Review: Read or Die OVA

Episode Reviewed In: Episode 70

Alternate Titles: R.O.D.

Original Japanese Release Date: 2001

Episode Length/Run-time: 3 Episodes

Summary:

Yomiko is known as “The Paper,” a secret underground operative for the Brittish Library.  She possesses the power to manipulate paper, allowing it to take any form or even have it become as tough as steel.  One day she is called to duty when a book of a mysterous nature that could result in the end of the world is stolen.  Joined by another operative, Nancy “the deep,” she works to get it back.

Review:

This OVA is complerely stand alone from the Read or Die (R.O.D) series.  It’s perfect for a Friday night with some of your friends. 

Because of it’s length the animation is of supremely high-quality.  They had a decent budget for the show and it really shows in each of the episodes.  The music is also fantastic, the opening theme is something right out of James Bond which gives the show a great feeling.  It likely could compete for one of the best anime soundtracks out there as far as setting the mood and creating an overall theme. 

Since the budget was high the action could be fast-paced.  It’s a little silly with the paper aspect of things at times but this can also be a little refreshing from your standard super powers that are overdone and trite at this point.  The way the world could end is also something which is new and different, a “death sonata” written by a famous composer (I’ll leave you guessing as to who).  It’s definately not your run of the mill anime. 

What really cuts it down is the presentation of things.  They do come off as silly, for example they fight the monkey king at one point from Chinese Mythology.  But it’s overall a great watch and something that is worth spending time on, especially considering its length.