Robonimal Panda-Z The Robonimation

Publisher
Bandai
Director
Mamoru Kanbe
Production
Mega House, Kids Station, Bandai
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
5 mins, 30 episodes
Year
2004

Panda Z - Volume 2

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
4th Jan 07

The evil Warunimal are still trying to invade the otherwise peaceful world of Robonimal, in the second and final volume of Panda Z. Pan-Taron, a red scarf wearing panda, takes up the fight in his giant, panda shaped mecha Panda Z for some more madcap adventures.

Fifteen more five minute episodes are presented on this second volume. The first volume of Panda Z offered a rather mixed bag of episodes ranging from the truly laugh out loud funny to extremely, embarrassingly, silly and pointless. The second volume, certainly suffers from the same problem, although its better episodes are without a doubt some of the best in the series so far, whereas the poorer episodes are some of the worst. The better episodes include the following; “Rescue Mission: No Postponement for Rain – Final Chapter”, where Panda Z is given a new weapon to combat the rain, “Apocalyptic Battle” and “The Getaway”, which these two have some of the most action packed and visually impressive sequences in the whole of Panda Z (which of course isn’t saying much when you consider the animation in Panda Z). On the other hand episodes such as “The Fabulous Rubyraby” and “Facing Tomorrow” are slow, unfunny, and just really poorly made.

Something that may shock viewers though id the presence of continuity amongst some of the later episodes. Some of the episodes relate back to previous ones (although not in a massive way), but episodes like the “Quiet Duel” series does have some aspect on the ending of the series. The series’ conclusion may not be a massive visual treat or be heavy on plot revelations, that’s not what Panda Z is about, the ending though does pretty much sum up the style and sensibility of the series and if you’ve enjoyed most of Panda Z for what it is, then the ending is unlikely to disappoint.

Still like the first volume of Panda Z the second volumes running time is still just under fifty minutes, when you remove the running time for all the opening and ending credits of each episode (this isn’t including the extras though). Paying nearly forty pounds for a two volume series with about an hour and a half combined running time is bound to make many think twice (although admittedly it is better than the six volumes of the American release), especially when it is something like Panda Z which isn’t going to appeal to everyone.

Panda Z is ideal for younger viewers, as they are bound to like its simplistic style. Older viewers may just not have the time or patience for the series, even fans of the works which Panda Z parodies might not find enough there to warrant a purchase.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English/French/German/Itallian subtitles, Director's Interview (Part 2), Cinematics, Beez Trailers, Clean opening and ending animation, Hidden features

Release information: Publisher: Beez Entertainment Running Time - 75 min Classification - U Release Date - November 13th 2006

Notes: Again like the first volume the director's interview is probably best left unwatched. Their are some more CGI cinematics, and also the hidden features...if you can find them...are live-action Panda-Z episodes using Panda-Z toys.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 4th Jan 07

Robonimal Panda-Z The Robonimation Images