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This show is a must watch for a hardcore fan of mechas and the so called “Space Opera” genre. It’s old and it might not have aged well for those anime fans that are more accustomed to modern styles (even though the show is from the 90’s) and to those fans I say “Hey you are in luck!… Unless you want the Blu-ray version which is currently only available in Japan!”

As it turns out, there is a widely available and relatively good DVD version of this show doing the rounds on the net. So if you can’t wait for the Blu-ray to be released (which at the moment seems unlikely) or you want the cheap easy way, you can always grab the DVD. Look at this article as a sort of retro-review as well as a regular one just in case you feel like picking it up.

As I said before, this anime came out in the mid 90’s (around 1996, to be more specific) so its style might be off putting to some, but it’ll quickly grow on you like mold on an unattended sink. The plot paints itself as a futuristic space adventure with elements of romance and comedy and not to mention self-referential humor at the expense of Otakus. The show introduces us to a future in which Earth has been at war with an alien enemy, a war which we are seemingly losing until the introduction of the advanced battleship “Nadesico” and its crew, a colorful ensemble of characters.

But that’s not all

Amongst the crew is our protagonist Akito Tenkawa, an average, mildly cowardly teen who finds himself wrapped up with the crew when he accidentally bumps into an old childhood friend, and the Nadesico’s captain, Yurika Misumaru who he decides to chase after by becoming the ship’s cook. But things go a bit out of control for him when the ship actively engages in combat with Earth’s alien enemies the “Jovian Lizards”.

Of course, like it happens to be the case in this situation, one of the Nadesico’s pilots is injured and our protagonist is set to jump into the fray and take control of one of the ship’s “Aestevalis” units (one of the big mean machines that make this mecha anime great) because as much as he really doesn’t want to, he happens to have what it takes to ride it. This sets off the start of a great show and one that manages to make you laugh without being childish.

Get yourself a copy

Many mecha anime fans will notice similarities with other titles. Akito in particular will remind them of a certain pilot who wasn’t so keen on fighting, but thats simply because this show is a parody at its core. Unlike many parodies, however, it still manages to create an unique story that is so well done and pieced together that it manages to include themes like politics, war, death and romance without looking forced or having a ham-fisted one dimensional approach. The show will elicit a few laughs from those who decide to pick up (one way or another) as well as leave behind a feeling that can only be obtained from reaching the conclusion of an epic story.

In short, this is easily one the finest shows to ever grace my TV screen, and I’m quite sure that those whose interest I picked will go to it for the mecha, watch it for the laughs and stick to it for more than just that.

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