrack: B Eiji Kawamura's (Black Jack) musical score has its moments, especially the battle themes. But for the most part, it doesn't warrant a soundtrack purchase. The ending theme reeks of Engrish. Sub vs. Dub Central Park Media's current DVD release features an all-new English dub, which sucks like every other CPM dub. Just give me a folding chair and a moment alone with the narrator. DVD Extras: B+ Two years ago, when I originally posted this review, I used the NuTech Digital DVD for reference. That disc set was merely a hard-subbed transfer with average video and sound quality. Today, we have CPM's new-and-improved DVD, featuring improved picture and sound, optional subtitles and extras like a photo gallery, line art and character/mecha descriptions (images & text with audio only). The Bottom Line If you're a fan of old-school '80s mecha, you owe it to yourself to pick up Hades Project Zeorymer. It still stands on its own against most of the newer mecha titles. Links AIC's Official Hades Project Zeorymer Homepage (Japanese) Reference Anime News Network

Project A-Ko (プロジェクトA子) A.P.P.P./Soeishinsha/Pony Canyon/Media Factory, 1986, 2003 U.S. Manga Corps, 1991, 2002; Discotek Media, 2011 Directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima (Aika, Najica Blitz Tactics)Running Time: 80 minutes Rated TV-14 for violence, nudity, mature situations and strong language. Cast (Japanese) Miki Ito (Battle Angel, Android No. 18 in Dragon Ball Z/GT) as A-Ko Magami Emi Shinohara (Makoto/Sailor Jupiter in Sailor Moon, Angel in The Big O) as B-Ko Daitokuji Michie Tomizawa (Rei/Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon, Jeanne in Southern Cross) as C-Ko Kotobuki Shuichi Ikeda (Char in Mobile Suit Gundam, Mason in Bubblegum Crisis) as Captain Napolipolita Tessho Genda (Sanders in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Convoy/Optimus Prime in Transformers) as D Asami Mukaidono as Miss Ayumi Sayuri Ikemoto as Mari (female voice) Daisuke Gouri (Dozle Zabi in Mobile Suit Gundam, Edmond Honda in Street Fighter II: The Movie) as Mari (angry voice) Yoko Ogai (Captain Tsubasa) as Asa Yoshino Takamori (Nadia of the Mysterious Seas, Sayaka in Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl) as Ine Megumi Hayashibara (Come on! Don't tell me you don't know her voice.) as Ume Synopsis Sixteen years have passed since a mysterious alien ship crashed on Earth. On Graviton City, superhuman high school student A-Ko Magami dukes it out with the diabolical genius B-Ko Daitokuji, who will stop at nothing to win the friendship of A-Ko's buddy C-Ko Kotobuki. Meanwhile, in outer space, another alien ship is on course towrds Earth to find its planet's lost princess. Story: A- Many anime parodies have come and gone, but few can compare to Project A-Ko with its non-stop humor and wonderful set of characters. Whether it's the excessively energetic A-Ko, the ever-annoying C-Ko or the muscular freak Mari (a parody of Fist of the North Star's Kenshiro), you can't help but laugh at every minute of gags that poke fun at nearly every major anime title conceived during its time. Animation: A+ Next to Macross: Do You Remember Love?, Project A-Ko was the major highlight of Japanese animation in the mid-'80s. The film features some of Yuji Moriyama's (Maison Ikkoku, 801 T.T.S. Airbats) best character designs and a handful of groundbreaking mecha action by Shoichi Masuo (Vandread, Dirty Pair). B-Ko's Akagiyama-23 bio-suit paved the way for other sexy female gear like the Hard Suits of Bubblegum Crisis. Soundtrack: B+ Even though it's aged considerably, Richie Zito and Joey Carbone's musical score is pretty decent. The theme songs "Dance Away (A-Ko's Theme)," "In Your Eyes (B-Ko's Theme)" and "Follow Your Dream (C-Ko's Theme)" are typical '80s bubblegum pop, but still catchy. Sub vs. Dub The English dub by Manga Video is typical of the company: utter crap. DVD Extras I don't have the DVD yet, but from the information on the cover, Central Park Media's new Collector's Series edition has the film digitally remastered and in full-screen (revealing the fact that the original's letterbox format is merely black bars pasted on the film). Also included is the original soundtrack CD. The Bottom Line New anime fans who want more old-school should pick up Project A-Ko, whether it's for the laughs or the cool animation. A classic that should be part of your collection. Reference Anime News Network

M.D. Geist: Collector's Series (M.D. Geist: Director's Cut + M.D. Geist II: Death Force) ( M.D.ガイスト 1-2 ) Nippon Columbia/Denon, 1986/1996 U.S. Manga Corps, 1992/1996, 2002; ADV Films, 2009 Directed by Koichi Ohata (Gunbuster, Ikki Tousen) (M.D. Geist originally directed by Hayato Ikeda) Rated 16-Up for extreme violence and gore, nudity and profanity. M.D. Geist (装鬼兵MDガイスト) In the distant future, mankind has colonized other planets in the universe. While many planets lived in peace, one planet has been ravaged by decades of war. Geist, an enhanced soldier, wakes up from his cryogenic sleep to engage in another war. This time, to help the army stop the planet's central computer from activating a doomsday device. M.D. Geist II: Death Force (装鬼兵MDガイスト2) After unleashing the Death Force machines, Geist has kept himself busy by dismantling them one by one. But now he faces a formidable opponent in the form of Krauser, another enhanced soldier who has aligned himself as the only savior of mankind. An instant flop in Japan in 1986, M.D. Geist was picked up by U.S. Manga Corps in the early 1990s as the company's corporate logo. Because of their obsession with Geist, U.S. Manga Corps gave creator Koichi Ohata (Aim for the Top! Gunbuster, Genocyber) a fat paycheck to refine the OAV and produce a sequel. The results can be found in this DVD package. Cast Norio Wakamoto (Coach in Gunbuster, Chiyochichi in Azumanga Daioh) as M.D. Geist (original 1986 version) Kazuhiro Nakata (Ron in Outlaw Star, Bear in .hack//) as M.D. Geist (Director's Cut and M.D. Geist II) Fumi Hirano (Lum in Urusei Yatsura) as Vaiya (original 1986 version) Rica Matsumoto (Jim in Outlaw Star, Aoi in You're Under Arrest) as Vaiya (Director's Cut) Rica Fukami (Myung in Macross Plus, Minako/Sailor Venus in Sailor Moon) as Vaiya (M.D. Geist II) Akio Nojima (Aaron in Armored Trooper Votoms, Alexander in Eureka Seven AO) as Kurtz (original 1986 version) Unshou Ishizuka (Jet in Cowboy Bebop, Guld in Macross Plus) as Kurtz (Director's Cut) Kaneto Shiozawa (1954-2000) (Rei in Fist of the North Star, M'quve in Mobile Suit Gundam) as M.D. Krauser Story: F What story? All I see is brainless, gratuitous violence. Animation: D M.D. Geist: Director's Cut has crude, low-budget OAV animation, and the colors of the added footage do not mix with the old footage. M.D. Geist II has cleaner artwork, but suffers from, well, lack of animation. Roughly 80% of the OAV consists of just still shots. And you'd think U.S. Manga Corps would spare no expense on their corporate mascot... Soundtrack: D- Bad enough that you see bad animation in M.D. Geist. Worse is that you have to put up with some cheesy music to go with it, along with some crappy songs about the guy. I feel sorry for the great Hironobu Kageyama (Dragon Ball Z, Mazinkaiser), who recorded the theme songs. This is, by far, the worst original Japanese soundtrack for any anime. Sub vs. Dub Quite frankly, the voice acting is laughable. And I'm talking about both English and Japanese versions. DVD Extras: B Apparently, U.S. Manga Corps still worships this title. In 2002, they released the Collector's Series version of this DVD, phasing out the mediocre Image Entertainment version. With that in mind, U.S. Manga Corps went all-out by remastering the picture quality. (Wow - M.D. Geist II was done in 1996 and the quality's already deteriorating?) Also included in the two-disc set are the following features: Commentary by creators Koichi Ohata/Riku Sanjo (In Japanese) Alternate angles (using the graphic novel published by CPM Manga) Storyboards Art gallery Geist Rider Scrapbook - A look at the customized Harley Davidson bike inspired by the anime A really, really stupid music video So far, Netflix sent me disc one only. From what I've read, disc two just has more artwork from Ohata. And I have absolutely no time to view that. The Bottom Line U.S. Manga Corps needs a new corporate mascot. I'll take the Geist Rider, though. On a side note, imagine if Central Park Media decided to produce a live-action M.D. Geist movie. It would probably star Dolph Lundgren as Geist.

Does anyone know if Japanese Xbox games will play on a US Xbox; if so I have good news for Yukikaze fans. Go to http://www.aquasystem.co.jp/japanese2.html Scroll down the page, on your left you'll see a picture of the XBOX game, click on it. on the next page, click on GALLERY.

Kikou Senki Dragonar ( 機甲戦記ドラグナー ) Sunrise/Nagoya TV/Bandai Visual, 1987-1988 U.S. Distributor Pending. Directed by the late Takeyuki Kanda (Round Vernian VIFAM, Gundam: The 08th MS Team). Running Time: 25 minutes per episode. Not Rated (Suggested 13+). Contains sci-fi violence. Cast Masami Kikuchi (Tenchi Muyo!, Keiichi in Ah! My Goddess) as Ken Kenyuu Horiuchi (Daley in Bubblegum Crisis, Hans in Psycho Armor Govarian) as Light Yoshitaka Ohtsuka (Beck in The Big O, Chibodee in Mobile Fighter G-Gundam) as Tap Bin Shimada (Stick Bernard in Genesis Climber Mospeada, Scirocco in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam) as Jean Akiko Hiramatsu (Miyuki in You're Under Arrest, Yukari-chan in Azumanga Daioh) as Rose Masako Katsuki (Deunan in Appleseed, Sailor Neptune in Sailor Moon S) as Diane Saeko Shimazu (Four Murasame in Zeta Gundam, Yuri in The Dirty Pair) as Min Hiroshi Takemura (Crusher Joe, God Ginrai in Transformers: Masterforce) as Welner Shinya Otaki (Nakato in Gundam 0083) as Douglas Jurota Kosugi (Dryden in Escaflowne, Zagato in Magic Knight Rayearth) as Mayo Kayoko Fujii as Linda Unshou Ishizuka (Guld in Macross Plus, Jet Black in Cowboy Bebop) as the narrator Synopsis A.D. 2087 - the United Lunar Empire Giganos wages war on the Earth Federation Military to take control of the planet and establish a "rebirth" of the human race. During an invasion of a colony by Giganos' forces, three civilian men - Ken, Light and Tap - stumble upon a trio of top-secret Metal Armor units called "Dragonars" and pilot them to combat the enemy forces. Story: B+ From the first episode, your first reaction will probably be "another Gundam wannabe title." Yes, it starts with some mass-destruction (in Australia. Again.) and the invasion of a space colony, but the difference is that we get not one, but three main heroes of the story. Unlike Gundam, none of these guys are wimps like Amuro Ray. What makes Dragonar more unique is Tap - the first (and only) African-American lead character in a mecha anime. Despite having a similar beginning to Gundam, Dragonar looks a lot more promising than Gundam SEED. Animation: A- What kind of budget did Sunrise put on the opening animation? Every time I watch the sequence (which alone gets an A+), I keep thinking these are the exact same animators that did Gundam 0083. Kenichi Onuki (Garzey's Wing, Earthian) did some excellent character designs that are on par with Hiroyuki Kitazume's (Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, Bastard!!) works. Bash Kunio Okawara (Mobile Suit Gundam, King of Braves GaoGaiGar) all you want, but you gotta admit that Dragonar has some of his better designs. Soundtrack: B The opening theme is pretty catchy (if you don't mind '80s) and the BGM is okay. I just need to watch further episodes for more of the music. The Bottom Line Forget Gundam SEED. Watch Metal Armor Dragonar instead. Old school mecha anime still rules. Reference Anime News Network

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwWLOrMrJYc AKIRA ( アキラ ) Toho Film/Bandai Visual, 1988 Pioneer/Geneon Entertainment, 2001-2002, 2004; Funimation, 2013 Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo (Memories, Steamboy). Rated R for violence and gore, nudity, suggestive sexual situations, drug use, and profanity. Cast (Japanese) Mitsuo Iwata (Itsuki in Initial D, Hyosuke in Please Teacher!/Onegai Twins) as Shotaro Kaneda Nozomu Sasaki (Yuusuke in Yu-Yu Hakusho, Enishi in Rurouni Kenshin) as Tetsuo Shima Mami Koyama (Karen in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Chiren in Battle Angel) as Kei Taro Ishida (Duke Red in Metropolis) as the Colonel Takeshi Kusao (The Guyver, Trunks in Dragon Ball Z) as Kai Tessho Genda (Chief Dan Dastun in The Big-O, Sanders in Gundam 08th MS Team) as Ryu Fukue Ito as Kiyoko (#25) Tatsuhiko Nakamura as Takashi (#26) Kazuhiko Kamifuji as Masaru (#27) Mizuho Suzuki as Dr. Onishi Cast (English) Johnny Yong Bosch (Vash the Stampede in Trigun, Haruto in Witch Hunter Robin) as Shotaro Kaneda Joshua Seth (Cyborg 009, Eiji in Rurouni Kenshin) as Tetsuo Shima Wendee Lee (Faye in Cowboy Bebop, Angel in The Big O) as Kei Synopsis The year is 2019. Thirty-one years have passed since an experiment gone wrong triggered an explosion that destroyed Tokyo, Japan. This phenomenon was known by many as "Akira," named after the test subject of the experiment. Following this catastrophe and World War III, the city became Neo-Tokyo - a cesspool of gang violence, angry demonstrations and a corrupt government. Shotaro Kaneda leads his motorcycle gang of juvenile delinquents against the Clowns for road supremacy. But things go awry when Kaneda's best friend Tetsuo Shima is involved in a deadly accident and taken into custody by the military. The accident unleashes physical and mental powers hidden inside Tetsuo, which he uses indiscriminately to wreak havoc all over the city. With the help of a political activist named Kei, Kaneda must stop Tetsuo before he releases the powers of Akira and destroys Neo-Tokyo. Story: A It's not easy adapting a manga into the big screen, but Otomo managed to keep the film as close to the original story as possible in a two-hour span. Many viewers may not understand the film at first, but they'll slowly realize its meaning. Animation: A+ Akira became the benchmark in Japanese animation with its vibrant mix of 2D and 3D graphics. It's hard to believe that this movie is nearly two decades old, but is still technically superior to most anime titles released in the past five years. Soundtrack: A+ (Available through AnimeTrax) Akira is highly regarded as having one of the greatest soundtracks in film history. Composed by Shoji Yamashiro and performed by Geinoh Yamashiro-Gumi, the film score uses a perfect blend of Malay, Indonesian and Japanese instruments with synthesizers and powerful vocals. Sub vs. Dub When Streamline Pictures first released Akira, it was marred by horrible dubbing and a bad English script. Pioneer re-translated the script to make it closer to the original Japanese version. I'm glad to say that the new produced by ZRO Limit Productions/Animaze dub is very good. DVD Extras: A+ If you bought the 2-disc version, you definitely got your money's worth. Disc 2 is loaded with the following features: - AKIRA Production Report (The making of the movie). - AKIRA Sound Clip (The original soundtrack production). - Interview with Katsuhiro Otomo. - Production Materials (Still images, unused storyboards & backgrounds, character design sketches, manga art, movie posters and promotional items). - Original Japanese trailers and TV spots. - Features behind the film restoration and English re-dub. - Glossary. The Bottom Line AKIRA is one movie you must own in your film collection, whether you're into anime or not. Reference Anime News Network The Internet Movie Database

Yuusha-Oh GaoGaiGar (勇者王ガオガイガー) Sunrise/Nagoya TV/Victor Entertainment, 1997-1998 AnimeWorks, 2006-2008 Directed by Yoshitomo Yonetani (Betterman, Brigadoon) Running Time: 26 minutes per episode. Rated 13 & Up for graphic violence and mild language "Final Fusion - Approved!" "Final Fuson - Program Drive!" Cast Nobuyuki Hiyama (Shiro in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Yushiro in Gasaraki) as Guy Maiko Ito (Atsuko in Boogiepop Phantom) as Mamoru Tomoe Hanba (Lucciola in Last Exile) as Mikoto Koji Ishii (Kimura-sensei in Azumanga Daioh, Oji in The Legend of Black Heaven) as Taiga Hisao Egawa as Hyuma/Goldy Marg Miki Narahashi as Swan/Reiko Kenichi Ogata (Genma in Ranma 1/2, Myoga in Inu-Yasha) as Leo/Pasdar Hiroaki Ishikawa as Kazuo/Sueo Tsutomu Kashiwakura as Entouji/Takayasu/Penchinon Shinichi Yamada as Hyoryu/Enryu/ChoRyuJin/Rairyu/Furyu/GekiRyuJin Katsuyuki Konishi (Samurai Deeper Kyo, Louie the Rune Soldier) as VolFogg Mitsuo Iwata (Kaneda in AKIRA, Itsuki in Initial D) as Mike Sounders Konami Yoshida (Metal Fighter Miku, Umi in Magic Knight Rayearth) as Hana Yuri Sa as Mamoru's mother/Ikumi Kohzou Shioya (Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z) as Mamoru's father/Polonaise Miho Yamada (Miki inMagic User's Club) as Mamoru's teacher Kiyoshi Kobayashi (Jigen in Lupin III, Delaz in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083) as the narrator "Final Fusion!" Synopsis In the year 2005, a race of evil aliens called the "Zonders" emerge from underneath the Earth's surface and stage numerous attacks on Tokyo with their robot monsters designated as "E.I." (Enemy Invaders). To combat this threat, the 3G (Gutsy Geoid Guard) bring out the cyborg hero Guy and the mechanical lion Galeon (once combined, they become the humanoid robot GaiGar). But when an EI is deemed too tough to control, 3G approves "Final Fusion," where GaiGar merges with DrillGao (a drill tank), LinerGao (a bullet train) and StealthGao (a stealth bomber) to become Earth's ultimate line of defense - the mighty robot GaoGaiGar. Story: A At first, GaoGaiGar can be dismissed as a kiddie anime, but underneath the hokey premise and the first episode intro that is so Superman, GaoGaiGar has everything you want in an super robot anime - colossal mecha action, over-the-top heroes and extremely sinister villains. As a matter of fact, the Zonders would become a major inspiration for other anime villains like the Invaders in Gate Keepers. Kids will idolize the show's main heroes Guy and Mamoru, while guys will be hooked on the show's hot chicks and cool mecha. GaoGaiGar is loads of fun for everyone. Animation: A- For a TV series aimed at kids, Sunrise threw everything and the kitchen sink in animating GaoGaiGar. The animation itself is groundbreaking by its own right, using a perfect blend of 2D cel art with 3D computer effects. The character designs by Takahiro Kimura (Betterman, Brigadoon) have everything from slick outfits to really hot female characters like 3G's Mikoto and Swan or the evil Zonder chick Primarda. (My co-worker even thinks Mamoru's foster mother is hot.) Kunio Okawara's (Mobile Suit Gundam, Betterman) design for GaoGaiGar is his best work ever. With weapons and tools like the "Broken Magnum" (a Rocket Punch on steroids), "Dividing Driver" (a giant screwdriver used to create a battlefield to keep the fights away from the city) and the "Goldion Hammer" (you have to see this to believe it), GaoGaiGar puts most other Super Robots to shame. Soundtrack: A Ga-Ga-Ga! Ga-Ga-Ga-GaoGaiGar! Ga-Ga-Ga! Ga-Ga-Ga-Ga-GaoGaiGar! The show's soundtrack ain't no slouch, either, as the opening theme "Yuusha-Oh Tanjo!" is the most energetic robot theme song ever recorded. In addition, Kohei Tanaka (Gunbuster, Sakura Wars) supplies an outstanding orchestral score that mixes perfectly with the action. Sub vs. Dub Under construction. The Bottom Line Non stop mecha action, awesome animation and a killer soundtrack to boot. No wonder GaoGaiGar is the King of Braves. This Gao's for you. Links Official Yuusha-Oh GaoGaiGar Homepage Reference Anime News Network