okay. this show is wild bc it starts out really fun and interesting, but then the main writer had to leave in the middle of it so there's a rut in there and it's dull....but then the last like 15 eps REALLY pick up and like. yeah this is good.
like the premise of a more adult mecha show with main characters that are tough ass mercs who fuck, drink and murder while also being really funny and having their own code of honor is great, and like it gets used in the first 10 and last 15 eps to nice effect!
the show kinda loses its bluster by the middle bc the main writer kinda wasn't available to do that part so we get a bunch of mid ass eps by other dudes and it almost made me drop it, but then it REALLY picked up when khamen khamen got introduced so it's okay. he's an all timer mecha villain like. mf is smart as fuck and gangster as hell. he ALWAYS wins and you don't get frustrated over it bc like....it really makes sense? and he's really entertaining to watch.
anyways I LOVE the J9 gang they are all just this serious professional russian dude with a whip, and his three horny cunty ass funny idiot mercs. they REALLY carry the show when it focuses on them bc their chemistry is amazing and the VAs evidently had a lot of fun playing them.
the animation and designs are....pretty outdated and janky even for the time, but the concept is so strong and the directing, music and writing try SO hard in the better eps that you can't help but cheer for it when it's good.
like i get why the show became so popular, esp with high school and college girls....and why it got swept by the other 80s stuff. but like. damn i'm just happy this wasn't a waste. like the middle part had me disheartened but i came out REALLY liking this one.
like at its best it's just a really fun and charming show with a great cast and premise. also the J9 gang is all hot funny ass people so that's a bonus. it's a good show.
also the finale arc is incredibly fucking insane and deranged, it was A RIDE
also this show apparently was the first one to use "otaku" in anime? AND also had the first sex scene in a primetime anime show. wild stuff.
i did hear the main writer learned from braiger and did most of baxingar and sasuraiger so i think those two will be more consistent!
like honestly with the caveat that it becomes a bit dull and slow in the middle, i would say this was a fun watch. i love braiger!! it's a good show!! i'm glad that it used its potential AND glad to be part of the legion of women who love it.
had to look up yun kouga. so THAT'S why the 00 boys have that effect on people. it was an inside job right from the start