The appeal and reviews of "Dead Girls": A fusion of zombies and youth

"Dead Girls" - Girls' battles and friendships set in a future New York

"Dead Girls" was released as an OVA on August 8, 2007. It was written and animated by GONZO. It was directed by Ko Matsuo, written by Mari Okada, and character designed and supervised by Kumi Ishii. The story is set in a future New York and follows the story of four girls who fight as bounty hunters.

story

In the future, Manhattan, New York, four girls, Kate, Rose, Rachel and Claire, continue to fight as bounty hunters in a devastated world where steel skyscrapers stand side by side and automated life systems rule. They chase wanted people and fight every day, but they also lead normal school lives.

One day, a new transfer student, Louise, calls out to Kate and her friends. The beautiful and lovely Louise says, "I want to be your friends." Beside her is a handsome boy named Edgar, who is also trying to get close to Kate and her friends. The purpose and true identity of Louise and Edgar are shrouded in mystery.

Four girls are faced with an unbelievable fate, and a huge, unidentified shadow is looming over them. An incident unfolds in the Red Garden, the only sanctuary left in the city. What will become of their fate?

cast

• Kate Ashley - Akira Tomisaka
• Rose C.D. - Ayumi Tsuji
• Rachel Benning - Ryoko Shintani
• Claire Forest - Miyuki Sawashiro
• Louise - Misato Fukuen
• Edgar - Takehito Koyasu

Main Staff

• Original story and animation production - GONZO
• Planning - Shoji Murahama
• Director, Storyboard - Ko Matsuo
• Screenplay - Mari Okada
• Character concept, mechanic design, eye-catching illustrations - Jun Fuji
• Character design, chief animation director: Kumi Ishii
• Mechanic design - Ryuji Shiomae, Morifumi Naka, Hiroshu Hane
• Mechanical animation supervision, 3D supervision - Tomohiro Kawahara
• Art director: Masatoshi Kai
• Special effects, color design - Yuichi Furuichi
• Visual Coordinator - Kentaro Sasaki
• Director of photography - Harutsugu Ishiguro
• 3DCG Director - Akifumi Baba
• Edited by Akinori Mishima
• Sound Director - Toshiki Kameyama
• Music - Akira Senjyu
• Music producers: Junji Fujita, Mikiko Nose
• Music Production - Future Vision Music
• Cooperation - excite, HIS, Beauty Salon TAYA, Manga Cafe Manbo, COSPA, REVELIZE NERD STANDARD, robot (Wani Magazine Co., Ltd.)
• Assistant Producer - Rie Shimai
• Associate Producer - Shinya Shinozaki
• Producers: Masaki Kobayashi, Satoru Negishi, Kosaku Sakamoto, Hideyuki Namba
• Executive Producer - Satoru Yoshida
• Animation Producer - Junichi Takagi
• Produced by: TriNet Entertainment, GDH

Main Characters

• Kate Ashley - She always speaks and acts coolly, but sometimes she takes bold actions that surprise those around her. She boasts high fighting ability and is the leader of the four. She is not very interested in school life and often skips classes.
• Rose Ced - Originally a shy girl, she now likes glamorous things, including her appearance. She is the object of admiration for students at school, which she seems to like very much.
• Rachel Benning - She used to be a flashy girl who was known as "Naniwa no Reiko", but now she is lazy and doesn't care about her clothes. Her behavior is too laid-back and sometimes makes those around her feel flustered. Her current hobby is building mecha.
• Claire Forrest - A cool girl who often acts alone and can be a bit tough, she now enjoys showing off her charms and seeing the reactions of the men around her.
• Louise - A pretty and beautiful girl who transferred to the school. She approaches Kate and the others, but there are many mysteries surrounding her, including her purpose. What is her true identity?
• Edgar - A handsome man who travels with Louise and is well-known among those around him. He is the subject of a "bet" between Kate and the others, but like Louise, there is much about him that is mysterious.

subtitle

• Part 1 (2007/08/08)
• Part 2 (2007/08/08)

Related Titles

• RED GARDEN

Evaluation and appeal of the work

"Dead Girls" is a work that is attractive for its dark atmosphere set in a future New York and the unique characters of the four girls. In particular, Kate's calmness and leadership, Rose's glamor, Rachel's laid-back attitude, and Claire's coolness give each of them a different charm. In addition, the mysterious presence of Louise and Edgar also adds depth to the story.

The story depicts the dual nature of bounty hunting and school life, and beautifully depicts the girls' growth, friendship, and the intertwining threads of destiny. In particular, the incident at the sanctuary known as the "Red Garden" is an important element in building up excitement for the story's climax.

In terms of visuals, GONZO's high quality shines through. The depiction of the futuristic city, the power of the battle scenes, and even the detailed expressions of the characters are carefully drawn, making for a visually appealing work. Akira Senju's music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work.

Recommended points

"Dead Girls" is recommended for those who like dark fantasy and action. It is also a work that can be enjoyed by those who like stories that depict character growth and friendship. In particular, if you pay attention to the personalities and relationships of the four girls, you will be able to enjoy the work more deeply.

Furthermore, since it is a compact OVA with only two episodes, even those who don't have much time can watch it easily. Since it is related to "RED GARDEN", ​​watching it together will give you a deeper understanding and enjoyment.

summary

"Dead Girls" is a fascinating work with a dark atmosphere set in a future New York and a story of unique characters. The duality of the fight as a bounty hunter and school life, and the presence of the mysterious transfer students Louise and Edgar add depth to the story. The quality of the visuals and music is also high, and it is recommended for those who like dark fantasy and action. Please give it a watch.