The appeal and reviews of "STRAIT JACKET": A deep dive into the world of magic and fighting

"Strait Jacket": A fierce battle unfolds in a world where science and magic collide

"Straight Jacket" is an OVA based on Ichiro Sakaki's light novel, and was released on January 31, 2008. It tells the story of tactical magicians battling demons in a world where science and magic coexist. This work is known as a masterpiece that condenses deep themes and a grand story into a short 26-minute run.

■ Story

Straight Jacket - a "straitjacket" worn by those who have sinned. The setting is a world where science and magic coexist. Humans who use too much magic are in danger of becoming demons. One day, a series of terrorist attacks by demons occurs. Regular magicians are unable to handle the incidents, so a request comes to the mysterious "tactical magician" Rayot Steinberg, who is not subject to the law. Rayot uses his overwhelming power to defeat the demons. However, this was just the beginning of an epic battle that will lead to his past...

■Explanation

Set in a world where science and magic coexist, this is a masterpiece gun action story based on the original work by Ichiro Sakaki, depicting the story of "tactical magician" Rayott Steinberg, who is guilty of murdering his master, and his friends fighting demons in armor called Mold! In Tristan, a city where magic and industry have developed together, the people are under threat from demons. To keep the peace among the citizens, they hire "tactical magicians" who are experts in exterminating demons. But one day, a series of terrorist attacks occurs that turn magicians into demons...

■Cast

• Riot Steinberg/Shinichiro Miki
• Caperta Fernandez/Kei Shindo
• Nerin Simmons/Ai Maeda
• Jack Rowland/Tatsuya Kobashi
• Philis Moog/Mayumi Asano
• Brian Menno Moderate/Yasushi Ishii
• Fargo Les Paul/Yoshikazu Nagano
• Isaac Hammond/Akira Sasanuma
• Rachel Hammond/Asami Imai

■ Main staff

• Original work: Ichiro Sakaki (published by Fujimi Fantasia Bunko)
• Director: Ushio Shinji
• Series composition, script by Ichiro Sakaki
• Character design: Fujishiro Yo
• Character design: Yoshinori Yumoto
• Mechanical design: Hideki Fukushima
• Demon design, guest mecha design: Rei Nakahara
• Demon design/Yuji Moriyama
• Art supervision: Hiroki Matsumoto
• Art Director: Takafumi Suzuki
• Art setting: Isao Minegishi
• Art/Studio Easter
• Color design: Hiroshi Iwaida
• Director of photography: Takeshi Kuchiba
• Photo by Assez Finaud Fabric.
• 3DCG Designer/Yuzo Sato
• Edited by Takeshi Seyama
• Sound Director: Takahiro Enomoto
• Sound Production: Dream Force
• Music: Tsuyoshi Yanagawa
• Animation production: feel.
• Producers: Michiyoshi Koyama, Tomoko Kawasaki
• Executive Producers: Isamu Shibata, Kaoru Mufaume

■Subtitle

• #2／THE CONVICTS Togabito no Kioku (2008/01/31)

■ Related works

• Strait Jacket
• STRAIT JACKET 1
• STRAIT JACKET 3

■Detailed evaluation

Story and Themes

"Straight Jacket" is a story about tactical magicians battling demons in a world where science and magic coexist. The protagonist, Riot Steinberg, is depicted as someone who, despite the guilt of murdering his master, devotes himself to the mission of exterminating demons. The appeal of this work is that it depicts deep themes in a short time. Themes such as sin and redemption, justice and evil, and human desires and the price they cost are depicted through Riot's actions in the past and present.

Particularly striking is the fact that Riot is wearing a straitjacket, a straitjacket. It is a symbol of the sins he bears, and at the same time, it is the source of his power. This straitjacket visually expresses Riot's inner conflict, and leaves a strong impression on the viewer. In addition, the presence of magicians who live side by side with the risk of becoming demonic makes us feel the fearsomeness and allure of the power of magic at the same time.

character

Shinichiro Miki's voice as Riot Steinberg realistically expresses the character's profoundness and anguish. Riot's past trauma and current conflict are conveyed to the audience through his voice. Kei Shindo's voice as Caperta Fernandez also exquisitely expresses the character's strength and kindness. Ai Maeda's voice as Nerin Simmons gives the character a sense of purity and strength.

The other characters are also unique. Tatsuya Kobashi's voice as Jack Roland conveys the character's calmness and calculation. Mayumi Asano's voice as Phylisis Moog conveys the character's maternal and strong nature. Koji Ishii's voice as Brian Meno Moderato conveys the character's intelligence and cold-heartedness. Zenichi Nagano's voice as Fargo Les Paul conveys the character's boldness and passion. Akira Sasanuma's voice as Isaac Hammond conveys the character's sincerity and strength. Asami Imai's voice as Rachel Hammond conveys the character's purity and strength.

Visuals and performance

The visuals of "Straight Jacket" realistically depict a world where science and magic coexist. The design of the city of Tristan evokes a world where magic and industry have developed together. The design of the demons combines fear and beauty, making a strong visual impact. In particular, the design of the "straight jacket" worn by Rayott visually expresses the inner conflict of the character, leaving a strong impression on the viewer.

In terms of directing, Riot's battle scenes are particularly impressive. Riot's overwhelming strength and speed, combined with dynamic camerawork, give the viewer a strong sense of excitement. In addition, the battle with the demons is a realistic depiction of the intertwining of magic and science, making it a visual treat. Furthermore, Riot's past trauma and current conflicts are depicted through flashbacks and monologues, deeply moving the viewer.

Music and Sound

The music for "Straight Jacket" was composed by Tsuyoshi Yanagawa. The music enhances the atmosphere of a world where science and magic coexist, and also expresses Riot's inner conflict. The music in the battle scenes in particular gives the viewer a strong sense of excitement. The music in the scenes depicting Riot's past trauma and current conflicts also deeply moves the viewer.

Takahiro Enomoto is the sound director for the sound. The sound realistically expresses Riot's battle scenes and the battles with the demons. In particular, the sound of Riot's "straight jacket" and the roar of the demons leave a strong impact on the viewer. In addition, the sound in the scenes depicting Riot's past trauma and current conflicts deeply moves the viewer.

■ Recommendations and ratings

"Straight Jacket" is a masterpiece OVA that depicts a fierce battle that unfolds in a world where science and magic intersect. It depicts deep themes in a short time, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. In particular, Raymond Steinberg's character and his inner conflict deeply move the viewer. In addition, the visuals, direction, music and sound are also excellent, making it a pleasure to watch and listen to.

This work is especially recommended for those who like gun action and fantasy. It is also recommended for those who like works with deep themes. It is also recommended for those who want to experience deep emotions in a short time. "Straight Jacket" is a masterpiece OVA that depicts a fierce battle that unfolds in a world where science and magic intersect, and it is a work that leaves a strong impression on the viewer.