Orguss 02

[DB]

You know, usually i'm pretty negative in my reviews, and while I try to serve warning to others to avoid bad anime, perhaps I ought to choose a higher ranked show. After all, watching something good is more entertaining than avoiding something bad.

So we'll resort to mentioning one that has been out for a while. It's not that I'm saying all the newer stuff stinks, but rather I just picked up a compiliation DVD of an OVA series I saw ten years ago at a great price, rewatched it, and will now recommend it to people.

Orguss 02, a six episode OVA sequal to the old Orguss series. While Orguss was licensed, only half the series was put out in the US before it was discontinued, luckily, you need no knowledge of Orguss to enjoy Orguss 02 (I saw 02 before the original series). It's standalone, with only one character from the original series in it, and even then it's only to explain some things. Since I don't want to give away things, I'll leave a lot unsaid.

What we have is a planet with a society circa WWI, but with one noticable difference: advanced technology that's been dug up. It seems someone set off a time-space occilation bomb a long time ago that caused chunks of different dimensions to mish-mash on the planet (Orguss 1). Of primary importance are the 'Decimaters' giant robots with weapons which the nations of Zafran and Revillia are salvaging in an effort to beat the other (they can only repair the robots, not build them). While there is no war in the beginning of the series, it's on the horizon.

Enter our hero, young mechanic  Lien, who works for an older man named Zante. Lien is pretty much a standard regular joe who finds himself involved in difficult situations. Circumstances force him to join the military and fall under the tutelage of one Col. Manning, who he meets when salvaging a decimater. Despite Lien's skill in using the robots, Manning assigns him to help with spywork, which means going behind enemy lines in Zefran and meeting a mysterious girl, Nataroma, There it's discovered that the Zefran military has unearthed a secret weapon which might win them the upcoming war, if they can get it started.

Actually this series has a twisty plot that moves fast, considering it has all of six eps. to work with. The entires series is self contained and ends conclusively, with one of the characters ending in a resolution that surprised me.  There's political intrigue, action, and a bit of romance. There isn't a huge amount of characterizaton on Lien's part, but the series is short, and he's enjoyable, but not groundbreaking. Natroma's character is well done, and her fast development makes sense.  Her interactions with Lien prove entertaing, and her reactions to situations are good as well.

Perhaps the scene stealer is Col. Manning, though. He's a roguish, mercenary Casanova who's been married and divorced 4 times by the age of thirty and is perfectly willing to abuse his position as spy to make lots of money on the side. While he's looking out for number one, he does try to do the right thing, but won't throw his life away for it. He's a great supporting character.

I enjoyed the music, especially the opening theme. Animation holds up over time, actually I think it's better than some of the current lower budgeted animes circulating around. The plot was very solid, intruiging, and fast paced. There's action throughout, but not to the point where it blots out characterization. It's a damn fine balance. Characters were good. Dialogue enjoyable. Had this come out  today, it would almost certianly have been 12-13 eps. As it is, it speeds along at a good pace. Lots of something happen in each episode, and there are no wasted scenes., each episode builds on the previous ones

Released in the ninties on 3 VHS tapes, it's now compiled on on DVD that's 3 hours of solid anime, and  IMO, is worth the buy.  I give it an 8 out of 10.

[Jason_Miao]

8 of 10?

My friends used to call this series "Elevator."  Because it seemed like it tried so hard to be Macross (Super Dimensional For^H^H^HCentury!), except that compared to Macross, it the plot wasn't as "super", the extra dimensions seemed to play no role, and all the mechs were as advanced as elevators.  So instead of Super Dimensional Elevator, it was just Elevator.

Then, I've also never seen Orguss.  Maybe knowing more of the first series makes a difference.

[DB]

8 of 10?

My friends used to call this series "Elevator."  Because it seemed like it tried so hard to be Macross (Super Dimensional For^H^H^HCentury!),

>.... I'm not sure in what way it was like Macross at all. No characters are similar. The plots aren't similar. Villains are nothing alike. I don't think 'Well, they both have giant robots in them' is enough to say it's a knockoff.  The names were similar, but that was it. And I'm a big, big fan of Macross, so if I felt they were alike, I think I'd see it.

except that compared to Macross, it the plot wasn't as "super", the extra dimensions seemed to play no role,

% In this series, not much. In the first it was major since you had clashes  between beings from each dimension and whatnot. Aliens, earthlings, dinosaurs, and robots coexisting in the same universe, and you were never really certain what was in the newest terrain you wandered into since it might be form another dimension.  In this  serious it was minor, except for the reason for the telepath's existance, and why the kingdoms were had to resort to using whatever they could dig up rather than building it.

and all the mechs were as advanced as elevators.  So instead of Super Dimensional Elevator, it was just Elevator.

Then, I've also never seen Orguss.  Maybe knowing more of the first series makes a difference.

% Not really. This stands up on its own. You don't really need to know it.  Anyway, I stand by what I said in it being worthwhile, IMHO.

DB Sommer

[Jason_Miao]

Not really. This stands up on its own. You don't really need to know it.

So noted.  Worth looking for anyway?  Or not very good?

Anyway, I stand by what I said in it being worthwhile, IMHO.

I believe everyone has their right to their own beliefs.  I'm perfectly okay with you being wrong. ^_^

Seriously, always interesting to hear what someone else found valuable in a series, whether I liked it or not.

[DB]

Not really. This stands up on its own. You don't really need to know it.

So noted.  Worth looking for anyway?  Or not very good?

% Seriously average. I never felt a burning need to track down the rest of the series. A 5 probably. Enjoyable to watch once, but I doubt I would want to rewatch it. Ironic that I found the shorter follow up series better. It's almost the opposite of stuff like Tenchi Muyo or El Hazard.

% DB Sommer

[Dracos]

Hey, DB, good stuff, but can you also submit it here.

We're working on better ways to handle it, but as of now, it has to be put in twice to get on the front page as well.

Dracos