Phantom Yuusha Densetsu

ファントム勇者伝説
Phantom Yuusha Densetsu
Genres: Action, Drama, Military, Seinen
Themes: Military
Demographics: Seinen
Producers: Magic Bus, TAKI Corporation
Rating: 5.22 / 10
Rank: #13211
Popularity: #13313
Users Listed: 1,421
Users Scored: 500
NSFW: No
Last Updated: 07/10/2019
Aired: January 24, 1991 (Winter)
Type: ova
Source: novel
Age Rating: R
Episodes: 1

Synopsis:

Following a devastating crash that nearly ends his career, former Japanese pilot Kazuo Yazawa is drawn back into the world of aviation by a concerned friend. A puzzling report of a Phantom fighter jet operating within a volatile conflict in El Salvador prompts Yazawa to investigate. His inquiries quickly unravel a complex web of international arms dealing and shadowy organizations.

The series explores themes of responsibility, the lasting impact of trauma, and the ethical implications of military technology. Set against the backdrop of political instability and clandestine operations, it offers a grounded perspective on the realities of conflict and the human cost of unchecked power. Yazawa’s journey involves navigating treacherous alliances and uncovering hidden agendas as he seeks to understand the truth behind the Phantom's presence.

Staff:

  • Matsuzaki, Yoshiyuki (Producer)
  • Dezaki, Tetsu (Director)
  • Fujiyama, Fusanobu (Sound Director)
  • Takizawa, Toshifumi (Storyboard)
  • Ikeda, Yuuji (Key Animation)
  • Iwakura, Kazunori (In-Between Animation, Mechanical Design)
  • Nakahara, Kiyotaka (Animation Check)
  • Sakamoto, Shuuji (Key Animation)
  • Shimizu, Keizou (Animation Director, Character Design)
  • Suzuki, Shinichi (Key Animation)
  • Yoshino, Shinichi (Key Animation, Mechanical Design)

Reviews:

  • User ktulu007 (Score: 1/10):
    Phantom Yuusha Densetsu is a short film OVA from the early 90s. It was produced by Magic Bus. That's right, the same producer as Dragoon & one of the studios that worked on Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu. I have to say, that's immediately not promising but maybe this one has the quality those two lacked. Probably not, but it's possible. Story: We open with our protagonist, I don't give a shit what his name is, being contacted by his also boring friend about a Phantom jet sighting in El Salvador. Since Don't Care, is an ex JASDF pilot, he seems like the ideal choice to examine it fora report. Because you definitely need first hand jet flying experience to report on a jet sighting. It's not like Journalism experience is useful for that. In any case, Don't Care agrees to go with his friend's camera man and things quickly turn bad as he finds himself entwined in a conspiracy where multiple government agents want him dead. nnThe biggest issue with this film is that, like the stratagems of Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, it suffers from a lot of blatant idiocy. Having an ex pilot with no Journalism experience go to do investigative journalism is pretty stupid. A government agency surreptitiously selling one of their jets without erasing their markings is really stupid. The antagonists capturing the hero they're trying to kill, having him drugged and at their mercy and then not killing him is just egregiously stupid. It might be acceptable in a piece of media for children, but this is pretty blatantly for adults. Keep in mind, this film lasts for just under an hour and manages to have all these substantial plot holes. nnThere's also an underlying plot about the CIA trying to stop everyone from finding out they're interfering with El Salvador. Which I don't get. Granted, I'm not an expert in American politics, but I know that the US has a long, long history of mucking about with Central American countries. Would there really be that much of an outrage from the citizens because they were caught doing it yet again?nnCharacters: nnThe characters barely have personalities worth mentioning. Don't care is one of those intense macho heroes with no real personality. The villains are just sleazy and evil for no adequately explored reason. The girlfriend is there to show her tits, be assaulted and die to give Don't Care some motivation. She's the only female character too, unless you count the naked woman who shows up for five seconds. So, the character writing is just shit. nnArt: nnThis isn't one of those anime that hasn't aged that well. That would imply that it was passable or even good for its time. It wasn't. Even for the early 90s, this animation is bad. They use a lot of tricks to try to make it seem like there's more movement than there actually is, but even with the strobe effect and such, it's really painfully obvious that there was very…

External Links: