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VOTOMS is one of the greatest anime ever made. Yes, it is old, it is not slick-looking, and it doesn't have cute kids.

But so what--it is an action-packed character-driven tale, taking place in the Astragious Galaxy-- a galaxy and a society not our own...yet in some ways, similar. The story follows Chirico Cuvie as he attempts to find out who nearly killed him on a secret mission. Along the way, Chirico meets a dedicated group of friends, a mysterious but beautiful woman, Fyana,and gets clues that lead to shocking revelations about his own forgotten past and his incredible destiny.

During that, we're treated to great characters and kick-ass mecha combat featuring one of anime's most realistic mecha--the Scopedog. VOTOMS never flinches from showing the harsh reality of war--people die (rather messily, too) and sometimes one cannot tell the good guys from the bad. The higher-ups are the ones moving the chess pieces, but even then, they too may be pawns as well...

VOTOMS is still popular in Japan after all these years, and a new series, THE PAILSEN FILES, just started in Japan. Once again, the original creative crew has come back, including Ryosuke Takahashi, the director; Shoji Yoshikawa, the writer; Norio Shioyama, the character designer; and Kunio Okawara, the mecha designer. Okawara is no mere name in anime, for the man is THE mecha designer, one whose long list of works (GUNDAM, DOUGRAM, SPT LAYZNER, DRAGONAR, for starters) set the standard.

It's too bad that only the original series is available in the US, and that there are not many VOTOMS fans here...but I could be wrong. It is still an excellent show, and while I don't agree that it beats out GUNDAM (the original 1979 series and the original three movies, not that GUNDAM SEED stuff), it is a worthy successor. At a time when people seem to think that starting wars is fun and has no consequences, VOTOMS reminds us in all its terrible glory that war, truly, is hell.

I call this an "undiscovered anime" because I have yet to talk to anyone who's seen it. This is really quite a good show! Ryosuke Takahashi really does a wonderful job on most every aspect here. The storyline itself is engaging. Intricate political machinations form the back drop, and they're bigger than any of the characters, who seem swept along by cruel currents beyond their control. Some viewers may well relate to Chiriko's plight as a man out of place in the world, hunted, haunted, and longing for something he doesn't understand. The animation is limited, but not at all bad considering the time it was made. The background score was, at least to my ears, very unique and appealing. Plus, the mecha of VOTOMS are easily the most beleivable in all of anime, rivaled only by those of Gasaraki, which is incidently also conceived and directed by Ryosuke Takahashi.

With the first three plotlines being average (first) and mostly good (second and third) while the fourth derails into the territory of useless philosophy masquerading a jump shark that completely destroys any plot thread of the previous segments for no discernible reason. The fact that it also reeks of unfulfilled pretentiousness by a mile doesn't help. I can't honestly give more than a sufficient rating for this product.

gotta say, caught most of Armored Trooper Votoms subbed on the i-channel, just loved it, great music/story/characters. a TON better than any of GUNDAM, one of the best mecha series!!! highly recommended if you are checking out the mecha anime. also see: macross, transformers, gundam, evangelion, rahxephon, candidate for goddess, etc.