Video Warrior Laserion: The appeal of the nostalgic special effects hero and its evaluation from a modern perspective

Video Warrior Laserion - Looking back at classic anime from the 80s

The 1980s was a time when anime was established as popular culture and many masterpieces were born. Among them, "Video Senshi Laserion," which aired from 1984 to 1985, captivated viewers with its innovative attempt to combine special effects and anime. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal and background of "Video Senshi Laserion," and explore why it continues to be loved today.

Overview

"Video Warrior Laserion" is a TV anime series that aired on TBS from March 4, 1984 to February 3, 1985, with a total of 45 episodes. It was written by Saburo Yatsude, directed by Kozo Morishita, and produced by Toei and Asahi Tsushinsha. It was a 30-minute program that entertained children every week.

story

The story is set on the Earth in the future. One day, the protagonist, a boy named Takashi, gets hold of a mysterious videotape. The videotape contains footage of a robot called "Rezarion" fighting to protect the Earth. Takashi summons Rezarion using the power of the videotape and fights against the evil organization "Dark Empire" that is trying to invade the Earth.

Takashi's friends also awaken one by one as video warriors and team up to fight. Each episode depicted the growth and friendship of each individual character, as well as the discovery of new abilities for the Laserion, drawing viewers in.

character

There are many fascinating characters in "Video Warrior Laserion." The main characters are introduced below.

Takashi

The main character is a boy. He obtains a videotape and has the ability to summon Laserion. He is brave and has a strong sense of justice, but sometimes shows kindness and worries about his friends.

Laserion

A robot summoned by Takashi. It can transform into various forms with the power of videotape and fights enemies using powerful weapons. Its design is heavily influenced by special effects robots.

Misato

Takashi's childhood friend and a member of the Video Warriors. She is intelligent and has leadership skills, and is the leader of the team. She also has the ability to fight with the power of videotapes.

Ken

A friend of Takashi's and a member of the Video Warriors. A strong warrior, he acts as a support for Lezarion. His bravery is outstanding in battle scenes.

Dark Empire

An evil organization trying to invade the Earth. They send in various monsters and robots to fight against Laserion. Their leader is the ruthless Dark Lord, and his ambition is the main axis of the story.

Background

"Video Senshi Laserion" is a work that reflects the trends in the anime industry at the time. The 1980s was the time of the special effects boom, and special effects shows such as "Choudenshi Bioman" and "Kamen Rider" were very popular. "Video Senshi Laserion" continued that trend and was an attempt to recreate the appeal of special effects in the medium of anime.

Director Kozo Morishita took on the challenge of fusing special effects with animation, and created a novel setting in which robots are summoned using an item called a videotape. In addition, many of the character and mecha designs are strongly influenced by special effects, and the film is characterized by a style that emphasizes visual impact.

Fusion of anime and special effects

The greatest appeal of "Video Warrior Laserion" is the fusion of animation and special effects. The scene where the robot is summoned from the videotape was drawn using special effects techniques, providing a visual surprise. Laserion's transformation and battle scenes were also strongly influenced by special effects, and are characterized by their realistic movements and power.

On the other hand, it also incorporates a wealth of expressions unique to anime. The characters' expressions and movements, the depictions of the backgrounds, and other details and beauty unique to anime are scattered throughout the work. This fusion of anime and special effects has created the unique appeal of "Video Senshi Laserion."

Music and Sound

The music of "Video Senshi Laserion" is also an important element that enhances the appeal of the work. The opening theme "Video Senshi Laserion" captured the hearts of viewers with its heroic melody and powerful lyrics. The ending theme "The Power of Friendship" also leaves a strong impression with its gentle melody that symbolizes the bond between the characters.

In addition, dynamic sound effects reminiscent of special effects were used in the battle and transformation scenes, which combined with the visual impact drew the audience in. The effective use of music and sound made the world of "Video Warrior Laserion" feel deeper and more realistic.

Viewers' reactions

"Video Warrior Laserion" was extremely popular with children when it was first broadcast. The innovative premise of a robot being summoned from a videotape and the visual impact of the fusion of special effects and animation captivated viewers. The story, which depicted the characters' growth and friendship, also captured the hearts of children.

Even after the series ended, "Video Senshi Laserion" continues to be loved by many fans. The series has been re-evaluated in various ways, such as through the release of DVDs and Blu-rays, reruns, and fan events, and is supported not only by anime fans of the 80s, but also by a new generation of viewers.

Influence of the work

"Video Senshi Laserion" had a major influence on later anime works. The idea of ​​summoning a robot from a videotape is said to have influenced later works such as "Digimon Adventure" and "Pokemon." In addition, the attempt to combine special effects and anime can be said to be a precursor to the techniques seen in later works such as the "Gundam Series" and "Evangelion."

Furthermore, "Video Senshi Laserion" is also recognized as a work that symbolizes the anime culture of the 1980s. Despite being influenced by the special effects boom, its attitude of pursuing the unique expression of anime has made it an example of the diversity and evolution of later anime works.

Future outlook

"Video Warrior Laserion" continues to be loved by many fans to this day. With the evolution of new media and technology, the possibility of reevaluating and remaking the work is expanding. For example, various possibilities are conceivable, such as new viewing experiences using VR and AR technology, and the production of a remake version making full use of CG.

Video Warrior Laserion also occupies an important position in events and exhibitions that look back on the anime culture of the 1980s. As fans and creators gather together and have more opportunities to reaffirm the appeal and influence of the work, the value of the work will likely increase even more.

summary

"Video Senshi Laserion" is a masterpiece that symbolizes the anime culture of the 1980s. It is full of many charms, such as its innovative attempt at fusing special effects and anime, its unique setting of summoning a robot from a videotape, and a story depicting the growth and friendship of the characters.

"Video Warrior Laserion" has attracted many viewers since it was first broadcast and continues to be loved today, and is supported not only by anime fans of the 80s, but also by new generations of viewers. Its influence can be seen in later anime works, and the value of the work will continue to increase in the future.

If you haven't seen "Video Warrior Laserion" yet, please give it a watch. You'll be able to feel the charm of 80's anime culture and the visual impact of the fusion of special effects and anime. We also recommend that those who have already seen it rewatch it as an opportunity to reaffirm the charm of the work.