Bubblegum Crisis

3 reviews - 13.0 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (4.3)

3. Mr.Sparkle

Bubblegum Crisis is a classic cyberpunk anime that takes us to the year 2032 and the post-apocalyptic metropolis of MegaTokyo. There, a group of mercenaries called the Knight Sabers wages a small war against Genom, a powerful corporation that manufactures Boomers, androids that were originally built to replace humans in outer space development. Boomers have since taken an illegal form after being constructed with weaponry and are the primary tools for Genom's evil plans.

The Knight Sabers are comprised of four lovely ladies outfitted in high-tech hardsuits. The heart and soul of the group is Priss, who is as streetwise and tough as she is beautiful. When she's not battling Boomers, she's usually riding her motorcycle or singing with her band. Sylia is the brains behind the operation and is responsible for the hardsuits as well as setting up work for the Knight Sabers. Linna is an aerobics instructor by day; her athletic ability makes her an excellent combatant. Nene is the group's mascot and an AD Police officer. She compensates her lack of physical ability with her tactical prowess and computer knowledge.

The character designs by Kenichi Sonoda are attractive but the real highlight is the hardsuits. Each Knight Saber has their own suit featuring a distinct design, color scheme and weaponry. The hardsuits are entirely unique and nothing like it has been seen in anime since.

The OAV series is comprised of eight episodes ranging from 30 minutes to an hour. The first three episodes make up a story arc in which the Knight Sabers take on Genom, namely an executive named Brian J. Mason and his plans to construct a super Boomer. Episodes five and six feature our heroes, Priss especially, in a desperate struggle against the enigmatic and vindictive Largo. Episodes four, seven and eight are standalone episodes featuring more Knight Sabers action.

This is an anime indicative of the 80s - lots of explosive action surrounded by an intriguing plot with graphic violence, profanity and fanservice thrown in here and there. Music plays a big part in setting the tone of the show and the blaring rock music is a perfect fit. Some may find fault with the lack of character development, background about the Knight Sabers or thorough explanation of story elements. That's not the point; Bubblegum Crisis is about action and it does it well with a whole lot of style.

2. hakootoko

Bubblegum Crisis was a top OAV in the eighties, but it has not aged well. Girls in power armor in a seedy metropolis fight against military robots produced by an evil megacorporation. The music is still good and plentiful, but the animation and storyline don't compare well with what's produced today. The series is mostly episodic with no conclusion. Episodes 5 & 6 are the best, but you'll need to start at the beginning to get there.

1. cron

Girls, exoskeleton power armor, insane Boomers (Robots with a very basic AI), and a booming 80's soundtrack. If this has not raise one ounce of interest interested, I worry for you. The series focuses mainly about one of the girls "Priss" and her experience in gritty Tokyo a few decades after a massive earthquake. The city was rebuilt with major help from a company named Genom and their Boomers (Basically labour robots). Everything isn't all so great after years have passed and the city is rebuilt. Boomers have become a part of the society but recently they seem to be going insane and the only ones able to stop them are the Knight Sabers (a legion of 4 women in power armor which Priss is a member of). As with a lot of other people I have fond memories of seeing this series for the first time on VHS many years ago with great joy. I highly recommend it even today, but note that as an 8 part OVA it's story isn't as deep as the more recent series, Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040.