Chojin gakuen Gowcaizer

No, it's not Akira. It's not Ghost in the Shell. It's a different beast entirely, and just as good! The key to understanding and enjoying this film is knowing what it is: a sexy and violent movie adaptation of a video game! Things move fast, the animation is awesome, and it is pure eye candy! This is definitely testosterone theater. If you are looking for theme heavy, weighty intellectualism, with a deep message and all that, you won't find it here. This movie plays out just like a video game... lightning quick, assaulting the senses, and with quick flashes of amazing action. Throw in a little saucy nudity, some great perspectives of the female form, and some incredible character designs, and this film rises to the top of the genre. It is pure frivolous fun, which is why it can't be compared to Akira, Ghost in the Shell, etc. Its just as good, but very different.

The story is hard to understand. The relationships of the characters are in a mess. It seem to me that they are all related some how. But other than good vs evil, I don't get much else. The nudity is a little over done; most of the scene are unnecessary. The only thing good about it is the two energetic school girls in this animation and there are some funny moments from them. (However, my favorite character is the magic dog that transformed into a long hair, short skirt girl.)

I first saw this anime at the "Bad Anime Festival" at Ohayocon '06 in Columbus, OH. The show was not misplaced. The plot is all action and nudity, which is an asset for many viewers. The animation and sound were at best mediocre. The English dub features Bob Buchholz in an early role I imagine he'd sooner forget. The plot is disjointed and odd, with underdeveloped characters and incest. So if, like the previous reviewer, you are not looking for another Akira or Ghost in the Shell, this could very well be on your "to rent" list. However, if like me you appreciate Japanese art and good movies in general, I highly suggest that you give this one a miss. Happy viewing, everyone.

Okay, let me start with the bold statement that everybody is wrong when it comes to the supposed "best of anime," namely, Ghost in the Shell and Akira. These are the freak-show Stanley Kubrick works of anime, and more than likely scare the HELL out of newcomers to this wonderful art form. My approach? Start 'em on some Obari. Preferably Fatal Fury (Garou Densetsu in Japan) or the infamous Gowcaizer. Sure, there's a lot of bouncing boobs and the lion's share of violence, but it's actually a pretty cool 90-minute thrill ride. I mean, wouldn't you rather see an armored hero plow a villain into the ground and blast him through some buildings than see some kid start literally exploding? Tell me, who watches that kind of sick sh-t and actually enjoys it? And where are they? Normal, plain old people like myself don't want cerebral movies. We want enjoyable movies. And Gowcaizer, while low on plot, certainly is enjoyable.

An absolutely amazing, disaster of entertainment. Only the likes of Ninja Batman, Sword Art Online, and this reach such a level of trash they become masterpieces.