I’ve just finished the 47 episodes of the Patlabor TV Series. Patlabor ran from October 1989 to September 1990. Patlabor is a truly great TV show and I highly recommend it to all mecha and science-fiction fans. I wrote about Patlabor’s basic premise not long ago so there’s no need to go over it again. After watching the entire run of Special Vehicles Division 2’s adventures protecting Tokyo my enthusiasm for the show hasn’t diminished at all. Read more…
Tags: Patlabor
After seeing Transformers 2 this week it’s clear that computer graphics special effects have come a long way. The giant robots we see battling on the big screen look very convincing. At this point only the top-flight Hollywood studios can produce effects of this caliber but I think it will only be a few years before many more studios will reach that point. The speculation regarding tomorrow’s movies runs rampant within me. Read more…
Tags: Transformers
Last night I made a rare appearance at the movie theater and watched Transformers 2 – Revenge of the Fallen. Overall I’d say I liked the movie more than I disliked it. I can’t give it an enthusiastic “thumbs up” but don’t let me dissuade you from seeing the film. It’s roughly two and a half hours long. That running time is great for viewing at home but at the theater, with the plot as weak as it is, you start wondering when the credits will roll. Read more…
Tags: Transformers
Not long ago I was able to watch the first Patlabor OAV series subtitled. It first came out in April 1988. I’m now starting to watch through the Patlabor TV series. I’ve been looking at Patlabor art books ever since I was a teenager so getting a chance to watch the anime was a big deal for me. Read more…
Tags: Patlabor
The 2004 edition of the Super Robot Encyclopedia is the 3rd edition and continues improving an excellent product. This is one book every mecha fan should have on his shelf. The book is 296 pages and covers mecha in Japanese anime – television, movies and OAVs – from the beginning to 2004. Although 5 years out of date you can’t afford to pass up this book. Read more…
Tags: Super Robot Encyclopedia
The mighty Go Lion
It’s been hard to find time for anime or blogging lately but I managed to finish the 52 episodes of Go Lion from 1981. Although it isn’t the best that 80’s anime has to offer I did enjoy it. I would only recommend it to people who I know enjoy super robot shows of the late 70’s and early 80’s. But if that’s your thing then don’t miss Go Lion. Read more…
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…
Tags: Tekkaman
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…
Tags: Tekkaman
published Mar. 2009
ISBN 978-4-05-605088
This newer Patlabor artbook was purchased from Hobby Link Japan. It’s a very nice book with many great color illustrations of labors from the Patlabor anime. If you’re a Patlabor fan this book is worth the purchase. Read more…
Tags: Patlabor
published Oct. 2002
ISBN 4-89048-660-7
I have always been a fan of the compilation art books for mecha anime. Books like the Mecha Encyclopedia should be on every mecha fan’s shelf. The book of Anime Bikes is not one to miss. It tracks down every motorcycle and hover bike to appear in anime from the beginnings to 2001. I certainly didn’t know that the first motorcycle to appear in anime was 1969’s Judo Boy. It’s a shame that many excellent designs from video games, art books and manga didn’t make it into the book. Well, you can’t have everything. Read more…
