New Getter Robo – Rude
Awakening (Volume 1/Animé TV)
Picture: B-
Sound: B- Extras: C+ Episodes: B-
No wonder Geneon got together with Bandai. The company not only makes great action
figures and playsets to go with them (Teen Titans), but they do wacky
Animé series like no other. In the
tradition of Super Inframan (reviewed elsewhere on this site) more than
even Ultraman, giant monsters run amok on earth and only machines and
skilled fighters can stop them in New Getter Robo, a surprisingly violent
comedy action series like few we have seen in al the Animé shows we have seen
for this site to date.
The appropriately titled Rude Awakening introduces
the characters, machines and monsters the series features. Another 16+ age group release, there is much
blood, but it is comic book blood and the rubbery form of the animation is used
as a way to try and get away with the gruesomeness of some of the tougher
scenes. Others just joke their way
through the violence ala Evil Dead.
This is a unique combination and the initial shows are as follows:
1) Three
Goes Ryoma
2) Hayato
Is Coming
3) Benkei
Musashinobou
4) The
Three On The Loose
The action begins and is linked to the lab of Dr. Saotome,
but faster than you can say Island Of Dr. Moreau (or Island Of Lost Souls,
depending on your age and cinematic tastes); the monsters are on the
loose. Fighter Ryoma, the giant Benkei
and crazy Hayato are three of the most dangerous men alive, or as the doctor
calls them, the perfect candidates to pilot the robots that will save humanity.
Though not the best Animé we’ve seen, at least it takes
some risks, not playing it safe and with R-rated dialogue to boot. The only problem is that the teleplays have
a problem keeping the show going, so it has to rely on its artwork and action
to carry what the storylines lack. This
will have appeal to many, but does not necessarily offer anything too new. Maybe the show will get better later, but at
least it is something different, however mixed it is.
The anamorphically enhanced 16 X 9/1.78 X 1 image is
pretty good, with occasional patches of obvious videotape work and animation
that is not highly detailed, yet often dark.
Color and clarity are good, giving the viewer a unique visual experience. The Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo in English or
Japanese has decent Pro Logic surrounds, though the music is only so
interesting. Extras include three
previews for other Geneon titles, opening credits without text and two music
videos for the show’s music sung in Japanese.
They are captioned. New
Getter Robo may not be as well rounded as one would have liked, but it is
better than most of the Animé we have seen to date and look forward to the next
volume.
- Nicholas Sheffo
