Read or Die

Publisher
Manga Entertainment
Director
Kouji Masunari
Production
Sony, Studio Deen, Studio Orfe
Country of origin
Japan
Format
OVA
Running time
90 mins
Year
2001

Read or Die

By Lyndonimus
21st May 04

Read or Die is a typical run of the mill save the world action anime, what's not so typical is the way our heroine sets about to save it.

Some devious evil people have, through stolen DNA, revived some of the worlds greatest personalities to rid the world of everyone. To do this they need several rare Beethoven manuscripts. Strange? Indeed. What's more only one group of people stand a hope of stopping this evil, the Library of Congress enlist the aid of substitute teacher Yomiko Readman a.k.a 'The Paper'.

The plot is bizarre but highly enjoyable as we follow Readman through her world. Readman is an avid book fanatic, this is a key point to the whole world that RoD resides. She is called 'The Paper' as she can manipulate it to her will, she can wield a sheet of paper like a hammer or make it cut as if it were steel.

The one problem with RoD is that it thrusts you into this world with no warning or explanation for these powers, you must simply accept that these people can do these extraordinary things like when Nancy a.k.a 'Miss Deep' alters her density to slip through walls and bodies alike.

Once you accept this fact the rest falls into place nicely, it's fast paced with some marvellous set pieces, my personal favourite being the battle against the monk Ikku Sojun, the model for monkey (as in THE monkey) complete with fire breath, cloud and extendible staff.

The cast of villains is also worth note as all the bad guys are real people such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Gennai Hiraga (a Tokugawa era scientist!) . This is such a clever idea and they are well thought out. e.g. the Samurai who can control electricity is remarkably fascinating.

The animation in RoD is excellent from start to end, the backdrops are beautifully formed and characters are well styled, coloured and have their own personality traits. An above par effort indeed, worth a watch by anyone's standards.

The addition of Japanese 5.1 Dolby digital is welcomed with open arms, it's not usual to get the Japanese audio in 5.1 and it makes all for a better viewing experience.

8/10

R2 DVD Notes

Features: 5.1 Dolby Digital English and Japanese Audio, 2.0 Dolby Digital English and Japanese Audio, English subtitles, Trailer, Original trailer, Historical biographies, Photo gallery, Directer & Crew interviews, Manga preview, Weblinks

Release information: UK release date: 18th August 2003, Manga

Notes: The DVD extras are pitiful, a meagre interview with the cast and crew make for some insight to the production of this feature but there is little else included. The historical backgrounds of all the characters resurrected in the film make for an interesting read on who they were in real life. A nice addition to round off a nice series with some interesting ideas.

-- Lyndonimus 21st May 04

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