David Roggenkamp How about an anime with a difference? This one comes in at over twenty-six episodes, has transformation sequences involving humans and mecha, and has very little in the way of sexual gratuity and fan service. The whole point is to tell the tale of a haunted male, a group of individuals bent on saving the Earth, and the trials the species must undergo due to an enemy invading force. Sounds simple, but it spans in at close to fifty episodes total.Teknoman – Tekkaman Blade in Japan – came out at an odd time in US television. When the UPN (United Paramount Network) was formed, it was best known for delivering the "Star Trek Voyager" and "Star Trek Deep Space Nine" science-fiction programs at different times during the week; the network was also a complement of other similar programs such as 'Seven Days' and 'Hackers'. Not exactly cyberpunk, but many of their programs involved a dark future with a science fiction style atmosphere. Like many networks, UPN also featured a cartoon block; but being a rebel put it on Sunday instead of Saturday; arguably a good maneuver so as not to compete with other networks. One of the programs in their lineup was this anime.At the time, it was fairly obvious that Teknoman was different than other anime. It was namely darker, futuristic, and had many adult themes in it. The series takes place towards the end of the twenty-first century as an enemy invading force sets their sights on Earth. One of there methods includes an invasion force consisting of mutant spider crabs; these things are ruthless and conventional firepower cannot take them down. The other is a type of organic pod that captures alien lifeforms and turns them into slaves for the invading force. These slaves are endowed with super powers that turn them into mechanical warriors known as technomen. Technomen have the ability to puddle-jump from a planet and its moons, they have blade weapons endowed with quantum energy, along with the ability to fire off massive beam blasts that can obliterate most obstacles in their path. These pods play a central point to the series; because the enemy invading force is merely biding time while these things infect the Earth until they can convert -EVERY- living thing on Earth into a Venemoid warrior loyal to the invaders cause.Sometimes the transformation sequence is avoided in full; either because someone is forcibly removed, leaves the pod by choice willingly and early, or simply because they are rejected when they are not strong enough to serve the Venemoids' purposes. Either way, the central hero, Blade, is one such example and he is practically the only thing stopping the Venemoids from taking over. While the series does focus heavily on Blade, it also focuses on key plot points involving his family which are now his enemies; the military plays a central role, but the main secondary focus of almost all episodes is the go-between – a group called the 'Space Knights' are there to stop Darkon (the enemy warlord) and his minions. There is plot progression as time goes on and a conclusion; there are many plot elements that take place and many attempts fail to stop Darkon, but he does ultimately lose. The problem is, many of the characters do die. This is unprecedented in an anime for the time, but it did happen. Many of the elements between the family members are very akin to the premise of the relationship between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker from Star Wars.Acting between characters is that of a prime time drama; it is not natural, but is as natural as acting can get. This is okay, because it helps push the series along. However, as far as acting is concerned, it is not necessarily obvious (at first) that this series is a dub. It looks more like a science fiction series with an anime style. The Japanese anime influence here, save for the art-style, is very minimal – and the creators of the series did a wonderful job here. There is almost no rehashing of scenes save for the transformation sequences; there was probably a high budget for this series while it was being produced. The American acting probably has a few tweaks along the way, but it seems to otherwise go with the overall plot as the series progresses. The moments there are jokes seem to progress with the original Japanese scenes; so I am lead to believe that the series does not otherwise butcher the original plot all that much. This series also features at least one fanservice shot, one ongoing romance, and otherwise features the trademark 'magical transformation sequence', but rather than blotted out nudity it is shown in its full glory. Characters do appear in the nude at times, but it is entirely due to circumstances and nothing else.Lastly, despite the series having many clichés as the basis, along with many of the token characters associated with anime (they are pretty generic); Blade does have one stark contrast compared to many heroes – he is has a mullet, it is messy and still manages to maintain a realistic look as far as anime is concerned with the more traditional spiky hair and all. That's pretty cool if you ask me.The series does have two down points; much like American cartoons spread out over time, the series' animation either changes between episodes or in key scenes or suffers depending on the quality of the art use at the time. The other is that later on, the teknomen become more expendable as Darkon's desperation increases. One would thing the mutant spidercrabs would take center stage here, but at best they are fodder throughout the entire series.Originally posted to Orion Age (http://www.orionphysics.com/?p=9144).

hellraiser7 What always appeals to me about superhero sagas are the humanity of the superhero, who the person behind the mask and powers are. This was another on the animes I've seen as a kid and it's still one of my personal favorites and one of my favorite TV shows in general.It's true on the surface it's a typical alien invasion plot, however what makes this show unique is that it's not entirely concerned or driven by it's plot, even though it does intriguingly develop. It's really more concerned about the characters and what they do and how they feel.The show has a lot of great things from animation which is very smooth and beautiful personally I think it still holds up (in my opinion anyway). Everything from the detail of the movement, the Radam creatures that look similar to the Arachnids in "Starship Troopers",the people that look more human their not odd looking or anything, down to their facial expressions were fluid, and most impressive was the detail on the Tekkamen really showed how far it was advancing to the anime we have today. The action is great and violent, you will see bits of gore, innocent people get killed sometimes, good guys can get seriously hurt which can affect their physical performance, but I really loved how well choreographed the Tekkaman Battle were the weapons they wielded and how they use them is beautiful and fluid. And the music in the show is great is great I really love the theme song from the First Season to me that's one of my favorite anime themes ever.One of the things I love about the show is how it solved that fundamental problem some anime programs at the time had in there story structure, where even though they had a set plot they tend to drift away from it for a while which does cause a little slowdown in advancing; not that it was completely bad it's a common thing that can create some creative freedom and good stand alone episodes if possible but no denying it goes on more than necessary. This show though hardly has much of that because it's focus it tight it's always keeping it's eye on the ball which makes most episodes important there is always a significant development going on within an episode you can't afford to miss; it's that principle with a novel each chapter and page is always important. This is a structure that's in current TV shows like "Battlestar Galactica" (revival version), "Lost", "The Walking Dead", and the criminally underrated "Falling Skies".Part of what made the show unique was that it dealt with subjects not touched on much which are dealing with loss, the problems with physical ailment, and the beauty and difficulty of loving another person.What is most memorable though to me are the characters just the humanity in them and the depth and development of some of them it's easy to forget their animated. Mainly it's the main characters D-Boy/Tekkaman Blade and significant other Aki. Both of them are another of my favorite anime couples because of their believability and are emotionally involving. D-Boy to me is a superhero you feel heavy pathos for because he's the most emotionally hurt as well as physically making him all the more tragic and painfully human. Like most superheroes their usually driven most of the time by something robbed or lost form them, Spider Man his uncle, Batman his parents, Punisher his wife and two children. D-Boy/Tekkaman it's his family and a few friends with them, they've all been taken over by the Radam turned much like with the aliens from the sci-fi horror movie "Body Snatchers", which makes the emotional weight all the more heavier and makes you feel all the more bad for this guy because things to get sadder and darker for him like the fact that we discover further along the line his own superpower is also his weakness. If he's Tekkaman too long he'll lose his humanity becoming a slave to the Radam or when he's in Blaster Mode it caused tissue and brain damage to his cells which makes him lose his memory, sort of like Alsimers disease. Thsi makes us all the more concerned for him in most superhero stories all superheroes always have a physical Achillies heel but there's always a safety catch which makes us not worry so much but for him we're given no guarantees, we're worried these weaknesses could destroy him if he continues, and I found myself concerned about his life hoping to god those things don't happen.Aki is a great significant other she is a strong willed fierce but warm hearted person. The emotion we see form her when both D-Boy and her interact is believably sweet and sometimes painful. One of my favorite touching moments was when Aki tells D-Boy to give those minutes he has to be Tekkaman to her, let alone the physical position and how they looked at one another, at that point it was obviously they love each other. These things made me care and put me in constant suspense hoping they will make progress, let alone kiss and have sex which they do.There are a lot of memorable moments and episode arcs like one which is one of my favorite anime episode arcs on D-Boy's young sister Milki/Tekkaman Saber the ending of it I'll admit mad me tear up.Tekkaman Blade is powered with action but cuts deep with emotion because it's armor is driven by a powered human heart.Rating: 4 stars

DarkStar84 I was only about 12 when I saw this on UPN. But I was frigging glued to my seat every Sunday morning, watching the episode. This was a great show and it was so well handled.The characters were so engaging and I loved the plots involving them more then the action parts (even though they were some pretty damned cool fights and space battles).The dub deserves a lot of praise because it allowed the show to have a real air of internationalism about it. The whole world was fighting the venamoid spidercrabs, so when Slade met a group of commandos in the space station (The Space Ring to those who remember). The leader was portrayed as being Irish and it was so moving when he sang at the end.It was so cool when Technobot sang the song at the end of the episode. It just showed how cool this show was. The fact that the robot had a progressive a.i. and could problem solve was a nice touch as well... I'll have a soft spot for Technobot/Pegasus.This was a show that could take the audience to breakneck battles one minute and yet in the next ep, have everything slow down so we could stop and think about the effects that the war was having on people at a very personal level. The base grew becoming tearful during Slade's story of what happened to his family was believable and not hammy at all because these were real people trying to cope with a serious problem.Then the Government comes in and tries to start running the show- only to have the commander basically give the data to their inside man just to get him the hell out. At the height of the conflict, Slade undergoes a traumatic period and refuses to fight- but unlike a lot of emo main characters, I could see that he was really dealing with some heavy sh*t and a lot of guilt.And of course, it had some of the most vicious bad guys ever. On top of fighting off the mutant spidercrabs, the earth had to deal with the evil technomen. Towards the end, we got some heavy things happening... General Galt's immortal line "so what if a few million people die to end the war?" is pretty chilling when looked at from a modern view point.So, if you ever thought about buying this or just want to make sure that what you remember from over ten years ago was actually that good... well, my friends, it was! And you new 'kids' might try giving it a chance too.

Timothy McKann When I watch this:When I first started watching this series on television,I have to say that this show was awesome. I got to see some of the episodes,and they were great. I was disappointed when they took the show off the air.I had to watch it again. But when I learned that Media Blasters was going to release it on DVD.I had to get my hands on it,and I did. But when I bought this series on DVD,it had the same episodes that were seen on television.Characters:The characters that I liked in the show are:Blade,Shara,Balzac,and Teknobot aka Pegus,and Ringo.Another thing I want to mention that in the TV Version of Teknoman,the main character who becomes Teknoman was named Slade. But it was cool to have the main character being named Blade,instead of Slade. Another character that had a different name in the show was Dagger.In the TV Version,he was known as Gunner. But Dagger is a better name in the DVD version. Another thing about the series,is the character in the TV version of Teknoman have the same lines as the DVD version.Quotes: Another thing that I liked about this show are the lines that the characters say,and here are some that will make you laugh,(Friend or Foe episode)STAR:I THINK ID RATHER MARRY A SPIDERCRAB! RINGO:YA..WELL THE NEXT TIME I RUN INTO ONE OF THEM,ALL ASK IT TO SEND OVER SOME CANDY AND FLOWERS.OH WELL...SO MUCH FOR THE GARDEN OF EDEN IDEA.YOUR LOSS!(Bold Soldier boy episode) BLADE: Pegas, attack mode. I'm glad you're named after a flying horse. PEGAS: Why? BLADE: You talk as well as you fly. They could have named you Mr. Ed. (Axe Trap Episode) Maggie: Hey, great hunter. It's obvious we should have been on foot from the very beginning. Ringo: Why didn't you suggest it, then? Balzac: Now, now children. Stop arguing and I'll buy you some ice cream. Maggie: Oh, goody goody goody. (Sword Strike Episode) Ringo: Eighth floor, notions and lingerie. Star: Ringo, put a cork in it. (Beginning of the End Episode)Balzac: Did you pack us a lunch? Mac: Silly me, I forgot. Tina: Your Teknosuits and counter-flux polarizer are on board. Ringo: Right. Balzac: A grilled cheese sandwich and crackers would have been nice, you know, some little thing we could nibble on. I'm starving. Jamison: I'll have a big juicy steak waiting for you when you get back. Meanwhile, the fate of the world is a bit more important that your stomach, so get to work. Sad part: I think the most saddest parts in the series was the death of Blade's Sister,Shara. It was a shame that we only get to see her in some of the episodes,and it was sad to see her die after being killed by Saber. And I also feel sad to see Balzac taking his own life to kill Teknoman Sword. The voice cast: The series features the great voice talents of Barbara Goodson,Bob Bergen,Kerrigan Mahan,Tom Wyner,Julie Maddalena,Michael Forest, Michael McConnohie (famous for Transformers,and Vampire Hunter D), Michael Reynolds,Richard Epcar (famous for Fushigi Yugi),Simon Prescott,Wendee Lee ,and others.So in closing ,if you like the series,and plan to collect it.Then this is the one. You will see what I mean,and then see Tekkaman Blade II.