NoaIzumiAnime Review: Blue Submarine No. 6
February 25th 2009 13:35
In the near future, a pole shift has been initiated by madman Dr. Zorndyke, raising the sea level and killing billions. Now, humanity has a last chance against Zorndyke and his genetically engineered, sea-dwelling soldiers, an all-or-nothing strike against their base in Antarctica. But it will come down to two pilots of the Blue Submarine #6, one bent on revenge, the other just wanting an end.
Fleet Week concludes with a more well-known (and better) anime, Blue Submarine No. 6, best known for being a pioneer in the area of combining traditional hand-drawn animation with CGI.
Blue Submarine #6 is a definite case of style over substance, though not by much. The story requires seeing it a couple of times; it is practically guaranteed that you will not understand the ending the first time through (if you do, you’re smarter than I). However, the story is worth the effort, dealing with fundamental questions of what it is to be human and the importance of forgiveness.
Hayami and Kino, with Mutio in the foreground
But, no matter what the complaints about the story or characters, the action in this flick makes it all worthwhile. Blue Submarine #6 has some of the best underwater combat scenes ever, and the jazzy soundtrack really works too.
For a first time effort, the blending of different styles works pretty well too, although the CGI gives the traditional animation a slightly crude feel by comparison.
Aside from the trail-blazing aspect, Blue Submarine #6 is justly infamous for its manner of release. I first saw it as a starving graduate student in the days of VHS, and having rented anime before, I was rather surprised to find only one half-hour episode per tape. This is normal in Japanese releases, but American releases almost always had two or three episodes per tape. It wouldn’t be a big deal, except that one episode of Blue Submarine #6 cost as much to rent as a two-hour movie or three episodes of another series. In the DVD release, Bandai did a very similar thing, putting four episodes on two double-sided discs, when the whole series could fit onto one regular disc with room to spare. To buyers, it makes no difference. The whole set prices at a very reasonable twenty dollars, although it is weird to buy a DVD set with just the equivalent of a movie on it. Renters, however, will be irritated at having to rent two (or possibly four) discs when the whole series should be on one.
And, in case anyone is confused, this is not the sequel to Blue Submarine No. 5. The name of the organization is Blue, the name of the submarine is No. 6, hence, Blue Submarine No. 6.
Submarine #6 in port
Extras: A whole disk-full, including staff interviews, additional scenes, mecha and character designs, and original trailers.
Great moments: Definitely the battle scenes. From the attack on the port in the first episode to the showdown with the Phantom Ship in the last, the military action is excellent.
Summary: Solid military drama with a sci-fi element. May require repeated viewings, but worth it. Grade: B plus
Age rating: 14 and up. Some of Zorndyke’s creations are female, and nude, at least from the waist up. There is an implied sexual assault on one of them as well, although the scene changes before it actually happens. Violence and death in a wartime context, with a little more actual bloodshed than is normal for submarine movies.
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