Godannar Vol. 3: Nuclear Family Meltdown 2003 ADV Films   Buy It Now

If you've been watching Godannar since the start of the series, you already know how the creators have taken a rather interesting approach. The anime tends to have the vibe of some of the older 70's and 80's mecha series, it often times is a little overdramatic, but it all works together nicely. I'm sure quite a few of you have enjoyed this approach, but those days are going to be long behind you. The third volume of Godannar, "Nuclear Family Meltdown," gives the series a much more somber and sullen mood, and in some ways, it even gets a bit darker.

But wait! This is the last volume? Yes, it is . . . . . of the first part, and all the stops have been pulled out for these four episodes.

So, let's take a look first at a rather complicated issue. Goh and Anna have gotten married and are living together with Goh's brother Shinobu. Then, they decided to let Lou live with them after her father was killed by Mimetic Beasts and more recently Mira, Goh's former girlfriend who was believed to be dead has been found, but she can't remember much of her past or even how to speak. So, five people living under one roof isn't exactly a happy family, especially with some of the circumstances, but there is change in the wind.

Lou has always had a thirst for revenge because of what has happened to her father, and how she has the chance to learn to pilot thanks to a rogue agent that has shown up. This newcomer, Ken, is nothing more than a wanted criminal, but he's willing to give Lou a pointer or two; more than enough to cause her to steal the Cosmo Diver on two occasions and eventually leave with him. Goh and Anna however will get a taste of just how strong Ken's mecha, the Blade Gainer, is, and it's enough to put both of their units out of operation for the time being.

With two mecha's down, it all is up to Shizuru to handle the Mimetic Beasts when they show up once again, but she's not nearly proficient enough to handle them. She sacrifices herself in the end . . . . or does she? That's something that you'll have to watch and learn the truth to, but the incident seems to have awakened those buried memories in Mira, and after Anna catches her and Goh in a compromising position, Anna leaves. That's short lived however when once again the Mimetic Beasts are on the attack, and in greater numbers, but then Anna gets yet another shock.

Ah, but I'm not going to ruin that part for you. You'll just have to get the volume and see for yourself what happens. However, this definitely isn't the end of Godannar, and even the final episode teases fans with a preview of the upcoming season, though we won't necessarily have to wait nearly as long as fans in Japan did. These episodes though are probably some of the best of the series yet. There isn't quite as much humor, but the story becomes riveting and something you can't just turn away from. You'll find moments that are quite sad and others that will bring up feelings of elation. Godannar also has that "soap opera" feeling present at all times, and perhaps even more than it ever did in the past.

Godannar has contained a great many additional features, and ADV really has done a superb job so far with what they have decided to add. There are more character profiles included, and this is a series that, like many other mecha anime, has a lot of personalities to keep track of. The Mechanical Profiles will give you stats on the mecha that appear in these episodes and even a look at the Dannar Base itself while the Top Secret Case Files have the info you need on the Mimetic Beasts. The Godannar Key Words are, of course, essential phrases and terms from the series and if you're curious about love between two other characters aside from Goh and Anna, the Morimoto & Hayashi Special Report will show you what has happened between these two since the first episode. You'll also have another look at clean versions of the opening and closing animation and if that's still not enough, the DVD insert has interviews with the Japanese staff. Godannar might just have the best selection of extra features ever.

I'm ready for the next season, or volume in this case, and this is going to be a wait that seems far too long. Generally with series that initially have a shorter run like this, they end in a horrible way, but not Godannar. Why not simply tease fans, give the series a cliffhanger ending, and ensure they won't miss what happens next. Well, mission accomplished. If you still aren't onboard with this somewhat quirky mecha series, this is the ideal time to join the rest of us and get into what might be one of the best mecha series in a long time.

Episode 10 - Lou's Sortie

Lou has stumbled upon a badly injured pilot and tries to nurse him back to health. Little does she know that he's recently become a wanted criminal and when Mimetic Beasts similar to the ones that killed her father are found, Lou has only one person to turn to in order to help her learn to become a pilot . . . and then she takes a Cosmo Diver out on her own.

Episode 11 - An Innocent Departure

Lou has been brought back to the base and put in confinement, but this isn't the end of things. The Mimetic Beasts are on the attack again meaning the Go and Anna need to stop them. There's still the issue of the rogue pilot to contend with and Lou manages to escape holding and does the unthinkable.

Episode 12 - Those Who Have Departed

Goh and Anna's mecha's are in dire need of repairs and another Mimetic Beast threatens an upcoming rocket launch. The only possible hope is for Shizuru to take it on, but after the first threat has ended, more appear on the horizon. Although she believes she can hold them off, Shizuru may find this to be her last battle.

Episode 13 - Last First Kiss

Anna has left the base but Shinobu isn't too far behind. Right after he find her however, tragedy strikes once again and Mimetic Beasts have been spotted across the world. Now Anna must get back to the base before it's too late . . . . and it already is.
 

-mike-
 

Genre: Science Fiction / action   Series Director: Yasuchika Nagoka Directed by: Episode 10 - Keitarou Motonaga Episode 11 - Miyake Yuuichirou Episode 12 - Masayasu Furukawa Episode 13 - Rion Kujou Written by: Hiroyuki Kawasaki   Original Japanese Title: Shinkon Gattai Godannar!! Voice Cast: Takayuki Kondou (Goh Saruwatari) Mai Nakahara (Anna Aoi) Takako Honda (Kiriko Aoi) Kaori Shimizu (Lou Roux) Junko Minagawa (Shinobu Saruwatari) Yumi Kakazu (Shizuru Fujimura) Aya Hisakawa (Mira Ackerman) Tarou Yamaguchi (Kagemaru) Akeno Watanabe (Konami Sasagure) Nanae Katou (Hayashi)

DVD Features: Dual Language Japanese/English English subtitles Clean Opening Animation Clean Closing Animation Character Profiles Mechanical Profiles Top Secret Case Files Godannar Key Words Enclosed Interview Insert Contains Episodes 10 - 13