Rumik World: Fire Tripper

This was the first anime video (subtitled) I ever bought, with the exception of the dubbed My Neighbor Totoro, though I had watched anime for about six months before that. I can't say I was too impressed with it, especially compared to the comic. A lot of it has to do with the fact that it adheres to the comic almost frame-for-frame, whereas others (like Mermaid Forest, Maris the Chojo, and even Laughing Target) all change numerous things and add things that enhance (for the most part) the story. All Fire Tripper the Anime adds is an extended "fans service" (nude scene) and a freeze frame ending showing what their life will be be like. Also, the only decent acting comes Suzuko's voice-actress, Sumi Shimamoto (who, among other things, also starred as Nausicaa in Kaze no Tani no Naushika and as Kyoko Otonashi in Maison Ikkoku)--everyone else is either annoying (Shukumaru) or dull (everybody else). All the same, Rumiko Takahashi's story is still terrific, so I give this a 7 out of 10.

I had seen this and read the manga, and then years later saw some curious parallels with one of her other manga, Inuyasha. Both dealt with a modern girl transported to the distant past, and falling for someone in that past timeline. A good show, though.