Kiddy Grade review: A mix of engaging characters and deep storytelling

Kiddy Grade: A Journey to the Future and the Battle of the Girls

The TV anime series "Kiddy Grade," which aired from 2002 to 2003, is a science fiction action story set in a future where warp navigation technology has been established and humanity has left Earth to live in the galaxy, depicting the exploits of girls with special abilities. The director is Goto Keiji, known as the character designer for "Martian Successor Nadesico" and "Gatekeepers," and it attracted attention as his directorial debut. The work centers on two girls, Eclair and Lumiere, who work as covert activity enforcers for the Galactic Commerce and Tariff Organization (GOTT), and depicts how they solve economic problems and conflicts between planetary nations.

story

With the establishment of warp navigation technology, humanity left Earth and moved to the galaxy. The birth of many planetary nations created various frictions and discords, and an era of conflict and strife began. After several interplanetary wars, one organization was established: the Space Planetary Union. With its establishment, people aimed to maintain peace and security, and to further the prosperity of humanity. Many of the armed wars before the establishment of the Space Planetary Union were not very different from those of the Earth era, and were notable for being caused by economic problems between nations. For this reason, at the same time as its establishment, the Space Planetary Union established GOTT (Galactic Organization of Trade and Tariffs) as an executive agency to monitor and regulate tariffs and trade between planetary nations. It began its activities to prevent the outbreak of large-scale conflicts.

character

The main character, Eclair, is a 16-year-old girl who works as a GOTT receptionist, but in her true form she is one of the ES members, and her special ability is ``power.'' Her partner is Lumiere, who is ranked C-class among the members, the lowest in both status and ability. She possesses superhuman strength and speed, and is good at brute force techniques, using a bladed whip called Rouge as her weapon. She generally has a cheerful personality, but often adopts a mature and sober attitude, which she says is to hide her girlish side. Her favorite foods are carrots and celery, and her favorite phrase is ``Que sera sera.''

Lumiere is a 10-year-old girl, the youngest GOTT receptionist and an excellent girl. In her original form, she is one of the ES members, and has the special ability of ``Puppet'', which allows her to control various electronic brains and robots. Her partner is Eclair, who is in C class among the members, and has the lowest status and ability. She always carries a bottle of ``grape juice'' and drinks it occasionally. Although it is supposed to be juice, her cheeks turn red when she drinks it. She is also thorough in not taking off her gloves even when showering. Her motto is ``Girls should be elegant'', and she behaves elegantly and is reliable despite her age. Her favorite foods are fruit and cheese, and her favorite word is ``continuity''.

In addition, many other unique characters will appear, including Cesario, Viola, An'ou, Eio, Tweedledy, Tweedledum, Alv, Dwarf, Dextera, Sinistra, Eclipse, Merkurdi, Armbrust, Chevalier, Vandrudy, Ricky, and Bonita. Each character has their own special ability that will add excitement to the story.

Production Staff

The original work is by gimik and GONZO, the director is Goto Keiji, the series composition and script are by Kimura Hidefumi, the character design is by Kadonozono Emi, and it is produced by GONZO DIGIMATION and GOTT. The story is planned by Yasuda Takeshi, Inoue Shinichiro, Sako Nobuhiko, Fukui Masafumi, and Murahama Shoji, serialized in monthly Shonen Ace and monthly Dragon Junior, and published by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko, mecha design by Ebikawa Kanetake and Kawahara Tomohiro, sound director by Tsuruoka Yota, sound effects by Yamada Minoru, music selection by Yoshida Tomohiro, sound recording by Yano Satoshi, sound assistant by Shiihara Misao, editing by Shigemura Kengo, sound production by Rakuonsha, sound production by Sugiyama Yoshimi (Rakuonsha), music by Hamaguchi Shiro, music producer by Sasaki Shiro (Victor Entertainment), planning and producing by Ito Atsushi, producers by Hachiya Seiichi, Hatanaka Toshio, Takechi Tsuneo, Ishikawa Shinichiro, and Haruna Takeo (Fuji Television), production management by Kajita Koji (GONZO DIGIMATION), and production producer by Imamoto Hisashi (GONZO DIGIMATION).

Main Robot Items

GOTT (Galactic Trade and Tariff Organization) is the executive agency of the Space Planetary Union that monitors tariffs and trade between planetary nations of humanity spread across the galactic universe and cracks down on unfairness and problems between them. GOTT has a superintendent under the director, who is the Minister of Economy of the Space Planetary Union or a member of the Union Government Council, and below that is the GOTT headquarters and each branch. Within the headquarters, each section called "SO members" and a working unit called "C Force" are composed under the director. When economic problems or economic disputes occur, GOTT intervenes to resolve these problems, and in complex cases, top-secret staff directly under the director of the headquarters may be active.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: Depth/Space
• Episode 2: Tight/Bind -Gravity-
• Episode 3: Prisoner/Escort
• Episode 4: High/Speed
• Episode 5: Day/Off
• Episode 6: Twin/Star
• Episode 7: Trial/Child
• Episode 8: Forbidden/Instrument
• Episode 9: Mirage/Snare
• Episode 10: Rebirth/Slave
• Episode 11: Set/Free
• Episode 12: Frozen/Life
• Episode 13/Conflict/Destiny
• Episode 14: Steel/Heart
• Episode 15: Break/Down
• Episode 16: Look/Back
• Episode 17/Phantasm/Reborn-
• Episode 18/Unmasked/Face-
• Episode 19: Take/Revenge
• Episode 20: Lost/Days
• Episode 21/Nouvlesse/Ark-Ark-
• Episode 22: Demolition/Titan
• Episode 23: Annihilation/Zero
• Episode 24: As Time Goes By

Related Titles

"Kiddy Grade" has the following related works:

• KIDDY GRADE -IGNITION- The Movie: Awakening
• Movie version KIDDY GRADE -MAELSTROM- Flood Edition
• Movie version KIDDY GRADE -TRUTH DAWN- Reimeihen
• Kiddy Garland

Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Mirai no Kioku" (Memory of the Future), with lyrics by Mika Watanabe, music and arrangement by Fuminori Iwasaki, and singing by YUKA. The ending theme is "FUTURE", with lyrics and music by Jun Morioka, arrangement by Yukio Sugai and Little Viking, and singing by Little Viking. These songs are important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Kiddy Grade" was director Keiji Goto's directorial debut and was praised for its high level of visual perfection. The character and mecha designs are very sophisticated, making it a visually appealing work. The story also has a complex setting and development that draws viewers in. In particular, the growth and friendship between Eclair and Lumiere, as well as the difficulties they face and their determination to overcome them, touched many viewers.

This work is recommended not only for those who like sci-fi action, but also for those who are interested in character development and human drama. In particular, it is a must-see for fans of director Keiji Goto and those who like anime produced by GONZO. In addition, there are many related works, so you can enjoy the entire series. Please give it a watch.