Armored Trooper Votoms: Red Shoulder Document - The Roots of Ambition
When I first saw this OVA listed among newly available downloads, I thought it must be part of the new remake/sequel/whatever Soukou Kihei Votoms - Pailsen Files (OVA), but that didn't turn out to be true. It is in fact an 80's vintage Votoms OVA, and not the only one, either. Altogether, there are "The Last Red Shoulder" (1985), "Big Battle" (1986), "Red Shoulder Document: The Roots of Ambition" (1988), and "Shining Heresy" (1994?). According to "Guitarman555" The first three are all one-shots that take place at various points during the Armored Trooper Votoms TV series but "Shining Heresy" is a genuine 5 episode sequel to the show. Anyway, this particular OVA seems to be a prequel to the main Votoms saga, involving Chirico's adventures before becoming a outcast from the Melkian military. For all it's problems, there was a distinct "coolness" to the original Votoms, which is still evident here. The mecha are neatly designed and animated, giving them a style of their own. Another factor which quickly became clear was that this is pretty violent! Largely (but not entirely) mechanical violence--in fact, I'd call this a mecha slaughter-fest. The plot has some problems (has Chirico somehow just had good luck bred into him?), but for the most part makes sense, and anyway it's the trademark Votoms coolness which carries the story along in a pleasing manner. Another trademark of Votoms is that stories drag on longer than necessary; I thought the story was over when yet another mecha battle broke out. This is one of those shows which you know ended with a touch of irony and cleverness--you just don't understand exactly why.
Last updated Tuesday, January 01 2008. Created Monday, December 31 2007.
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Ggultra2764
Stretch
