Characters: Chirico, the main character gets the most development and screen time. He is 100% man, but not bulging with muscles like several other 80s protagonists. He instead displays his worth through his vicious combat skills. At first he comes off as stoic and flat, but evolves over time and the show does a good job of considering the hell that he has been through beforehand and showing the effect it has on his personality. Next comes a certain character introduced in the 2nd arc. He is basically a two-note character, and both of his plot points are brought up and not resolved repetitively through
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the middle of the series, the show can't seem to breath much creativity again until his role is scaled back. The rest of the large supporting cast is fine. More often than not they are used as comic relief throughout the crushing grittiness, but this is a realistic depiction of people joking under pressure and coupled with the times when they act serious (very serious), gives them realistic personalities. They help flesh out Chirico and are the closest thing to an audience surrogate that the show has. Despite being in the real robot genre, the show does keep partial status quo when it comes to keeping important characters alive; I say partial because it subverts this idea often enough to convince you that anyone can die, which is true.
Story: The story is divided into four separate, but connected arcs. While character interactions and large scale events affect the plot as a whole, most conflicts set up in each one are resolved by the end of the arc. Each arc sets out with different themes to spread and goals to accomplish, some with more success than others. The story is really the meat of the show, it deserves the most in-depth examination. Arc 1: A tale of a cyberpunk city and urban crime... with robots. The show does a fine job of exploring the various facets of a futuristic postwar environment, from what those who partake in the war do afterwards, to the government's role in society, and more. Several different scenarios and fights involving mechs take place, and all seem different from one another. Downsides of the arc include some rather overused plot elements appear (corrupt police, biker gangs, etc.), and while they are handled well enough, it doesn't match up to other creative concepts used throughout the show. Also the series spanning-plot is just beginning to be set into motion, so some episodes feel insignificant in the long run. Where the plot movement is sacrificed though, the show takes the time to form relationships between its supporting cast and the protagonist . Arc 2: Essentially the Vietnam war... with robots. It doesn't follow the historical event by numbers, but it's obvious the staff didn't have to think too hard to come up with a lot of the events that transpire in this arc. Despite this, the plot remains compelling for the most part until a certain character is introduced around half way through; they are the only character in the show I have any strong criticisms against, as mentioned above, while the first few plot points involving this character are fine, it becomes clear that these events are leading nowhere and begin to repeat themselves. As the plot stumbles, this arc has the most varied mech battles of the entire series, due the all the different terrain presented in the setting. Robot guerilla warfare and futuristic D-Day among them, but there is really too much to cover. Arc 3: The 3rd arc is the most distinct of the four, take that as you wish; I take it as being the weakest arc, while others may appreciate it's boldness and deviation from the others. Although there was no direct transition from the first to the second arc, it felt organic enough and didn't leave the viewer confused. However, the 2nd to 3rd arc transition is jarring, at first feels contrived, and is left unexplained for a while. The first half of the arc drags; it begins with a good idea of characterization and mystery, but is poorly executed and continues to be poorly executed for far too long. Once the plot begins to "move", it is plagued by the circular and plot-halting interactions with the character introduced in the second arc. While the arc's story may be interesting alone, it has little affect on the overall plot until the very end. Arc 4: This is the most plot oriented arc. Some would say that is a given since it is the last, but it ties together all unanswered and loose aspects of the plot thus far in the most original fashion thus far, and wraps up or answers them, including things you would expect the show to just wave their hand at or never address. This can be called convenient, but all comes off as plausible given the circumstances, and demonstrates the show's dedication to staying "real" to the real robot genre. The character whom causes the previous arcs to sag has less of a role, and enjoyable side characters from previous arcs return. There is some great futuristic imagery/scenery, and the show really captures the scale of the events that go down. The ending is bittersweet, but truly fits the character they have built over the previous 52 episodes and is wholly satisfying.
Sound: It's typical sound for an 80s show, so the sound is nothing special. It never sounds particularly bad, but doesn't excel either. It's best used in the 4th arc to create a foreign atmosphere that is supposed to be beyond the audience's comprehension. The music is equally mediocre (and repetitive).
Animation: Likewise, it has typical 80s animation. They never cut corners on mech warfare, explosions, or settings though, those are consistent throughout and sometimes really good. Characters occasionally look less unrefined than they did moments before or a space ship suddenly appears ridiculously out of perspective in its last moments in a frame (which would just be replaced with equally out of place CG if made today, keep in mind), but this never lasts for too long until the last 3 terribly off model minutes of the last episode, which I would assume is because the budget was blown animating the visually innovative 322 minutes of the arc that came before.
Other: The setting is always well considered, and most locations are areas not typically present in mecha anime. The technology is also really where this show shines. The robots are machines, plain and simple. They break down, and need maintenance. They can be modified, but no less than your average car can be pimped out. Real robot shows have bad habit of eventually reaching super robot territory or creating increasingly powerful mechs to move along with the rising stakes of the plot, but even the most advanced robots still have apparent weaknesses, and take damage over time. They are not the solution to everything; tools of more traditional warfare are still used frequently. It feels like as much time was spent developing the technology as the story, and really gives the show an aura of realism, even when the plot decides not to be. The pacing will take some getting used to. Unlike modern long shows, this just extends every plot point rather than resorting to filler. The 3rd arc could be cut be at least half, and in general all the others could be condensed by two or three episodes. The script is delicately cared for. The standard dialogue is relatively realistic and no stock phrases are used, and the writing really shines in the narration, Chirico's inner monologues, and the anime's more philosophical moments; these often feel like they're straight out of a two fisted pulp novel and can really speak to the viewer.
Overall: This mecha anime is quite off the beaten path. Not every idea presented in it works, but such a wide variety of them are used and explored that some are bound to resonate with the viewer. Armored Trooper Votoms is held back in several departments simply due to the time it was made in, so some shortcomings can be forgiven easier than others, but the technical lapses are often overshadowed by the tremendous amount of thought put into the story and technology, levels which are usually only seen in the best of the best anime. It is not the best of the best anime, but when one part of the show begins to decline (the story, fight scenes, characters), one of the other aspects tends to strengthen and pull the show's remaining weight. It definitely seems better as a whole rather than analyzing the individual parts, and can be quite enjoyable if given a chance. Acknowledging all the criticisms, the show succeeds much more than it fails and is quite impressive.
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Nov 9, 2013
Soukou Kihei Votoms
(Anime)
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Characters: Chirico, the main character gets the most development and screen time. He is 100% man, but not bulging with muscles like several other 80s protagonists. He instead displays his worth through his vicious combat skills. At first he comes off as stoic and flat, but evolves over time and the show does a good job of considering the hell that he has been through beforehand and showing the effect it has on his personality. Next comes a certain character introduced in the 2nd arc. He is basically a two-note character, and both of his plot points are brought up and not resolved repetitively through
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