DOG SOLDIER - Shadow of the Past - Review: A story of a warrior facing his past

Unveiling the full story of DOG SOLDIER -SHADOWS OF THE PAST-: A deep story and its appeal

Introduction

The OVA "DOG SOLDIER -SHADOWS OF THE PAST-", released on October 8, 1989, is a work that is still talked about among anime fans for its unique worldview and deep storytelling. This article will explain the background of this work, the behind-the-scenes story of its production, character analysis, and its appeal from various angles. In addition, we will introduce related information and recommended content, aiming to be a guide to understand this work more deeply.

Overview

"DOG SOLDIER -SHADOWS OF THE PAST-" is an original animation by Tetsuya Saruwatari, directed by Hiroyuki Ebata, and produced by Animate Film and JC Staff. It was released as a one-episode OVA and was highly praised for its dense content and detailed drawings.

Public Media

OVA

Original Media

Anime Original

release date

October 8, 1989

Number of Episodes

Episode 1

original work

Tetsuya Saruwatari

director

Hiroyuki Ebata

Production

Animate Film JC Staff

cast

• John Kyosuke Tobiha/Akira Kamiya
• Makoto Allen Takemura/Norio Wakamoto
• Cathy McGray/Mika Doi
• Takechi/Yuusaku Yara
• Immovable / Daisuke Gori

story

The story of "DOG SOLDIER -SHADOWS OF THE PAST-" is set on the Earth in the future. The protagonist, John Kyosuke Tobiha, is a member of the special forces "Dog Soldiers" and fights against the terrorist organization "Shadows of the Past". The story depicts his conflict between the past and present, his bonds with his comrades, and spectacular battle scenes.

Character Analysis

John Kyosuke Hiba

Voice actor: Akira Kamiya

John is the leader of the dog soldiers, calm and collected, and highly skilled in combat. His past is dark, and his trauma is an important element of the story. Kamiya Akira's acting skills as a voice actor allow him to realistically express John's complex emotions.

Makoto Allen Takemura

Voice actor: Norio Wakamoto

Makoto is John's right-hand man and the mood-maker of the team. His cheerful personality and fighting skills play an important role in keeping the team balanced. Norio Wakamoto's voice makes Makoto's character even more appealing.

Cathy McGray

Voice actor: Mika Doi

Cathy is the only female member of the Dog Soldiers and is in charge of collecting and analyzing information. Her knowledge and insight are essential to the team's operational planning. Mika Doi's voice brings out the cool character of Cathy.

Takechi

Voice actor: Yusaku Yara

Takechi is a member of the Dog Soldiers and John's best friend. His loyalty and fighting ability strengthen the unity of the team. Yusaku Yara's voice expresses Takechi's strong will.

Immobility

Voice actor: Daisuke Gori

Fudo is the leader of the Shadows of the Past and John's nemesis. His ruthlessness and strategy add to the tension of the story. Daisuke Gori's voice makes Fudo's fearsomeness come across as realistic.

Behind the Scenes

DOG SOLDIER -SHADOWS OF THE PAST- was produced during the OVA boom of the late 1980s. Director Hiroyuki Ebata pursued a new style that combined science fiction and action, and built a detailed world view based on an original story by Tetsuya Saruwatari. With the cooperation of Animate Film and JC Staff, cutting-edge drawing techniques were introduced for the time, maximizing the visual impact.

Evaluation and impact

This work was highly praised as an OVA. In particular, the depth of the story and the realistic portrayal of the characters were highly praised, and it had a major influence on later science fiction anime. In addition, the performances of the luxurious voice actors such as Akira Kamiya and Norio Wakamoto were also an important factor in enhancing the appeal of the work.

Recommended Content

If you enjoyed DOG SOLDIER -SHADOWS OF THE PAST-, we also recommend the following titles:

"AKIRA"

This is a masterpiece sci-fi anime by Katsuhiro Otomo, depicting a grand story set in a futuristic city. Like "DOG SOLDIER", it is characterized by deep themes and detailed artwork.

"GHOST IN THE SHELL"

This sci-fi anime is based on the original work by Masamune Shirow and explores the meaning of cyber technology and human existence. Like DOG SOLDIER, it combines philosophical themes with action.

"PATLABOR"

This sci-fi anime about the labor robot "Patlabor" is attractive for its realistic world view and the human drama of the characters. Like "DOG SOLDIER," it depicts team bonds and battle scenes.

summary

DOG SOLDIER -SHADOWS OF THE PAST- has captured the hearts of anime fans with its unique worldview and deep storytelling. It depicts the protagonist John's conflict between the past and present, his bonds with his comrades, and spectacular battle scenes, making it a work of high visual and narrative perfection. We hope this article will be a guide to help you understand and enjoy this work even more deeply.