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Brief Anime Descriptions From A to Z!!

Scroll through or click a letter to get to the description you're searching for *^_^* There's only a brief selection to choose from at the moment...typing it all and formating it and the html is time-consuming...but I'll add more constantly so bear with me ^_^V

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3x3 Eyes

OVA (4 volumes) - 1991-92 ©YuzoTakada/Kodansh/Plex/StarChild
Based on Manga by Yuko Takada
Directed by Daisuke Nishio
Written by Akinori Endo
Music by Kaoru Wada
In search of a way to become human, Pai, an immortal three-eyed monster in the shape of a young girl takes the soul of a luckless young Japanese boy (who happens to work dressed in drag ^_^;; )Yakumo Fujii, and makes him into her eternal zombie protector. At times very bloody, the stmosphere of ancient megendary magic and monsters is carried off well' gains additional atmosphere from superlative mythically flavored music by Kaoru Wada (Kinshin Corps). Based on the manga series by Yuzo Takada (which was published in English by Dark Horse Comics). Released in Japan under the title "3x3 Eyes" (Pronounced 'Sazan'Eyes) by Kodansha/Bandai Visual, and available in North America through Streamline Pictures. Followed in Japan by '3x3 Eyes: Seima Densetsu (Holy Demon Legend), as a continuing sequel OVA series.
3x3 Eyes Part 1:Altered State
3x3 Eyes Part 2: Who Needs Enemies
3x3 Eyes Part 3: Life and Death
3x3 Eyes Part 4: Blind Flight

8th Man

TV Series (56 30-min episodes) - 1963-64 ©TCJ Animation Center/ABC Films
Created by Kazumasa Hirai and Jiro Kuwata
Based on the manga series of the same name, this TV series was produced in Japan in the early 1960's. This was the same time that Astro Boy was on the air. This series features a super-powered super-fast android called '8-Man'. 8-Man is a former detective who. after being killed for poking into the business of the wrong people, comes back to a new live of super-powered crime fighting. The series features black and white animation and futuristic technology, giving it a dark, almost noir look and feel. Released in Japan under the title "Eight Man" bu Toei Video, and available in North America through Video Rarities.

8 Man After

OVA (4 volumes) - 1993 ©Kazumasa Hirai/Jiro Kuwata/Act Co. Ltd.
Based on characters by Kazumasa Hirai and Jiro Kuwata
Directed by Sumiyoshi Furukawa
Screenplay by Yasushi Hirano
Music by Michael Kennedy
Four volume OVA sequel to the 1960s TV series. Fast forward from the heroic world of the 60's to the bleak view of today. The city's hero, the robotic 8 Man has been missing for years, and the city is now filled with big-time corruption, murder, crazed junkies, and roving cybernetic gangs. When a new 8 Man appears, he must face not only the corrupt city, but the ghosts of his own past and those of a body not his own. English version features new, moody, techno-flavored music by Michael Kennedy. Released in Japan under the title "8 Man After" and available in North America through Streamline Pictures.

801 T.T.S Airbats

OVA - 1994-1996 ©Toshimitsu Shimizu/Tokuma Shoten/JVC
Created by Toshimitsu Shimizu
Character Design by Yuji Moriyama
Directed by Yuji Moriyama, Osamu Mikasa, Junichi Sakata, and Tohru Yoshida
Airbats follows the misadventures of a young man assigned as a mechanic for Japan's first all-female jet pilot squad. After getting off to a rocky start by walking in on his undressed fellow squad members, he becomes the center of a love triangle with two rival female pilots at the other points. Mostly slapstick comedy, but with some interestingly enlightened commentary on the treatment of women in the military, and some cool jet sequences. Directed by Yuji Moriyama of Project A-ko and Maison Ikkoku fame. Released in Japan under the title "Aozora Shojo-Tai 801 T.T.S." and available in North America through A.D Vision.

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The Abashiri Family

OVA - 1992 ©Dynamic Planning, Inc./Studio Pierrot/Soeishinsha/NEXTART
Written and Directed by Takashi Watanabe
Based on Story and Characters by Go Nagai
Music by Takeo Miratsu
This OVA is based on the original manga by Go Nagai(Devilman), which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion. A Japanese gang family wants to raise their daughter to be a perfect little princess instead of the Japanese mafia princess she is. To this end, they enroll her in an elite boarding school. Unfortunately, the competition's already in attendence and they want to see her out of the picture...for good. But even a fine finishing school can't erase the fact that the pretty, young Kukunosuke is still daddy's little girl, and eventually her knee-capping roots show through. Released in Japan under the title "Abashiri Ikka" by Nexstar/Pony Canyon, and available in North America through A.D. Vision.

AD Police

OVA (3 Volumes) - 1990 ©Artmic, Inc./Youmex, Inc.
Directed by Takamasa Ikegami and Akira Nishimori
Planning by Toshimichi Suzuki and Shin Unozawa
Original Story by Toshimichi Suzuki and Tony Takezaki
Screenplay by Noboru Aikawa
Character Design by Tony Takezaki, Fujio Oda, and Toru Nakasugi
This 3-volume OVA series, all of which where released in Japan in 1990, is set in the world of Bubblegum Crisis, however, there are no cameos by the Knight Sabers of BC. This anime is ultraviolent police fare, bearing virtually no resemblance to creator Tony Takezaki's stylish manga story of the same name, even though he is credited with the character design and original story for the video series. The streets of Mega Tokyo teem with oversexed 'boomer' androids with death wishes, blood, guts, guns, and gore. Not for the squeamish. Complete with vicious murders, disemboweled prostitutes, and female executives artificially augmented to get ahead in business. Release in Japand under the title "AD Police" by Bandai Visual, and available in North America through AnimEigo.
AD Police File 1: The Phantom Woman
AD Police File 2: The Ripper
AD Police File 3: The Man Who Bites His Tongue

Adventure Kid

OVA (3 episodes) - 1992-93 ©Toshio Maeda/West Cape Corp.
Based on the comic by Toshio Maeda
Screenplay by Atsushi Yamatoya
Music by Masamichi Amano
Directed by Yoshitaka Fujimoto
A World War II-era scientist resurrects his body as a computerized demon to get revenge for his wife's rape by a sadistic army officer in years past....by raping young girls himself. If that makes no sense to you, neither will this 'absolutely not for children' OVA. Low-end animation takes the bite out of this production's erotic shock value-after a while, it's simply a tiresome (albeit revolting) parade of tentacles and squealing girls. The most awful thing is, the flashback sequence of the wife's rape is the only scene with any conviction. A lesser effort from the producers and original creator, Toshio Maeda of Urotsuki Doji infamy. Released in Japan under the title "Yoju Sensen (Demon-Beast Battle Lines) Adventure Kid 1-3" by Sobi Entertainment, and available in North America through Anime 18.

Ai City (Love City)

Movie - 1986 ©Toho Co. Ltd./KK Movic/Ashi Productions
Produced by Hiroshi Kato
Directed by Koichi Mashimo
Based on the comics of the same name by Shuto Sakabashi, as serialized in publisher Futabasha's Action Comics manga anthology. X-Men-lke story of two young people with psychic powers being chased by supervillain-like corporate baddies who want to control them, A good example of the mid-'80s flair for combing stock sci-fi elements such as psycldc powers, chase scenes, and ultraviolent gore with ruminations on forced evolution and the genetic destiny of mankind. Neat details include psychic power levels being measured by digital readouts on the users' foreheads, a villain that swells up into a fleshy blob that encompasses the entire city, and a female character dressed like a Playboy-style 'bunny-girl' for no particular reason. The 'lab' where the psionics are created is a homage to the l978 film Coma. Nice'80s anirnation, effectively directed. (The 'ai' city, or 'love' city of the title, is a not-very-accurate New York.) Released in Japan under the title 'Ai City" by Toho, and available in North America through The Right Stuf.

Akai Hayate

OVA (4 episodes) - 1991-92 ©NEXTART/Osamu Yamazaki/Minamimachi Bugyosho
Directed by Osamu Tsuruyama
Original Story and Screenplay by Osamu Yamazaki
Music by Takashi Kudo
A secret society of ninja assassins called 'the Shinogara" have controlled Japan since ancient times, but rebellion is finally breaking their ranks. Hayate kills his father (the leader of the group) and flees, but is mortally wounded. Before he dies, however, he transfers his spirit into his sister Shiori. Especially accomplished ninja warriors sport 'shadow armor' -a sort of spiky redux on samurai armor, drawn mystically from the wearers' own shadows, with neat individual armoring details. An interesting combination of ninja thriller and superhero story, nicely animated over four OAV volumes, but ultimately confusing, with an array of subplots focusing on everything from boxers to the Shinogara's internal politics. Originally released in Japan as part of the continuing 'magazine'-style anime video series Animve V Comic: Rentaman (which also featured a first look at creator Go Nagai's Abashiri Family). The series is also available in Japan in two, two-episode 'Special Edition' compilation volumes. Released in Japan under the title 'Akai Hayate' by Walkers Company/Polydor, and available in North America through U.S. Manga Corps.

Akira

Movie - 1988 ©Akira Committee
Character Design, Script, and Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo
Scenario by Izo Hashimoto
Art Director; Toshiharu Mizutani
Chief Animator; Takasjo Nakamura
Music by Geinoh Yamashiro Gumi
In 21st Century 'Neo-Tokyo' a drag-racing biker named Tetsuo is chosen for experimentation by the army in the theory that his unusual mental aura may prove a key to perfecting the long- buried 'Akira Project.' But like The Fury or Carrie, his newly awakened power quickly grows out of control, and a lifetime of resentment over his second-place existence lashes out with psychic vengeance. Though the story is extremely condensed compared to Otomo's original manga (which had not yet been finished when the film version was produced), the overall effect is stunning and masterful, despite the inexplicable ending, and truly deserves to be called a masterpiece. Based on director Otomo's own magnum opus rnanga series (published in English by Epic Cornics) with an incredible chorale and percussion soundtrack by Shoji Yamashiro's Geinoh Group. Fabulously animated in painstaking detail, AKIRA is one of the more widely seen anime films in the United States, being both the first amine film to have a successful, widespread screening tour in the United States, and the first to receive significant respect from American critical sources such as The Washington Post and some of America's own giants of SF film and literature, such as James Cameron, William Gibson, and Bruce Sterling. Criterion Widescreen Special Edition three-Laserdisc set includes first issue of the AKIRA graphic novel, English and Japanese trailers, official storyboards, production drawings and cels, behind-the-scenes footage, original pencil tests, and more, while Pioneer LDC's AKIRA: Special Collection (not to be confused with the AKIRA Production Report, below) features a bilingual Japanese/English soundtrack, thousands of continuity sketches from the film, as well as a 30 minute interview with creator/director Otomo. Additionally, in Japan there is also available a 19-minute video called the AKIRA Sound Clip by Geino Yamshiro GumiI (Group) which sets seven tracks from Shijo Yamashiro's stunning soundtrack to scenes from the film. Released in Japan under the title 'AKIRA' by Bandai Visual, and available in North America through Streamline Pictures.

AKIRA Production Report

OVA - 1987 ©Akira Committe/Streamline Pictures
Documentary of the creation of Katsuhiro Otomo's animated masterpiece. Released in Japan under the title 'AKIRA Production Report: Otomo Katsuhiro no Sekai to Eiga 'Akira'' (The World of Katsuhiro Otomo and the Film 'Akira') by Asmic/Pioneer LDC, and available in North America through Streamline Pictures.

Alakazam The Great

Movie - 1960 ©Toei Animation
Directed by Taiji Yabushita
Music by Les Baxter
Original Author Osamu Tezuka
A retelling of the Chinese Monkey King legend so oft retold not only in Japanese animation, but even in the U.S. (a local theatre production was recently staged in the San Francisco Bay Area), Alakazam the Great is a bright and cheerful Hollywood musical-style blowout, featuring re-recorded songs to suit, voices of Frankie Avalon, Dodie Stevens, Jonathan Winters, Sterling Holloway, and Arnold Stang, winsomely fluid animation, and a strong dramatic storyline by the creator of Astro Boy himself, Osamu 'God of Manga' Tezuka. Released in Japan under the title 'Saiyuki' (traditionally translated as 'Journey to the West) by Toei/Bandai Visual, and available in North America through Orion Home Video.

Ambassador Magma

OVA (13 episodes) - 1993 ©Tezuka Productions/Plex.
Original Creator and Author; Osamu Tezuka
Directed by Hidehito Ueda
Produced by Tezuka Productions and Bandai Visual
Composer; Toshiyuki Watanabe
Created by Osamu Tezuka (and based on the 1966 live-action TV series of the same name, broadcast in the U.S. as 'Space Giants'), Ambassador Magma is the story of a magnificent, lion-maned golden robot who, together with a handful of youths, protects Earth against the invading forces of the evil Goa empire. Retro in style, but sadly lacking in animation quality (even for a modest OAV series), this modem-day thirteen-episode production is, unfortunately, a less-than-inspiring tribute to Tezuka!s genius. Released in Japan under the title 'Magma Taishi" through Bandai Visual, and available in North America through U.S. Renditions.
Episode 1: My Name is Goa
Episode 2: The Gold Giant
Episode 3: Silent Invasion
Episode 4: The Two Mamorus
Episode 5: The Government Strategy
Episode 6: The Questionable Warrior
Episode 7: Gigantic Task
Episode 8: Hunted Whistle
Episode 9: The Resurrection of Udo
Episode 10: Mother and Her Love
Episode 11: Rage of the Earth
Episode 12: Death of Magma
Episode 13: The Planet of Love

Angel Cop

OVA (6 volumes) - 1989-94 ©Ichiro Itano/Soeishinsha
Original Story and directed by Ichiro Itano
Character Design by Nobuteru Yuki
Screenplay: Noboru Aikawa
Animation Directors: Yasuomi Umezu (Part 1), Satoru Nakamura (Parts 2&3), and Yasuhiro Seo (Parts 4&5)
Ultraviolent 'hard action' anime which halfway through the six-volume OAV series' release, was delayed completion for nearly five years due to increasing sensationalism surrounding a string of child murders committed by Japanese serial killer and devoted anime Tsutomu 'No Relation to Hayao' Miyazaki. Aside from its infamous backstory and some lovely character designs by Record of Lodoss War's Nobuteru Yuld, Angel Cop is an otherwise largely forgettable bullets 'n' blood police drama - more notable for the gleeful abandon in which violent crime and terrorism are 'realistically' portrayed than for its in-depth character development or involving storyline-and the inclusion of some rather odd religious/racial overtones (wisely toned down in the English version) only increase confusion regarding where it's all supposed to be going. Released in Japan under the title 'Angel Cop' by Pony Canyon, and available in North America through Manga Entertainment.
Part 1: Special Security Force
Part 2: The Disfigured City
Part 3: The Death Warrant
Part 4: Pain
Part 5: Wrath of the Empire
Part 6: Doomsday

Angel of Darkness

OVA (3 volumes) - 1990-91 ©Pink Pineapple
Produced by Jiro Soka
Planning by Kotaro Ran
Story and Supervision by Yukihiro Makino
Character Design and Art Direction by Kazunori Iwakura (Part 1) and Yuji Ikeda (Parts 2&3)
Directed by Kazuma Muraki (Part 1) and Suzunari Joban (Parts 2&3)
A girls' school falls prey to the many-tentacled carnal demons (they need the emanations of young girls to survive) housed in the building's basement, presided over by the possessed professor who released the menace in the first place, and by an evil S&M mistress. The unusual heroes of this video are a lesbian couple and, oddly enough, forest pixies; bondage gear is depicted with what one must assume is an unusual attention to detail. The second video substitutes plant monsters with the same motif (this time, it's female 'bodily fluids' they need in order to survive), with a new heroine of by-now traditionally squealing variety; most odd of all is the fact that the story seems a bit tame compared to its predecessor, all of which credit Urotsuki Doji's Toshio Maeda with 'original story.' Released in Japan under the title 'Yoju Kyoshitsu' (Bewitcher-Beast Classroom) by Daiei/Tokuma Japan Communications, and available in North America through SoftCel Pictures, a division of A.D. Vision.
Angel of Darkness
Angel of Darkness 2
Angel of Darkness 3

Animated Classics of Japanese Literature

TV series (35 episodes) - 1986 ©Nippon Animation Co. Ltd.
Multi-volume series (originally aired in Japan as a 35-episode weekly television series) animating famous works from Japanese literature-such as 'Botchan' by Natsume Soseki and 'Izu Dancer" by Nobel prize-winning Yasume Kawabata-as interpreted by various directors, including Noboru Ishiguro (Space Cruiser Yamato, Superdeimensional Fortress Marcoss, and Megazone 23), who adapts Yukio Mishima's 'The Sound of Waves' as well as Takeyama Michio's -'The Harp of Burma.' Fifteen volumes in all; aired in Japan under the title 'Seishun Anime Zenshu' (Collected Works of 'Seishun' Anime). The most painless way known for an anime fan to ace that Japanese Lit. exam. Not available on home video in Japan, but available in North America through Central Park Media.
Ansunaro Story
Botchan Parts 1 and 2
The Dancing Girl
Friendship
The Fruit of Olympus
A Ghost Story
The Grave of the Wild Chrysanthemum
Growing Up
The Harp of Burma Parts 1 & 2
The Incident in the Bedroom Suburb
The Izu Dancer
The Martyr
The Priest of Mt. Kouya
A Psychological Test
A Red Room
A Roadside Stone Parts 1 & 2
Sanshiro the Judoist Parts 1, 2 & 3
The Season of the Sun
The Sound of Waves, Part 1 & 2
Student Days
The Story of Koyasu Dog
The Tale of Shunkin
The Theatre of Life
Voice From Heaven
A Walker in the Attic
Wandering Days
The Wind Rises

Appleseed

OVA - 1988 ©Masamune Shirow/Seishinsha/TBM
Original Story by Masamune Shirow
Directed and Screenplay by Kazuyoshi Katayama
Character Design and Animation Direction by Yumiko Horasawa
Mecha Design by Kiyomi Tanaka
Art Direction by Hiroaki Ogura
Music by Norimasa Yamanaka
Single-shot OAV based on the manga by Masamune (Ghost in the Shell and Dominion) Shirow (published in English by Dark Horse Comics), this video unfortunately captures little of the original comic's atmosphere or style; main character Deunan is nearly unrecognizable, with low-end production values and an oversimplified plot (not that there was much plot in the original manga,) making for a disappointing experience overall, especially to those who were really looking forward, for a change, to seeing some sense in their Shirow. Released in Japan under the title 'Appleseed' by Tohoku Shinsha/Bandai Visul/Movic, formerly available in North America through U.S. Renditions, and now available through Manga Entertainment.

Arcadia of My Youth

Movie - 1982 ©Toei Animation Co. Ltd/Tokyu Agency
Planning and Originall Story by Leiji Matsumoto
Directed by Tomoharu Katsumata
Screenplay by Yoichi Onaka
Art Direction by Iwamitsu Ito
Music by Toshiuki Kimoru
Filled with all the manly angst one would expect from the mastermind behind Space Cruiser Yamato, Star Blazers, this theatrical 'origin story' of creator Leiji Matsumoto's grim space pirate Captain Harlock is also Matsumoto's definitive anime film for adults. The Earth has been utterly conquered by an alien power, and Harlock is forced to surrender his ship to the invasion force. But nothing cm make this surly space pirate bow his head in subjugation; after enduring abuse, disfigurement and the crucifixion of the woman he loves, Harlock and his allies sacrifice nearly everything for freedom. Though obvious parallels can be drawn to the occupation of Japan that Matsumoto grew up under, ARCADIA is interestingly devoid of nationalistic or even 'humanistic' causes; both humans and aliens are judged admirable or not according to their individual actions, for which they must take full responsibility, no matter how bitter an end to which events may come. Visually and in terms of narrative pacing, ARCADIA still holds up remarkably well. Art director lwamitsu Ito conjures space warfare as a night battle between 18th century ships; the thunderbolt broadsides of Harlock's great ship Arcadia and the sight of doomed craft flaring and burning out in the ocean of vacuum are still thrilling to the eye. Those now drawn to the Gen-X angst of a Neon Genesis Evangelion might be intrigued to explore the existential darkness of Captain Harlock as well, a character who proves Matsumoto's previous-generation works are more complicated than one might realize at first or even second glance. This film contains facts on Harlock's lineage all the way back to the WWI ace who also bears his name. Released in Japan under the title 'Waga Seishun no Arcadia by Toei Video, and available in North America from AnimEigo, and from Best Film & Video under the title My Youth in Arcadia

Area 88

OVA (3 episodes) - 1985-86 ©Project 88
Directed by Eiko Toriumi
Executive Producer and Production Design by Ren Usami
Original Story by Kaoru Shintani
Screenplay by Akiyoshi Toshiyasu
Chief Animator and Character Design by Toshiyasu Okada
Art Direction by Mitsuji Nakamura
Music by Ichiro Nitta
Based on the original manga by longtime Leiji Matsumoto assistant Kaoru Shintani (whom Matsumoto affectionately parodies in his currently import-only 1978 TV series 'Uchu Kaizoku (Space Pirate) Captain Harlock' in the guise of the model kit-crazed character, Yattaran), AREA 88 shares Matsumoto's obsession with military hardware and his view of the hopelessness and lonely romance of the battlefield. Mercenary pilot Shin Kazama, tricked into pledging himself in service to the (fictional) Middle Eastern nation of Asran, flies a jet in their bloody civil war. Kazamas only goal is to earn enough money -1.5 million dollars--to buy his way out of Area 88 and return to his girlfriend Ryoko before his three-year contract is up. Over time, though, Shin becomes such an efficient killer (the only way to make money is to shoot down enemy planes) that it's less a question of his survival and more whether he can hold onto his innocence. Great aerial sequences, and beautifully detailed jet fighters make this a must for military buffs. Portions of Shintani's 3-volume manga have been released in English (in an on-again-off-again fashion) up through the fifth story in Volume Eight by Viz Comics. Released in Japan under the title 'Area 88' by King Record, and available in North America from U.S. Manga Corps.
Area 88 Act I: The Blue Skies of Betrayal
Area 88 Act II: The Requirements of Wolves
Area 88 Act III: Burning Mirage

Ariel

OVA - 1989-91 ©Yuichi Sasamoto/Ariel Project
Character Design by Masahisa Suzuki
Directed by Junichi Watanabe and Muneo Kubo
Screenplay by Yuichi Sasamoto
Music by Kohei Tanaka
It all begins when a scientist talks his five pretty daughters into piloting a giant robot (with suitably female silhouette and candy-pink color scheme) against an alien threat in this parody of the giant transforming robot genre. The acronym 'ARIEL' stands for [A]ll-[A]round [I]nterrept and [E]scort [L]ady. Released in Japan as two, two-volume series-'Ariel' and 'Deluxe Ariel'-for a total of four import volumes (the U.S. version combines the first two OAVs onto one 60-ininute tape) by Pony Canyon, which is available in North Amerira through U.S. Manga Corps.
Also see Deluxe Ariel entry.

Armitage III

OVA (4 parts) - 1994 ©Pioneer LDC Inc.
General Director and Character Design by Hiroyuki Ochi
Screenplay by Chiaki Konaka
Directed by Takuya Sato
Design by Atsushi Takeuchi
Animation Direction by Kunihiro Abe (on Parts 1,3,4), Koichi Hashimoto (Part 2), Shinya Takahashi (3), Naoyuki Onda (3), Hiroyuki Ochi (4)
Art Direction by Norihiro Hiraki (1,2), Tokuhiro Hiragi (Part 3), Hiroshi Kato (4)
Music by Hiroyuki Namba
This series features a futuristic Mars where human-appearing androids serve their homo sapiens masters. In an ironic twist on the concept, the Harrison Ford-esque cop protagonist Ross Sylibus, is actually the reluctant partner of such a Martian android, Armitage. Their case is to solve a string of murders carried out by a maniacal killer who is systematically destroying the next stage of android development - 'Thirds,' robots so lifelike they can 'pass' for human in society, and indeed are doing so. The animation has a distinctly noir feel; director Ochi also handles the character designs, with animation direction by Kunihiro Abe, Shinya Takahashi and Naoyuld Onda. The design of the Martian city of St. Lowell is quite interesting; constructed inside a domed crater, buildings sprout from either the basin or the roof, creating a suitably claustrophobic mood. The series' industrial-style soundtrack music is by Hiroyuki Namba (including a music video-style opening directed by Hiroyuki 'MOLDIVER' Kitazume), and a movie version-ARMITAGE III: POLY-MATRIX (1996)-combining the OAV episodes with about five minutes of new footage (a not-uncommon practice in aniine) was produced in 1996 with an English-only voice-over cast (the film was shown in Japan in English, with Japanese subtitles), including Hollywood actors Elizabeth Berkely as Armitage, and Kiefer Sutherland as the Earth cop, Ross. Released in Japan under the tide 'Armitage III' by Pioneer LDC; available in North America through Pioneer LDCA (America).
Armitage III Part 1: Electro Blood
Armitage III Part 2: Flesh & Stone
Armitage III Part 3: Heart Core
Armitage III Part 4: Bit of Love

Armored Trooper VOTOMS

TV series - 1983-88 ©Sunrise Inc.
Original Story and Direction by Ryosuke Takahashi
Music by Hiroki Inui
Script by Toshi Gobu (Eps 1-3,5,6) Ryosuke Takahashi (4), Soji Yoshikawa (7,10,11), and Jinzo Toriumi (8,9,12,13)
A centuries-long subtle breeding program finally produces the perfect soldier, but by the time of this discovery, the war has ended. Covert machinations from various political factions struggle against each other to either manipulate and control his destiny or kill him. Why was all of this done? Why was he chosen? He will have his answers. Notable for its gritty, blood-in-the-sand approach to futuristic warfare and its realistic mecha lookthanks to media designer Kunio Okawara (Mobile Suit Gundam, Science Ninja Team, Gatchman)A spinoff series, Armored Trooper Mellowlink, features further drama in the VOTOMS world. Released in Japan under the title "Soko Kishi Votoms" by Toshiba Eizo Soft; available in North America through U.S. Manga Corps
Stage 1: UOODO CITY
Episode 1: WAR'S END
Episode 2: UOODO
Episode 3: THE ENCOUNTER
Episode 4: THE HATTLIM
Episode 5: THE TRAP
Episode 6: PROTOTYPE
Episode 7: THE RAID
Episode 8: THE DEAL
Episode 9: THE RESCUE
Episode 10: RED SHOULDER
Episode 11: COUNTERATTACK
Episode 12: THE BONDS
Episode l3: THE ESCAPE
STAGE 2: KUMMEN JUNGLE WARS
Episode 1: FYANA
Episode 2: ASSEMBLE EX-10
Episode 3: DOUBTS
Episode 4: CLEAN SWEEP
Episode 5: REUNION
Episode 6: TURNABOUT
Episode 7: INTENTIONS
Episode 8: UPRIVER
Episode 9: CONTACT BLAST
Episode 10: COMPLICATIONS
Episode 11: INTERSECTION
Episode 12: INFILTRATION
Episode 13: CLOSING IN
Episode 14: DARK CHANGE ((For the rest...look 'em up on your own.. pheew!!))

Astro Boy

TV series - 1963-66 ©Mushi Productions/Video Promotions, Inc.
Created Produced and Directed by Osamu Tezuka
Although 1962's Otogi Manga Calander is technically the first Japanese-animated series to be broadcast on Japanese TV (beating ASTRO BOY to the airwaves by approximately six months), for all intents and purposes, the start of the "modern anime age" is generally agreed to have begun on 1 January 1963 with the broadcast of this hugely successful, endearingly long-lasting 104-episode For true die-hard fans of the series, the entire series is available in Japan in a deluxe collector's edition laser disc box set, with a similar collector's edition box set available for the 1980-81 "Shin Tetsuwan Atom" color remake series. Released in Japan under the title "Tetsuwan Atom" (lit., "Iron-Arm Atom") by Nikkatsu Video; select eps. available in America through The Right Stuf.

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Babel II

OVA -4 volumes - 1992 ©Mitsuteru Yokoyama/Hikara Productions.Sohbi Planning/Teeup
Based on Characters by Mitsuteru Yokoyama
Directed by Yoshihasa Matsumoto
Script by Bin Namiki
Music by David Tolley
Four-volume OAV series based on the classic science fiction manga and 1973 TV series of the same name by creator Mitsuteru Yokoyama, the talent behind such '60s "giant robot" classics as Tetsujin 28 (Iron Man 28, aka. "Gigantor") and Giant Robo (a live-action version of which was broadcast in English under the title "Johnny Sokko and his Giant Robot"), In this 1992 remake, a mild-mannered student is transformed into the eponymous title character, a supernatural psychic warrior obliged to battle an army of zombies led by a ruthless enemy named "Magnus." Interestingly, Babel II literally screams his enemies into submission. Released in Japan under the title "Babel Nisei" (Babel The Second) by Sobi Entertainment; available in North America through Streamline Pictures
Part 1: The Awakening
Part 2: First Blood
Part 3: Crossroads
Part 4: Final Conflict

Boah

OVA - 1989 ©Toho/Shueisha
Based on characters by Hirohiko Araki
Screenplay by Kenji Terada
Directed by Hiroyuki Yokoyama
Based on the manga series of the same name (published in English by Viz Comics) by Hirohiko "Jo Jo no Myo na Boken (Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventures)" The story of a genetically altered young man and his psychic girl sidekick on the run from the top secret research lab which created both their powers, this one-shot OAV condensation of the two compiled-volume manga series features gore and guts aplenty, mainly because Baoh (the young man) is a living biological weapon. Some feel the whacked-out surrealism of the comic loses something in translation to the screen, while others feel it's more than faithful to its manga roots. Released in Japan under the title "Bao Raihosha" (Baoh the Visitor) by Toho; available in North America through AnimEigo.

Barefoot Gen

Movie - 1983 ©Keiji Nakazawa
Created, written, and produced by Keiji Nakazawa
Directed by Masaki Mori
Animation Director Kazuo Tomizawa
Art Director Kazuo Kojika
A devastating document of the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, drawn from Keiji Nakazawa's true-life experiences in Hiroshima's ruins, BAREFOOT GEN is a semi- autobiographical account of six-year-old Gen and his family's struggle to survive against overwhelming odds. Simple, cartoony animation style only highlights the graphically horrifying scenes of death and destruction, portrayed with such straightforward honesty that it's often too painful to watch. Winner of an award for raising global consciousness of A-bomb survivors. Based on Nakazawa's manga of the same name and released in Japan under the title "Hadashi no Gen" (Barefoot Gen) by Japan Home Video; available in North America through Streamline Pictures. Followed in 1986 by a high-quality 90-minute OAV sequel (as animated by Studio Madhouse) not yet available in the U.S which documents Gen's continuing story.

Battle Angel

OVA - 1993 ©Yukito Kishiro/Business Jump/Shueisha/KSS Inc./MOVIC
Created by Kishiro Yukito
Supervisor Taro Rin
Directed by Hiroshi Fukutomi
Screenplay by Akinori Endo
Character Design by Nobuteri Yuki
Based on the manga of the same name by creator Yukito Kishiro. When cybernetic doctor Ido finds the remains of a petite cyborg in a junk heap located beneath the elite manmade floating city, he takes her home, fits her with a new, indestructible body, and names her "Gally." The reborn Gally's memories of her past life only emerge when she is fighting, so she decides to take on Doc Ido's hobby of bounty hunting. Savage, high speed battles, and unique art design make this dark future particularly eye-catching, and the cyberpunk-flavored story has a sharp-edged sadness that's not easy to forget. Features character designs by RECORD OF LODOSS WAR and ANGEL COP'S Nobuteru Yuki. Released in Japan under the title "Gunmu" (Gun Dream) by KSS/Nihon Soft System; available in North America through A.D Vision

Battle Royal High School

OVA - 1987 ©Tokuma Japan Communications Co., Ltd.
Directed by Ichiro Itano
Based on the manga "Majinden" (Magic-God Legend) by creator Shinichi Kuruma, An other-dimensional invasion takes over a high school, but if some hard-hittin' kids are tuff enuf, they might, be able to push back those slimy monsters kickin' 'n' screamin' back to the hell from which they came. With slick '80s animation featuring unusually adult- looking character designs for an OAV based on a manga series for young adults and high-powered, not-for-the- squeamish martial arts combat with drippy monsters, in terms of over-the-top outrageous action, BATTLE ROYAL tips its hat to the wrestling term from which it. takes its name. Released in Japan under the title "Shinma Jinden (True-Magic God-Legend) Battle Royal High School" by Tokuma Japan Communications; available in North America through AnimEigo

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Still working on adding more titles. Bear with me!!! Thanks ~LP