Emissary from Hell. Bunnygirl Byzantinist. My evolution is faster than light. Call me Cat.



So here's an OVA I watched entirely because the GM of a cyberpunk TTRPG I'm in used that first image as part of an inspiration pinboard, I think without really knowing what it was from. But I wanted to know. So I tracked down Ariel--a pair of 2-episode OVA's adapting small parts of a long-running light novel/magazine serial/something series. So in practice it forms one 4-episode anime, though there's some noticeable differences between the halves; feels like Visual made just enough to give Deluxe a bit more budget, with double-length episodes with a lot more action.

The big visual hook, as you can see, is that the giant mech the protagonists (three grand-daughters of the mad scientist who built it, the difficult relationship between the family forming the backbone of the story) pilot looks like a humanoid robot-girl type character, while remaining very much a non-sentient inanimate giant mech. Her helmet can even get knocked off, revealing hair underneath. It's a really neat and unique design decision!


So how is it? Honestly, as a mecha story not super satisfying; this is adapting some middle chapters of the original story where the mystery of a third-party anti-hero is being set up, so the titular robot is often shown up. But as a family comedy?drama? (I don't want to say "slice of life" because there is more plot momentum than that, but) about three sisters at different stages in life and their relationship, in which there is also a giant robot and some aliens, like, around, and sometimes form one of the things they have to deal with alongside annoying relatives, dates and exams--as that, it's very charming and I enjoyed it a lot!

Those aliens, also, are a treat. Houser thinks he's a Super Sentai villain general, but his grandiose plans are constantly getting axed due to budget restraints (thus saving the show's budget too), which is a joke that probably gets old for some people, but never for me. He's adorably pathetic. Absolute chew-toy material.

My favourite was definitely "episode 3" (episode 1 of Ariel Deluxe, that is), which starts with an extended Ultraman homage, features the most full-length and satisfying robot/kaiju fight, and has Mia piloting the mech in a bunnysuit, which is something I would joke about writing but they actually did, so clearly I have to up my game. To some this would be a negative, but I don't really have hard rules for what makes me roll my eyes and go "dumb egregious fanservice" and what makes me give two thumbs-up because Girl Hot. But as an occasional bunnygirl myself this has to be in the the latter category, right alongside a robot designed to look like she's wearing a leotard. To be clear, this show is overall fairly tame and can probably be watched just fine with whoever in the room, but I do also have to shout-out the glamour shot of Ariel in her hangar at the very end (attached to the second image up there). That's genius.

Overall, Ariel is at its best when it's not taking itself seriously and leaning more towards its light-hearted spoof elements, which work much better for me than when it wants me to get seriously invested in the main plot's mysteries, which often fall flat. I liked it, but go in for a family comedy in which a robot sometimes features, not a show about robot-fighting. I realise this is getting dangerously close to the "unlike other mecha, the characters-" bit, but I'm saying it as a negative here, you get me.

But hey, at one point they use Japan's chain of volcanic islands as an anti-air magma cannon battery, and that's all right.


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in reply to @SunshineMoon's post:

She has extremely good exhaust ports, rocket thrusters, ailerons, etc. Yet more unrealistic beauty standards for women

I also guess I shouldn't be surprised you've seen this! I think I'm a little surprised anyone has, but then as a baby to this genre I guess I don't know what's truly obscure, or how obscure 'obscure' really is.

ooh, I can see why you're mentioning it, from a cursory glance. I'll keep it in (z)mind, some great fashion there. But now my gf and I are close to finishing our Metalder watch I think I can now re-engage plan A, which involves a couple distinctly not obscure shows whose names start with "Gun".

I realise this is getting dangerously close to the "unlike other mecha, the characters-" bit, but I'm saying it as a negative here, you get me.

I 100% get you.