 Latest new series from Madman, it's also the first I've seen that sports Pioneer's new Geneon name on the packaging - before it's made it's appearance in the US, at that...
From the director of Escaflowne (and the same character designer as well, judging by the noses), Heat Guy J takes us to a future SF setting, although it's a 'crime fighting superhero' story at heart...
Welcome to the city-state of Judoh, where androids are strictly
illegal - except for J, an android assigned to the Special Unit of the
city's Safety Management Agency, an under-funded office with the
thankless task of preventing crimes before they start. Along with his
human partner Daisuke Aurora, J's gained a name for himself in the
criminal underworld, where he's known as the Heat Guy...
Guy
The Don of the Leonelli family, also known as Vampire, has died,
leaving his position to his 19-year-old son Claire - who is a few
sticks short of a bundle, if we're being generous. Meanwhile, Daisuke
& J are assigned to look into some illegal immigrants - turns out
they may have smuggled an android in with them...
War
The new Vampire consolidates his position by taking on a rival faction
- Daisuke & J become involved when they discover a plan to produce
napalm bombs, to be used by Vampire against his rivals. The things you
can track down based on a few 'what's that smell?' complaints.
Bomb
A serial bomber is at work - having started with a few small targets
like postboxes and billboards, he's moved on to bigger things, and is
now demolishing buildings. Meanwhile, the latest craze around Judoh is
the Beauty Card - collector's cards of the city's most attractive
women, the photos having been taken in true stalker fashion. Ryoko's
getting quite upset that she hasn't featured on one yet, despite her
best efforts to be seen...
Chaos
There's a werewolf, answering to the name of Boma, who's looking for
his Usagi, and killing anyone who won't help him find her. Realising
his strength, Vampire hires him to take down J, using calls to Daisuke
as bait to lure J to where Boma can attack him.
The stories in Heat Guy J are simplistic enough that it's
easy to write a synopsis for them, at least. :) That's not simplistic
in a bad way, either - on the basis of this first disc, it would seem
that this show falls into the low-maintenance eye-candy department -
you can have fun watching it without taking your brain.
The characters are likeable - there's some nice interplay between
Daisuke and Ryoko, and J seems to have quite a philosophical outlook on
life that can't all be the result of his programming. Claire Leonelli
seems to be Dilandau from Escaflowne reincarnated - similar
looks & flipped personality - and looks set to be the show's
recurring bad guy, although more in a scheme-of-the-week way than
through any over-arching plot. With a fairly large supporting cast,
including street-urchin photographer Monica and the shadowy Shogun,
there's plenty here to build stories on.
As far as production values go - in general it's very good. Judoh's
a bright city, so most of the scenes are very colourful & well
presented. Some problems with iffy CGI & stock footage, but nothing
too serious. And I love the soundtrack (it's the bagpipe fan in me...).
Overall, quite enjoyable - it'll be interesting to see if an ongoing
plot develops as the series goes on, but so far it's just a bunch of
very enjoyable, standalone episodes. Recommended. |
