A-Ko The VS review: A great anime with action-packed battles

The appeal and reviews of "A-Ko The VS"

■Overview of the work

"A-Ko The VS - Eiko the Versus" is an OVA released on July 21, 1990, and distributed by Media Factory. The 55-minute work is a spin-off of the "Project A-Ko" series, written by Katsuhiko Nishijima and Kazumi Shirane, and directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima. Animation was handled by Studio Fantasia and Studio Signal, and copyright belongs to Final-Nishijima/Soei Shinsha, Pony Canyon.

■ Story

The story revolves around C-KO (Sushiko), who is kidnapped on her 10th birthday. A-KO (Eiko Makami) and B-KO (Yoshiko Daitokuji) meet C-KO by chance on a sandy planet somewhere in space. However, C-KO is kidnapped again, and while A-KO and the others are chasing after her, B-KO is killed. Then an alien investigator appears and asks A-KO to help him arrest a criminal in exchange for bringing B-KO back to life. This request sets A-KO on a new adventure.

■Explanation

"A-Ko The VS - Eiko the Versus" is a science fiction adventure drama produced as a spin-off of the "Project A-ko" series. The main characters of the main story take part in a unique setting, and the story is concluded with the two volumes "GRAY SIDE" and "BLUE SIDE". It is a work filled with director Katsuhiko Nishijima's unique worldview and the charm of the characters, making it a must-see for fans.

■Cast

The main cast is as follows:

• A-KO/Miki Ito
• B-KO/Emi Shinohara
• C-KO/Michie Tomizawa
• Chichi Liza/Shimazu Saeko
• Glash/Taku Takemura
• Gale/Hayami Shou
• Marten/Masami Kikuchi
• Chairman/Osamu Saka
• C-san's assistant / Minami Takayama

■ Main staff

The main staff are as follows:

• Original story by Katsuhiko Nishijima and Kazumi Shirasaka
• Director: Katsuhiko Nishijima
• Screenplay by Katsuhiko Nishijima, Soichi Tsuji, Yuji Kawahara
• Original character design: Nishijima Katsuhiko
• Character design and animation director: Hideyuki Motohashi, Katsuhiko Nishijima
• Storyboard: Katsuhiko Nishijima, Yuji Motoyama
• Directed by: Ikegami Homare, Morikawa Shigeru
• Composition: Katsuhiko Nishijima, Shigeru Morikawa
• Monster/Mecha Animation Supervisor: Takashi Hashimoto
• Art director: Mitsuharu Miyamae, Yoji Nakaza
• Director of photography: Takafumi Arai, Jin Kaneko
• Music: Kenji Kawai, Kohei Tanaka
• Sound Director: Yasunori Honda

■ Main Characters

The main characters are as follows:

• A-KO (Eiko Makami)
  A lively girl with superhuman strength and a sturdy body. She makes her living as a unicorn hunter.
• B-KO (Yoshiko Daitokuji)
  A hunter who teams up with A-KO.
• C-KO (Shuko)
  Daughter of the Kotobuki family.

■Subtitle

This work consists of the following subtitles:

• GRAY SIDE (July 21, 1990)
• BLUE SIDE (July 21, 1990)

■ Related works

"A-Ko The VS - Eiko the Versus" is positioned as part of the "Project A-ko" series. Related works are as follows:

• "Project A-ko" (OVA)
• "Project A-ko 2: The Conspiracy of the Daitokuji Zaibatsu" (OVA)
• "Project A-ko 3 Cinderella Rhapsody" (OVA)
• "Project A-ko Final Chapter" (OVA)

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for this work are as follows:

• GRAY SIDE
  
  • "Sand Rain"
  • Lyricist: Yukinojo Mori
  • Composer: Kohei Tanaka
  • Arrangement: Kenji Kawai
  • Singer: Emmie
• BLUE SIDE
  
  • "A Small Miracle"
  • Lyricist: Yukinojo Mori
  • Composer: Kohei Tanaka
  • Arrangement: Kenji Kawai
  • Sung by Emmie

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"A-Ko The VS - Eiko the Versus" is a very appealing work for fans of the "Project A-Ko" series. In particular, it has been praised for bringing out the unique worldview and character appeal of director Nishijima Katsuhiko to the fullest. A-KO's superhuman strength and sturdy physique, his combination with B-KO, and C-KO's purity add excitement to the story and draw the viewer in.

Another attraction of this work is the unusual setting of a sand planet. The beauty and harshness of the desert is depicted, creating a visual impact. Furthermore, the appearance of new characters such as an alien investigator and a unicorn hunter adds depth to the story.

Musically, the songs by Kenji Kawai and Kohei Tanaka add to the atmosphere of the work. In particular, "Sand Rain" and "Small Miracle" are masterpieces that stir emotions as the story unfolds. Emmie's singing voice also matches the worldview of the work and resonates in the hearts of viewers.

■ Recommendation points

Here are some reasons why we recommend "A-Ko The VS - Eiko the Versus".

• Appealing characters : A-KO, B-KO, and C-KO each have distinct personalities that draw the viewer in.
• Unique worldview : The unique setting of a sand planet creates a visual impact and adds depth to the story.
• Music Quality : The score by Kenji Kawai and Kohei Tanaka really sets the tone for the film, and Emmie's singing is heartwarming.
• Connection to the series : For fans of the Project A-ko series, this is a fun spin-off.

■ Message to viewers

"A-Ko The VS - Eiko the Versus" is recommended not only for fans of the "Project A-ko" series, but also for those who like sci-fi adventure dramas. Enjoy A-KO's adventures on the sand planet. Also, don't miss the charm of the music and characters. After watching it, check out the other works in the series. You may discover something new.

■ Additional information

This work was produced as an OVA and was not released in theaters. However, it has been highly praised by fans, especially for its character design and story development. Another highlight is the detailed drawings and direction that make the most of the OVA format.

Furthermore, director Katsuhiko Nishijima has expanded his own worldview through this work, and his creativity has been highly praised by fans. He is also deeply involved in the script and character design, so there is a consistent vision throughout the entire work.

In terms of music, the songs by the duo of Kenji Kawai and Kohei Tanaka add to the atmosphere of the work. In particular, "Sand Rain" and "Small Miracle" are masterpieces that stir emotions as the story unfolds. Emmie's singing voice also matches the worldview of the work and resonates in the hearts of viewers.

This work is positioned as part of the "Project A-ko" series, but can also be enjoyed as an independent story. Compared to other works in the series, this work's unique world view and the charm of its characters stand out. After watching it, be sure to check out the other works in the series. You may discover something new.

Above, we have explained in detail the appeal and evaluation of "A-Ko The VS - Eiko the Versus". Please watch this work and feel its appeal.