In a world populated only by men, Terra II, the surviving men have fashioned curvaceous androids in the female form. They are called Marionettes, and are built for one purpose--to obey man's every whim...except one.
While these beautiful mechanical beings are modeled after women in every way, to fall in love with them is taboo. So what is the poor boy Otaru Mamiya to do when he develops a massive crush on a Marionette named Lime, a unique Saber model with a special circuit that gives her emotions? When Otaru awakens two more mysterious Saber Marionettes, his life as an average man quickly becomes as extraordinary as the circuitry under the flesh of his busty new friends.
Credit: sarisasenshi
Story & Playability
This is a review of the six OAV episode series of Saber Marionette J, called Saber Marionette J Again. It is the sequel
to the TV series so be warned that the story synopsis will contain spoilers to the TV show and possibly to the OAV as
well, and I will also jump directly into the story. For a review of the first TV series, have a look at the only review of Saber Marionette J so far in
Minitokyo, written by sarisasenshi.
Like mentioned, the OAV series takes place where the TV show left us. The only human female, Lorelei, has been rescued
and the three marionettes, Lime, Cherry and Bloodberry have returned to Otaru and so their lives continue like it has
always been, minus the battle with Faust, leader of Gartland. What they didn't expect was that Faust would send his
three saber dolls, Tiger, Luchs and Panther to him for an etiquette training and so he would have six marionettes under
his roof, all with maiden circuits. If you've seen the TV show, you're bound to sense that there will be some
trouble, although not serious. As if that wasn't enough, they meet a mysterious marionette, whom they later name
Marine, who also has a maiden circuit. Who is Marine, why is she here, for what purpose was she created? Not even she
knows the answer to those questions.
For six episodes, you can't expect the story to have a lot of depth, nor much character development but since this
is a sequel, this isn't needed. All of that has been taken care of in the TV show. Instead, the OAV focuses more on
the mysterious marionette, Marine, who is a lot more different from the other marionettes with maiden circuits than
usual. Like the TV show, the OAV show speaks of friendship, loyalty, love and that you should always try your best and
never give up, even when it seems hopeless.
Rating: 7
Graphics
I find the art in the OAV just a little better than the TV show. It's a bit cleaner and the colours are more
vibrant.
In spite of that the OAV is about 9 years old (came out 1997), the art is still good enough to compete with many anime
series made today. The characters flow naturally, from movements when fighting to the hair fluttering in the wind. In
the TV show I could sometimes notice that certain scenes didn't have the same quality as it usually had. In the
OAV, however, I noticed nothing of this, which, of course, is a good thing.
Character design has been changed slightly, almost unnoticeable. Most of the changes are done to the clothing; most
noticeable on the saber dolls, as their battle clothes from their time working in Gartland aren't needed
anymore.
Like the TV series, you can easily tell the difference between the marionettes and humans (if you don't count the
fact that every female except for Lorelei is a marionette). Every marionette without a Maiden Circuit are portrayed
stiff, and their eyes are drawn soulless. As for our heroines, their bodies have "edges" from where you can
open and repair them if needed. In that sense, the style used in Saber Marionette J matches the concept perfectly.
Rating: 8
Sound
The voice actors from the TV show have been kept for the OAV. Stars like Megumi Hayashibara (Lime) and Hikaru Midorikawa
(Faust) do a fantastic job portraying their characters personalities, although I have to admit that it felt a bit
awkward hearing Faust speak so much in the OAV when he hardly had any lines in the TV show. I also want to take the
opportunity to say that Takehito Koyasu does a wonderful job voicing the crazy Hanagata. It really can't be easy,
especially when he seems to often get very calm and serious roles such as Hotohori from Fushigi Yuugi and Sir Isaac from
Meine Liebe.
Comparing the voice acting between Japanese and English, the Japanese voice acting is far superior. Not only do they
successfully portray the characters, but in doing so, they add personality to the characters. In the English version,
the voice actors sound monotone, everyone sounding almost like the other, and that in turn makes the characters dull and
uninteresting.
There are many songs found in OAV, most often as opening or ending theme. Often they're matched with how the
episode has been; funky, happy or sad, and so they enhance the mood of the episode.
Rating: 8
Fun
Throughout the 6 episodes, Saber Marionette J Again tries to keep up the humour in various ways, like raising the level
of fan-service (the ecchiness, that is) and taking advantage of the fact that Otaru, being quite a shy guy, is living
with seven girls, after all.
If you loved the first series you will most likely like this one as well, but if you thought the first series was
mediocre then there's a slight chance that you will think this one is dull. The OAV is supposed to be like a bridge
between the first series and J to X, but in spite of that, it can be skipped. It doesn't add to anything particular
so you won't miss much, except for some minor character development of the old characters, mostly Lime.
Saber Marionette J Again is a nice addition to the series, although no necessary. It has some very great moments, and if
you have seen the first series, I would warmly recommend this OAV.
Rating: 7
Final Verdict
7.3333 (above average)
Reviewed by Kori, Jun 24, 2006
