Prefectural Earth Defense Force: A moving review that traces the trajectory of youth and battle

"Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun": The appeal of slapstick sci-fi and its background

"Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" (Prefectural Earth Defense Force), released on March 21, 1986, is the theatrical version of an original video animation (OVA) based on the manga of the same name by Yasunaga Koichiro. This work is a slapstick science fiction depicting the exploits of the Prefectural Defense Force as they fight against the Electric Pole Gang, which is disrupting the prefectural government of a certain prefecture in Kyushu, and is composed in an omnibus format of three stories. The screenplay was written by Ito Kazunori (Magical Angel Creamy Mami: Long Goodbye), the director was Hayakawa Keiji, and the theme song was "S.F." by Imawano Kiyoshiro and Johnny, Louis & Char.

story

The story of "Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" consists of the following four episodes.

Episode 1/Prefectural Strategy No. 1

Sanchin, an Indian man who was brought to Hazama Medical University after a traffic accident, becomes an 8,000 horsepower cyborg as a hobby of Dr. Inoue, and in a fit of rage destroys the medical university. Meanwhile, the Electric Pole Gang declares that they will take over the prefecture. The governor makes Morita, Takei, Akiko, and the coach, Roen, members of the Imatsuru High School baseball team into the Prefectural Earth Defense Force. Sanchin arrives at Roen's apartment where they are gathered, and the Electric Pole Gang brings Scope Tsurusaki. After a three-way battle, the apartment is completely destroyed, and Sanchin shouts, "I hate Japanese people!"

Episode 2: Fly to the Devil's Shop

The defense forces investigate after learning that the lumber wholesaler Kisoya is the headquarters of the Electric Pole Group. Meanwhile, General Chilsonia of the Electric Pole Group tricks Baradaki into a robbery and has him socially eliminated. Miyuki, the secretary to the prefectural governor, interviews Chilsonia. All sorts of things get complicated and the situation becomes chaotic.

Episode 3: Cyborg Boogie

In order to fight against Sanchin, Chilsonia takes Yuko's father, Inoue, hostage and turns Yuko into a cyborg. Sanchin says he won't fight girls, but Morita and his friends use a radio-controlled robot to control him, and a battle unfolds between Sanchin and Yuko. In the end, the two of them receive surgery from Mafune to return to being human. Then, Sanchin is turned into a woman and Yuko into a man, causing a commotion.

Episode 4: The Food-Eating Woman's Revenge!!

Bonus after the end credits

Commentary

"Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" was born during the OVA boom of the 1980s, and is characterized by its unique humor and sci-fi elements. It faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original manga, while bringing out new charms through its adaptation into film. In particular, the conflict between the Telegraph Pole Group and the Prefectural Defense Force, and the exploits of the cyborg characters left a strong impression on viewers. The theme song, by Kiyoshiro Imawano and others, is also an important element in livening up the atmosphere of the work.

The film contains content that reflects the social and cultural background of the time, and for example, there are many instances of irony and humor towards cyborgization and technological advances. It also contains elements of satire towards local governments and politics, and has depth that will make the viewer think as well as laugh.

cast

The cast of "Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" is as follows:

• Baradagi (Harataki Ryuko) / Hiromi Tsuru
• Kisoya Chilsonian Bunzaemon Jr. / Shuichi Ikeda
• Hiroaki Morita/Toru Furuya
• Carmi Sanchin/Hiroshi Suzuoki
• Sukekubo Takei/Tetsuaki Genda
• Toshiyuki Roben/Hideyuki Tanaka
• Yuko Inoue/Yoshiko Fujita
• Miyuki Oyama/Keiko Han
• Akiko Ifukube/Rika Fukami
• Scope Tsurusaki/Takeshi Aono
• Dr. Inoue/Kohei Miyauchi
• Dr. Mafune/Koji Toya
• Foodie, Principal / Masaharu Sato
• Prefectural Governor / Kozo Shioya

These voice actors have succeeded in bringing out the best in the characters' personalities and enhancing the appeal of the work. In particular, the performances of veteran voice actors such as Toru Furuya and Hirotaka Suzuoki left a strong impression on viewers.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" are as follows:

• Episode 1/Prefectural Strategy No. 1
• Episode 2: Fly to the Devil's Store!
• Episode 3: Cyborg Boogie
• Episode 4: The Food-Eating Woman's Revenge!!

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for "Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" are as follows:

• OP: SF/Kiyoshiro Imawano, Johnny, Louis & Char
• IN: Private / Kiyoshiro Imawano, Johnny, Louis & Char
• ED: Hide and Seek/Kiyoshiro Imawano & Char

These songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the work, but also play an important role in leaving a strong impression on viewers. In particular, Kiyoshiro Imawano's unique singing voice and rhythm bring out the humor and science fiction elements of the work.

Background and Evaluation

"Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" is a work that utilizes the new media format of OVA, and the background to its production reflects the trends in the anime industry at the time. OVAs allow for a high degree of freedom of expression that differs from TV anime, and this work was produced by taking advantage of this characteristic. Director Keiji Hayakawa has succeeded in drawing out new charms by visualizing the worldview of the original work while respecting it.

In addition, screenwriter Kazunori Ito skillfully combined the humor of the original work with science fiction elements to provide viewers with laughter and emotion. In particular, the conflict between the Electric Pole Group and the Prefectural Defense Force, and the exploits of the cyborg characters left a strong impression on viewers.

"Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" has been highly praised since its release, especially for its humor and sci-fi elements. The theme song by Kiyoshiro Imawano and others also plays an important role in enhancing the appeal of the work. Viewers have commented that it is "a work filled with laughter and emotion" and "a work with a unique and fascinating worldview."

Recommendations and related works

"Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" is recommended for viewers who enjoy humor and science fiction elements. It is also recommended for those who are interested in the new media format called OVA. Related works include "Dokaben", also based on the original work by Koichiro Yasunaga, and "Urusei Yatsura", which was also produced as an OVA. These works also have humor and science fiction elements, so they are definitely recommended for fans of "Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun".

Furthermore, for those who are interested in the world and characters of "Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun", we also recommend the original manga. The original manga contains episodes that were not filmed and detailed character settings, allowing you to understand the appeal of the work even more deeply.

summary

"Kenritsu Chikyu Boueigun" is a theatrical version of an OVA released in 1986, and is characterized by its humor and science fiction elements. The conflict between the Telegraph Pole Group and the Prefectural Defense Force, and the exploits of the cyborg characters left a strong impression on viewers. The theme song by Kiyoshiro Imawano and others also plays an important role in enhancing the appeal of the work. Viewers have praised it highly, saying things like "It's a work filled with laughter and emotion" and "It's a work with a unique and fascinating worldview." We highly recommend this work to viewers who enjoy humor and science fiction elements, and to those who are interested in the new media format known as OVA.