Well plotted, bitter cyberpunk (Battle Angel Alita (DVD))

Name: RussellC

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Product:	Battle Angel Alita (DVD)
Date:	26/07/00 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tragic plot.

Disadvantages: They should have made more.

Battle Angel Alita doesn't recieve the attention it deserves. When I first saw it I would have rated it up with the likes of Akira. I have to admit that since that time I've seen a lot more anime and though I perhaps wouldn't rate it so highly now I would still recommend it as one of the better UK releases. The animation is of a good standard, but it's Alita's plot that is its main draw.

There are several volumes of Alita Manga available in this country. The anime essentially covers the events of the first book of the graphic novel. It does a better job in doing so than many other titles have managed, perhaps because it doesn't try to compress too much into its two OAV (original Animated Video) episodes. For some reason the original character name of Gally has been changed to Alita, presumably to keep it inline with the title of the manga.

Dr Ido is cyberneticist who lives in the decaying city helping fix cyborgs who come to him. Whilst trawling through scrap heaps he comes across the body of an android and sets about getting her to work again. This android is Alita and Dr Ido rapidly becomes protective of her. At night Ido works as a bounty hunter to earn money to fund his practice. One night Alita follows him and proves herself a capable fighter by coming to his rescue. Ido realises that Alita was built for combat and much as he doesn't prove he has to accept that she wants to be a bounty hunter. Alita desires to become a bounty hunter so she can save the money to go to Zarem, a floating island above the city where it is said to be clean and without illness.

The plot is well thought out and bitterly tragic. The characters are all interesting and likeable, though the villains can be a little over the top. The dub was of a reasonable quality and there isn't much choice as no sub was released in this country. Overall a good buy and a fine example of intelligent anime.

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