Customer Reviews

Baoh

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

BAOH is a compact anime sci-fi action thriller about a teenaged boy injected with "Baoh," a parasitic worm which gives him a series of steadily accelerating super powers and bio-engineered weapons which he uses to defend himself against the onslaught of agents and assassins sent to kill him after he escapes from a top secret corporate-government project. Made in 1989, it has exactly the kind of detailed and boldly drawn comic book-style illustration and fluidly animated scenes of violent action that make so much anime of the mid-to-late 1980s so distinctive. When the boy goes into defensive "Baoh" mode, he dispatches his heavily-armed pursuers in the most spectacularly gory fashion this side of NINJA SCROLL. For those who need a break from such carnage there are scenes with the boy's cute and spunky sidekick, Sumire, a nine-year-old girl whose psychic powers make her a target of the bad guys as well. When the girl is eventually abducted and held hostage, "Baoh" launches a one-man assault on the organization's secret headquarters.

My only complaint is that, as a single OAV volume running just under 47 minutes, it's way too short. It's based on a manga that was published in English (by Viz) in two volumes and it follows the look of the manga and the overall storyline very closely. The anime leaves out various incidents that would have filled out the story, explained things a little more, and given it a little more depth. If they'd simply filmed everything in the manga they would have had a very satisfying 90-to-100-minute feature-length film or two-part OAV. Still, it's a consistently enjoyable work for fans of this genre and one which rates repeat viewings.

I have seen several anime movies and this one, along with Riding Bean, is the best I've seen!!! It has a nice plot that's not too complicated yet not stupid like many other animes. If you are an anti-violent person when it comes to cartoons then do not buy this, This is a very bloody and violent movie and the artwork is excellent!!!

Reason to get this movie. It has: action, drama, gore blood, profanity, emotion, great animation. This is a great classic 80's anime just like "Akira".

This is an anime you'll either love... or hate. Following the style of Guyver, a young man gains superhuman abilities due to a bio booster - in this case a parasite.

But BAOH, while low on plot, was quite enjoyable for me. The story is merely one section of an entire history not even discussed by the movie, which you could read in the manga. What did Dr. Kasuminome go into this field, what prompted him? Why did Ikuro become so attached to Sumire?

You're treated, in this video, a single snapshot of a potentially wonderful series. I recommend you watch it at least once... in my opinion its on par with the old 80's greats. Bubblegum Crisis, Guyver, Ranma, and Dirty Pair.

Baoh was a nice little anime. It lacked a few things from getting it a 5 star. The art was great even for now, but some lines appeared to thick at times. The characters were average, they didn't have enough story behind them as for why they are there. The main character was pretty cool, just a normal guy until some scientists wanted to do some experements. His transformation is really cool and the way he deals with people is great, also this anime was very gory for its time and now. over all Boah is a must see, maybe a buy because of its length, or to some not even worth it.

Baoh is based off a pretty good manga series. Unfortunately, they didn't translate it over to well to the anime form. Though the animation is pretty good, most of the plot is thrown out the window. Baoh is a parasite that the government has created that when injected into a host when work its way up to the brain and attach. When the host is harmed or adrenaline starts to pump, Baoh takes over the host body, creating the host to become superhuman with superpowers. When the host in this anime takes over Ikuroo, he comes underattack from the government after he has escaped. He must protect a young girl, who herself has a precognitive gift, from getting killed by the governments loose cannons. The anime is short and is only one episode so everything happens quickly and violently. Not an anime for kids.

Baoh is short, sweet, to the point, bloody and violent. Two thumbs way up!!

Basically i don't give about the not so good reviews about this anime. BAOH in my opinion, is another good example why i love anime; it has a decent plot although borrowing elements from GUYVER and the movie firestarter. but adds a bit of originality of it's own especially regarding the charcter designs, weapons and powers; i.e. the shooting bees phenomenom
(baoh's hair is used as electric particles that shoot out like darts) and it doesn't hld back when it comes to action, although the gore is a bit gratuitous that one ends up thinking,is baoh a superhero/sci-fi actioner or a horror anime?

as for familiar designs, Dr. kasumione resembles G.I. JOE'S Dr. Mindbender, walken is a combination of the tracker from firestarter (played by george c. scott) and one of the mutants from x-men. Durdo has an endoskeleton like the terminator and the three steel masked finacers of Doress look like a certain villian from a certain toyline/comic/carton.
the arm saber however is exactly like guyver's and that's where the simularity ends. lol

the DVD is bare bones meaning; no extras but inside the case is a nice filecard which explains baoh and his mysterious powers along with song lyrics speaking of which; the original japanese version of soldier is way better than the english song.

the english dub from the dvd isn't bad, but the cheesy song "can't stop loving you" has got to go!!!
it does not blend into the dark superhero thriller world of BAOH.

INCLOSNG the animaton still holds up even 15 years later. thanks to th talented folks o toho/shinshuiea (FIST OF THE NORTHSTAR and ANGELCOP)

if your'e lokng for a short balls to the wall superheroesque title, this buds for you. for those seeking something more complicated..well there's always garasaki and boogiepop phantom..zzzzzzzzzzz

This is a great Anime!! one of the best I would have to say. Lots of action and a bit of emotion. Get this movie if you get a chance.

There was a plot to this movie, but the point of this movie is not the plot, but rather the stunning animation (on par with Ninja Scroll) and well executed fight scenes. Baoh reminds me in some ways of "Guyver" in that he is an organic superhero with all sorts of fun abilities. It's somewhat mindless, and as I said before, quite light on the plot and character development, but surprisingly enjoyable anyway. An interesting touch is that Baoh apparently cannot speak when transformed, although they sometimes allow the audience to hear his thoughts.

I found the voice acting average. Both Walken and the head of Doress overacted their parts terribly, especially the latter, but most of the rest were competent if not overwhelming. Music was also eminently forgettable, but appropriate for whatever scene it was in. Also somewhat lacking was character development. All the characters were pretty much stock for the genre, but I list that as a neutral factor. If they weren't riveting, at least they weren't boring or stupid.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. As animation goes, it's one of the best I've ever seen. Good thing too, because it's all the movie has.....