areaseven Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 (edited) Meioh Project Zeorymer (冥王計画ゼオライマー)AIC/ARTMIC/YOUMEX/Toshiba EMI, 1988-1990U.S. Manga Corps., 1994, 2003 (out of print)Directed by Toshihiro Hirano (Fight! Iczer-One, Dangaioh)Running Time: 30 minutes per episodeRated 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 AkitsuChieko Honda (Elpeo Ple in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Kurumi in Kimagure Orange Road) as Miku HimuroHideyuki Tanaka (Riding Bean, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) as OkiMayumi Shou (Mia Alice in Dangaioh, Hitomi in Appleseed) as YurateiHirotaka Suzuoki (Bright Noa in Mobile Suit Gundam, Kaifun in Macross) as TaihaKaneto Shiozawa (Vampire Hunter D OAV, Shin in the original Area 88) as SaigaYuko Sasaki (Miranda in The Venus Wars, Kourin in Twelve Kingdoms) as TauRei Sakuma (Kazumi in Gunbuster, Nina in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083) as AenSho Hayami (Max in Macross, Wolfwood in Trigun as RitsuMasako Katsuki (Lucette in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083, Emeraldas in Harlock Saga) as RockfellTessho Genda (Sanders in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, James in ZOE: Dolores, i) as GisouMahito Tsujimura (Jihl in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Tsukamoto in 801 T.T.S. Airbats) as LurahnIssei Masamune (Chief in You're Under Arrest) as the narratorSynopsisTekkoryu (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: AAh, 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: BEiji 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. DubCentral 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 LineIf 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.LinksAIC's Official Hades Project Zeorymer Homepage (Japanese)ReferenceAnime News Network Edited September 7, 2016 by areaseven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangard Ace Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Sweet. Finally a good release of HPZ. ...and it doesn't just stand on it's own against the newer mecha titles. It makes them their beeyotch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abombz!! Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 HPZ was a great OVA indeed. My only complaint.... after giving us awsome battles against Moon, Water, Fire and Wind (forgot their specific names), they simply made the last 3 die din 5 minutes. Wasn't Thunder supposed to be as powerful as a Zeorymer? How the heck did it get destroyed so easily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southcross Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Very interesting.. I'll have to see if I can find it just a little request, could you put down MSRPs (what ever price is usualy listed on DVD)... if possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areaseven Posted February 13, 2004 Author Share Posted February 13, 2004 just a little request, could you put down MSRPs (what ever price is usualy listed on DVD)... if possible Around $24.95 per disc at Suncoast. If Best Buy has it, you can get it for $19.99. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the white drew carey Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Zeorymer rocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaine23 Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 Very interesting.. I'll have to see if I can find itjust a little request, could you put down MSRPs (what ever price is usualy listed on DVD)... if possible I'd also dig it if you could put the running time in your reviews as well, A7... this looks like a classic I should acquaint myself with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areaseven Posted February 17, 2004 Author Share Posted February 17, 2004 (edited) Edited September 7, 2016 by areaseven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radd Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 A friend of mine believes that Those who made Evangelion took a lot of inspiration from Zeorymer, and it really shows. I'm inclined to share that belief. I'm all for shows whose endings leave a lot for the viewer to figure out and guess at, as long as such an ending is pulled off decently. I haven't seen Zeorymer in ages, but I recall enjoying the ending. I really do need to pick this show up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areaseven Posted May 17, 2005 Author Share Posted May 17, 2005 If you haven't seen Hades Project Zeorymer, now is the time to pick it up. Best Buy has vols. 1-2 on sale for $6.99 each while supplies last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gui Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I've watched it a few days ago but wasn't particularly hooked by the storyline. Designs and battle sequences are the most interesting part of this show IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beltane70 Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Yes, I definitely NEED to pick up these DVDs. My pure Japanese VHS of this has been missing for ages, and I've been meaning to replace it. Speaking of Zeorymer, Yamato is supposed to be releasing a Zeorymer toy this month. I'm just hoping it comes out before I have to leave Japan on the 22nd. It comes in 2 different paint schemes. Hobby Link Japan has had the pictures of them up for a couple of months now. I was hoping to find the OST for Zeorymer in the used shops here as well, since my old CD has also gone missing. Zeorymer's soundtrack is as dark as the series itself, making it one of my favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areaseven Posted October 22, 2005 Author Share Posted October 22, 2005 (edited) Edited September 7, 2016 by areaseven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areaseven Posted September 7, 2016 Author Share Posted September 7, 2016 Looks like the original lolicon manga was reissued in Japan recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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