Gunslinger Girl (2003)

Story & Characters

This sad, depressing anime set in modern Italy tells a tale of group of very young girls employed by Italian Intelligence 2nd Section which publicly known as "Social Welfare Bureau" for covert operations against government targeted killings. Broken, abandoned and often have no more hope to have a normal life, the girls were chosen to be modified into bionic operators, endowed with superlative human characteristics such as agility and strength etc by G-mans so they can be deadly assassin. Using non-popular killer memes, their idea revolves around inflitration and absolute surprise on targets before to be eliminated by the girls.

The reason why they use underaged females is because they were more obedient and less likely to rebel, compared to males especially children age. Not to mention, people tend to let their guard down since female child tend not to pose any significant threat. To control these souped up operators, each of them were assigned a controller who is responsible for well being. It is not surprising that the controllers is usually male, in order to induce love as means of control over the girls.

The story above which originally started as H-lolicon doujin by creator Yu-Aida later evolved into highly intelligent and emotional mainstream manga, serialized in monthly Dengeki Daioh tankubon (manga novels). Afterthat it was adapted by Studio Madhouse into 13 ep anime which concluded in 2003. His love for Italian architecture and weapons is noticeable, thus rendering an unique flavour to Gunslinger Girl setting. Cute and brutal, innocent yet morally dissonant, Gunslinger Girl asked essential question on what is morality and humanity means.

This anime is not for everyone, as subject matter presented here is highly disturbing.

Rating
10





Art

Reportedly one episode of Gunslinger Girl worth about 300,000 US Dollars in production. Even the ending song music video, there is no loop animation at all, each raindrops is animated independently. The look of characters and the surrounding environment catches the melachonlic atmosphere well, and the weapons is sufficiently animated. However slight drop in quality can be observed in episode 8-12, the sharpness and defined look established in episode 1-7, to be repeated again in final episode of the anime.

Despite some nitpickings, for TV series, the quality in art is quite consistent in general.

Background is lush and beautiful, in fact I wonder if it is intend to promote tourism in Italy. However in certain scenes, it is toned sufficiently to highlight the sombre mood. It is adequate enought to convey the beauty of Italy with its dark undertones to enchance the story setting. In emotional parts is dark, noir style and in happy scenes it is brighter than usual.

Rating
8

Sound

OST of GSG is awesome, it is mix of piano, violin and some other musical instruments. Being a musical illiterate person, I can say I truly enjoyed the OST. Tracks like Tema II and IV is worth the money for the album, in my opinion.

However the OP by Scottish band, Delgados is may somewhat appropiate for the anime, I cannot imagine it is a J-pop as many other animes out there. It is sad yet have fairy tale like quality in its lyrics.

The ending however is the weak link. I did not enjoy the ending theme as it is full of flaws in intonation and such. They should have look for more competent opera singer for this number.

Rating
7




Presentation

The anime is incomplete, in the sense it only talks about Section 2 girls in detail. In tandem with manga continuity, the anime covers materials in Vol 1 and 2 with new Elsa story arc plus their own anime only wrap up. In manga story, the Republicans, main terrorist group is detailed in vol 3 and 4 as bunch of dedicated idealist who have their own code of honour and beliefs which not too different from Section 2 themselves.

The story focuses on relationship and connection between the girls and their respective controllers. Each individual was raised in accordance on how their respective controllers belief and personality. For example, Claes is raised in belief using physical force to solve matters, since her controller, Captain Ravallo believes in it too.

Principal characters in focus are Giuseppe and Henrietta, when we first introduced to her, she is a quiet and shy girl who is prone to overreaction, thanks to her conditioning and brainwashing. Giuseppe, sensing that she needs kind and loving touch to bring out the best of her, treated her like his own sister. In progression of the anime, we can see the increasing humanization of Henrietta, from silent, morose girl to chirpy normal little girl that might be a bit unsettling to some viewers when they are aware her real purpose in being: to kill. Giuseppe have conflicting stance in training his charge as he questioned the need for such existence of Henrietta and her co-operators.

She is used as foil as more bionic operators are introduced to us in progression, the distant Rico, sisterly Triela, quiet Claes and fragile Angelica, even hostile Elsa. By mirroring their behaviour, Henrietta gives viewer a glimpse of their thinking and motivation to continue their existence.

For fun factor:

Here I will do some ideas on characters based on John Woo's style of using gun characteristics to reveal the characters.

Henrietta:
P239 SiG Sauer, compact and lethal yet beautiful plus delicate. Pretty much like the user.
FN P90, ibid.
Walther WA2000 bullpup sniper rifle, beautiful and compact, lethal too.

Rico:
Dragunov SVD sharpshooter rifle, distanced and solitary.
CZ-75

Triela:
Winchester trench shotgun 1894, in-your-face, brutal, straight to the point. If possible into your guts.
HK P7
SiG Sauer P230 SL

Angelica:
Steyr AUG Carbine with Pictanilly rail, very fragile looking assault rifle, just like her.
Beretta M84

Claes:
HK MP 5K PDW, silent and deadly
HK VP 70 stock custom, exotic and experimental


Elsa:
SiG Sauer P229
SiG Sauer SG552 SWAT Commando, Very well made and sturdy but neglected in arm's market, somehow it did not look very odd that Elsa was using this...
SiG Sauer SG550 Sniper

This anime is slow paced, melancholic and very, very subtle. If you looking for frantic and happy stuff, stay far far away from Gunslinger Girl. Humor is often non-existent or pretty bleak, in other words this anime has zero laugh factor. However, if one looks for meaningful, symbolic and deep thinking story, Gunslinger Girl has plenty to offer. Do remember, there is no way these girls will have a happy ending. Be warned. It is same thing as novel masterpieces, Dr Zhivago or War and Peace novel. It is depressing, crushing type of sadness but quite a memorable one.

Action-wise is pretty realistic but might be a bit too short for action orientated bunch.

In conclusion, I will purchase this anime on DVD.

Rating
8

Starship Operators (2005)

Story & Characters

The year is 2300 CE and mankind has spread wide and far in galaxy, However mankind still visit their sins on themselves despite being so advanced race.

Starship Operators is about the 73rd class of the Defense Academy of the Planetary Government of Kibi. As they are returning home after the shakedown trial of Amateras, the newest military escort vessel of small but high tech Kibi Space Navy, they find that their home planet has been taken over by expansionist empire of Henrietta Galaxy Alliance of Planetary Nations which quite closely resembled on 20th century Nazi Germany. The cadets decided to fight back with the high tech Amateras but first they need resupply, logistics and political support since they are considered as space pirates. They turn to Hollywood's Galaxy Network for financial support in exchange for exclusive rights of tv reporting on their war effort to free Kibi from the Empire. The network embedded a pretty reporter, Dita Mirkob to give live coverage on the Amateras crew, led by charismatic if somewhat reluctant Shinon Kazuki, XO of the ship. Styled after reality shows like Survivor or Big Brother, it becomes an instant hit in the universe as people anxious to see how they would fare against the might of the Henrietta Alliance.

Since the ship was leased to Galaxy Network, the crew of the bridge was to be all female to attract more viewership and the producer was ruthless enough to engineer some events to spice up the program. Sound was incorporated for dramatization purposes and the battle is noted for intelligent use of realistic space physics and logical thinking. No Itano Missile Circus Barrage or Gundamsque space duels. Pure mathematics, multilevel thinking and logical solutions is the name of game to survive the space battles. This anime is a delight to hardcore science fiction fans as it as faithful to space physics as they can get, for example battles were fought over ranges like 900,000 km and usually it is based on calculations with timing, like torpedo firing solutions in submarine warfare. Most characters are realistic and they really bring forward their youthful enthusiasm for war. At least they are university student age, from 18-24 years old range and it is relief from teeny bopper age of Gundam lore.

However the anime tries very fast to push the plot, some people commented it is too hasty and choppy in some places in order to make a coherent plot.

Wrote by Ryo Mizuno, creator of Lodoss Wars series and animated by JC Staff, it is 12 episode anime which I considered as one of the best hardcore science fiction anime series in tradition like Legend of Galactic Heroes or Seikai Saga. In fact I considered it as one of the best anime in dismal 2005.

Rating 8




Art

The art is adequate and fluid but it is not the mainstay of the anime. On its own, the drawing is adequate enough to tell the story but on pure anesthetic value did not rank itself amongst the best like Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series. Characters are drawn with reasonable maturity and suitable for the purpose of the anime. Nothing cutesy and minimal fan service is great welcome as too many anime resorted to such cheap hook to get more audience to watch them. The CG fits where it should fit and the space battle did convey vast distance plus resulting isolation from traditional warmth of Earth in dark cold space. However in middle of the series, the art did went down little bit but it is not to a large degree. The art went back up as the story reaches its climax in the end.

In the end the art did measure to a reasonable quality for the story demanded.

Rating 7

Sound

The ending song by KOTOKO, Chini Kaeru ~on the Earth~ is very suitable and apt for the series mood. It is very melancholic yet soothing, a testament to KOTOKO's ability to bring out the various mood in this song to complement this anime. The opening, Radiance by Mami Kawada is too frantic and fast paced for the series so it is bit maladjusted to push the mood of the anime.

Kenji Kawai composed the soundtrack competently and in some parts it is the only thing to sustain the tension of the situation as it is battles fought in such distance that defied normal senses. Some slow scenes also benefited from properly inserted background music, really shows why Kenji Kawai is one of the best composers for anime series. However he has his lapses, as his composition for Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex shows.

I saw the whole series in Japanese and as expected the voice actors and actresses really bring out the character as I imagine them to be. Shinon sounded reluctant but decisive, instead of high pitch cutesy voice which will undone the seriousness of her character. As far as voice acting in Japanese concerned, no complaint here.

Rating 8

Presentation

The anime lack of humor is understandable, the crew was placed in such perilous situation that is ridiculous for them to think any funny jokes at this point of time. Shinon reluctance to fight is clearly made but her dedication and skill make her a very endearing yet human personality. This anime is about her coming to age of her being, from potential recruit in the beginning into a full blown, highly respected strategist in the end. Other characters around her act as her conscience and foil, magnifying or reacted her actions.. The machinations of Henrietta Empire and later on Earth Federation also interesting but viewers have to fill in a lot of blanks as the action is not shown clear. It is often hinted or implied, thus this is might be reason why most mainstream crowd avoided this anime. Perhaps the writing should less technical as to not scare off people from this anime? Maybe.

The author really tried very hard to give the authentic feeling and logical, sensible touch to the story setting as much as he could. Things like all Henrietta's Empire warship named after famous naval battles reflecting their aggressive military culture to pervasiveness of reality TV show of Galaxy Network showed his research and good knowledge. Thus, it gives the anime a very real touch of what space age might look like in 300 years time from now. It is also an interesting comment of his believes that militarism produces absolutism that often led to corrupt abuse of power as shown in Henrirtta Empire revelation in the series. Something what happened Japanese Imperial Empire in World War 2. Needless to say, the combat strategy is quite plausible and this is few series actually tried to use 3D in devising combat tactics and strategy. Neat stuff.

Concise story, well thought out setting, sensible characters and purposeful storytelling make this anime very intelligent and makes it an acquired taste to enjoy it. I would not recommend this anime to anyone who looking out for action packed no brainer series though. However, if you looking for a series that actually respects your intelligence, get this anime fast. It is really worth it.

Rating 8


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This anime is badly neglected by many fans which is sad. I thoroughly enjoyed this show, it is not as epic as Legend of Galactic Heroes or as polished as Banner of the Stars series but it has its moments and have deep, engaging story. Some parts might be a bit choppy but nevertheless the anime has rare quality which is a sense of purpose and satisfying ending. To me, the last 2 qualities is very important.

For starters

Hello Hello, this is my first post in anime commentaries. Now nothing come to my mind yet, will write something when something did come to my mind. Until then, stay tuned.