Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still

Directed by: Yasuhiro Imagawa

Written by: Yasuhiro Imagawa, Hideaki Yamamoto

Produced by: Yasuto Yamaki, Phoenix Entertainment

Release Date: July 22, 1992 - January 25, 1998

Lenght: 7 Episodes, 40-60 minutes each.

An homage to Mitsuteru Yokoyama's entire body of work in manga, this series of anime OVA's feature his many characters casted in a narrative epic set in a world ravaged by an energy crisis. Though at first it seems to follow the simple format of a saturday morning cartoon, the innocence of a bygone era of japanese animation clashes with the cynicism of the 90's, as world ending stakes and personal character motivation pull the cast to their breaking points.

I cannot begin to describe how beautiful this movie looks, it features extremely fluid and jaw dropping character movement with pleasing character designs. Combined with the amazing operatic soundtrack composed by Masamichi Amano, the music and sound design sell the intensity of the fights, the unfathomable destruction of Paris and the heavy footsteps of the titular Giant Robo, with a gutural sound announcing his precense.

As you can tell by my very flattering tone, I loved this one. Despite not being a huge mecha fan, this anime might be one of, if not the best I've watched. There's some ancilliary media out there I haven't had the time to see. Gin Rai, a series of 3 shorter comical OVA's centered on the titular character. And a manga set in an alternate continuity, "The Day The Earth Burned" that was released to celebrate the OVA's anniversary. As well as a videogame adaptation and an apperance in "Super Robot Wars" (which might be the only title of that franchise I would play solely for it's inclusion).

Putting all that aside, this OVA series is a masterpiece. Definetly watch it if you haven't.