Customer Rating: 
Summary: Starts Out Cute...
Comment: I initially rented this OVA series because it was directed by Hideaki Anno of "Evangelion" and "Nadia" fame. And believe me, even though "Gunbuster" was early in Anno's career, his work shines through! While not as mind-blowing as "Eva", 1989's "Gunbuster" was still more than a typical giant robot anime.The first episode was cute, and a nice setup for things to come, but nothing all that fantastic on its own. We meet the main characters and a few supporting ones who will prove important later on. The heroine, Nariko, is not at all unlike "Eva"'s Shinji. For that matter, her mentor Amano bears some small similarity to Misato. The setting is part girl's high school and part mecha training facility. The funniest thing about this episode is the sight of all those giant robots doing pushups, jumping rope, and jogging (this is how the girls develop their piloting skills).
Episode two takes Noriko and Amano into space to join the war against the aliens. There they meet Russian pilot Jung-Freud and her mecha the Soviet (painted a lot like the Rocket Red character from the Justice League). Jung-Freud is the original Asuka, sporting red hair, an ego, and a competetive spirit. This episode also introduces the director's fascination with the "science" aspect of science fiction. There are some interesting and original concepts that have to do with space, warp drives, and even time travel (sorta).
All in all, the first volume of "Gunbuster" is enjoyable and prompts enough interest to see what happens next. And having seen them all, I'll tell you right now it's worth it.
