There are two types of anime fans who will like this OAV. The first type of fan has never seen any of Leiji Matsumoto's films or comics. This person is in for a treat, as virtually nothing in modern anime compares to classic Matsumoto storytelling. The second sort of fan is the Matsumoto loyalist, a person intimate with all the different versions of Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express, and Yamato.
The rest of anime fandom will wonder if Matsumoto is a one-trick pony. There's a thin line between being an auteur and being repetitious, and Matsumoto may have crossed it in this OAV. All the classic Matsumoto trademarks are here - a beautiful mysterious blonde, a drunken doctor, an idealistic boy named Tetsuro, an Earth shattered by natural disaster, a totalitarian regime, and an interstellar quest. There's even a cameo by Captain Harlock!
Matsumoto is saved from charges of self-plagiarism partly due to his gifts as a writer and partly due to the relative incompetence of his younger storytelling rivals. The space opera format may be dated in the Evangelion era, but Matsumoto writes space opera better than anyone else today. The pacing, drama, humorous asides, and humanity of his films put George Lucas' overblown Star Wars epics to shame.
I enjoyed DNA Sights 999.9 despite deja vu. Matsumoto isn't breaking any new ground, but his films are still worth watching. The casual Matsumoto fan is better off renting the original Galaxy Express film, but DNA Sights 999.9 is a solid, if somewhat predictable OAV.
 |
Other Anime Reviews Adieu Galaxy Express 999 Review Magic Knight Rayearth Review* Miyuki-chan in Wonderland Review Oh My Goddess OAV Review Vampire Hunter D Review |
Get your ownFree Home Page