Cobra The Animation: Time Drive

Cobra The Animation: Time Drive is the 2009 installment to the Cobra series, where Cobra time travels to the time where he met Lady or as real name being Princess Emeralda.

In short, there's isn't much to say about this OVA as I'm uncertain whether it's based on manga material or if its just an original story. Regardless, Time Drive goes into more detail between the relationship of Lady & Cobra as every other material relating to Cobra displays their partnership as platonic or professional coworkers. However, Time Drive shows Cobra & Lady as romantic in their past life as her operation to becoming an Armaroid ... is also featured into the story. The rest of the OVA focuses on this revolt towards this king named Giros in which Lady or Emeralda wishes to overthrow.

Time Drive is a nice addition to the series but doesn't have that "kickass" feel of the original anime of 1982, possibly due to the usage of cgi & the lack of cool villains. There's is some action but once again Cobra doesn't use his signature Colt Python & most of his battles are with the Swordian aliens.

It's interesting to see Cobra & Lady being lovers, yet no other series seem to explore their relationship as Cobra seems to be more smitten with other women & never grieves about his past life with Lady. I should also note that this is the last time Nozawa Nachi plays Cobra as in next series ,Cobra The Animation 2010, Uchida Naoya takes the role of Cobra. I'm actually surprised Lady's actress, Sakakibara Yoshikio managed to be the only voice of Lady for almost 3 decades. Lastly, the opening Time Drive & the following Cobra The Space Pirate sung by Sasja Autheunis are just as good as the original theme of Space Cobra.

Frankly, it's much better than the previous OAV!

This time the story is interesting, discovering the beginnings of the Cobra/Armanoid relationship is a great idea, and it's nice to finally see Cobra involved in what's going on and not just disinterested and self-serving as always, it's really nice to finally humanize the character and feel him really attached to his companion.

The problem with this OAV remains its flat, idea-less direction, as well as the execution of the script, which dispatches its good ideas and dwells on the not-so-good ones. Seriously, they've bungled the story of what drove Armanoid to become a robot in 5 minutes on ... the clock....fortunately, even so, the emotional impact is still there.

But the pace is an overall problem with these OVAs, because in this case, it clearly should have been made into a film, given how the script begins in a hurry without taking the time to explain the reasons that will lead us to this story, and ends just as hastily, which is a real shame!

But it's still better than the previous OAV, so I'm satisfied.

Sometimes, less is more. I know Terasawa was involved in this OVA from 2009, based on his manga from 1996, but I feel like this is the story of Lady that we didn't need. She's always been an enigma, even in the manga. I always felt her relationship with Cobra went beyond just romantic love, that they shared a history and a deep bond like no other. In the manga she’s introduced as Cobra’s partner. Everyone assumes she’s a Armaroid robot, But we later learn she was actually flesh and blood before she obtained her new body made of live metal. So mysterious and cool.
In ... attempting to explain her past, this OVA does disservice to her. Cobra dives into their past to save her. Lady, or Princess Emeralda, is a rebel leader but she's easily captured and reduced to the damsel-in-distress trope. A lot of agency seems to be taken away from her as Cobra, both past and present, interacts with her. The reason she falls for Cobra is because future Cobra was so badass she falls for present Cobra? Wut? It seems rather one sided. I was expecting a deeper connection from both sides that would lead to a lifelong partnership. The climax of the story lets Lady do something, but it’s rather contrived. I understand the show is called Cobra, but come on!
Animation is decent. However, there are CG moments that are not great. It was good to see the real (manga version) Turtle spaceship. The use of still shots in an OVA is disappointing. BGM is good, ED ballad is good, but the OP is kickass.
Overall, it’s a mixed bag.