Dorvack: A thorough review of the fascinating mecha design and depth of the story

Dorvack - A masterpiece of 80's sci-fi anime

"Tokusou Kiss Dorvack," which aired on Fuji TV from October 1983 to July 1984, is one of the most memorable science fiction anime of the 1980s. This anime depicts the Earth Defense Force's battle against the aliens, the Idearians, and left a strong impression on viewers at the time. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

Overview

"Tokusou Kiseki Dorvack" is an original anime work by Production Reed, directed by Masami Anno, and produced by Fuji Television Network and Ashi Productions. The 36 episode, 30 minute series aired from October 1983 to July 1984. The work is a sci-fi anime depicting the Earth Defense Force's battle against the aliens, the Idearians, and has been highly praised for its mecha designs and storytelling.

story

In 1999, a huge colony-type spaceship invaded the solar system. The ship was carrying 2 million Idelian people who had lost their home planet. For over 10,000 years, they had traveled from star to star in search of a safe place to live, and placed their last hope in the solar system, finding a possibility of a safe place to live on Earth. However, the spaceship's energy was running low, and even though they knew that humans lived there, they sent a space fleet to invade Earth in order to survive. The Earth Defense Force immediately launched a counterattack, but was forced to retreat due to the overwhelming difference in scientific power. Colonel Yoichi Takagi, who had predicted the alien invasion alone, developed a variable machine to counter the Idelians, and entrusted it to three people: Mugen Masato, Louis Oberon, and Pierre Bonaparte. Then, they found a clue to counterattack in the performance of the special armored military unit Dolvack, which was formed, and began their attack.

cast

The cast of this production is as follows:

• Infinite Masato: Toru Furuya
• Louis Oberon: Hiromi Tsuru
• Pierre Bonaparte: Kameyama Sukekiyo
• Colonel Takagi: Kiyoshi Kobayashi
• Bob Floyd: Hiroshi Shima
• Jackie Frank: Asami Mukaidono
• Peter: Masako Katsuo
• Fred Bean: Masayuki Kato
• Jonathan: Minoru Inaba
• Zeller: Eiji Kanie
• Amof: Osamu Saka
• Idel: Hayami Shou
• Aroma: Keiko Toda
• Dr. Tsumura: Masaaki Tsukada

Main Staff

The main staff of this work are as follows:

• Planning: Toshihiko Sato
• Composition: Narumitsu Taguchi
• General Director: Masami Anno
• Chief Director: Jutaro Oba
• Character design: Osamu Kamijo
• Mechanical design: Katsumi Itabashi, Nobuyoshi Habara
• Art Director: Torao Arai
• Color setting: Yuri Hirokawa, Noriko Kitamura
• Sound Director: Shimizu Katsunori (Zack)
• Director of photography: Takeshi Fukuda
• Edited by Toshio Henmi and Naoyuki Masaki
• Music: Masahiro Ikumi
• Producers: Kazuya Maeda (Fuji Television), Minoru Ohno (Yomiuri Advertising), Masaru Umehara
• Produced by: Fuji Television, Ashi Productions

Main Characters

The main characters of this work are as follows:

• Mugen Masato: Pilot of the Mugen Caliber. Although his shooting skills and driving techniques are top-class, he is an impulsive, hot-blooded man who cannot obediently follow military discipline. Born on April 1, 1979, he is 20 years old, 185 cm tall, and his name in the draft was Higashi Kouji.
• Louis Oberon: A Japanese-American who controls the Oberon Gazette, and the only female in the Dolvack unit. Born on July 4, 1981, she is 167cm tall, weighs 51kg, and is 80, 58, 80 cm tall and has a blood type of B. Her name in the draft was Cathy Haywards. Her design seems to have been a struggle, and there are many NG versions with different hairstyles and clothes.
• Pierre Bonaparte: A Frenchman who rides the Bonaparte Tarkus. He pretends to be a cheerful and active comic relief, but also has a cool side. Born on July 14, 1976. Height 175cm, weight 68kg, blood type O. His name in the draft was Paul Bonaparte. In episode 21, he dies an untimely death protecting a reckless subordinate.
• Colonel Takagi: Colonel of the Earth Defense Force. Leads the Dolbac unit and travels around the world to fight. From episode 25, he also pilots his own amphibious 6WD armored vehicle. Born November 22, 1968. Height 180cm, weight 76kg, blood type AB. He rarely takes off his sunglasses.
• Bob Floyd: The chief mechanic who also controls the Command Base. Peter is his creation and he loves him like his own son.
• Jackie Frank: Bob's assistant and the youngest member of the Dolvack Corps. From episode 25 onwards, he also serves as the data processing officer.
• Peter: The mascot robot of the Dolvack team. Its abdomen is a monitor that can display communication and analysis diagrams. Its arms can also become a torch or a cutter.
• Jonathan: Adjutant to Earth Defense Force Chief Fred Bean. He was not particularly friendly towards the Dolbach Squad, but considering his position after the Chief's death in episode 24, he should be grateful for the special treatment he received.
• Zeller: An absolute being who suddenly appeared in the history of the planet Ideria. His true identity is a mystery even to the people of Ideria. During the operation to dominate Earth, he often issues puzzling orders and forces the construction of bases in locations that seem strategically meaningless. It seems that his goal is not simply to relocate.
• Amov: 45 years old. Commander of the Ideria Army's first Earth attack force, he descended into the Alps and established his first base. Although he is a soldier, he is a moderate who wishes for coexistence with Earthlings, and has many supporters within the military.
• Dr. Tsumura: An archaeologist who appeared in episode 16. From then on, he devotes himself to excavating ruins in various places and on the continent of Ideria in order to solve the mystery of Ideria. He has a tendency to prioritize his research over his own safety, and is also a troublemaker who causes problems in his friendships.
• Aroma: 18 years old. Daughter of Amof. She is also Idel's lover and adjutant. After learning the secret of the origins of the Idelians and Earthlings, she leaves the military with her father and works hard to avoid war. After the Idelian military is disbanded, she lives a quiet life, but decides to fight against the Zeranoids and joins the Dolbach Corps in episode 27. Around that time, she begins to suffer from strange visions.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of this work are as follows:

• Episode 1: Prelude to the 1999 Battle (10/07/1983)
• Episode 2: All-out attack, stand by! (1983/10/14)
• Episode 3: The Day the Bird Died (1983/10/21)
• Episode 4: Louis Vanished in the Fog (1983/10/28)
• Episode 5: Falling from grace without cause (1983/11/04)
• Episode 6: Miranda, the Jungle Warrior (11/11/1983)
• Episode 7: Run! Jackie (1983/11/18)
• Episode 8: Infiltration! Ideria Base (1983/12/02)
• Episode 9: Melody of the Underground Passage (1983/12/09)
• Episode 10: Bob's Gun (1983/12/16)
• Episode 11: The Devil's Red Flower (1983/12/23)
• Episode 12: Easter Island in Flames (1984/01/13)
• Episode 13: The Champ Who Fell into Hell (1984/01/20)
• Episode 14: Let the Wild Cry Resound! (1984/01/27)
• Episode 15: Love Lost in the Flames of War (1984/02/03)
• Episode 16: Hidden Warning (1984/02/10)
• Episode 17: The Mystery of Rainier Temple (1984/02/17)
• Episode 18: Idelia's Secret Revealed (1984/02/24)
• Episode 19: Escape! Alps Base (1984/03/02)
• Episode 20: Emergency Order! Destroy the North Sea Fortress (1984/03/09)
• Episode 21: Farewell, my friend! The moment a warrior dies (1984/03/16)
• Episode 22: When the Moai Shine (1984/03/23)
• Episode 23: The Last Day on Earth, 1999 (04/06/1984)
• Episode 24: Prologue to Darkness (1984/04/13)
• Episode 25: Fear! A New Enemy (1984/04/20)
• Episode 26: Lonely Aroma (1984/04/27)
• Episode 27: The Past Hidden in the Gravestone (1984/05/04)
• Episode 28: Faraway Feelings (1984/05/11)
• Episode 29: The Valley of Love and Hate (1984/05/18)
• Episode 30: Portrait of Jeanne (1984/05/25)
• Episode 31: Fear! A Shadow in the Flash (1984/06/01)
• Episode 32: Escape from the Depths of Scream (1984/06/08)
• Episode 33: Men Possessed by the Devil (1984/06/15)
• Episode 34: The End of the World (1984/06/22)
• Episode 35: Decision! The Final Landing Operation (1984/06/29)
• Episode 36: Miracle of Resurrection (1984/07/06)

Related Titles

The following video extras are included with this work:

• "Starry Sky Illusion": 6 minutes
• "Ultimate Powered Armor": 5 minutes
• "Endless Summer": 6 minutes

Rating and Recommended Points

"Dorvack" is one of the most highly acclaimed sci-fi anime of the 1980s. Here are some reasons why:

Mechanical Design

The mecha designs for this work were created by Katsumi Itabashi and Nobuyoshi Habara, and are extremely sophisticated. In particular, the Variable Machines of the Dolvack Corps made a strong impact on viewers at the time. These mechas have very realistic movements and transformations in the battle scenes, making them very visually appealing. In addition to the design of the mechas, the operability and strategy are also depicted, which draws viewers in.

Storytelling

The story revolves around the battle between the Earth Defense Force and the Idelian people, but it also depicts human drama. In particular, the growth and conflicts of the three characters, Mugen Masato, Louis Oberon, and Pierre Bonaparte, are carefully depicted, evoking empathy from the viewer. The story also progresses from the perspective of the Idelian people, depicting a deeper theme rather than a simple conflict of good and evil. This allows the viewer to understand the position of not only the Earth Defense Force, but also the Idelian people, adding depth to the story.

character

The individuality of the characters is also one of the charms of this work. Mugen Masato is a hot-blooded, impulsive character who is unable to follow military discipline, and he leaves a strong impression on viewers. Louis Oberon is the only female member of the Dolbach unit, and her design and character setting are also very appealing. Pierre Bonaparte is a cheerful, lively, comic relief character who also has a cool side, and his death came as a great shock to viewers. The growth of these characters and their relationships add depth to the story.

music

The music is also one of the attractions of this work. The music by Masahiro Ikumi not only enhances the battle and dramatic scenes, but also plays a role in drawing out the emotions of the viewer. In particular, the opening and ending themes left a strong impression on viewers at the time. The background music is also used skillfully to match the development of the story, and has the effect of drawing out the emotions of the viewer.

Recommended points

"Dorvack" is one of the most highly acclaimed sci-fi anime from the 80s. The reason for this is that it fuses a variety of elements such as mecha design, storytelling, characters, and music at a high level. In particular, the realism of the mecha design, the depth of the story, the character growth and relationships, and the effects of the music are all elements that draw the viewer in. Furthermore, this work does not depict a simple conflict between good and evil, but rather a deeper theme, which makes the viewer think. The combination of these elements makes "Dorvack" one of the most highly acclaimed sci-fi anime from the 80s.

This work is especially recommended for those who like science fiction and mecha anime. It is also recommended for those who are interested in 80's anime and those who are looking for a work that depicts a deep theme. In addition, this work has elements that make the viewer think, so it can be used as a discussion material. Please watch this work and feel its charm.