The chemistry between players is fantastic, as characters deftly play off one anothers’ quirks. The plot is complimented by the fantastic cast, who continue to find ways to charm the viewer. Whether it’s Hikawa’s ties to the criminal organization, or Crystella Revi’s real motivations are, things are left vague enough to fuel the imagination, rather than frustrate.
#BIRDY THE MIGHTY DECODE SERIES#
While the core plot is pretty well explained, there are countless hints and teases scattered through the series that hint at something far greater, far more grand than just the OVA. The narrative, while a bit simple, does an amazing job of playing on the intrigue of the viewer. Fight scenes are well-choreographed, and pull the viewer into the action. Characters move well, and expressions are spot-on, whether it’s Birdy getting plastered at a wine tasting, or Tstutomu fighting to chase the sleep away. The visual style is given that extra “oomph”, though, in the animation department. Kawajiri makes magnificent use of mise en scène to give the world a distinct “lived-in” feel that seems to spill beyond the boundaries of the screen. Every scene is lovingly crafted, and makes brilliant use of colour and camera to set the mood. Why This Show?īirdy the Mighty is one of those rare gems that really defined what an OVA should be. It was a larger, more ambitious story that tied many loose ends that remained in the original. Birdy the Mighty: Decode is a reboot of the franchise, which was based on Masami Yuuki’s 2008 manga. In 2008, the OVA was effectively replaced in the eyes of the market, when Birdy the Mighty: Decode began airing. At the same time, over a dozen niche-centric titles like Plastic Little and Super GALS hit stores in the month.īirdy the Mighty was doomed to fade into the background. The calendar was stacked with heavyweights like Sailor Moon S. The first DVD hit on March 9, 2004, among 91 other releases in the month. When the series finally hit DVD in 2004, it was the height of the anime bubble. In the years that followed, the series would be buried under a crushing tide of releases. It was featured in magazines like Animerica and Wizard, and certainly was seen as “required viewing” by many. While Pokemon had begun airing, it didn’t yet translate into the phenomenon we now call the “anime bubble.” The series made a pretty big splash upon its release, due to its pedigree. Will the two be able to get along long enough to find the mastermind and save humanity from the alien menace? Why Was It Passed Up?īirdy the Mighty was first released on VHS in early 1999. To make matters worse, a criminal organization has nearly perfected a drug that will turn humans into psychic-powered monsters. To do so, she’s forced to time-share her body with this unremarkable geek. She, quite literally, electrifies the poor kid until he’s little more than a quivering husk.Īnyway, since Tsutomu’s body is completely ruined, the powers that be decide that Birdy’s wrongs must be righted. It’s not the typical case of friendly fire, either. During the pursuit of her target, Birdy accidentally kills Tsutomu. Long hours, dangerous duties, and little vacation.Īnyway, Birdy’s duties eventually lead to our little backwater planet. Birdy is a gorgeous space cop who travels across the galaxy to take down the most vicious of criminals. Tsutomu Senkawa is a dorky high school student, whose one real goal is to get into a good high school. But I digress.īirdy the Mighty is a tale of two people, brought together by circumstance. Manga Corps that put out “classics” like Garzey’s Wing and Wild Cardz. It was released on Japanese video in 1996, with a home video release by U.S. The series was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri ( Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) and animated by Madhouse ( Summer Wars, Trigun). Birdy the Mighty is a four-episode OVA based on the 1985 manga of the same name by Masami Yuuki ( Patlabor).