While the new Votoms trailer release is under way, let us give ourselves a recap on Votoms TV series.
It’s a strange fact. But…
I never actually get to watch the series during the 80s. They must have been broadcasted in other countries but never in my back to my home country of Malaysia…. Or perhaps it never occurred to me that it was broadcasted for a long while and I wasn’t even aware of it.
Whatever the reason was, I’m glad to know it’s available for Generation Mech fans like us to get use to remembering what the series ever looked like actually….
So here’s the video footage of the series for those who wish to recap…
The original opening.
Whilst I went online reading more about this, I encountered this detailed info from online American otaku site.
In U.S. anime fandom, many point to Mobile Suit Gundam (whichever incarnation may be currently available) as the premiere series combining politics and mecha combat. However, for nearly as long, though not quite as popular, there has been a franchise in Japan that is very extensive and more focused on the ground aspects of mecha combat, while often telling pretty good stories to boot. That franchise is Armor Trooper Votoms, which originally started as a 52 episode TV series and has since spun off into several side stories. Although the primary focus of the Import Report section is meant to look at new shows not released in America, the current show in question is geared towards long-time followers, so we’ll take a look at the original series which has been released here as a primer for the current installment.
Armored Trooper Votoms
The series takes place in the distant future, when humanity has spread to various parts of the galaxy. The story begins at the tail end of a hundred year-long war between the Gilgamesh and Balarant star systems which has devastated population and resources. The emergence of robotic suits called VOTOMs (Vertical One-man Tank for Offense and Maneuvers) changed the course of the war and an uneasy cease fire was eventually reached.
It is at this point we are shown a group of Gilgamesh soldiers in Votoms breaking into a military space station. One of them, Sgt. Chirico Cuvie, is following orders to the best of his ability having just transferred to this particular unit. Chirico is a bit horrified to discover the station belongs to HIS OWN army, but he continues to follow orders. When he asks about the true objective of the mission, the rest of the squad simply tells him to stand guard after the initial break-in, and cut off his frequency. Through a series of mishaps, Chirico winds up in an empty chamber where a single capsule is stored. The capsule opens to reveal a strange glow surrounding a nude female, who instantly turns to stare at Chirico. It’s at this point the rest of the squad appears, saying the capsule is their true objective. Chirico is ordered back outside, but just as he leaves, one of the squad leaves a bomb in his path and the resulting explosion knocks him out.
Chirico wakes up in an interrogation chamber where he’s being repeatedly tortured and asked about the break in, as well as something called “The Prototype.” He tells all he knows about the squad’s activities, but can’t convince the inquisitor that he knows nothing more. The inquisitor, Captain Rochina, decides to take the prisoner back to his homeworld Melkia for further interrogation. Chirico is less than happy to be there since ¾ of the population has been wiped out and the dejected survivors have crowded in a place called Voodo City.
Chirico endures all manners of suspicion, betrayal, and recaptures over the course of this story arc. He eventually gains a small set of friends but not without emotional and physical cost, having to deal with enslavement in a labor camp, arena mech combat, and a large bounty offered for his capture or death, not to mention former squadron members who’d like to silence him forever.
This struggle is part of the reason I’ve grown to like Armored Trooper Votoms. They don’t make mech shows like this anymore. Hell, they didn’t even make them much in the 80’s when this was made. Many of them followed the plot model of Mobile Suit Gundam, focusing on teens who were finding themselves and trying to get better or more powerful as the series progressed. Chirico though is an established soldier who demonstrates skill and resourcefulness right from the start. He’s a bit fallible but fights through his troubles with conviction. As I experienced this story, I really wanted to see him get to the bottom of the conspiracy around him and get revenge. Chirico doesn’t have time to do the angsty whining bit; he’s too busy kicking ass. Casual viewers might dismiss Votoms as just another big robots anime, but focus and development of the main character instead of his weapons is what makes this a compelling show.
I also liked how the mech combat is done differently than many similar series of that decade. In works like Aura Battler Dunbine and Heavy Metal L-Gaim, pilots would battle each other and become practically invincible in their special suits, absorbing all kinds of damage with not much consequence. Votoms works completely the opposite way in that ground soldiers will simply see a mech as just one big target they can destroy with 3 or 4 well placed shots, and a suit’s longevity will depend on the skill of its pilot. Outside of Mobile Police Patlabor, I can’t think of any other anime which treats combat mecha in this way, as this adds an element of vulnerability to the harsh world series creator Ryosuke Takahashi (SPT Layzner, Gasaraki, Hi No Tori) put together here.
I got to reading a bit more about that world in the extras section of the disc, where PDF files on the DVD-ROM section were placed. Combined with the informative director’s commentary on, I was satisfied with the background materials this set provided (Thank you, Tim Eldred!), though I would’ve liked to have seen clean opening and closing sequences on here such as other importers have placed on their classic anime collections. This is honestly a minor quibble though.
I also liked the video and subtitle quality of the episodes. It’s especially nice when you consider the first time Central Park Media released Votoms on DVD (with assistance from Image Entertainment), they placed 3-4 episodes per disc, the video quality (though decent) had no real enhancement, and the subtitles were larger and hard coded on the picture. This re-mastered version you are reading about places 13 episodes on 2 DVDs, but with bolder picture coloring and removable subs. The audio remains the same, but this is good in my view because of late, when audio has been redone on classic anime such as Mobile Suit Gundam and Robotech, the foley have been completely changed to weak-as-hell modern effects completely different from the 80’s originals. So in terms of overall presentation, I have to say CPM did some pretty nice work with this set.
Within less than 3 weeks to go before its official release date, I ran into this Chinese post a while back. It’s about how they expressed their view of bringing the good ole’ classics back into the TV sets. Back to where it all began!
Here’s excerpt of the chinese article of what the article said.
From leading film production company, Cinematoday news, comes a television broadcast of classic mecha series lasted “Armored Cavalry Votoms” (1983 – 1984), which is recently released. Its works are done and overlooked by Takahashi Ryosuke, Igarashi Purple Zhang, heavy Tiandun Division, Otsuka Tian Ting-style animation and other key staff fully played. Serving as the main animation direcotyr Mr. Tsukada, who’s also the co-producer for “Armored Cavalry Votoms Case: IRVINE“, “Votoms Viewfinder” and “Armored Cavalry Votoms“. These three works will still be based on the original animated view of its original animation works, in the past based on the story that are not part of Jiemi further decryption. However, it will be part of the series series of that represents a whole new dimension of depth that they’ve never done before, and the audience will find this very engaging and are eagerly looking forward to the show. The crowd get a sense that the old Votoms production team with its superb production technology and performance techniques are proven to be a promise for audience to appreciate all the elements of human emotions that are moving and uplifting (which they originally wanted to do in the first place).
Now that it’s done in Hong Kong… We now have one in Taiwan!
That’s what my little birdie told me after it showed me this link from Sunrise.
Tracing back to the Taiwan’s link, it’s said the Gundam Unicorn’s release is on 6th March 2010! Not only that they will be a massive nation-wide sales of Blue Ray/DVDs on the market for this 12 year-old franchise. It’s available in Mandarin languages as well. (Huh, go figure. :) )
According to the Taiwan’s site, they originally had plans for its advance screening, supposedly held on 26th Feb 2010. However, it’s been revised and extended till the first week of March so many Taiwanese fans will get the better spectacle of fun on that day such lucky draws to get into its promotional DVDs stand, special booking and toy collection, etc, etc
Is this for real? I couldn’t believe this! After waiting patiently for several weeks since the New Year’s, they’re not going to deliver this?!?
How on earth could New Zealand cinemas decide not to have nation-wide release of this film? I was so looking forward to its Australasia release.
BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED?!?
Why? Could it really be that bad when Imagi had it screened overseas that they had to turn it down? Because it wouldn’t produce enough considerable amount of profit for SkyCity and Hoyts cinemas? It’s just doomed to be super time-waster for cinema goers, as they thought it was?
This is definitely not that cool. And I was really hoping that things would have worked out.
Just thought I wanted to share you guys with this.
Recognise some of these characters?
Heihachi Mishima
Robin Mask
Mr Satan
And what do they all have in common?
Well…. One thing. They’ll voiced by this one great Japanese voice actor who’s been with the anime industry as far back one could remember much from the 80s.
Daisuke Gori is his name. He was 57 years just before he died from committing suicide and lay dead on the road. Police do not how it was end-resulted like that but they said they were some visible signs of self-harm before he took his own life.
What a great shame. He’s done so much for the anime industry for a long time especially in DragonBall and Tekken series.
It’s interesting to note that he used to work on a couple of voice casting projects on previous mecha series ie Gundam and Patlabor.
It’s good to know.
But it was tragic for his life to be ended like that…. There’s so much for him to contribute further. So much potential. A lot of anime and gaming industry fans will surely miss him…
At least that’s what I thought after I finished reading this tweet post by one of prominent American “celebrity”, Tony Dyson (the man who invented R2D2).
Robots are showing off their best dance groves they’ve ever done in front of the live audience!! Apparently, it’s part of Sony’s showcase to inform the public how incredibly “talented” robots can be if you train them to dance just like back-up Britney dancers would do. ^^
After watching the previous trailers, I went on to uncover further scoop trailers on the cast and crew behind the production.
After reading this from offical Gundam Unicorn page, I went ahead and found the footage video of the voice cast interviews.
They’re certainly very energetic and enthusiastic young bunch! All looking hyped-up for the movie Spring release!
The Japanese UC Voice Cast Crew – Part 1
The Japanese UC Voice Cast Crew – Part 2
BTW, these footage videos are pretty old BTW, dated like back in August when I was away on Europe holidays. The interviews come into two parts. Each ran for about 5 – 6 minutes long. Why didn’t the author just record the entire thing into one stream… I have no idea. But that’s no longer relevant as long as they’re available to view online.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any subtitles. You might as well enjoy the whole thing while you’re here. Maybe good for those who wish to brush up their Japanese language without the need of subtitles? ;-)
After rushing back from work yesterday, I went online to check out more Gundam Unicorn movie trailers since my last post.
And… Sure enough! Here they are. ^^
Ready to impress online crowd of Gundam aficionados all over the world!
First trailer is the promo on Gundam Unicorn, how the story has finally come to the final chapter after 30 years since Universal Century came into existence. Whilst the second trailer is more of a teaser trailer of some sort. Both of them come with the subtitles on, if you turn on their caption son the right side of the control panel.
A week so ago, Sunrise made a big announcement that they’re planning to bring Gundam Unicorn into the big screen at the world premiere in Hong Kong on 6th Feb 2010 (in three days time).
Several online (and offline) comic and manga publishers throughout the Asian region are keeping a keen eye on that, especially with helping out the ticket sales. Expecting that it’s going to be massive on the day of its worldwide release.
This is so fantastic! After watching the trailer (short version) below, I feel so looking forward to book a plane ticket to HK and stay there for overnight accommodation to just watch the film.
All that effort for 2 hour+ film! (Yeah I wish)
Crazy. I know. But at least, I won’t be only one who’s that excited to look into this!!!^^
