Taiho shichauzo!

"This police station has been running a lot more like a soap opera," - Chief Kachou (Episode 3)

1994 was a pretty good year for anime titles. There was the Studio Ghibi film Pom Poko, a story centered around environmental issues. The Street Fighter movie, based on a wildly popular video game series, briefly fumbled its way into the spotlight. 1994 also introduced the anime world to Marmalade Boy, a well-known school-oriented series. Finally, '94 was the year in which television networks came across a mini-series, a hidden gem if you will, titled You're Under Arrest (YUA). When people think of police shows, they conjure mental images of good-cop/bad-cop roles, of homicides and kidnappings, and of undercover officers raiding a criminal hideout. You're Under Arrest doesn't conjure these images in viewers because it's the complete opposite of the typical cop series; this is a show where comedy is at the forefront instead of action, where the only serious crime that people commit is reckless speeding, and where the officers are more concerned with maintaining friendships than anything else (and please don't mention anything to do with romance to these people. They're really serious about that). With these factors inserted into the plot, this anime explores the adventures of police officers Natsumi and Miyuki for four enjoyable episodes.

While You're Under Arrest is certainly an enjoyable OVA, it is not without its flaws. The acting in the series isn't the best, the supporting characters are relegated to a couple of unimportant lines, and (if you want to be really critical) the animation looks a little dated to me, even for an anime from the early '90s. However, I can brush past those flaws thanks to the five main characters. Miyuki is a gentle officer/driver with good looks and a hobby as a mechanic (Basically, she's Winry Rockbell before Winry Rockbell). Yoriko, a goofy gossiper who proves to be the series' best voice actress, is that one bespectacled female that you seemingly must have in order for an anime to be called an anime. Ken is my favorite character, a sunglasses-wearing tough-guy/motorcyclist who really loves Miyuki and is affectionately nicknamed "Kenny" by the other officers. Chief Kachou doesn't really do much besides giving out orders and pondering over situations (I just act like the guy's not there). By far the most interesting character of the bunch has to be Natsumi, the protagonist. She's a hotheaded slacker with purple eyes, impulsive tendencies, an infamous reputation for oversleeping, a habit for getting drunk, and impeccable skills as a motorcyclist. The other main characters are appealing, besides the Chief, but Natsumi is simply beyond that.

I don't know exactly where I would place You're Under Arrest on my anime list. I don't speak of this series with the mystified reverence that I do for Monster not with the unbridled hatred that I have for Inuyasha. You're Under Arrest instead settles in a special category for me, one without severe criticism or deep analysis. Here's the best way I can explain my appreciation for YUA. For me, this anime induces a wave of nostalgia, even though it's my first time finishing this. Maybe it's the beautiful theme song which really grew on me or the show's lively soundtrack with a hint of jazz that does it for me. Maybe it's You're Under Arrest's lighthearted atmosphere sprinkled by some truly touching moments that hypnotizes me. Maybe it's the excellent episode 4 (titled "On the Road... again") or the amazing sequence that occurred in the episode, where Ken rides his motorcycle out from the raging flames that causes me to write so passionately about this. Maybe it's the fact that YUA is completely appropriate for children (believe it or not, this doesn't occur often in anime), besides the cursing that pops up once-in-a-blue-moon that makes me love it so much. Regardless, You're Under Arrest is the perfect title for this OVA. It captures you, alternately thrilling you and pulling your heartstrings along the way.

I liked this series, Miyuki and Natsumi were very appealing characters, but I didn't like Nakajima though. He was too much of a stereotypical bumbling fool when it came to him and Miyuki. (Not that she handled it any better). But other than that, it's a good series.

And I want to add that in addition to the 4 episode OVA, the 48 episode first season and the movie and specials, there is also a 26 episode second season. That season has not been licensed by any foregin company yet, so the only way to see it is by getting Japanese DVDs or if not that, the "other" way.

I recommend this, it also has good rewatch value. (for me anyway)

You're Under Arrest didn't end with the four-episode OVA.

First, there's a 52-episode TV series. It's available dubbed in English--and this is one of the best dubbing jobs in history. (In fact, the director made his Japanese cast watch the English version to get a better read on the characters.) There's also the feature film, which fits in well with the series. And then there are the mini-specials, a series of 20 eight-minute shorts, which tend to focus on brief episodes in the characters' lives outside of their police work. The mini-specials also tend to be a bit racier than the OVA's and TV show. Finally, there's plenty of English-language bonus material on the DVD releases.

There's also at least one special not available in English (but there are fansubs), called "You're Under Arrest in America: No Mercy."

Finally, if you can't get enough of Miyuki and Natsumi, there's the live-action series (not available in English, but again there are fansubs). This show is quite different from the anime, and will probably seem truly bizarre to anyone who's not Japanese, but you can't talk about YUA without mentioning the live series.

This is a very significant and cool anime series, about two female cops. The characters are also cool, The chief, Aoi, Nakajima, Tokairin, Yoriko, the kids, Saori, and the motorcycle granny and that supposed super hero the Striker, who admits he's been in Detroit too long, and we never learn his identity. And Nakajima's father Daimaru is also very hilarious, and so is his 18 year old mother. And there is a second season I don't think is licensed yet, but I like to tell you it's great! Saori becomes a police just like her idols, the main characters, Miyuki and Natsumi, and there is also a live short lived series I don't think anyone in the States or anywhere in Europe probably knows about yet, but I prefer the animated series better, and there is one where they are in L.A. Recommended for all anime fans, and non-anime fans.

There are a number of animé shows where cars take centre stage - Speed Racer comes to mind - but this is different. The cars in Taiho Shichau Zo (You're Under Arrest) are highly detailed, having been taken from real production models - the main characters drive a Honda Today (smaller than the Honda Civic), in pursuit of a Mini Minor in one episode. Such a display of rubber-burning adds interest to an otherwise OK anime.

TSZ/YUA is only 4 episodes long, so if you're looking for a longer series, I would recommend the manga, or even the old classic Speed Racer.