One of Kenichi Sonoda's earlier anime - Riding Bean
features Bean, a tough guy who will deliver anything anywhere for anyone at the
right price. Together with his partner Rally Vincent (who gets her own manga/anime
in Gunsmith Cats, and appears here as a white-skinned blonde), they find
themselves caught in a kidnapping scheme while also being pursued by the police.
Having seen the Gunsmith Cats manga and anime first, Riding Bean
seems to have the things I like in Gunsmith Cats - lots of exciting and
outrageous gunfights, car chases and naughty girls. While it's shown how cool
Bean and Rally are, don't expect much more character exposition or development
other than that; this is primarily an action show. It's unfortunately a tad short,
but still provides one hell of a ride.
Made in the late 1980's, Riding Bean harkens back to
the old days of hyper violent anime. Created by Sonoda Kenichi (Gunsmith
Cats) the story follows Bean, a hot shot car driver that will work for anyone,
and his gun wielding partner Rally Vincent (of Gunsmith Cats fame). The
single 40 minute episode focuses on the kidnapping of young rich girl, and the
plot to Bean up for the crime. Beautifully animated car chases and gun battle
abound as Bean uses his hard boiled tactics to survive and extract his revenge.
Fans of action anime should check this one out, and while it's a bit old (the
80's music cracked me up) it still manages to deliver a fun time.
