R.O.D tv

Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 01:56 by animesempai

Summary:

R.O.D -THE TV- is a 26-episode TV anime series, animated by J.C.Staff and produced by Aniplex, directed by Koji Masunari and scripted by Hideyuki Kurata, about the adventures of three paper-manipulating sisters, Michelle, Maggie and Anita, who become the bodyguards of Nenene Sumiregawa, a famous Japanese writer.

Story: 8

The series begins in 2006, five years after the "I-Jin" incident detailed in the Read or Die OVA. Yomiko Readman (a.k.a. "The Paper", agent of British Library Task Force) has supposedly gone missing, and Nenene Sumiregawa, her former student and best friend, is still in Tokyo after her parents moved to the USA. Nenene has not written a book since Yomiko disappeared, as she has become lonely and frustrated that her sensei has never read her last book, and she feels she can't write again until she hears Yomiko's reaction to the book, so Nenene often disappears for long periods of time searching for Yomiko, and has been periodically doing so ever since her "disappearance". During a trip to Hong Kong, Nenene meets the three sisters, Michelle, Maggie and Anita (from the Read or Dream manga), who are supposed to take care of her during her visit. However, the hotel at which Nenene is supposed to stay at is bombed, and at a press conference Nenene is briefly held hostage by a jealous rival in her industry. The three sisters end up becoming her bodyguards and join her back to Tokyo.

Animation: 6.5

The whole cast and scene are good (but need some further improvement). It doesnt involve CG or other special effects. But I guess its ok thanks to the entertaining trio with some really cool talents. And besides not that one can't appreciate the action for its own sake. Read or Die features tons of the most sprightly animated fights of any anime.

Music: 8

All this and more is brought to life with a beautiful attention to detail that makes one forget how utterly ludicrous it all really is. Taku Iwasaki's music is also an enormous boon to the production. Perhaps best known for Samurai X's hauntingly melodies, Iwasaki goes in the opposite direction here and produces a rockin' score in the tradition of James Bond and other spy movies.

Characters: 9.5

Nenene Sumiregawa --- Nenene is one of the main characters in this animated television series, which takes place four-five years after the OAV. She is now 23 years old and wears glasses similar to Yomiko's. She is suffering from writer's block ever since Yomiko's apparent disappearance four years ago, and is looking for her. After nearly being killed by extremists at a book signing in Hong Kong, she unwillingly gains the Paper Sisters as bodyguards. Nenene's search for Yomiko and her adventures with the Sisters (Paper Masters like Yomiko, and therefore also known as the "Paper Sisters"). Michelle Cheung --- The oldest sister, generally considered the leader and strategist of the three. She has a cheerful, ostensibly ditzy personality. Her favourite books are the Harry Potter series, and she has a soft spot for cute things and small children. She is almost supernaturally calm, and her enemies find it difficult to manipulate her emotions; their enemy Webber notes her emotional balance makes her resistant to his sonic tortures. Michelle manifests her paper powers primarily through ranged weapons, such as bows and arrows. Michelle's love of books almost matches that of Yomiko's; when she arrives in Japan, Michelle buys out so many book stores that people begin to speculate Yomiko has returned. Maggie Mui --- A tall, boyish, quiet wallflower with somewhat depressing looks, her power usually manifests as familiars – beings she controls made of paper; her sisters also rely on her for her strong defensive capabilities. She is known for being easily embarrassed and enjoying tight cosy spots to relax in (which is why she sleeps in the closet). Michelle says her favourite author is Ernest Hemingway, but Maggie quickly points out that she likes Nenene's works too. She strongly looks up to her older sister, Michelle, and feels she's nothing compared to her. She cares for her sisters and always tries to protect them at the expense of her own safety. Anita believes Maggie to be strongest Paper Sister in combat. Anita King --- The youngest sister is a spitfire who specializes in using her paper offensively (by using paper "blades" and throwing index cards like shuriken), but she also relies upon her physical martial arts skills in combat. Unlike all other known Paper Masters, she dislikes books (but is obsessed with collecting frogs and drinking milk). Although Anita sometimes acts bratty and self-important, she deeply loves her sisters. She frequently fights with Nenene, who is equally outspoken, but beneath their squabbles, one can see they develop a strong friendship through the series. She is well liked in her class and is especially admired by classmate named Hisami Hishiishi (whom Anita nicknames "Hisa"). Yomiko Readman --- The former "Agent Paper" of the British Library, and Nenene's close friend, does not appear until episode 15 of the series, with only the vague suggestion before she appears of something terrible happening to her around the same time the British Library was destroyed. Yomiko's abilities and power as a papermaster are far greater than those of the Paper Sisters, as she does not seem as limited to one form of use for her powers, whereas Anita, Maggie and Michelle all have one speciality.

Overall: 8

For those seek action and adventure this anime sure has it all. Not to much on CG effects but the whole story and characters makes this series worth while to watch...