Armitage III - The Complete OVA [DVD]

This is the original work that someone hacked to make the movie "Armitage III Poly-Matrix". If you saw and liked the movie but haven't seen this 4-part OAV series, you will like this. Just don't expect the dub cast from "Poly-Matrix" to be in this one.As to the story, it won't win any awards but it is good nevertheless. Those who see "Blade Runner" are correct since that classic movie can be called the father of the cyberpunk genre of sci-fi. This is a cyberpunk series and it owes a lot to "Blade Runner", but it is not that movie. "Armitage III" is a tale of two cops, Ross and Armitage. Ross was a cop in Chicago who's partner was killed by a cyborg. As such, he hates cyborgs and other robotic creations, though ironically, he has a robotic leg. He then transfers to Mars and is partnered with the female Armitage. No sooner than he arrives then Armitage uncovers a murder at the spaceport. The murdered victim is a very famous female country singer, but everyone is shocked when it is discovered she is a robot. While cyborgs and androids are common, robots who look and act exactly like a real human are not supposed to exist. These are known as "Type III" robots.Many themes are explored in this series. First are the roles of androids/robots in society. Normal androids are treated like slaves. Type III's have a will and are no one's slave. Also, the roles of men and women in society are explored. Earth has become a feminist nation and on Mars, men have fled to female androids for companionship. So is it OK for women to be strong, yet still be women (and not try to be like a man)? Is it OK for a human to love a human-like robot and vice versa?I love Armitage as she's my favorite type of heroine. The romance between her and Ross isn't overplayed so don't worry about mush. Yet it is touching just the same. The art and animation are good. It didn't start out as good in the first episode, but improves a lot by the time episode 4 rolls around. The music is rooted in cyberpunk and those who've seen anime titles like "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040" or "Divergence Eve" will see the music there is very similar. There's just a lot of good things about this and after seeing it, I am happy to purchase this title.Bottom line: Skip the movie "Armitage III Poly-Matrix" which is just a hack job of this series and watch this title instead. If you've already seen the movie and liked it, you'll like this more.

Sometimes finding the right DVD version of an anime is as important as finding the right anime in the first place.This is one of those times. I remember watching this anime a long time ago on late at night. On the Action Channel or something like that. I actually watched Dual Matrix, not this. But it inspired me to purchase this DVD. Unfortunately only AFTER I purchased "Armitage III Poly-Matrix (Geneon Signature Series)." That's one of those decisions I wish I hadn't made.The Poly-Matrix Geneon Signature Series DVD is nothing more than a heavily edited, stuttering bare-bones version of the complete OVA featured in this product. The disk I purchased didn't even have Japanese Language as an option, so unfortunately I had to listen to whiny and often unpleasant and emotionally askew English voice acting by the main character.Thankfully I found this DVD and rectified that mistake. This is a good anime with a compelling story. It may not be one of the greatest, but it's well articulated and pleasant to watch as well. It's an older anime, but just like watching older movies, you can acquire a taste for such things. It's great to watch the emotional articulation of the main character, and see how the story comes together. It's not as powerful or intellectually challenging as, say, Ghost in the Shell. And it doesn't have the depth and scope and impact of Akira. But Armitage III does have a certain character to it that I think every serious anime fan should enjoy. It's a pleasure to see any film or animation where there is a good story. And Artimitage III: The Complete OVA has that, a good story.Now just make sure you get the OVA or the Complete OVA so you can actually enjoy that story without it being butchered, chopped up, and served to you fast-food style.

This anime is surprisingly complicated. It opens with a seemingly random act of violence against an android, or "third" who is masquerading as a human. Then when a list of these "thirds" is released, there is a violent outpouring of anti-robot sentiment on Mars, where the story takes place. This series of episodes is interesting, in that it calls into question what defines humanity. Our main protagonist, Ross Syllabus despises machines due to the fact that one caused the death of his partner, and left him crippled. Naomi Armitage, our female lead, seems to react negatively whenever Ross mentions his dislike for machines. Some of the humans in this series are as bad as the supposed machines they destroy. The question becomes, at what point does a machine become greater than the sum of its parts. One of the thirds asks "If Humans don't want me, why did they make me?", this sets up the political undertones for the entire series. Although not directly explained, the seemingly random violence against the thirds is really part of a political power play. If you like good, fast paced action, with stunning animation, watch this series. The soundtrack is appropriate, if a little electronic. The Characters are multi-dimensional and engaging. The political undertones are a little complicated and not directly explained, but if you pay attention, you will be able to piece the whole story together fairly easily. This series is not for children, the violence is about what you would see on an episode of "24". I strongly recommend it.