Title: Tokyo UndergroundCategory: TV Total Episodes: 26 Genres: Action, Science Fiction Year Published: 2002 Studio: Studio Pierrot US Distribution: *Available on Fansub Animation: 6 Sound: 7 Story: 5 Character: 4 Value: 4 Enjoyment: 6 Average: 5.3 Description: Deep under the ground in the capital city of Tokyo exists the forgotten and confined world called “Tokyo Underground”. Rumina Asagi encounters Ruri, an escapee from the Underground, as well as her assistant Chelsea, and decides to protect them. But rather than attempting to bring Ruri back, the Underground's secret organization, “Company”, sends over an intelligence personnel by the name of “Supei”. Having fallen in love with Ruri, will Rumina take on “Supei” in a battle to protect his love? One Liner: Awesome! People that can control the elements? Not really. Animation: Not bad, but not good either. Though it may seem similar to all anime animation nowadays, regardless how you look at it, the animation in Tokyo Underground is your cookie-cutter style. However, unlike other anime, the animators of Tokyo Underground don't even bother to embellish the plain drawings a little - computer graphics, if any, don't really make the animation that much better. Even though the animation is plain, it would not be fair to say the animation in Tokyo Underground isn't good. Even though one would expect the animation in Tokyo Underground to shine during the many fight sequences, Tokyo Underground just doesn't deliver. The fight sequences are simply un-remarkable. During intense fights, the main characters stays still while getting plummeled, making the viewer not help but feel cheated. Aside from that, the attacks between characters remain the same; while unremarkable at first sight, the sequence eventually becomes old and repetitive. Second, the fights makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, defying every law of physics and common sense (more in the story section). Third, there are obvious inconsistencies in the animation (angles, position, perspective). While this may seem trivial, it is nevertheless awkward. Noticing such blatant errors shred the mood that the anime develops. Fourth, the fights are not continuous, but rather jerky; each fight followed the same formula: Fight: 2-5 seconds Switch Scene/Flashback Because of such occurences, what respect one has over the animation in Tokyo Undeground quickly diminishes, leaving the viewer feel horribly cheated in watching such a series. Sound: The sound may be the best part of Tokyo Underground. Considering that the soundtrack isn't that great, that's saying something. Even though the OP and the ED gets on one's nerves after a while, the soundtrack contributes about 75% of all the sentimental values attached to the anime. The OST is enjoyable, sweet, and exciting - a great blend of melodies as is expected from any OST (unfortunately, most other OSTs do not deliver). However, it does not quite move, or are any of the songs particularly unique that one would like to listen to the song repeatedly; just good enough that one derives temporary pleasure from listening to it. Story: The story in Tokyo Underground is basically everybody's childhood fancy - individuals find themselves master of an element in which they can manipulate at will, set against the evil giant governmental body/corporation for the sake of the world. However, in consistency to the "cookie-cutterness" of the animation, the plot and setting is also trite. Many would find the situations of the characters vaguely familiar as a "party" explores the "labyrinth/dungeon" of the underground to rescue the "princess" figure (Mario, Final Fantasy, or Link anybody?). Yet, this is understandable since the exploration/journey story has become a sure-fire recipe for fun regardless of what entertainment medium.
If Tokyo Underground is in a race, it would definitely trip at the finish line. Even with the sure-fire formula and the inner child fantasy of mastery over the elements, Tokyo Underground just couldn't deliver in terms of plot. The script in Tokyo Underground just has the potential to be excellent, constantly building up the viewer to the brink of the climax, which is never properly reached. This is because of the horrid inconsistencies that are evident in the animation, the poor direction, and plot holes so big that a hummer can drive right through it. Some things are just illogical. How in the heck does Rumina get so strong in a week? The viewer will find that questions like these are common throughout the course of the anime, questions that should be easily answered, but aren't. In a sense, the plot moves too fast for its own good, which provokes thought since the plot in Tokyo Underground is hardly profound or thought-provoking.
The characters in Tokyo Underground became even more weak when the viewer realizes the shear stupidity of the characters. Everybody in Tokyo Underground, except one of the villians, have no fighting smarts at all. You'd think that mastery over an element, such as gravity would make you incredibly powerful, right? Nope. In battle, all characters' IQ drops 75 points, so that they have no common sense at all how to properly utilize their amazing power. At times, the characters in Tokyo Underground suffer from horrible amnesia, constantly contradicting their own characters that prevent any such kind character attachment and growth. Several characters are left unresolved, with the viewer unsure what just happened. |
