Product Details

• Actors: Artist Not Provided
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Bandai
• DVD Release Date: March 2, 2004
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00018D5Q2
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,033 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Shotaro Ishinomori's Kikiader began as a live action series that was adapted to animation after his death. The four-part OVA Kikaider 01 begins sometime after the 13-episode animated TV series, apparently in the middle of the story. Android Jiro/Kikaider, Reiko, and Akira appear out of nowhere, fleeing a horde of fish-shaped mecha. Akira is the son of the nasty Dr. Gill and the "key" to Gill's ultimate weapon, the giant robot Armageddon God. Jiro and Reiko protect Akira from Gill and his minions, with help from Jiro's brother-androids, through the final battle between good and evil. Big chunks of the plot remain unexplained and the characters are little more than ciphers. The simple, retro look of the designs recalls the early work of Tezuka, and clashes with the CG camera moves. Androids and humans will agree Kikaider 01 is a dud. (Rated 13 and older: violence, profanity) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kikaider in the poor house., April 24, 2004

By	BiolanteX (Valparaiso, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

Ok, yes this OVA has some problems. However, unlike what many not be aware of is that Kikaider is based on a manga of considerible length. Also unbenknownst to certain, supposed "professional reviewers," the live action sentai show came after the manga from which this show is based on. The major problem with this contiuation of the manga story is monetary. The creators of this anime didn't have enough money to do it justice. So alot of events, characters, storyline are scrunched into 4 episodes. Tons of questions are left unanswered (most blatantly where are Mitsko, Dr. Komyoji, etc.), and the viewer may be left unsatisfied, especially if you enjoyed the previous, excelent 13 episode tv series. The money problems become quite obvious by episode 4, where the production values on the animation are unmistakably, very low. This show should've just been given a second tv season so the manga could've been given justice. However, satisfying the fickle Japanese anime audience is definantly not an easy task, and what becomes a hit is mostly left to chance. This story arc was definantly not meant to be only 4 episodes, and I doubt that was the intentions of the makers of this anime when the began on the project. The first episodes of the OVA probably didn't sell to well, and they probably had to wrap it up early with very little budget left to continue. I will give this a 5 star rating, only out of respect for the creative genius of Shotaro Ishinomori. However, if you're interested in Kikaider, definantly start with the tv series. Hopefully, the manga finds its way over to the US in the near future so Jiro's entire story can be told.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Its good, but you should know the source!, April 8, 2004

By A Customer

Listen, Kikaider is a anime based on a manga, as well as the live action Tokusatsu (think of power rangers with a better, more teen/adult/anime/ story). Kikaider 01 is more or less viewed easier seen and knowing the subjects stated above. Though, its not released in the U.S.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It may be a lot better if this was never made., February 6, 2004

By	Del Keyes "Rise From The Grave" (In the middle of the Sunshine) - See all my reviews

Whenever there's an anime that is so popular, the creators think that the ending of the cartoon that they worked hard on just wasn't 'whole' to appeal to the major fan base. Ergo, they made OAVs to service the fans with an epilogue that resolves most of the things that occur in the TV series, and leave a satisfying true ending. Some animes like that were well-executed (i.e. Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz), but there were also a few that were just considered to be an after-thought, leading to failure...like this anime, KIKAIDER-01.

This OAV series is acontinuation to the TV series, but don't expect any original cast to return in this OAV; Kikaider is basically on his own. The story begins, at sudden, when Jiro (Kikaider) was under attack by a robotic sea monster, while riding a motorcycle under protection of the mysterious passengers, Rieko and Akira. After he destroyed the monster, he soon realized that Akira was the son of Prof. Gill, the man Kikaider himself finished off from the TV series, and these robots were after Akira as a tool for a destructive weapon bent on ridding humans all over the world. These robots were actually under command of Prof. Gill, who is actually alive, but in a robot body of Hakaider. How did Jiro even met these characters in the first place, the anime didn't explain very well.

The OAV series composed of four episodes, but in the end, it all worked out for nothing. Sure, there's new characters, like Ichiro (Kikaider-01, Dr. Komyoji's son), Kikaider-00, and Bijinder (the female Kikaider), and there were a few surprises in this OAV. But each character has little-to-no character development, and there was no further explanation as to how they came to be. How did Ichiro (a DEAD son of Komyoji) become an android? What's the history with Kikaider-00? Is Akira a human or a mecha-being, since the enemies refer to him as a tool for a weapon? Even with the shocking moments in this anime, they lack any taste of satisfaction. So, this OAV's premise is about protecting a boy, while beating up forgetful robots. I really, REALLY peeved about the ending of the OAV series. To explain it without spoiling it, let's say body parts will fly off, lots of explosions will occur, and everything about this series that builds up in the storyline just follows the fate of Jenga: it eventually topples down. Anime creators should NEVER do something like that.

O.K., I might be a little too harsh, this isn't a terrible anime. The art is more colorful and vibrant than in the TV series, even though the characters are still not that good looking. And even though the story is dissapointing, the action scenes is anything but. The Pros, however, are enough to patch some of the real wounds of this series: the rushed storyline, the lack of good character development, and no satisfying ending. The only thing I can give decent recommendation to is for the hardcore Kikaider or mecha fans. For others, just stay away from this, 'cause this anime's gonna lay oil all of your faces.