Copyright © 1994 Shimizu Toshimitsu / Tokuma Shoten * JVC
Released by A.D. Vision
English Dubbed
VHSAB/001D
80 minutes
$19.95

801 TTS AIRBATS is a light drama about an all-female Japanese aircraft aerobatics team and their efforts to become respected in the military. Based on the manga by Toshimitsu Shimizu, the show hits more than misses in its attempt to draw the audience into caring about the future of the squadron.
All the traditional characters are present. There's Private Isurugi, the naive but warm-hearted technician who unconditionally encourages others. Isurugi is also the male lead, and no drama would be complete without a love triangle, supplied amply by Sergeant Hanada, the "nice" girl, and Sergeant Mitaka, the feisty one of the bunch. Throw in a somewhat goofy commanding officer and a cutesy copilot with a bat and you have the right mixture for a relatively enjoyable 90 minutes.
The animation quality is average, and though planes aren't very dynamic animation-wise, they're drawn well enough to satisfy this mecha enthusiast. If I had a complaint, it's that I wished there were more of them. This is a drama though, so much of the time is spent out of the cockpit. Much like PATLABOR, AIRBATS emphasizes the characters, not the machines they pilot.
My only complaint was that the triangle surrounding Isurugi, Hanada, and Mitaka could have used a little more work. It's believable, but rather rushed. While it is true OVAs must sometimes develop their stories quickly, 801st love troubles zoom to the foreground faster than a jet with afterburners. A little more time spent in non-angst situations might have paced the show better. Isurugi's character also seemed overly simplistic. His enthusiasm is commendable, but within minutes he's complimenting the others about their skills, beauty, and positions, and he doesn't even know them. But maybe I'm just being cynical.
Speaking of which, there's the issue of the dub. I have a strong preference for subtitles. I've seen lots of English-version Japanese shows, and I usually start watching with a "I hope my TV doesn't crack" attitude. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The voice actors had not only mastered the basics, they had graduated to the subtleties. I didn't cringe at the dialogue. It was not only believable, it wasn't distracting. I actually watched in anticipation of a bad voice, which I couldn't find. (Sergeant Yoko was terribly annoying with the southern accent, but I can only assume this was intentional). Kudos to ADV for a job well done.
Overall I enjoyed 801 TTS AIRBATS. It's worth a look-see sometime if you want a rental, which I suggest rather than a purchase. The show is not everyone's cup of tea, and the story is a little weak, but it is a nice 80 minute anime for those who want to rest their eyes from pointless violence or tentacles.