Review of "MEGA TOKYO 2032: The Tale of the Knight Sabers - Bubblegum Crisis"

"MEGA TOKYO 2032 THE STORY OF KNIGHT SABERS BUBBLE GUM CRISIS" - Warriors of the Future City

MEGA TOKYO 2032 THE STORY OF KNIGHT SABERS BUBBLE GUM CRISIS, released as an OVA in 1987, is a cyberpunk action anime set in the futuristic city of Tokyo. It was written by Suzuki Toshimitsu, directed by Akiyama Katsuhito and Hachiya Kenichi, produced by Youmex, Artmic, and AIC, and released by Toshiba EMI. The work consists of eight episodes, each about 47 minutes long. Below, we will take a deeper look at the details and appeal of this work.

Background and setting of the work

"Bubblegum Crisis" is set in Tokyo in the year 2032. This futuristic city has recovered from the chaos that followed the collapse of the bubble economy in the 1990s and is once again thriving. However, behind the scenes, artificial humans called "Boomas" developed by the megacorporation "Genome" are running wild and causing chaos in society. In the midst of all this, a team of four female mercenaries called the "Knight Sabers" come into action. They fight every day to protect people from the threat of the Boomas.

Main Characters

The appeal of "Bubblegum Crisis" lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

• Priscilla S. "Purin" Asagiri - Leader of the Knight Sabers. A calm and strategically-minded woman, she is the central figure of the team. Her battle suit is mainly red, and she fights using the powerful hard suit "Motor Slave".
• Linka Lee - The team's technical officer. A Chinese-American, she is an expert in electronics and computers, and contributes to the Knight Sabers' equipment development. Her battle suit is predominantly blue in color.
• Nancy M. "Nancy" McDougal - The team's combat specialist. She has a powerful fighting style and is a martial arts expert. Her combat suit is predominantly yellow.
• Sylvia "Syl" Strings - The team's intelligence gatherer. She also works as a journalist and supports the Knight Sabers' activities. Her battle suit is predominantly purple.

Stories and episodes

"Bubblegum Crisis" is a series of eight episodes, each of which depicts a different incident. Below are the subtitles and summaries of each episode.

Music and Soundtrack

The music in Bubblegum Crisis is an important element in creating the atmosphere of the show. The opening theme, "Kick It On," is an 80s rock song that will grab the viewers' attention. The ending theme, "With You," is a beautiful ballad that reflects the characters' feelings. The soundtrack was released by Toshiba EMI and has been highly praised by fans.

Animation and visuals

The animation of "Bubblegum Crisis" is of very high quality for an OVA of that time. The depiction of the futuristic city of Tokyo is realistic, giving it a strong cyberpunk atmosphere. The movements in the battle scenes are smooth and have a strong visual impact. The character designs are also unique, bringing out the charm of each character.

Cultural influence and recognition

"Bubblegum Crisis" is one of the works that made the cyberpunk genre widely known among Japanese anime fans. It also attracted attention as an action anime with a female character in the lead role. The themes and settings of the work have influenced many later works. Fans call it a "monumental work of 80s anime" and it is highly regarded.

Related works and media mix

"Bubblegum Crisis" was not only made into an OVA, but also into sequels and spin-off works. The following are related works.

• Bubblegum Crush! - A sequel to Bubblegum Crisis. This 8-episode OVA series follows the new adventures of the Knight Sabers.
• AD Police - A spin-off of "Bubblegum Crisis". An OVA series depicting the exploits of the police organization "AD Police".
• Tokyo 2040 - A remake of "Tokyo 2040". A 26-episode TV series with some changes to the setting and characters.

There are also various media mix works, such as manga, novels, and games. Through these works, fans can enjoy the world of "Bubblegum Crisis" even more deeply.

Fan Community and Events

The Bubblegum Crisis fan community is very active, with various events held online and offline. Fans are also active in creating works such as cosplay, fan art, and fan fiction. In addition, special features and screenings of Bubblegum Crisis are held at anime events held every year, attracting many fans.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Bubblegum Crisis" is a work that I would especially recommend to those who like cyberpunk and action anime. Although the story is self-contained, it has a consistent theme throughout, so you can enjoy the entire series. In addition, the individuality and growth of the characters are also one of the attractions.

You can watch the series on DVD or Blu-ray, which are available for purchase. Some of the series is also available on streaming services, so you can use those too. You can also enjoy watching the series while sharing information with other fans on fan sites and social media.

summary

"MEGA TOKYO 2032 THE STORY OF KNIGHT SABERS BUBBLE GUM CRISIS" is a cyberpunk action anime set in the futuristic city of Tokyo. It features unique characters, a tense story, and high-quality animation. It has been highly praised by fans, and there are many related works and media mixes. If you like cyberpunk and action anime, you should definitely watch this work. You will surely be drawn in by its charm.