Product Details

• Actors: Yoshiko Sakakibara, Kinuko Ômori, Michie Tomizawa, Akiko Hiramatsu, Nozomu Sasaki
• Directors: Fumihiko Takayama, Hiroaki Gôda, Hiroki Hayashi, Katsuhito Akiyama, Masami Ôbari
• Writers: Katsuhito Akiyama, Hideki Kakinuma, Kenichi Matsuzaki
• Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Central Park Media
• VHS Release Date: February 22, 1995
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303334261
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #520,528 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

These OAVs were among the first Japanese series released as such in the U.S. and are remembered fondly by fans. An early example of cyberpunk that borrows heavily from Blade Runner and Robocop, Bubblegum Crisis depicts the adventures of the female vigilante group the Knight Sabers. In form-fitting, high-heeled mecha suits, Sylia, Priss, Linna, and Nene fight the rogue cyborgs of the sinister Genom Corporation in MegaTokyo, 2032. Sylia's brother Mackie, and A.D. Cop Leon, Priss's long-suffering suitor, assist them. The first three episodes (1987) form a single continuity; "Revenge Road" (1988) depicts a battle between an embittered man and a motorcycle gang. "Moonlight Rambler" (1988) and "Red Eyes" (1989) pit the Saber Knights against vampire cyborgs prowling MegaTokyo. "Double Vision" (1990) introduces the mysterious pop star Vision, and "Scoop Chase" (1991), in which a high school journalist tries to unmask the Knight Sabers, ends the series on a silly note. The direction and design in the first trilogy look decidedly old-fashioned, but the later adventures grow increasingly sophisticated. Odd notes include suggestions of lesbianism, officer Daley's homosexual passes at Leon (who gets better-looking in each redesign), and Mackie trying see his sister in her underwear. Included in the set are Hurricane Live! 2032 and 2033, collections of music videos, and concert footage of the Japanese voice actresses singing the pop songs used in the series. Unrated; suitable for ages 16 and up: Violence, grotesque imagery, profanity, brief nudity, tobacco use, and sexual situations, including prostitution. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best '80s Anime Series Finally Gets a Box Set :-), December 24, 2001

By 

James M. Stafford III (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bubblegum Crisis (DVD)

The original Bubblegum Crisis is one of the best-known and most-loved anime series. Each of the four DVDs is available separately, but all can finally be purchased at once.

The first DVD presents the first three episodes of the Bubblegum Crisis series. The first episode presents the post-earthquake world of MegaTokyo in 2032, with Genom Corporation's Boomers wreaking havoc in the city, and a band of four women (the Knight Sabers) in hardsuits protecting the innocents. The second episdoe focuses on one of the women, Linna, and a close friend who is targeted by a Genom executive. In the final episode, the conflict between Genom and the Knight Sabers escalates.

The second DVD presents the episodes 4-6 of the Bubblegum Crisis series. Episode 4 steps away from the Genon-Knight Saber conflict to one man's deep-rooted hatred for a biker gang and his attempt to extract a very high-tech revenge. The fifth episode begins with a group of women attempting an escape from a top-secret space station, leading to the most personal injury Priss has ever received at the hands of a fabled Boomer model. Episode 6 presents the greatest challenge yet to the Knight Sabers, in the form of an evil group of "Knight Sabers" seeking to eliminate the real Genom-fighting quartet.

The third DVD of the original Bubblegum Crisis series contains my favorite episodes of the series. Episode 7 of the series introduces an American idol singer, Vision, who suddenly comes out of obscurity to start a new concert tour, beginning in Tokyo, although she really has revenge on her mind. The final episode of the original BGC series finds a snoopy reporter working with one of the Knight Sabers to uncover the identities of the fabled all-female fighting force even as Genom launches a new line of Boomers specifically to defeat the Knight Sabers. Finally, the disc ends with four BGC music videos featuring the music of the series' own music group Priss and the Replicants set against excellent footage of the Bubblegum Crisis series.

The final DVD in the original Bubblegum Crisis series presents thirteen music videos based on the series. Two videos are of live-action concert footage by the main voice actresses of the series, one video ("Say Yes!") mixes live-action concert footage with animation from the much-loved series, "Touchdown to Tomorrow" introduces new animation of the Knight Sabers as a rock group, and the others present excellent music with the best action scenes from the series. For those who have not seen the original Bubblegum Crisis series, or for those who absolutely love the series, the Hurricane Live videos present a beautiful and inspiring overview of the entire series.

Each DVD is constructed extremely well. With the exception of the Hurricane Live DVD (the last in the set), all offer Japanese and English audio; all four DVDs have English and French subtitle options, as well as a musical image gallery featuring highlights of the episodes on each disc. The only downfall to the DVD construction is that there is no way to play all episodes of each DVD sequentially.

The series, inspired by Blade Runner and itself a tremendous influence on following anime, is full of fast-paced action and incredible music. This DVD Box Set provides anime newcomers with an excellent introduction to the world of anime.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 80's cyberpunk rock video mecha girl classic, April 15, 2001

By 

iwakura (Shinto Shrine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bubblegum Crisis (DVD)

Future post-earthquake Tokyo has all-powerful corporation Genom taking complete control, were it not for interference from a vigilante mercenary super hero girl group called the "Knight sabers".

This is one of the best anime series projecting beautiful, sexy women in a non-degrading way. The Knight Sabers leader (Dr. Stingray) is a super-genius who designed (and keeps improving) the hard suits which are the only thing that can defeat Genom's android fighting units. Anime pinup idol Priss, the toughest one, is as daring on a motorcycle as she is beautiful. Linna is a great athlete while Nene is a computer hacker. Inter-personal relationships between these 4 are done really well.

There are lots of fighting scenes for those into that, but the story is really about the state of society (a possible future for us) and why the girls put their buts on the line and try to change what they can.

The music is like what MTV used to play, back when they actually played music videos. Those really into this (Or fans needing to see more of the Knight Sabers in action) will love the "Hurricane Live" bonus DVD. Kind of nostalgic, but not obnoxious as some 80's revival stuff tends to be.

Overall this MegaSeries is a great value with all 8 "OAV" episodes in this box set. The animation is a bit dated compared with more recent releases, but the story line is still better than most recent releases.

Anime doesn't get much better than this. A must for "best of class" collectors. (Word on the 'net is that this OAV series is superior to later derivatives).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must" for every anime&cyberpunk fan.Also:rock&roll,bikes!, July 1, 2001

By 

Andrzej Lawa (Warsaw Poland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bubblegum Crisis (DVD)

Time: near future (2032-2033). Place: Tokyo, few years after a great earthquake. Situation: Corporate rule. Boomers on the loose. Who you're gonna call? KNIGHT SABERS!

Classical cyberpunk anime with great music, nice animation, interesting plot and a healthy dose of humour (i.e. poor Nene figthting with a cake and loosing ;). Four girls in HardSuits fight for peace, love and justice ;-) Mainly against the evil GENOM corporation and it's cyborgs/androids - boomers, but not only. BTW: if you've seen "Blade Runner" you will notice few similarities - i.e. GENOM towers look a lot like the Tyrel Corp. main building.

Thist is a 4-DVD set with all 8 episodes and many music videoclips.

PS: the original soundtrack is MUCH better then the english DUB (hear the original "Hurricane" and the english version - the second one is HORRIBLE).