Dominion: The appeal and reviews of the strategy card game

Dominion: A new kind of justice depicted by the tank police in a futuristic city

Dominion, released as an OVA on May 27, 1988, is based on the manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. Although it is a short series of only four episodes, its unique world view and charming characters continue to be loved by many fans. In this article, we will introduce detailed information and appeal of Dominion, and also delve into its background and influences.

Overview

Dominion was released as an OVA by Toshiba Visual Software. It consists of four episodes, each 40 minutes long, and was directed by Koichi Mashimo (episodes 1 and 2) and Takaaki Ishiyama (episodes 3 and 4). It was produced by Agent 21 and is based on the original work by Masamune Shirow.

story

In the year 2XXX, Newport City was plagued by air pollution, making it a dangerous city with a crime rate of one crime every 36 seconds. To combat this situation, the Tank Police were organized to fight against bad guys with tanks. The protagonist, Leona, a former motorcycle police officer, is assigned to the Tank Police and is tasked with tracking down a liquid that has been stolen from a special hospital. Together with her partner Al, she gets into the mini tank "Bonaparte" and confronts the criminals.

Commentary

"Dominion" is an OVA series based on Masamune Shirow's manga. It is a prequel to the original story, depicting Leona's arrival at her post and the birth of Bonaparte, the main mecha, in a total of four episodes. Masamune Shirow's works are known for their intricate mecha designs and social satire, and "Dominion" firmly follows these elements.

cast

The main cast is as follows:

• Leona: Hiromi Tsuru
• Al: Masaaki Okura
• Britten: Yusaku Yara
• Chief: Ichiro Nagai

In particular, Hiromi Tsuru, who plays Leona, captured the hearts of viewers with her exquisite portrayal of her strength and fragility. Masaaki Okura, who plays Al, also adds excitement to the story as Leona's good partner.

Main Staff

The main staff are as follows:

• Original author: Masamune Shirow
• Director: Koichi Mashimo (episodes 1 and 2), Takaaki Ishiyama (episodes 3 and 4)
• Screenplay: Koichi Mashimo (episodes 1 and 2), Futoshi Takano (episodes 3 and 4)
• Character design: Hiroki Takagi
• Animation director: Hiroki Takagi
• Mecha Director: Kouji Ito
• Art director: Mitsuharu Miyamae
• Director of photography: Takashi Yasutsuba
• Music: D.CREW
• Produced by: Agent 21
• Produced and released by Toshiba Visual Software

Looking at the lineup of staff, we can see that a strong team has been assembled to faithfully reproduce Masamune Shirow's worldview. In particular, the work of Kouji Ito, who was in charge of mecha design, is an important element in enhancing the appeal of the original work.

Main Characters

The main characters are as follows:

• Leona: A former motorcycle police officer, she is assigned to the Tank Police Division of the Newport Police Station. She is a woman with a strong will and a sense of justice, but sometimes her feelings cause her distress.
• Al: Leona's partner, he works as a radio operator and driver. He has a calm and humorous personality, and is a good friend of Leona's.

The relationship between Leona and Al is the central theme of the story, and the depiction of their growth and bond is not to be missed.

Main Robot Items

The main robots are as follows:

• Bonaparte: Leona's favorite tankette. Compact yet highly capable, it serves as her fighting partner.

Bonaparte's design is a perfect example of Masamune Shirow's signature mecha designs, with a perfect blend of cuteness and strength.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: The Crime Squad
• Episode 2: Crime War
• Episode 3: Criminal Ethics
• Episode 4: Crime factors

As you can tell from the titles of each episode, "Dominion" is a work that depicts the activities of the Tank Police who fight crime. Each episode has a different theme, so viewers will not get bored.

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs are as follows:

• OP1: Let me dance to the Cherry Moon
  • Lyricist: Yukinojo Mori
  • Composition and Arrangement: Hideya Nakazaki
  • Sung by: Shojotai
• ED1: Star Music Box
  • Lyricist: Yukinojo Mori
  • Composition and Arrangement: Hideya Nakazaki
  • Sung by: Shojotai

The theme songs sung by Shojotai are an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In particular, "Let Me Dance in the Cherry Moon" is a song that evokes the pop culture of the 80s and is loved by many fans.

Appeal and evaluation of the work

The appeal of "Dominion" lies in its unique worldview and the human drama of its characters. The depiction of the futuristic city of Newport City brings to mind Masamune Shirow's social satire and encourages viewers to think deeply. In addition, the relationship between Leona and Al and the difficulties they face strike a strong chord with viewers.

Although it is a short series for an OVA, it has been highly praised for its high level of completion. The quality of the mecha designs and action scenes in particular is high, and it has been highly praised by fans. Leona's character has also been well-received by many viewers, and her story of growth has been moving.

Background and impact

Like other works by Masamune Shirow, "Dominion" conveys messages to viewers by depicting social issues. In particular, air pollution and crime were issues facing Japanese society at the time, and depicting them in a fictional setting of a futuristic city provides an opportunity for viewers to think.

Dominion also had a major influence on subsequent works by Masamune Shirow and other mecha anime. In particular, the mecha design style and elements of social satire have been passed down to many works. Furthermore, the presence of strong female characters like Leona influenced subsequent anime works and brought about changes in the way female characters were portrayed.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed Dominion, we also recommend the following titles:

• Ghost in the Shell: Masamune Shirow's masterpiece, a futuristic city and social issue film, shares many elements with Dominion in terms of mecha design and storytelling.
• "Bubblegum Crisis": An OVA from the 80s, this work depicts a futuristic city and the exploits of female characters. Like "Dominion," it is a highly entertaining work that deals with social issues.
• "Gall Force": A mecha anime with female characters, this work led the OVA boom of the 1980s. Like "Dominion", this work is characterized by the appeal of strong female characters.

These works are sure to provide new discoveries and inspirations for fans of Dominion, and we also recommend checking out Masamune Shirow's other works to gain a deeper understanding of his worldview and message.

Conclusion

"Dominion" is a story about a tank police force in a futuristic city, woven together with Masamune Shirow's unique worldview and charming characters. Although it is a short series, its high level of completion and message continue to be loved by many fans. Please watch this work and experience the adventure and growth of Leona and Al.