Burn Up Excess

Publisher
ADV
Director
Shinichiro Kimura
Production
AIC, Magic Bus
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
13 episodes
Year
1997

Burn Up Excess Volume 1: To Serve & Protect!

By John Huxley
27th Apr 04

Episode Summary

Episode 1: Team Warrior Goes Into Action

The Mega Tokyo Tower has been hijacked by terrorists...and on it's opening day, too! What to do in a situation like this? Call in Team Warrior, of course! A crack team of beautiful young ladies (and one pervy guy), Team Warrior take on the kind of job that the regular police just can't handle. And this job fits the bill nicely: exploding mechanical bugs, psycho terrorists, big-wig hostages and shadowy figures pulling the strings.

Episode 2: Undies, Go!

While investigating a nefarious panty thief Rio stumbles upon a clue to the whereabouts of a group of jewel robbers. After a little more investigative work (thanks to Yuji's extensive knowledge of women's legs) and spot of under-cover reconnaissance, Team Warrior discover that the jewel thieves are in fact pre-op transvestites raising funds for a sex change in Morocco! What, you thought they were doing it for the money alone?

Episode 3: From the Desert with Love!

Cash strapped Rio dreams of her night in shining amour that will whisk her away...and pay off all her debts! Lucky for her that a rich oil tycoon is just around the corner, and she's the one who's been assigned to protect him from would-be assassins. Maybe, just maybe he'll shower her with riches if she does a good job? Maybe?

Episode 4: Rogue Father

Trigger happy Maya receives news that her father is on his death bed. Rushing off to see him, she finds that the once proud land owner has been reduced to near poverty by ruthless entrepreneurs. Not one to give in without a fight, Maya and her 'family' plan revenge aboard a giant Russian airship. In her red bunny outfit, who would ever suspect her?

Volume Review

The first volume of Burn Up Excess, and not a stinker in sight. Each of the four episodes on this DVD represents the kind of quality that Tenchi just couldn't keep up.

First, we're introduced to Team Warrior. Rio, who eats her ramen noodles in a very sexually excited kind of way, jumps at the chance to earn an extra few bucks when the Mega Tokyo Tower (it's the same but much bigger) is hijacked by terrorists. The terrorists are using thousands of tiny mechanical bugs that explode on impact. Enter Nanvel, the top-heavy electronics genius with a penchant for all things pink and girly, and the computer expert Lilica, the youngest member of Warrior (who resembles Sasami from Tenchi). They handle the non-offensive side of things, inventing all the crazy machinery and operating the futuristc computers. You'll catch more of them later on.

But for now, it's back to Rio. As I've said before, Rio is the focus of the show. After the first episode which is really more of a primer, the next two turn their attention to the lovely blonde heroine. In 'Undies, Go!' she's charged with finding and arresting a devious panty thief. Cue plenty of unnecessary cleavage shots and the revelation that Rio likes to wear teddy bear underwear. How many other shows would divulge such information? Anyway, you'd better get used to it, because you're in for plenty more if you plan to stick around for the finale.

The panty thief soon gives way to one of the mainstays of the series - a group of transvestite criminals who want to raise funds for a sex change in Morocco. They may be far from original, but they are nonetheless amusing.

The next episode again follows Rio, this time as she acts as bodyguard to a millionaire oil baron. Her dreams of marrying rich are crushed when she discovers that he's just as perverted as Yuji, if not more so. When the shiek escapes his custodians he becomes the target for those who would rather have him dead, which makes life difficult for Rio and co. This episode doesn't do much to further the overarching plot (yes, believe it or not, there is one), but it does give a little more character to Rio.

The final episode was my favourite on the disc. This episode is dedicated to Maya, the green haired, gun loving psycho. She shows her more gentile side when she has to protect her 'family' (hint, hint...mafioso) from some evil land owners. That is to say gentile in the 'shoot everyone in sight' meaning of the word. Well, the bunny outfit made her appear slightly less intimidating, anyway.

This first volume doesn't introduce too much of the overarching plot, so it can be purchased as a stand-alone DVD quite happily. Then again, by the end of the four episodes you've probably made your mind up about the series and may want to get your hands on the remaining volumes as soon as possible. I certainly did!

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English, Japanese and Spanish audio, English subtitles, Scene selection, Clean open/close, Production sketches, Jiggle counter, ADV previews

Notes: A typical ADV DVD. Which is to say, a good DVD. Everything is accessible from clear, nicely presented menus that do well to mimic the style of the series. The features aren't exactly plentiful, but they are more than welcome additions. The 'Jiggle counter' is of particular interest, which keeps count of the number of times the character's breasts bounce during the episodes. Exploitative, yes, but also in keeping with the tone of the series. If you are offended by this, it's highly likely that you won't enjoy the rest of the series, anyway. The bright colour palette is well represented by a fine image quality and I really don't have any complaints about the audio. Not ADV's best DVD by a long shot, but that's nothing to be ashamed of.

-- John Huxley 27th Apr 04

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