| Title: | Juusou Kikou Dancouga Nova |
| Episode: | 1: The Mysterious Dancouga |
| Synopsis | |
| "22nd Century Earth: Though a full-scale World War has yet to occur, volatile skirmishes occur throughout the world. An unstable situation continues to exist". As a battle rages, and the losing side is about to be completely overrun, it's soldiers pray that "The ally of the weak and the enemy of the strong" will appear and save them from complete annihilation. Their prayers are answered when a gigantic mech comes crashing down from the sky with a thunderous roar. The newcomer makes short work of the side which had had the upper hand, leaving even the men it has spared awestruck and frightened. Back in Japan, racer Hidaka Aoi is competing in the Grand Prix; salaryman Johnny Barnett is on the way to a business meeting; homeless person Sakuya Kamon is preparing himself a meal; and Police Detective Tachibana Kurara is on a stakeout. Unknown to them, each is being shadowed by a pilotless flying drone. After an exciting finish to the race, and a shootout between the Police and drug smugglers, these four persons find themselves teleported to a remote island. Counsellor Ruuriruri welcomes them and leads them to meet "the Commander". Commander Tanaka greets his suspicious guests jovially, and quickly gets to the point: "We'd like to make a contract with the four of you"... | |
| Comments | |
| An excellent opening episode! We get a brief introduction to the principal characters of the series, and also to Dancouga itself, and it's mission. Plenty of questions spring to mind; for example, why does Dancouga intervene on the side of the underdog? It clearly is not interested in which side is good or evil, since when the tide of a certain war has turned, it attacks the same army it once defended. That's one of the things I like about this show--it carefully rations out the answers that the viewer is given, while introducing new questions in proportion, and thus remains both mysterious and satisfying. Am I crazy, or was the Dancouga that appeared at the start not the same one we'll be familiar with later (at least it seems to employ a different weapon)? I thought the OP sequence was snazzy and fun (though some people at other websites seem to have despised it). Another thing I really like about this show is the way it skillfully maintains a high level of excitement--even when there isn't a battle going on, it always holds my interest. The BG music helps a lot (I seldom notice this, so it must be good). The way the episode cut back and forth between the formula one race and car chase was delicious--clearly, this is a show to look forward to! I couldn't help grinning from ear to ear as Dancouga reappeared; it's scowling, harsh, yet unmoving and emotionless mask just shouts out "Danger!". I think Dancouga Nova is a show which appeals to the kid at an adult's heart--it's fun and exciting without being patronizing. Not everything makes sense, but the hell with it, I'm enjoying myself too much to complain (that doesn't happen everyday!). It is based on a show which aired over twenty years ago, after all. | |
