Generator Gawl
Reviewer: Stormcloude [email]Overall Rating: A
Media Reviewed: DVD
Creator: Hidefumi Kimura, Fumihiko Shimo
U.S. Licensed: Yes
Released by: ADV
Run time: 12 episodes
BL Content: None (slashable)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Other media: None
First off, let me say that Generator Gawl is my absolute favorite anime -- it's got good animation, pretty boys, a great opening theme song, humor and heartbreak, and a wonderful, twisty sci-fi plot. There's no overt BL, but the boys all have very strong emotional ties to each other and are very protective of each other. A high bish factor, some great comic moments and strong, likeable female leads all combine to make it a fantastic show. It wasn't all that popular in Japan, however, all the American friends I've shown it to have loved it. Also it's the only anime I've ever recommended watching the dub over the sub, since ADV and the voice actors managed to do a great job of translating both the humor and the tragedy (I've heard that the translation is not that accurate, but I think they did a great job of translating the "feel" and science of the story).
Ryo and Koji are genetic engineers working for their government Kubere in the year 2175. After they accidentally discover how corrupt Kubere is and what their research has been used for, they (along with their friend, Gawl) travel back in time to 2007 in order to prevent Kubere from coming into power -- at the risk of destroying their future existence. They pose as orphaned high school students living in a local boarding house in order to infiltrate a highly competitive prep school and prevent a scientific discovery that will lead to a future nuclear war. If that isn't difficult enough, Kubere sends Cyber-warriors (generators) from the future to try and stop them.
There's actually some pretty huge plot twists throughout the series, so unless you like being spoiled, I would beware of doing too much research into this title before you watch it.
The DVD vol. 1 back cover blurb: "In October 2007, Professor Takuma Nekasa uncovers a gene code that will unlock our body's greatest mystery. Later, that discovery will lead to the birth (or manufacture?) of deceptively human-skinned generators... Generate your mind. Generate your soul."
Twelve episodes on four DVDs (also sold as a box set). Japanese and English language tracks, English subtitles.
