The Irresponsible Captain Tylor – Volumes 1 – 4 (Animé TV)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C-     Episodes: B-

 

 

Made back in 1993, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor may show its age somewhat and not be like Animé shows now that are often overdoing things, but it is one of the smartest, funniest and subversive series in the history of the genre.  The title character is someone who gets in power through a combination of dumb luck and the Peter Principle.  He is a likable guy, with a big heart and free spirit big enough to weather enemies, conspiracies and mean, angry people.

 

When it comes to waging war and keeping in his space military outfit, he often makes McHale’s Navy look like Full Metal Jacket and Platoon, not seeing the need for or totally understanding why any wars, battles, conflicts or murders need to take place.  Tylor also has a big mouth and says the wrong things or the most inopportune things all the time.  He seems to be the product of some kind of ultra-relaxed psychology that comes with a calmness and “understanding” of things that ranks him up there with Fred Rogers.  You would think this kind of set-up could not work, but it in stead is a near-brilliant send-up of the War Genre, Space Operas, the proto-animated hit series of the 1980s (recently mocked again by Team America) and pretty much all of Animé itself.  The titles of the episodes on these four DVDs that deliver the entire series are as follows:

 

1)     The Mysterious Irresponsible Man

2)     Hey, Ho! The Happy Pensioned Life

3)     The Ship Set Sail, But Misgivings Remain

4)     Enemy!  Crisis!  We Surrender!

5)     Angel In White Begins With An “H”

6)     The Tail Of The Lizard’s Tail

7)     A Gentleman’s Word Is His Bond

8)     Life Is Short, So Girls Should Kill

9)     When You Wish Upon A Flower

10)  Mind’s Eye, Half Blind, Headed For A Rough Ride

11)  In Demolition Does A Woman Bloom

12)  The Day The Soyokaze Vanished

13)  Be Prepared, Be Smart, or Be Lucky

14)  Equation Of Kindness

15)  Shiny!  Happy!  (Deadly) Germs!

16)  Strange Love

17)  The Unjust Dessert

18)  A Place For Confessions

19)  Sleeping Beauty

20)  Well Handled Solutions

21)  Paco-Paco Junior

22)  Force Of One

23)  The Longest Day In Space

24)  Snap!  Snap!  Crackle!  Snap!

25)  My Way Is The Hard Way

26)  For His Was A Genius No Rule Could Complain

 

 

This is constantly amusing, with some genuine laughs along the way.  Of course, this was made in Japan and I had to wonder in this case if the English translations were actually holding back the impact of the material.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is here in its original Japanese, a Spanish dub and an English dub.  The English dub, though it has its moments, has some constricted and dated audio in comparison to the other tracks.  Down the line, a brand-new 5.1 redub would be a great idea, especially if done right.  Diehard fans might not like that idea, so I will add I am not suggesting that should be a substitute.  The English is serviceable, but more average.

 

The 1.33 X 1 full frame image is a bit muddy at times and shows its age, but after my experience with other older Animé shows, have to wonder if this is a generation down or may have been down a generation.  Since this originated on film, this could look better and any DVD success should inspire HD transfers and even some restoration.  Extras include a stills gallery and Japanese credits on each disc, but sadly not much else.  With all that said, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is a must for any Animé fan.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo