Geobreeders

[Ragnar]

Geobreeders

 I saw this title at the local discount store, and, being only ten dollars, I picked it up along with a copy of the first Patlabor movie. This series is based upon the manga by Akihiro Itoh. This is where the first problem I have with this product comes into view; it is billed as a movie by CPM, but it's the first movie I've seen divided into three thirty-minute segments with opening and closing themes. That was a little confusing, but I assume that the original was intended as a three-part OAV.
 It is at this point that I feel like I need to put in a disclaimer: if you are in any way opposed to busty topless women and extremely gratuitous physics, this is not for you. In the first episode, the main enemy is a cat-phantom who turns into a very well-endowed woman wearing little to no clothes, and the jiggle factor makes the Richter scale look gravely inadequate. Seriously, this was Gunbuster-scale fanservice. Un/fortunately (take your pick), this wears off, and the other two episodes grace us with very little.
 So, I should probably get to the plot. The men (er, man) and women at Kagura Total Security are on a task force that aims to eradicate creatures known as "phantoms." The phantoms take the form of cats, but can also turn into a humanoid form with cat ears and claws. They have the power to control anything electronic, rendering them quite a nuisance, as they seem to have it in for the humans. Kagura eliminates the phantoms by sealing them with electronic talismans onto floppy disks. It seems that there are other more official government teams for dealing with these menaces as well: the Department of Health and Welfare, and some organization referred to rather inexplicably as "Hound." Anyway, the "pet" cat phantom owned and cared for by the main male character, whose name I believe to be Taba-kun but cannot fully remember because he is so unremarkable, is abducted by an unknown group. Kagura embarks on a mission to get her back, and causes all sorts of havoc en route.
 As for music, the ending theme is very catchy, but the opening theme is unremarkable except for a bit of fanservice. I assume the background music was nice, as it doesn't particularly stick out in my mind one way or another.

Score: 5/7. Overall amusing, but a little more exposition and character development would have been nice.

[DB]

Yeah. I was considering doing this, but glad to see someone else did.

Here's the main problem you'll find with GB: this takes place after the last part of the manga. That's why the anime starts with like 'Case 30' or whatever number it was.  It builds on all the groundwork laid out in the manga, which actually had a pretty deep plot beneath massive amounts of action (and a bit of fanservice). The Phantom Cats plan especially, since the groundwork had been laid in the manga, which made it seem a bit awkward if you only saw the anime.

So in other words, you'll be a good bit lost in the opening moments until you learn who the characters are and what they do. As to the cast themselves, in some ways it's like Love Hina in that the male lead is fairly bland, while the girls display amusing over the top chracter traits. Maki, the 'Crimson Shooting Star' was probably the best, but it works in its own weird way.

I will say this: Geobreeders 2 is actually better, and not just from not needing to be reintroduced to everything. More action, a little more coherent plot, more humor, and the new gunwoman and her motivation for attacking Kagura Security is amusing.

My own reaction (having recently rewatching both) 6 out of 10 for hte first 7 out of 10 for the second. But I am familiar with the manga, so it helps

[thepanda]

Just an aside, the Geobreeders manga has ended? On which volume?

[DB]

Just an aside, the Geobreeders manga has ended? On which volume?

% Allow me to partially correct that. SPM manga stopped showing it when the anime came out. The manga led directly into the anime. It might not have ended.

[Edward]

CPM released 5 volumes of the manga.  I've heard there are several more volumes in Japan.

[thepanda]

Do you know if they plan on releasing any more? I have those five volumes. Given the length between the 4th and 5th release I just thought they were taking their sweet time.

[Edward]

I don't know if they are planning on releasing more.  I hope so, but I've seen  American companies do some stupid things in this area.

[thepanda]

I know what you mean. I still can't find a list of all the stuff ADV had and suddenly stopped releasing. I KNOW there is more R^2 and Desert Coral out, damnit.