Review of R.O.D. (TV Series): Vol. 6

Introduction

I had a look at the first volume of R.O.D The TV last year, and immediately fell for its literary charms. Well, it`s a cold, calculated romance, as I waited for a suitable sale before filling out the parking space assigned to R.O.D on my shelf. Also determined to do things right, this time I began with Read Or Die, the OVA series. It`s well worth doing as while initially the two stories seem separate and can be enjoyed that way, from practically the first frame, the TV series makes visual and narrative reference to the OVA, and as the story progresses, the two become more and more intertwined. These aspects didn`t stand out for me the first time round, but having watched the OVA first this time, I found there was extra enjoyment to be had from the TV series. With volume 6, we hit the point of diminishing returns for anime, just three episodes for this volume.

Michelle, Maggie and Anita are three paper masters, able to manipulate paper to their will. In their hands, paper cuts can be fatal, paper aeroplanes can take paying passengers, and a sheet of A4 can be bulletproof. They run the Paper Sisters detective agency, using their formidable abilities to fight crime. They are also committed bibliophiles, well all except Anita, and their love of the written word is something that dominates their lives.

Previously, we left things with the mother of all cliffhangers, with only Yomiko and Anita left to stand against the dark forces of the British library. Now, as Anita tries to find some semblance of her old life, Yomiko looks for the strength to keep fighting. The next three episodes of R.O.D The TV are presented by MVM on Volume 6 along with a few extra goodies.

21. D.O.D - Dream or Die
Anita is on her own now, and trying to fit back into school life. It isn`t easy, especially with no one remembering who she is. She manages to make friends anew with Hisami, but as it transpires, her school is the testing ground for the British Library`s new system of mind control. Joker`s assistant Wendy shows up to offer Anita a choice, either have her memories altered, and join the British Library dream, or die like a dog. Anita has another choice, but it will mean turning to someone she hates almost as much as the British Library.

22. Seize
Standoff! Anita`s friends are still alive, although threatened by agents of the Library. But she and Yomiko have an ace up their sleeve, Joker as a hostage. As they race to the rescue, Wendy moves to thwart them, and takes a few hostages of her own.

23. Lie To Me
The confrontation continues, one that can only be resolved with a hostage exchange. But while Wendy plots a double cross, Joker is sowing the seeds of doubt regarding the Paper Sisters` origins. The two sides are about to lay down their cards, and winner takes all in this game of bluff.

Video

You get a 4:3 regular transfer, which is clear, sharp and with strong colours. I didn`t notice any problems with artefacts and the like, other than the usual banding associated with animation. The animation is nicely done, with vibrantly animated action sequences, balanced with more subtle moments. It`s an Aniplex series, and if you are a fan of Full Metal Alchemist, you`ll see some of that style in the character designs.

Audio

You get a choice between DD 5.1 English and Japanese as well as a DD 2.0 Japanese soundtrack. Translated English subtitles or signs accompany these. They are effective surround tracks, with plenty of oomph for the action sequences. I`ve also fallen for the music. Taku Iwasaki`s themes remind me strongly of the concept action dramas of the sixties, the Randall & Hopkirks, the Man From UNCLEs, with a hefty soupcon of James Bond to boot. It`s very stylish, very evocative, and is perfectly suited to the show.

Features

It`s an MVM disc so you can expect animated menus, as well as trailers for the second Ranma Movie and Gunslinger Girl. The previews (this time only in Japanese), which are normally at the end of each episode, get consigned to their own section here. You`ll also find a gallery containing 9 images, from the show as well as line and promotional art.

The episode commentary for this volume accompanies episode 21. Joining Taliesin Jaffe this time are voice actors JD Stone (Junior), Rachel Hirschfeld (Anita), and Megan Harvey (Hisami). Take one overwhelmed voice director, three hyperactive teenaged girls, bake for 23 minutes, and let slip the dogs of gossip. It`s the return of the Gigglefest Part 2: The Revenge. A lot of loud, talking over each other, random chat occurs, with the listener hard pressed to draw anything of interest from the track. I did learn that the voice actors had to buy the discs. No freebies!

Incidentally, if you want to see the creditless title sequences, just turn the subtitles off completely while they play.

Conclusion

The penultimate volume of R.O.D the TV offers a tense experience that simply adds to the gripping story unfolding in this series. I think it`s fair to say that what looked like a misleading bluff of a cliffhanger in the previous volume turned out that way, and most of our favourite characters show up in these three episodes. But that moment of misdirection heralds some of the show`s most dramatic moments in this volume.

The three episodes here are all about mind games. When Anita tries going back to school, she find herself in a social engineering experiment, one that she is expected to submit to. Some unsubtle persuading by Wendy has the reverse effect, and she winds up acting against the British Library yet again. When she realises that the other Paper Masters are still alive, she and Yomiko go to the rescue, but wind up embroiled in a hostage situation. Under extreme pressure, truths are revealed, lies are told, and factions manoeuvre, obfuscate, blackmail, and inveigle as if they are in an episode of 24. The plot twists and turns like a cobra, and the story revelations are just as venomous. By the end of the volume, it looks as if the British Library is all conquering, while the good guys are left bereft, impotent and directionless. It`s a hell of a build up to the final volume!

Just when I think it can`t get any better, R.O.D the TV pulls another mesmerising trick from its repertoire. It`s simply just another volume of sumptuous, must own anime.