• Relic Armor Legaciam is a one-shot OAV from 1987. As was common for 80’s science-fiction anime, the plot and setting were very detailed and imaginative. Humans live on planet Libertia which uses energy from 3 giant mirror constructs in space. Society is divided into three classes of citizens with the ruling elite using the Guild to keep the situation in check. The Guild is searching fervently for Dr. Grace who is in hiding finishing adjustments on Legaciam, a high-tech armor he found. His granddaughter Alcia is the only candidate small enough to fit into the cockpit properly. Read more…

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  • Locke the Superman: New World Command (Choujin Locke: Shin Sekai Sentai) is a two episode OAV from 1991. I quite enjoyed it but it’s one of those titles that you have to be careful about recommending. I would only suggest it to seasoned anime fans. It has an “old school” feel to it that brought back memories of Arcadia of My Youth (1982) and especially Time Etranger (1985). By “old school” I mean it has a melancholy, sentimental feel and a slow pace. The characters are mostly taciturn and long pauses are common. I like this sort of thing as it seems very fitting for the Japan of a few decades ago. The resolve of the characters and the pain they’ve experienced really come alive with this kind of storytelling. Read more…

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  • Although Gears Online focuses on Japanese science-fiction it’s nice to take some time now and then to look at western science-fiction here on GearsBlog. It’s no secret to anime fans that a large number of anime titles are influenced (sometimes quite heavily) by western science-fiction stories. Read more…

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  • Tekkaman Blade II from 1994 is a 6 episode OAV. Set 10 years after the events of Tekkaman Blade, it follows the exploits of a new group of tekkamen serving the Space Knights. Although the mecha designs are nice and it was good to see an attempt at continuing the Tekkaman Blade story, Blade II just didn’t measure up. Poor plot, poor treatment of the setting and lack of the elements that defined Tekkaman Blade made this OAV something I can’t recommend. Read more…

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  • tekkablade-01

    I just finished watching the 49 episodes of Tekkaman Blade (1992). This is an incredible TV show and I highly recommend it to science-fiction fans. Tatsunoko Pro was behind this show and, as with Gatchaman and others, they’ve turned out a wonderful action show about heroism and bravery. Read more…

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