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 Although 5 years out of date you can’t afford to pass up this book.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…
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…
Tags: Legaciam
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…
Tags: Locke the Superman
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…
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…
Video Daikaiju is a company in Succasunna, New Jersey that sells live-action Japanese movies and TV shows on DVD. I just ordered 5 Godzilla movies from them and I can recommend them for their great product. They have a large catalog full of science-fiction and fantasy movies from Japan with English subtitles. They have every Godzilla movie ever made. Their selection of Japanese TV shows is really impressive but most of these are not subtitled. Alas, my quest for a subtitled copy of Ultra Seven on DVD isn’t over yet.
In order to see Video Daikaiju’s catalog you have to send them $2 and wait for it to come in the mail. It’s a shame they haven’t put their catalog on their Web site yet. Hopefully they’ll take care of that soon. If you’re curious to see any of Toho’s classic sci-fi movies then Video Daikaiju are the people you want to talk to.
