Search - Android Kikaider - The Animation Perfect Collection on DVD

Android Kikaider, the Series

Katie J. Rollins | 11/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The genius robotics professor Dr. Komyoji has created Kikaider, a humanoid robot gifted with a 'conscience circuit' enabling Kikaider to simulate real emotions and distingusih between right and wrong.

"Jiro", as he is called by Dr. Komyoji's children Mitsuko and Masaru, finds himself struggling to protect Mitsuko and Masaru from the evil Dr. Gill and his androids, and also to understand his own conflicted emotions. Is the conscience circuit a blessing or a curse?

Kikaider, in my own view, is a must own to all anime lovers. It is indeed a depressing series, but it does have its moments where the scenes are thoughtful and heart-warming. Kikaider's basic storyline is that of Pinnochio, though it is based more off of the story than rather retold.

The series starts off with the beginning of Pinnochio, and then develops on its own from there, telling about a scientist who makes an android used to fight evil, while the android tries to figure out his emotions, and whether he is a 'good robot', a 'bad robot', or even just a 'mad machine'.

"Jiro", otherwise known as Kikaider to the evil forces, struggles to find his existance, and why he feels the way he does. Yet the more he finds out, the more he wants to become human - and find out why he feels differently than those that are human.

The DVD itself has very few features, but it does have a gallery where you can look at screen shots that are taken throughout the series, such as action shots, and poses that the characters are in. Also, the perfect box set also has four episodes after it - the series of Kikaider 01.

If you like robots and very good plots, then this is an EXCELLENT anime for you to own."

Good, yes. Perfect, no.

Elzarynn Feare | Manassas, VA United States | 10/11/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"For those people out there already familiar with Kikaider, I present you with an INFORMED review.
As far as my research goes, this is not the "Perfect" collection, in that it is missing the 2003 OAV special "Kikaider vs. Inazuman." I realize this is because that was never released in the U.S., but incomplete is still incomplete. So don't shell out the $125+ dollars thinking you're going to get that rare gem, because you're not.

That being said, Kikaider is an excellent show. If you don't believe me, Google it and educate yourself. The animation is older, yes, and the story is derived from a live-action "henshin" series from the 1970's (Kikaider to Power Rangers: "Who's your daddy?") but if you have a place in your heart for clashing robots and forbidden love (two great flavors that taste great together) than I urge you to give this show a try.

Now if I could just find that OAV special..."