Cyber ​​City OEDO808 review: A fusion of futuristic city charm and action

CYBER CITY OEDO 808 - Cyber ​​City Oedo Hachimaru Hachi - All-round evaluation and recommendation

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

others

■ Release date

June 1990

■Release and sales

Japan Home Video

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 3

■Original Story

June 13th

■ Director

Yoshiaki Kawajiri

■ Production

Produced by Madhouse and Japan Home Video

■ Story

In the year 2808, OEDO, the center of Japan, which had become the world's top city, also became a city of crime. Criminals who were given suspended life sentences were chosen to fight against violent crimes. Those chosen became mobile detectives, and their sentences were reduced according to their performance. Those who became mobile detectives had a ring called a "collar" that contained a tiny explosive placed around their neck, and if they attempted to escape or rebel, the ring would explode by remote control, wiping out the upper part of their neck.
The story centers around Sengoku, Benten, and Goggle, three mobile detectives, as they fight against cybercrime in a futuristic city.

■Explanation

A media mix work that was developed into novels, OVAs, computer games, etc. from 1990 to 1991.
The OVA consists of volumes 1 to 3. At a time when the cyberpunk genre was still new, this work, which depicts the dark side of a futuristic city, won many fans with its visual impact and clever storytelling. In particular, the unique characters of the mobile detectives and the realism of the cybercrime they face made a strong impression on viewers at the time. The series has also been praised for utilizing the OVA format to develop a cinematic production and a deep storyline.

■Cast

Sengoku / Ishimaru Hiroya / Benten / Shiozawa Kaneto / Goggle / Genda Tesshō / Dekachou / Wakamoto Norio / Okyo / Horie Mitsuko / Versus / Tsukui Norio / Dave Kurokawa / Aono Takeshi / Sarah / Sakakibara Yoshiko / Shiroyama Issa / Ginga Banjō / Saionji Shuzo / Ishizuka Unshō / Masuda Remi / Shinohara Emi

■ Main staff

・Original story/Juzo Mutsumi ・Director/Yoshiaki Kawajiri ・Script/Akinori Endo ・Character design/Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Hiroshi Hamasaki, Michio Mihara, Masami Ozone ・Chief animation director/Hiroshi Hamasaki (vol.1), Michio Mihara (vol.2), Masami Ozone (vol.3)
・Mecha animation director: Takeshi Koike ・Set design: Takashi Watanabe ・Art director: Katsushi Aoki ・Director of photography: Kinichi Ishikawa ・Sound director: Yasunori Honda ・Music: KAZ TOYAMA
Produced by Madhouse and Japan Home Video

■ Main Characters

Sengoku's real name is Sengoku Shunsuke. He is 25 years old and 183cm tall. He chases after Benten and Goggle and returns to OEDO for the first time in seven years, but gets caught up in an incident involving the Cyber ​​Police Security Force. He is found guilty of destroying the Security Force and is sentenced to life imprisonment and high orbital prison, but is given a suspended sentence after becoming a mobile detective.
His father was a colleague of Hasegawa and the founder of the Cyber ​​Police Security Bureau's Security Force, but both he and his wife were murdered by Makuze, who was aiming for the position of Security Force captain.
His favorite gun is the Nambu Ruger.
Benten's real name is Meryl Yanagawa. 23 years old. 178cm tall. Though he looks like a woman, he is actually a man. He was targeted by Sengoku as an A-rank bounty hunter for cybercriminals, but was arrested by Hasegawa and became a mobile detective for the Cyber ​​Police. He is good at disguise. He has a wire attached to his electronic baton, which is his main equipment as a mobile detective, and he attacks by throwing the baton and slashing with the wire.
Goggle: His real name is Gabimaru Rikiya. He is 28 years old and 202cm tall. He used to be a boxer with the ring name Mos Gong. He was the world super heavyweight champion, but he retired after killing his opponent and became a cybercriminal. He injured his eye in the match and started wearing goggles, hence the nickname Goggle. Like Benten, he was targeted by Sengoku, but became a mobile detective under Hasegawa. Despite his sturdy build, he is an intellectual who is skilled in computer virus programs and hacking, and holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering.
Dekachou's real name is Hasegawa Juzo. He is the head of the Cybercrime Investigation Bureau of the Cyber ​​Police. He is 42 years old and 175cm tall. He has known Sengoku for a long time. When he was an investigator, his wife and child were killed by a criminal organization. As security measures for the worsening OEDO, he creates a system in which cybercriminals serving prison sentences are employed as mobile detectives, and their sentences are shortened depending on their performance.
Okyo's real name is Kyoko Jonouchi. 21 years old. 165cm tall. After graduating from the police academy, she applied to be assigned to the Traffic Division, but was assigned to the Secretarial Division of the Mobile Criminal Investigation Department, where she backs up Sengoku and the others. According to Goggle, "her defining characteristic is that she's clumsy at the most crucial moments." She often gets involved in incidents and accidents.
Versus, commonly known as the Tin Man. His official name is Cyberoid VS-9800. He is an armed Cyberoid that assists the Mobile Detectives. He mainly works in pairs with Sengoku. He stores the equipment for Mobile Detectives (guns, handcuffs, etc.) inside his body, but rarely lets the Mobile Detectives use them. For example, the condition for letting the Mobile Detectives use guns is only if the opponent has the fighting power of a tank, and there are strict rules regarding the armaments of the Mobile Detectives (however, Benten's slash wire is left untouched).
・Dave Kurokawa
Appears in the first volume of the OVA. He is the head of the main computer room of the Cyber ​​Skyscraper and one of the most important people in OEDO. He takes his position by eliminating his rival, but because of this he is hacked and his life is put in danger.
Sarah
Appears in the second volume of the OVA. Goggle's former partner in crime. He was caught in a military trap and reunited with Goggle, but met a tragic end in the end.
・Captain Shiroyama
Appears in the second volume of the OVA. He is in charge of developing cyborg suits for the military, and has his eye on Goggle as a test subject for the suits.
・Shuzo Saionji
Appears in the third volume of the OVA. Honorary chairman of Saionji Medical Institution. An elderly man who needs a wheelchair, he seeks immortality and secretly mobilizes cybercriminals to carry out illegal biological experiments.
・Masuda Remi
Appears in the third volume of the OVA. A Japanese woman born in 2483. She was admitted to the Saionji Medical Institution's "Cryosleep Facility" in 2504 due to congenital cellular exhaustion syndrome. According to the hospital's public data, she was confirmed to have died on June 10, 2808, but she became immortal as a result of being subjected to a virus experiment while in cryosleep.

■Subtitle

・Vol.1／Ancient Memories
・Vol.2/Decoy mechanism (decoy program)
・Vol.3／Kurenai no Media

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
"Burning World ~Commands of Remembrance~"
Lyrics by Yoshihiko Ando, ​​Music by Hitoshi Haba, Arrangement by Kenji Yamamoto, Vocals by Hidemi Miura, Ending theme
"I might love you."
Lyrics by Yoshihiko Ando Music by Hitoshi Haba Arrangement by Kenji Yamamoto Vocals by Hidemi Miura

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"CYBER CITY OEDO 808" was one of the works that led the cyberpunk boom in the early 1990s, and its influence has not faded even today. Below, we will explain in detail the evaluation and recommended points of the work.

1. Story and Theme

The story of this work is set in the futuristic city of OEDO and depicts the exploits of mobile detectives who fight against cybercrime. In particular, the setting in which criminals serving life sentences have their sentences shortened by working as mobile detectives left a strong impression on viewers. This system skillfully portrays themes that question social contradictions, human desires, and the boundary between justice and crime. In addition, a different cybercrime appears in each episode, and the way it is solved and the conflicts faced by the mobile detectives are depicted realistically, which is also commendable. In particular, vol. 3, "The Crimson Medium," delves deeply into the theme of immortality, deeply moving viewers.

2. Characters

The three mobile detectives, Sengoku, Benten, and Goggle, each have different backgrounds and personalities that leave a strong impression on viewers. Sengoku's desire for revenge and sense of justice, Benten's disguise skills and fighting ability, and Goggle's knowledge and strength enrich the story and draw viewers in. In particular, the careful depiction of the characters' backgrounds, such as the death of Sengoku's father and Benten's past life as a criminal, is also commendable. Sub-characters such as Dekachou and Okyo also add depth to the story.

3. Visuals and Production

The visuals of this work bring out the cyberpunk worldview to the fullest. The depiction of the futuristic city of OEDO is a perfect blend of a dark, cold atmosphere and the glamour of shining neon lights, creating a strong visual impact. The mecha and character designs are also very sophisticated, and the design of Versus in particular combines the realism and coolness of a cyberroid. In terms of direction, the OVA format is used, with cinematic camerawork and editing, which have the power to draw the viewer into the story.

4. Music

The music by KAZ TOYAMA further deepens the cyberpunk worldview. In particular, the opening theme "Burning World ~Command of Remembrance~" and the ending theme "Maybe I Love You" not only enhance the atmosphere of the story, but also leave a deep impression on the viewers. The background music is also used skillfully to match each scene, enhancing the tension and emotion.

5. Recommendation points

"CYBER CITY OEDO 808" is highly recommended for those who like cyberpunk, are drawn to deep stories and characters, and value the quality of visuals and music. It is also recommended for those who enjoy the cinematic presentation that utilizes the OVA format. Furthermore, it is a valuable work for those who are interested in Japanese subculture in the 1990s.

6. Supplementary Information

This work was also developed into a novel by the original author, Jūzō Mutsuki, and a computer game, making it a successful media mix. In particular, the computer game version allows the player to fight cybercrime as a mobile detective, allowing for an even deeper experience of the world of the original work. Furthermore, OVA volumes 1 to 3 are still available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray, and are highly popular among fans. Furthermore, there is a lively online network of fan-created derivative works and discussions, demonstrating the work's popularity and influence.

7. Summary

"CYBER CITY OEDO 808" is a representative work of the cyberpunk genre, and its story, characters, visuals, and music are all highly praised. In particular, the depiction of the futuristic city of OEDO and the activities of the mobile detectives left a strong impression on viewers and had a major impact on the subculture of the 1990s. The cinematic direction using the OVA format is also superb, and has the power to draw viewers into the story. This is a work that should be watched by anyone who likes cyberpunk, is attracted to deep stories and characters, and values ​​the quality of visuals and music.