Iczelion

2 reviews - 3.5 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (1.8)

2. Iodine

Wrestler-wannabee and high school girl Nagisa is recruited to become an Iczelion warrior, which involves combining with a cute little sentient robot that turns into impressive battle armor, and fighting a pair of alien siblings out to destroy the Earth. This two-episode OAV is likely to be remembered for two things: the well-animated battle scenes and the transformation sequences that let the audience get a good look at the four Iczelion girls naked before the armor comes on. In regards to the plot, the less that is said, the better. The OAV is built around fight scenes and fanservice moments, with only the briefest of introductions tacked on. Nagisa is a wailing crybaby who spends the bulk of her screentime running away from her fights, and isn't the least bit sympathetic or interesting. The other girls are better at holding their ground, but similarly shallow, and the villains barely register as baddies.

Animation is OAV quality and very nice to look at during the action sequences, but little else really stands out. The Iczelions are designed like gaudier hardsuits from Bubblegum Crisis and the alien invaders are disappointingly tame. There is so little to the story, and such an obvious lack of decent material, it's hard to understand how the program got made in the first place. Both episodes together don't even fill an hour. Ranking among the worst of the worst, no time should be wasted on Iczelion.

1. Prep_Styles

This one sure takes me back, back to a time when the only other Bishoujo Senshi I knew were of the sailor suited variety. The opportunity to revisit this title after many years presented itself, putting any feeling of nostalgia aside this title comes up short.

In an attempt to amuse themselves Chaos and his older sister Cross venture across the universe destroying planets, however they have encountered some interesting resistance and travel to Earth in search of more, Iczel: robots that disassemble to become suits of bio-armor for young girls, so that they may become powerful warriors called Iczelion.

Despite coming from (as I understand it) the complex back story of the other Iczer titles, this show has virtually no plot or character development, and what it does have is horribly cliché. Even to the point of being funny Iczelion follows the formula involving: a bad man and his minions who wants to destroy the Earth and a bunch of attractive girls who decide to stop him, except of course for the rookie who would rather get back to living her normal life and cries nearly all the time.

As for a positive note the designs and animation are above average considering this show debuted in 1994 and the music is particularly well done. I've never see anything else from the Iczer story line however I assume that a die hard fan would find something here to appreciate. Other then that however I can't recommend this.