Thread 776029 on danger/a/ Loading...

| by Review G/u/rl

| Review G/u/rl is back! E-eh? You don't remember me!?
> https://dangeru.us/a/thread/609523
T-there! Now you remember me! R-right!?

| Well... anyways. If you like planes, then listen up, because today's anime was paid for by - and I do not lie - THE JAPANESE AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE. I am not joking. The Japanese government literally paid for this to be made. And they didn't pay just anyone. They paid Studio Fantasia! Known for... uhh... Project A-ko and AIKa...? Those are classics, r-right!? Note! This is based off a manga! I did not read it. Sorry.

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| THE PLOT: Is nonexistent. Takuya is a new airplane mechanic who has just been assigned to the 801st Tactical Training Squadron, aka the 801 TTS Airbats! Little does he know, what is supposed to be an elite all-ladies aerobatics team is actually a rag tag group of air force rejects and discards. That said, our little mechanic friend believes with all his heart that together, they can be something grea- WHAM!

| As all this is shaping up, you're hit square in the face with a love triangle, which will cause every single problem for the first three episodes and then will never be focused on again. In fact, after the first three episodes, there is no plot. The fourth episode is a "beach" episode (despite there being no beach), the fifth is it's own plot, disjoined from everything else, the sixth is a joke, and the seventh is a flashback.

| No, the flashback does not connect to literally anything brought up before it. Did a seven episode OVA really need a beach episode? Well, who am I to question the Japanese Air Force? As far as plot goes, that's it. Three episodes of what is barely considered "plot", and then four episodes of nothing. The characters are as flat as paper, and have no interesting backstories. This anime relies exclusively on clichés in every aspect. Did the military forget to pay for a writing team!?

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| THE ART: Is honestly pretty good. It's not necessarily "stand out", but it has it's moments. The airplanes are very detailed, even having proper cockpit layouts and paint jobs. Studio Fantasia had some help from the Air Force, but the effort is still charming and impressive. If you're a jet geek, this is for you!

| The character design is fun, and each is very distinct from one another. I'm a big fan of the character design in this anime. I'd argue the animation for the OVA is above par for 1994-1996, and it knows where to pour it's budget into, and where to show restraint. It does have a few reused animation clips, but that's '90s OVAs for ya. If you enjoy the stereotypical retro style, it's safe to say you'll enjoy the art direction in this OVA.

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| THE SOUND: Is stellar. Every sound effect is exactly where it should be, and sounds exactly how it should sound. The engines as they ramp up and take off, and then the jets as they cut through the sky... every radio transmission, every paper crumple, every footstep is just so satisfying.

| The Japanese voice cast also did a great job at giving life to the otherwise flat characters. The voice lines and expressions are done exceedingly well. Not to mention the music. Sure, the opening didn't need to have a random electric guitar solo. But it does. And it's pretty epic. As far as '90s sound direction goes, this OVA features some of the best.

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| TL;DR: When 801 TTS Airbats shines, it sparkles. The sound direction is stellar, and the animation is charmingly detailed. The character designs are fun, the music rocks, and the voice cast gave it their all. But, when 801 TTS Airbats fails, it does so spectacularly, and in the two places where it really matters. The great designs and voice work make me want to love the characters, but there's nothing to love about them. They are so unbelievably flat.

| Nothing that happens in the OVA has any meaning whatsoever. Whenever an interesting situation is built up, it always fizzles out, and is never resolved. Over half of the episodes are literally jokes. This makes it so hard to like this anime despite all the great things that are going for it. So, that begs the question. Does 801 TTS Airbats get a recommendation from me? Eh, you have nothing better to do ya filthy weeb. Review G/u/rl, out.

| Nice work review g/u/rl
I crave for 80/90's ovas

| >>776139 there's some really great (and really bad) ones out there. Let me know what you'd recommend I watch!