Weekend Review – Project A-Ko: Versus/Uncivil Wars

This weekend we get to the final Project A-Ko OVA, something of an “Elsworlds” piece, which makes the tone a little more serious, while continuing with the action and comedy. Does it work?

Note: Versus is the Japanese title of the OVA, Uncivil Wars is the American title. I’ve got no idea why they changed the name.

Cast, Crew, and Other Info

Emi Shinohara as B-ko
Michie Tomizawa as C-Ko
Miki Itou as A-Ko
Masami Kikuchi as Maruten
Saeko Shimazu as Chichi Raiza
Hiroshi Takemura as Grash
Minami Takayama as C-ko’s servant, Gail (child)
Osamu Saka as C-ko’s father
Sho Hayami as Gail
Directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima
Animation by Studio Fantasia

Premise

In (presumably) the far future A-Ko and B-Ko are scavengers on an alien world trying to make ends meet. After space pirates kidnap rich heiress C-Ko and she literally falls into their laps, they try to take her to her father and claim the massive reward that must surely
be waiting.

High Point

The references to other anime here appear to have been replaced with semi-serious references to western science fiction, though some
seeming more intentional than others with nods to “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and the ultimate conclusion of the Elric saga (as well as, possibly, a reference to Crisis on Infinite Earths).

In fact, I’d say the best part of the film is where we go through the various alternate versions of A-Ko and B-Ko fighting on alternate universes, with C-Ko pleading with them (in each universe) to stop.It made for a spectacular moment and, for that matter, does leave an opening for multiple sequels in different genres.

Low Point

A lot of the somewhat unique humor that the setting of the previous films had is gone. Really, A-Ko, B-Ko, and C-Ko are the only
characters being carried over from the last 4 installments of the series.

Nudity and Violence

Again, no graphic violence, but we do have brief nudity, as well as some Gainax bounce, and A-Ko spending a good 5 minutes in nothing
but her underwear.

The Scores

Originality: It’s a semi-original spinoff of the original series. 4 out of 6

Animation: The animation quality is pretty good, but not quite as good as the first film or FINAL. 3 out of 6

Story: The story is much deeper than any of the other A-Ko movies. 4 out of 6

Voice Acting: The voice acting is, pretty much, up to par with previous works in the series. 3 out of 6

Emotional Response: Unlike the last parts of the series, this installment got an actual emotional response out of me. This really was, by far, one of the best installments of the series for straight story. 4 out of 6

Production: The production value is, again, about as good as the previous stuff in the series, but nothing incredibly fancy. 3 out of 6

Overall: This is, really, the second strongest installment of the series, behind the first movie. You could actually, probably, watch first movie and this movie and not miss anything (except for a brief cameo appearance by Kei in the recap segment for part 2, which you’d need to see “Love and Robots” to get). 4 out of 6

In total, Project A-Ko: Uncivil Wars receives a 25 out of 42.