Bastard

Director
Hiroshi Yamaguchi
Production
AIC, Shueisha
Country of origin
Japan
Format
OVA
Running time
6 volumes
Year
1992

Bastard

By Jonathan Chapman
17th Jun 04

Ok first of all don't get your hope up about this series. It's not some revolutionary series, it's not really that artistic (well compared to the manga), and it doesn't have the deepest plot in the world. But it's ridiculously fun to watch. The series starts in a post-apocalyptic future in which technology has been abandoned for divine and wizardly magic.

Dark Schnider was the most powerful wizard in the world. All he sought was more power and, of course, more beautiful women. That is until some sneaky priests killed him and forced his soul into the body of a young boy (Lucien). And there he slept, inert, until one of the priest's daughter Yoko must awaken him to defend the castle he attempted to destroy. You see the kiss of a virgin can transform the boy into the powerful wizard trapped inside. Instead of helping, Schnider goes about finishing the job he started and killing the priests. However during his battle with Yoko's father a pompous mage with a pet hydra beast dares to interrupt and scratches Schnider's face. Schnider tells the wizard he could have destroyed the castle and the priests, but to draw his blood was an unforgivable mistake. And then Schnider destroys both the hydra and sends the terror-filled mage to hell. As Schnider turns to deal with the priest Yoko intervenes and Schnider falls in love with her. When he kisses her he reverts back to Lucien. Apparently during his imprisonment in the boy, Schnider has gained some humanity. After all, he and the boy are one being now.

Everything seems to have reverted back to normal until Yoko is kidnapped by one of Schnider's old cohorts, a ninja king (Gara). Schnider is released by a kiss from a princess and goes on a mission to save Yoko. After all, no one can touch Schnider's women and, he claims, his old lackeys need to be taught a lesson.

The series is filled with surprises. During the quest, Schnider (poisoned by a ninja trap) fights a fire elemental (a creature made of pure fire) and wins the battle by creating heat even the fiery creature cannot withstand. The elemental is impressed and pledges his support for the wizard by transforming into a fiery sword, which Schnider uses to fight the ninja king. Each combatant fights until they are near death - and instead of dying, both complement each other's strength and join forces (apparently Gara saw Schnider as a role-model as a kid and has been doing well following in his footsteps). Besides humour stemming from sexual tension between the characters, there's also the hentai moment when the ninja king is playing with Yoko before Schnider's arrival. He releases a slime creature to eat through Yoko's clothing. Schnider also meets an old lover, a dark elf sorceress who has been cursed so that she will die unless she kills Schnider. All the while, Yoko is torn between being in love with Schnider and missing Lucien.

Most of the plot centres on protecting seals that prevent the evil god of chaos from awakening. Yes Schnider does a very good job being the bastard everyone expects him to be. Let's get this straight. He's not a nice guy. He's not even sorry for anything he's done, and he has no reluctance in destroying anyone who gets in his way. His only tether to the side of light is his soul-link to Lucien and his fascination with Yoko.

So if you're looking for a cheap laugh and an imaginative series that isn't as silly as Slayers, but has the same colourful magic animation and an unbelievable amount of gore and sexual undertone, then Bastard might be for you. The art isn't really amazing. Neither is the music. But it's a good buy since you can buy the whole series on one DVD.

7/10

-- Jonathan Chapman 17th Jun 04

Bastard Images