RideBack

Really cool anime that may have slipped under the radar of some. Basically it's about a prima ballerina who has to stop doing ballet because of an injury. But while in college she stumbles upon this college club of people who ride this motorcycle-mechs called RideBacks. She finds that her ballet skills make her a natural rider, and falls in love with the sport. However things quickly deteriorate because the political situation in country is ruled by a global military regime which begins to implement martial law. And she finds herself unwittingly falling in with some terrorists who oppose the regime, and finds herself reluctantly ... forced into making tough decisions about who she wants to be and what kind of life she wants to live, and how dance for her, is integrated in all of that.

It's a great anime with really good character development, action, and is shorter at only 12 episodes. And has a really nice story. Go check it out. 😉

I am astonished at how commonly this series is skimmed over! Typically, sci-fi series with political intrigue seem to be voraciously consumed by fans in the West and so, why wasn't "RideBack" given more recognition? With the heated political climate and a dissatisfied populace at the hands of our current world crisis, now seems the best time, if ever, to discuss this series that is both tantalizing (with its action-packed, stimulation of mecha scenes) and a thought-provoking gander towards the world's societal structure!

⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️

—Story/Characters

Even before the GGF (the "Global Government Force") became the pivotal antithesis to the free-spirited group of ... robotics-loving rebels, this series caught me. I have always been fascinated with the limber performance art of ballet, ever since I was a little girl — heck, Swan (created by "Kyōko Ariyoshi") is one of my favorite shōjo manga series of all time! So, to see something as restrained, feminine, and graceful get unleashed with a transforming, robot motorcycle... the concept was just too cool. The blend of some innately masculine, imbued with a feminine charm, and the fluency of an orchestral dance gave a fresh breath of air to what would have normally been a manly show! It reminded me of how I was captivated with Belldandy (from "Aa! Megami-sama) becoming a motorbike goddess, and practicing with the club, alongside the impassioned Kei'ichi.

Though the visuals were stunning in the accelerating climax of Episode 4: "Shōko, In the Nick of Time" — the logic that got Rin Ogata, the protagonist, caught in the fray between the rebels and the GGF seemed somewhat forced. ⚠️ Light spoilers here, please skip to the next paragraph if you don't want to know what happens in this episode! ⚠️ So, Rin hurries into a hostage situation and saves her friend, Shōko... that part was well and good, it made Rin a more captivating protagonist and displayed her grit against the terrorist faction, albeit still reckless, but when the government commands her to stay put, she crashes through the window of the high-rise, the government agency shoots missiles at her "RideBack" (named the "Fuego"), and then (after being saved by the leader of the terrorist group) she is deemed a radical revolutionary, and the GGF is out for her blood. My question is this: she had already saved her friend at that point and had escaped Shōko's captors, why couldn't she have stayed put for a few more minutes? Was it pure adrenaline? Or did she have some kind of "Newtype"-like intuition that the terror organization wasn't completely in the wrong, in that situation? This is left vague in the anime version, perhaps because of the single-cour time slot.

I won't give away anything, but there's a really great episode where Rin's younger brother ("Kenji") is, shall we say, a little bit "misguided" and Rin epically kicks butt, and manages to save him from himself. I thought the little side plot was very touching! If I talk about how deep the GGF trench deepens, there will be massive spoilers, so I'll just leave the sentiment off with — the story feels a little bit rushed towards the end of the series, stitches are left bleeding in the plot, but it's still a show that is exemplary in its subject matter and a worth-while viewing experience!

—Technical

Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅

Atsushi Takahashi (director), notable works:
* Ao no Exorcist: Movie
* Doraemon Movie 37: Nobita no Nankyoku Kachikochi Daibōken
* Kemonozume — Assistant Director ✅
※Mr. Takahashi is going to direct the upcoming "Godzilla" anime, airing Spring 2021 — "Godzilla: Singular Point"! Both Studios Orange and Bones will be working on this project: https://myanimelist.net/anime/43229/Godzilla__SP

Commentary: Mr. Takahashi is an excellent director. I really enjoyed his directing in "RideBack" — as well as the panache and skill that he brought to Yuasa Masaaki's "Kemonozume"! The CG is integrated very well with the digital animation, and the action sequences feel very dynamic! Wonderful job!

Good Seiyū Work = ✅

Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅

One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅

Nana Mizuki as Rin Ogata, notable roles:
* Nanase Kotobuki, "Bungaku Shōjo"
* Allison Whittington and Lillianne Aicasia Corazón Whittington-Schultz, Allison to Lillia
* Akiko, Aoi Bungaku Series
* Oboro Iga, Basilisk
* Kururu, Binzume Yōsei
* Saya Kisaragi, Blood-C
* Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi, Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryū no Rondo
* Misaki Kirihara, Darker Than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
* Nanami Takatsuki and Ricotta Elmar, Dog Days
* Hannah, Dragon's Dogma
* Sieglinde Baumgarde, Dragonaut: The Resonance
* Cisqua, Erementar Gerad
* Wrath, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ ✅
* Bi Fei, Gin no Guardian
* Lydia Carlton, Hakushaku to Yōsei
* Tsubomi Hanasaki, HeartCatch! PreCure! ✅ ✅ ✅
* Yu Minamoto, Ichigo 100%
* Kotoko Aihara, Itazura na Kiss
* Tsugumi Shibata, Jigoku Shōjo ("Hell Girl") ✅ ✅
* Sora Yamato, Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun
* Tiz, Jū Ō Sei
* Yin Fu, Ken En Ken: Aoki Kagayaki
* Roya, Kiba
* Yuno Rukina, Kiss Dum: Engage Planet
* Alois Trancy, Kuroshitsuji II ✅ ✅
* Janice Quatlane, Layton Kyōju to Eien no Utahime ("Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva")
* Nyamo Naamo, Love Hina
* Sayaka Mizushiro, Magical Canan ("Magical Kanan")
* Fate and Alicia Testarossa, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅ ✅ ✅
* Hotaru Shirakawa, Memories Off
* Mizuki Hibara, Mokke
* Magaret Liones, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Hinata Hyūga, Naruto ✅ ✅
* Kaho Serizawa, Natsu-iro no Sunadokei ("Hourglass of Summer") ✅ ✅
* Shinobu, Ninin ga Shinobuden ✅ ✅
* Ann Takamaki, Persona 5 ✅ ✅
* Rue Kuroha, Princess Tutu ✅ ✅
* Yufa, Ragnarök the Animation
* Rin Ogata, RideBack ✅ ✅
* Moka Akashiya, Rosario to Vampire
* Pandora, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tsubasa Kazanari, Senki Zesshō Symphogear
* Mave, Sentō Yōsei Shōjo Tasukete! Mave-chan
* Nana Suzuki, Shichinin no Nana
* Kanon Seena, Shining Tears X Wind
* Utau Hoshina, Shugo Chara!
* Morinas, Simōn
* Aria, Sister Princess
* Suzu Edogawa, Tactics
* Colette Brunel, Tales of Symphonia the Animation ✅ ✅ ✅
* Sylvette Suede, Tegamibachi ✅ ✅
* Neju Na Melmas, Tenchi Muyō! GXP
* Chizuru, Tokyo Marble Chocolate
* Sunao Konoe, Tsuyokiss
* Matsuki Akino, Wakaokami wa Shougakusei! ✅ ✅
* Maria, Witchblade
* Rina Ogata, White Album ✅ ✅ ✅

Commentary: Ms. Mizuki is one of my all-time favorite seiyū talents, her portrayal of the enigmatic and prodigal Rin Ogata was really captivating in this series and even out-shined other seasoned veterans, such as Romi Park (voice of Edward Elric "Fullmetal Alchemist" and Tōshirō Hitsugaya "Bleach") and Rikiya Koyama (voice of Kogorō Mōri "Detective Conan" and Hakuoro "Utawarerumono")! But, her character is supposed to a majestic figure, she did accidentally become the figurehead of a rebellion after all! I would compare her role as Rin Ogata to her roles as Colette Brunel ("Tales of Symphonia") and Hinata Hyūga ("Naruto") — both of these characters come off as demure, blank slates in the beginning, but then, the story reveals how powerful they can really be: whether it be through prowess or through mental fortitude Amazing performance!

Romi Park as Tamayo Kataoka, notable roles:
* Maki Aikawa, Air Master ✅ ✅
* Kuchiha, Amatsuki
* Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Bleach ✅ ✅
* Zola, Blue Dragon
* Teresa, Claymore ✅ ✅
* Akane Owari, Danganronpa 3 ✅ ✅
* Ganta Igarashi, Deadman Wonderland ✅
* Ken'ichi Harakawa, Dennō Coil ✅
* Ken Ichijōji, Digimon ✅ ✅
* Reiji Ōzora, Dragon Drive
* Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ ✅
* Natsume Hyūga, Gakuen Alice
* Nayuta Moriyama, Gakuen Senki Muryō
* Emma Guzman, Garo
* Seimei, Garo: Guren no Tsuki
* Alex McKenzie, GR: Giant Robo
* Switzerland, Hetalia Axis Powers
* Higepiyo, Higepiyo
* Dahlia, Highlander: The Search for Vengeance
* Padparadscha, Hōseki no Kuni ✅ ✅ ✅
* Pakunoda, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅ ✅
* Popo, Kaiba ✅ ✅ ✅
* Rei Batsubami, Kakegurui××
* Ragyō Kiryūin, Kill la Kill ✅ ✅
* Gyubid, Kuromajo-san ga Tōru!!
* Angelina Durless, Kuroshitsuji ✅ ✅
* Kuromitsu, Kurozuka
* Ichirō Irabu, Kūchū Buranko ✅ ✅ ✅
* Taiga Shimizu, Major S3
* Heimdall, Matantei Loki Ragnarok
* Myōri Unzen, Medaka Box ✅
* Regene Regetta, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00
* Falis, Murder Princess
* Nana Osaki, Nana ✅ ✅ ✅
* Temari, Naruto
* Adam Blade, Needless
* Tora, Nyanbo!
* Omasa, Onihei
* Naoto Shiragane, Persona 4 the Animation
* Jiro ("Brock"), Pokémon ✅ ✅
* Yūjirō Shihōdani, Princess Princess ✅
* Alma, Radiant
* Noboru Maeda, Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin ✅
* Katsushiro Okamoto, Samurai 7
* Shute, SD Gundam Force
* Karasuba, Sekirei
* Kenshin Uesugi, Sengoku Basara
* Ren Tao, Shaman King ✅ ✅
* Hange Zoë, Shingeki no Kyojin ✅
* Ayumi Saitō, Shion no Ō
* Chloe and Kurt Klick, Sōsei no Aquarion
* Maguro, Sushi Ninja
* Kōta Koga, Suteki Tentei Labyrinth
* Hamyuts Meseta, Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra
* Maria, TO
* Sana Maniwa, Toji no Miko ✅ ✅
* Komatsu, Toriko ✅
* Loran Cehack, ∀ Gundam ✅ ✅
* Kōsuke Ueki, Ueki no Hōsoku
* 044, Ultraviolet: Code 044
* Yayoi Shinozuka, White Album ✅ ✅
* Syrup, Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo!
* Lù Shêng Máo, Zegapain

Commentary: Ms. Park's role as Tamayo Kataoka is a very competitive and strong-spirited young woman. As the series goes on, she becomes less of a rival and more of a sensible confidante. I would compare her role in "RideBack" to her voices as Ken'ichi Harakawa ("Dennō Coil") and Ren Tao ("Shaman King") — both characters are full of fiery passion, though it often comes off as pure arrogance, but are both skilled and dedicated in their respective fields. Incredible work, as always!

Rikiya Koyama as Tenshirō Okakura, notable roles:
* Sam, 009-1: R&B
* Eutus, Abenobashi Mahō☆Shōtengai ("Magical☆Shopping Arcade Abenobashi")
* K, Aoi Bungaku Series
* Retsu Kaiō, Baki
* Jubee Sanada, Bakukyū Hit! Crash B-Daman
* Mozgus, Berserk (2016) ✅ ✅
* Julius and Conrad, Berserk: Ōgon Jidai-hen ✅ ✅
* Curtis Miller, Biohazard: Degeneration
* Yukichi Fukuzawa, Bungō Stray Dogs ✅ ✅ ✅
* Victor, Busō Renkin
* Jin Kirigiri, Danganronpa ✅ ✅
* Kogorō Mōri, Detective Conan ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kaim, Devilman: Crybaby ✅ ✅ ✅
* Shūji Niekawa, Durarara!! ✅
* Kiritsugu Emiya, Fate (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Daisuke Domoto, Figure 17: Tsubasa & Hikaru
* Gray Edwards, Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within
* Belfangan Clouseau, Full Metal Panic! (series) ✅
* Masaru Hanashima, Ginga e Kickoff!
* Neptune Shoukaku, Gintama (series)
* Mamoru Takamura, Hajime no Ippo
* Azazel, High School DxD (series) ✅ ✅
* Ging Freecs, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅ ✅
* Oda Nobunaga, Hyōge Mono
* Will A. Zeppeli, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Phantom Blood (2007) ✅ ✅
* Jubei Kibagami, Jūbee Ninpūchō: Ryūhōgyoku-hen ("Ninja Scroll: The Series")
* Koyo Mōgai, Jūshin Enbu: Hero Tales
* Kogarashi, Kamen no Maid Guy
* Narumi Katō, Karakuri Circus (TV)
* Klaus von Reinherz, Kekkai Sensen
* Qí Wáng, Kingdom
* Jack Rakan, Mahō Sensei Negima!
* Zaratras, Nanatsu no Taizai
* Yamato, Naruto: Shippūden ✅
* Sensei, Planet With ✅ ✅
* Sakaki ("Giovanni"), Pokémon: The Origin ✅
* Rokurōta Sakuragi, Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichi'nin ✅ ✅
* Kanbei Kuroda, Sengoku Basara
* Kirameki Mikawa, Shigofumi ✅ ✅ ✅
* Minami Kaze Owner, Shinryaku! Ika Musume
* Jōichirō Yukihira, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅ ✅ ✅
* Shingami, Soul Eater ✅ ✅ ✅
* Himuka, Sōten no Ken
* Johnny Rico, Starship Troopers: Red Planet
* Donatello K. Davis, Terra Formars
* Rudolf Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅
* Tora, Ushio to Tora (TV) ✅ ✅
* Hakuoro, Utawarerumono ✅ ✅ ✅
* James Howlett ("Wolverine"), Wolverine and X-Men

Commentary: I can't hear Mr. Koyama's voice without hearing Kogorō Mōri ("Detective Conan") or Kirameki Mikawa ("Shigofumi")... or as I like to call him, Kira☆Papa... you'll get the reference if/when you watch the show. Ahem, so anyway, Mr. Koyama mostly plays Dads or fatherly characters, and Tenshirō Okakura isn't much different. He guides Rin through her tumultuous journey and is a seasoned veteran in the ways of battle, especially when the rebellion comes into play! I would compare Mr. Koyama's performance in "RideBack" to his roles as Jōichirō Yukihira ("Shokugeki no Sōma") and Kiritsugu Emiya ("Fate/Zero") — both are stoic, paternal figures that are competitive, and can be ruthless against their adversaries. Not like the jovial, drunk Kogorō Mōri — who only gets real when his daughter is in danger or when his drunken fists are activated! Brilliant seiyū!

Conclusively, as I said from the start, this series is grossly underrated. I can't see why it isn't more popular in the United States; we love action, robotics, and divisive political dramas over here! If you haven't seen "RideBack" already, I would suggest watching it during these trying times: the "pre-" and post-2020 political climate is strangely similar to the corrupt government in this narrative (strange, since "RideBack" takes place in 2025) — causing the people to rise up, albeit with mechanized motorcycles! The plot could have been more complete towards the end, but hey, that's what the manga's for, right? I give "RideBack" a 6/10 and a recommendation to anyone who is curious!

Rating: ★★★☆☆

SPOILERS BELOW

Rideback is one of those shows that evokes an odd sense of nostalgia, but perhaps for the wrong reasons. As I write this review I think back to what about this show causes this sensation – is it the animation? No – as a kid I saw perhaps part of one episode. Is it the plot? Couldn’t be, as it wasn’t until last year that even realized this show wasn’t a typical sports flick. My best explanation is that this show is nostalgic for me due to its music, with a good OP and excellent ED that has a plethora of plays on my ... old iPod. However, looking back now after seeing the entire show over the course of several months as part of my college anime club, I’m disappointed that it fails to live up to my admittedly unrealistic nostalgic expectations. Rideback is a show of lackluster plot, poor pacing and frustrating characterization that fails to standout in any particular facet and fails to deliver in most other aspects.

As usual, I’ll turn to the categories. This show follows a typical sports-esque plot line that soon branches into a pseudo military-mecha. Protagonist Ogata Rin, with her ballet career permanently suspended due to an injury, finds solace in learning to ride and operate “Ridebacks,” bizarre motorcycle-mecha hybrids that remind her of dance. These machines become an integral part of the military plot, which involve typical themes such as powerful governments and terrorist movements. My problem with the show’s plot not comes in the fusion of these two lines, but in that neither of the two are developed meaningfully. Indeed, the show’s major theme revolves around Rin coming to terms with the loss of her mother and passion, but is constantly interrupted and overshadowed by devious government leaders and their dubious desires to turn the nation into a police state. There were several times throughout the show where the plot seemed almost political in nature, detracting from the characterization and storytelling. The plot-fusion, in my opinion, is also frustrating just because it’s very hard to tell sometimes exactly what is going on – Rin’s involvement in the military intrigue seem connected only tangentially at her incredible ability to ride the same mechanisms that threaten the wellbeing of the public. I found the plot generally contrived and unbelievable (as believable as an anime can be, at least).

What, then, of the characters? Here is where the show is at its most polarizing. Ogata, the MC, is extremely well developed, and grows and changes in a myriad of ways throughout the course of the show. Perhaps my favorite example of this is how she slowly comes to understand how ballet provided meaning to her not due to her skill but because of how it represented her late mother, and how working past inadequacy does not require perfection. It’s a powerful message, and developed progressively throughout the entire course of the show. However, the rest of the characters truly fall flat in terms of meaningful characterization. Rin’s best friend Shouko, along with the rest of the Rideback club, are almost entirely flat characters, with very little defining personality. They seem to exist almost entirely to admire and support Rin as she progresses from rider prodigy to wanted criminal #1, and constantly show up at opportune times to drive her own characterization forward, just to disappear as soon as they aren’t needed anymore. My favorite example of this is Suzuri, who basically exists just to die for Rin’s benefit in episode 10. It’s almost as if the writers spent all their characterization efforts on Rin through sucking them away from all of her friends.

The rest of the characters aren’t much better. Tenshirou “Goblin” is supposed to be a dark, secretive rogue who betrays choice bits of wisdom when the protagonists are at their lowest, but himself lacks any meaningful characterization that would cause me to be interested in him. He doesn’t change or grow besides grudgingly providing Rin with the tools she needs escape the bad guys. His relationship with Romanof, himself a generic and two-dimensional villain, somehow manages to remain ill-explained even after several episodes diving into it. Even Kiefer, mysterious figurehead of the resistance, seems to show up only to make mysterious comments and then disappear until he’s needed again for more of the same. Essentially, I found any character who wasn’t Rin to be poorly and insufficiently characterized, which damaged my interest in the show and plot as a whole.

Let’s turn next to a quick look at the art and music. I’m not connoisseur but I found the art fine, even good at some parts, and the animation generally consistent. I did think some of the opening ballet scenes, along with the ending dance, to be the best showing of the studio’s creative muscles, but the rest of the show did a decent job as well. The OP and ED, as noted, have really stood the test of time for me, particularly with the latter fitting well into the mood of Rin’s characterization. The rest of the BGM was neither fantastic nor noticeably distracting, so it’s hard for me to make any further comments.

In summary, Rideback is a show that succeeds greatly in the characterization of its main protagonist but fails in doing the same to its other players. The fused-genre plots, while not a bad idea in theory, are somewhat poorly implemented and lack the engagement that comes with other shows. Ultimately, I think the unbalanced characterization really feeds into my frustration with the plot, as having little interest in the characters causes me to lose focus on the story being told. I can see that evidenced even in this review, as I struggle to find anything else notable to say about the show. In terms of recommendation, I’d honestly look elsewhere if you’re looking for either an excellent sports anime or an engaging military intrigue story, or meaningful character development for anyone besides one character.