Gekiganger III

The fans are not the only ones subject to this good-natured teasing; NADESICO also pokes fun at the anime industry. Mostly this is done through the scenes of GEKIGANGER III, the old giant robot anime that Gai makes everyone watch. Akito gets hooked, remembering it from his childhood, and he continues to watch the show over and over well into the series.
This parody of a 1970s giant robot anime manages to capture everything that makes the genre so distinct: thick ink lines, a very limited color pallet, a generic looking robot, and the formula three-member team. And let us not forget the limited, sometimes choppy, animation used in these shows擁t is all present in GEKIGANGER III.
Another amusing poke at the anime occurs at the beginning of one of the episodes. From time to time in a television series or even an OVA series, a "recap episode" will be done. Ostensibly this is to bring the viewers up to date on what has happened previously, but for those who watch a show religiously it is largely a waste of time. In fact, the true reason that many of these are done is to allow for some breathing time in the production schedule. This is usually done when there is a problem with the production schedule, as there are heavy financial penalties for not having an episode ready to air.
In one particular episode, as Ruri recaps the previous events before the opening credits play (just as she always does), the camera pulls back and we see NADESICO on a television. The characters from Gekiganger are sitting around watching it. One cries out, "It's a recap episode!" One of the others replies, "I hate those," echoing the sentiments of fans everywhere. This strange juxtaposition of who is watching whom also leads to some interesting and amusing complications later on. Which show is the anime and which one is "real"?
However, GEKIGANGER III is more than just a parody. It is an important element of the story of NADESICO. Both Gai and Akito draw inspiration from the series, as it leads them to perform complicated moves with their Aestivalises in combat such as the "Cross Crash," "Gekigan Flare," and "Super Napalm."In fact, it can be argued that Gai is a 1970s anime character trapped in a 1990s anime, where things are not so cut and dry. But it also shows the emotional consequences of war and fighting, something that the crew of the NADESICO must also face.
And Gekiganger's effect goes beyond just its influence on Gai and Akito. In one episode the central computer is in danger of being erased, and it utilizes Gekiganger as a defense mechanism. Ruri explains that it has identified Gekiganger as the most powerful and noble icon it could find. Only Akito's superior knowledge and belief in the robot allows him to defeat the computer and save the NADESICO.
GEKIGANGER is clearly done in the style of a 1970's giant robot show, such as MAZINGER Z or GETTER ROBO. The art style has very thick lines, and looks much rougher in comparison to the more polished feel of NADESICO. In addition, the music is a throwback to those disco days that most of us would desperately like to forget. And, to top it all off, the robot is piloted by (of course) three people揖en, Joe, and Akira, which are the names of just about every anime character created in the 1970s.
GEKIGANGER is more than a quaint, nostalgic throwback, however. Often, scenes from GEKIGANGER that are shown foreshadow events that will take place on the NADESICO. At first, such occurrences seem somewhat random, but as the show progresses, viewers learn to pay careful attention to the events unfolding in GEKIGANGER. In fact, the GEKIGANGER story has proven so popular that it is getting its own OVA series. The first episode is due to be released when this article goes to press.

The Movie

Like many other successful anime television series, NADESICO is preparing to make the jump from the small to the large screen; the film is set for release this summer in Japan.
The film takes place in 2201, three years after the end of the television series. As some time has passed, the crew of the NADESICO have gone their separate ways, for the most part. This movie promises to reunite them because the fight is not yet over. What will happen to the lunatic cast of Nergal's flagship as they begin their most difficult battle?

Production Details

A show that is this good is the result of many dedicated professionals. The story of the NADESICO is from Asamiya Kia, the author of the popular SILENT MÖBIUS. He is also doing the manga version of the story, which began approximately the same time that the show began airing. So, much like the EVANGELION manga by Sadamoto Yoshiyuki, it is loosely based on the television series. As a result, the same events tend to occur in a somewhat different fashion or chronological order. The manga emphasizes the science fiction and tends to downplay the humor.
The animation is done by Xebec, which is the television production arm of the venerated production I.G. Xebec is responsible for such shows as BLUE SEED and BAKURETSU HUNTERS. Their animation style is bright, colorful, and well-detailed.
Especially interesting is the scripting for the episodes. In many of the episode trailers, they highlight the actual writer, an area that does not normally get much attention. And they have a very interesting collection of writers, including people who have worked on MAZINGER Z, IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR, and other science fiction anime. In short, the storyline, writing, and animation are all excellent.
MOBILE BATTLESHIP NADESICO is a blend of science fiction melodrama and romantic comedy, with a liberal use of parody thrown in to keep the show fresh and interesting. All aspects of the production are excellent, and the story manages to be amusing, serious, and entertaining all at the same time. In short, it is one of the best television anime to appear in recent years.

Copyright © Xebec/Nadesico Production Committee · TV Tokyo