This week's review is over the second (and final OVA) of Galaxy Fraulein Yuna. For more details, check out my review from last week. Both OVAs were done by the same company, but directed by two different people. In the case, of the second OVA, it is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, known nowadays for directing Studio Shaft productions like Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and Madoka. He likes making anime that is either dark and edgy or lots of humor and parody. This OVA is mostly the former, with a bit of the latter.
Now, the second OVA has alternative titles, like its predecessor. There's Galaxy Fraulein Yuna Returns, GFY: The Abyssal Fairy, and GFY: Fairy of the Deep Darkness. Funny thing is that the first title makes the most sense. There are no fairies in this OVA, they are girl robots who are evil. Not sure, but I still find the other two titles funny yet inaccurate.
Basic plot of GFY Returns is thus: it takes place some time after the first OVA, around Christmas/New Years Eve. Yuna is chilling, having the good life, when the mysterious "Apparition Sisters", who are actually a trio of girl androids who got banished for doing something evil (they never explain) and now they are back for vengeance. Yuna befriends Ayako, the youngest one, who comes across as rather misunderstood. However, the other two (Genmu and Kyoka) are really evil so all heck breaks loose. Yuna tries her best to make them her friends, but ultimately fails.
And that's all I am telling about the plot, seriously watch it yourself to find out more.
What I will be talking about the good and the bad, with comparison/contrast to the first OVA.
First, the Opening. It is more dark and edgy, with some rather dark and surreal imagery. Quite different from the jpop standard song for the first OVA. Secondly, the story is rather dark and mature for a magical girl story. It has a bit more violence and fight scenes (which are all well done) then its predecessor. Then again, Akiyuki Shinbo later went on to do Nanoha (2004) and Madoka (2011), both being magical girl series with dark and edgy elements in it. Third, the animation is well the same as the first OVA. Though, the way it is shot makes the second OVA seems like a movie, whereas the first OVA feels like the pilot to a series that never was made.
Now, the bad, which is only one bad thing. First, the insert songs. Yes, there are two insert songs, one at the beginning and one at the end. Now, in japanese, they are ok. But, ADV Films decided to have their dub actors sing them. It sounds terrible. It is clear they did a straight translation, as it comes across as wooden and stiff. Also, they could've cutted the two songs out and the OVA would suffer nothing from it.
Final Score is 8.5/10. A great story, with good characters in a well-animated (for the time) OVA. Akiyuki Shinbo in the early years of his anime directing career, shows lots of potential. I regard him as my favorite director for anime series (Miyazaki being my favorite anime film director).
Overall Score for the two OVAs is 8/10. Galaxy Fraulein Yuna is a very good series of OVAs, with good characters and animation. I recommend both OVAs, as the only way to get them is to buy it as an one-disc DVD. Though, it is a good idea to read up about the series before watching it, as you will a bit confusing. But, a good OVA series nonetheless. Such a shame that there isn't more, but oh well.
Next week, -massive sigh-, the review I've been dreading : Spectral Force. OH JOY /sarc.
Laterz, The Eclectic Dude
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