Recommended by Roastedpekingduck. Some of you may remember the first episode of the tv-series Giant Robo that was released at the beginning of the year. I have no idea what happened to the rest of the series (I’d love to see it though), but it’s based on the OVA of Giant Robo, that came out ten years ago. The OVA is sort-of like a prequel, as Daisaku is only twelve years old. The premise revolves all around the Shizuma drives: a miraculous new form of energy that has no effect on pollution whatsoever. The story starts ten years after they’ve been discovered, when they’ve become just as ordinary as air and water.
This OVA is about two things: action and manliness. It’s one big spectacle, from beginning to end, and it’s of course full of grand action scenes. Thankfully, it’s got a good enough plot to back this up, as it tries to reach an as large spectacle as possible, combining plot twists and storytelling with its action.
This turned into a mixed bag. Some parts are epic, and definitely worth the watch; others just didn’t get enough development, and feel like they were included just to make the scenes more spectacular. Overall, the plot works, but there are just a bit too many plot-holes left open. 50% of the characters that die turns out to be alive at one point (of course, all do this, just when they’re needed the most), and some vital parts about the things that happened in the past go unexplained. Especially Daisaku’s past is guilty of this. A few scenes also like to screw physics at times, performing feats that can’t even be explained if you take the superpowers of the characters (who are never really explained in the first place) into account. Also don’t expect the ending to wrap everything up.
Despite this, though, the OVA turned out really nice to watch. Okay, it’s no masterpiece, but the better parts are definitely worth watching. A huge emphasis is also put on battle ethics, which work especially well with Daisaku, despite his brattiness. Everyone’s basically protecting him with their lives, simply because he’s the only one who can pilot Giant Robo. My favourite episodes were 1, 5 and 7.
The graphics do look old-fashioned, since this OVA has been made more than ten years ago. The animation looks excellent, though, especially when lots of explosions are featured (which happens a lot). The graphics, however, bleak against the music, because the soundtrack for Giant Robo turned out truly epic. The operatic influences work perfectly.]]>
Giant Robo Review – 80/100
Just to note, the Giant Robo anime that started this year is solely based on the original manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, while the OVA combines all his works into one big story. It’s why there’s so many diverse elements in it.
So you actually watched it. 🙂
I enjoyed the series a bit more than you, but it seems like we agree on the awesome awesome music. That soundtrack was right up there with some of my favorite movie scores.
The graphics are look old fashioned by design. Even ten years ago they were meant to look retro.
This is my take on it:
roastedpekingduck would recall this. =)
Wah, deja vu! 😀 It’s actually pretty cool how often I see other AnimeonDVD people appear at other places across the internet.
I’m glad you liked Giant Robo. Ever since I watched the first oav I’ve had an unhealthy obsession with this series. I watch it at least once every year.
Besides Alberto I can’t think of any other character resurrection, maybe Tetsugyu. To be fair though, they did dump a few clues about Alberto’s disappearance (snow patch on Robo’s shoulder, daughter’s bond with her father still unbroken).