Adventures of Kotetsu

    We are talking about one of the final works of Project A-Ko director Yurji Moriyama. Actually, this looks like nothing else than a weird combination of Japanese old-time instruments, singing and imagery, with women’s silhouettes of the Cool Devices. That was quite a start to this OAV.

    The prelude was rather gross. First, this is about Moriyama’s participation in directing episodes in the “Cream Lemon” adult series. Second, the OAV was managed initially by Daiei Video, a company renowned for its ties with La Blue Girl and Venus Five. Finally, the film was released with the help of the same company that distributed Burn Up! And there was the all-too-famous slogan “Big guns. Big busts.”

    Although the product features a great deal of panty shows, and there is even an outright, almost lesbian bath scene, there is nothing insulting about it. Except, maybe, it may excite curiosity in young viewers.

    There is pretty much originality in this anime stuff. Characters are more interesting to look at when they get confused, their eyes bulging and jaws sagging. The film is shot through with its own specific humor. If you have viewed Project A-Ko and liked it, you will definitely like Kotetsu. To a great extent, this is about Moriyama’s knack for telling stories.

    The film is dubbed pretty well. Linn’s British accent parallels a Kyoto accent, but this appears to be a hard nut to crack for voice actress Kay Hest. While the dub has failed to repeat the success of the second volume of Sorcerer Hunters, it is still great, plus Shawn Sides has been really great as Miho.

    In any event, Project A-Ko is not something its fans should miss. Maybe The Adventures of Kotetsu is not so meaningful an event as to shake up the whole world, but it is really worth seeing!