The appeal and evaluation of POWER DoLLS Omni Senki 2540: The pinnacle of tactical simulation

"POWER DoLLS Omni Senki 2540": A fusion of drama and strategy for female warriors on the battlefield

■Overview of the work

"POWER DoLLS Omni Senki 2540" was released as an OVA on March 1, 1996, and is based on a strategy simulation game created by Kogado Studio. This work, which has a short but dense story of 30 minutes in one episode, depicts the battle between the Earth Government Army and the Omni Independence Army on the immigrant planet Omni. Of particular note is the active role of the all-female special forces "DoLLS," and their battles and human drama are highlights.

■ Story

On the immigrant planet Omni, fierce fighting continues between the Earth Government and the Omni Independence Army. The DoLLS receives an order to destroy the Earth Government's power dam. However, the dam was built by Yao Feirun's father, a member of the DoLLS, at the risk of his life. The central theme of this work is the conflict and decision that Yao makes, torn between completing her mission and her personal feelings. Her choice will cause her to reexamine her bonds with her comrades and the very nature of war.

■ Characters

The protagonist of this work, Hardy Newland, is a lieutenant colonel in the Omni Marine Corps, and displays calm and strategic leadership. Meanwhile, Yao Fei-Lun is a lieutenant commander in the Omni Navy, and is torn between his mission and his personal feelings. Other unique characters appear, such as Selma Schele, Fan Kuan-Mei, Alice Knox, and Julia Reyburg, and each character's background and fighting style are depicted. Their character settings include original elements not found in the original game, enhancing the unique charm of the OVA.

■ Mechanic

The mechanic design of this work is centered on the "Power Loader", a walking vehicle for planetary development. This machine, modified for combat use during the Omni War of Independence, is used to dramatic effect and symbolizes the DoLLS' way of fighting. The mechanic design was done by Satoshi Ogasawara, Masayuki Nakara, and Jin Fukuchi, and the realistic movement and design are beautifully expressed.

■ Production staff

The director is Tsuneo Tominaga, the production is by ARTMIC, and the production and writing is by Kogado Studio. The screenplay is by Aoi Uoki, the animation character design and animation director is Moriyasu Taniguchi, the mecha animation director is Tomoaki Sakiyama, the art director is Masazumi Matsumiya, the cinematographer is Hideo Sugaya, the sound director is Masafumi Mima, and the music is by Hiroto Saito and Innerbrain. The executive producer is Akira Kira, the planning producer is Toshimitsu Suzuki, the producers are Kazuhiro Abe and Hiroyuki Fukushima, and the supervisors are Shinya Doi and Hideki Kakinuma.

■Cast

Hardy Newland is played by Takano Rei, Yao Feilun by Touma Yumi, Selma Scheele by Nishihara Kumiko, Fan Kuanmei by Neya Michiko, Alice Knox by Takada Yumi, and Julia Reyburg by Yamazaki Wakana. These voice actors express the personalities of the characters richly and add depth to the story.

■Theme song

The ending theme "STORM SONG" was written by Yasuko Suenaga, composed and arranged by Hiroto Saito, and sung by Rei Takano. It sings of the harshness and hope of the battlefield. This song is an important element that symbolizes the theme of the story.

■ Related works

A sequel to this work, the OVA "POWER DoLLS Detachment of Limited Line Service Project Alpha" was released in 1998. This work also depicts the exploits of DoLLS, and is a must-see for fans.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"POWER DoLLS Omni Senki 2540" is an OVA based on a strategy simulation game, and is a work that skillfully combines realistic depictions of the battlefield with the human drama of the characters. In particular, the exploits of the all-female special forces "DoLLS" will give viewers a fresh surprise and excitement. In addition, the introduction of an original setting and the realism of the mechanical design are also points not to be missed.

This work is recommended not only for fans of strategy simulation games, but also for those who like anime and mechanics. In particular, it is a must-see for those who are interested in realistic depictions of the battlefield and psychological portrayals of characters. Also, by watching the sequel "POWER DoLLS Detachment of Limited Line Service Project Alpha", you will be able to understand the world of DoLLS more deeply.

■Detailed information

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

game

■ Release date

March 1, 1996

■Release and sales

・Publisher: VAP

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original work: Kogado Studio

■ Director

Tsuneo Tominaga

■ Production

・Production: ARTMIC
Produced and written by Kogado Studio

■ Main staff

・Executive Producer: Akira Kira (Kogado Studio)
・Planning Producer/Toshimitsu Suzuki (ARTMIC)
Producers: Kazuhiro Abe (Kogado Studio), Hiroyuki Fukushima (ARTMIC)
・Supervisors: Shinya Doi (Kogado Studio), Hideki Kakinuma (DARTS)
・Original story/Kogado Studio ・Script/Aoi Uoki (DARTS)
・Character design: Shinya Doi (Kogado Studio)
・Animation character design and animation director: Moriyasu Taniguchi ・Mecha animation director: Tomoaki Sakiyama ・Mechanic design: Satoshi Ogasawara (Kogado Studio), Masayuki Nakara (ARTMIC), Jin Fukuchi ・Art director: Masazumi Matsumiya ・Director of photography: Hideo Sugaya ・Sound director: Masafumi Mima ・Music: Hiroto Saito (Kogado Studio), Inner Brain ・Director: Tsuneo Tominaga ・Production: ARTMIC
・Produced and written by Kogado Studio・ED1
・"STORM SONG"
Lyrics: Yasuko Suenaga; Composition and Arrangement: Hiroto Saito; Singer: Rei Takano

■ Main Characters

Hardy Newland: A member of the Omni Marines, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Yao Feirrn is a member of the Omni Navy and holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Selma Shereomni: Navy lieutenant.

Hwang Kwan-Mei Omni, Captain of the Marine Corps.

Alice Knox is a member of the Omni Air Defense Forces and is a lieutenant.

- Julia Reiberg, Omni Air Defense Force Sergeant Major.

■ Main robot items

- Power Loader: Originally a walking vehicle for planetary development. During the Omni War of Independence, it was modified for combat use, with dramatic effect.

■ Related works

-OVA "POWER DoLLS Detachment of Limited Line Service Project α" (1998)

■ Theme songs and music

・ED1
・"STORM SONG"
Lyrics: Yasuko Suenaga; Composition and Arrangement: Hiroto Saito; Singer: Rei Takano