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Project A-Ko (プロジェクトA子) A.P.P.P./Soeishinsha/Pony Canyon/Media Factory, 1986, 2003 U.S. Manga Corps, 1991, 2002; Discotek Media, 2011 Directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima (Aika, Najica Blitz Tactics)Running Time: 80 minutes Rated TV-14 for violence, nudity, mature situations and strong language. Cast (Japanese) Miki Ito (Battle Angel, Android No. 18 in Dragon Ball Z/GT) as A-Ko Magami Emi Shinohara (Makoto/Sailor Jupiter in Sailor Moon, Angel in The Big O) as B-Ko Daitokuji Michie Tomizawa (Rei/Sailor Mars in Sailor Moon, Jeanne in Southern Cross) as C-Ko Kotobuki Shuichi Ikeda (Char in Mobile Suit Gundam, Mason in Bubblegum Crisis) as Captain Napolipolita Tessho Genda (Sanders in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Convoy/Optimus Prime in Transformers) as D Asami Mukaidono as Miss Ayumi Sayuri Ikemoto as Mari (female voice) Daisuke Gouri (Dozle Zabi in Mobile Suit Gundam, Edmond Honda in Street Fighter II: The Movie) as Mari (angry voice) Yoko Ogai (Captain Tsubasa) as Asa Yoshino Takamori (Nadia of the Mysterious Seas, Sayaka in Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl) as Ine Megumi Hayashibara (Come on! Don't tell me you don't know her voice.) as Ume Synopsis Sixteen years have passed since a mysterious alien ship crashed on Earth. On Graviton City, superhuman high school student A-Ko Magami dukes it out with the diabolical genius B-Ko Daitokuji, who will stop at nothing to win the friendship of A-Ko's buddy C-Ko Kotobuki. Meanwhile, in outer space, another alien ship is on course towrds Earth to find its planet's lost princess. Story: A- Many anime parodies have come and gone, but few can compare to Project A-Ko with its non-stop humor and wonderful set of characters. Whether it's the excessively energetic A-Ko, the ever-annoying C-Ko or the muscular freak Mari (a parody of Fist of the North Star's Kenshiro), you can't help but laugh at every minute of gags that poke fun at nearly every major anime title conceived during its time. Animation: A+ Next to Macross: Do You Remember Love?, Project A-Ko was the major highlight of Japanese animation in the mid-'80s. The film features some of Yuji Moriyama's (Maison Ikkoku, 801 T.T.S. Airbats) best character designs and a handful of groundbreaking mecha action by Shoichi Masuo (Vandread, Dirty Pair). B-Ko's Akagiyama-23 bio-suit paved the way for other sexy female gear like the Hard Suits of Bubblegum Crisis. Soundtrack: B+ Even though it's aged considerably, Richie Zito and Joey Carbone's musical score is pretty decent. The theme songs "Dance Away (A-Ko's Theme)," "In Your Eyes (B-Ko's Theme)" and "Follow Your Dream (C-Ko's Theme)" are typical '80s bubblegum pop, but still catchy. Sub vs. Dub The English dub by Manga Video is typical of the company: utter crap. DVD Extras I don't have the DVD yet, but from the information on the cover, Central Park Media's new Collector's Series edition has the film digitally remastered and in full-screen (revealing the fact that the original's letterbox format is merely black bars pasted on the film). Also included is the original soundtrack CD. The Bottom Line New anime fans who want more old-school should pick up Project A-Ko, whether it's for the laughs or the cool animation. A classic that should be part of your collection. Reference Anime News Network