Ranked #3772

Vividred Operation

It seems you've wandered down to the review section, wondering whether or not Vividred will suit your fanny *cough* fancy. I may not be an omniscient being who can predict all your tastes and values, butt I can tell you one thing - this show isn't half-assed when it comes to showcasing the artistically chiseled glutes of young females. From the front it may seem as if the show is merely another "Protect the world" cliche, but behind the scenes is a treasure trove of booty that will please the eyes of any man. I could rear my argument with infinite amounts of explanation, but in hindsight it seems like a bad idea. You may decide for yourself whether this show is amazing or at rock bottom.

Plot

If you came for the plot, leave. Vividred's plot is pretty much a remaster of Strike Witches, and the standard "Protect the world" trope. At most I could say the plot was added for the sole sake of easing the guilt A-1 would face after creating a show where the entire purpose was to shove as many ass shots as they could in without turning it into a hentai. Even so, the plot still exists and no matter how mediocre it is, if you enjoy the classic world savin' stories then by all means don't let the cheeks distract you from it.

Art

This is what's going to seal the deal here folks. Budget isn't endless, and in many cases its what the studio chooses to do with what budget they have that makes or breaks the show. A-1 knew exactly where to invest their money here. In the snug fit of spandex, the voluptuous curves which make females so very attractive, and the slight bounce of mens hopes and dreams. A-1 knew it was a smart investment, because the rest of the show is easy on the eyes as well - though not as easy as dat ass.

Sound

There's no mind-blowing OST to be found here, but neither will you find a banshee-like score that eats away at your sanity. The tracks are perfectly mediocre. None stand out, but at the same time all are quite fitting. Intense for action, lively for the slice of life, and melodic during the emotional scenes. The seiyuu's do a professional job at filling the characters with emotion as well. These are cute sexy (sexty?) girls, and they sure do sound like it.

Characters

Great diversity is found when analyzing these characters; not mental diversity but physical. Their personalities are what you would expect from a show like this: Cute girls doing cute things in different ways. Don't be discouraged though, because what the girls lack in personality, they make up for in a kaleidoscope of body types. There's busty ones, flat ones, tight ones, small ones, one with a ponytail... you name it and its there (and scantily clothed no less).

Enjoyment

I can't say i didn't enjoy it at the beginning, but before long it lost its magic. You can only carry a show on buns for so long before they become stale. While the fanservice was there, it wasn't enough to keep me investing 24 minutes a week in ass alone. It's nice, but the true worth of a show comes with dynamic characters, a rich setting, and a compelling plot. I can't say I've actually dropped Vividred, I've just fallen behind and can't be bothered to catch up.

Overall

The story, character, and audio aspects may be lacking, and if that's what you came for then scuttle off. But if you came for eye-candy and cute girls saving the world, I wouldn't put this show past you. This show is ultimately about hindquarters, and every person can enjoy looking at the spandex encased butts of teenage girls; the deciding factor of whether or not you drop it will be exactly how long you can enjoy it. read more

I've been a fan of Strike Witches so when Vividred Operation was announced, I was pretty excited. After all, this series is about saving the world without pants once again. In fact, the world that this series takes place in doesn't seem so ominous. As a matter of fact, Vividred Operation looks like one of those paradise worlds from the future and one that I would definitely want to live in. It looks like a paradise, it has some features of a paradise, and maybe it is a paradise. Rather though, I gave this series a shot and what I discovered it was from far it.

Vividred Operation is original anime series produced by A-1 pictures and handled by Kazuhiro Takamura, the same director involved with Strike Witches. Thus, expect some of the similar character designs and themes presented here. Among those themes include friendship which ties the main characters together. However, Vividred Operation doesn't pull everything together right and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Like its predecessor, Vividred Opreation takes the skies once again with its style of saving the world against unknown alien forces. From the surface though, the series looks clean and peaceful. In fact, it seems that the world is at peace, with a lack of global warming, and has advanced technology beyond our times. It definitely looks like a paradise. Set in Oshima, a powerful piece of technology known as the Manifestation Engine has made all of that possible. However, there's a problem now and they're threatening humanity:

The Alones.

The series involves a group of young girls that relies on battling the Alones and saving the world. With a little motivation and desire to protect what they cherish, the young girls of the series wishes to protect Oshima and the world that they reside in. It's a fairly simple and overused theme in many series. As a matter of fact, the same theme is present in Strike Witches, Senki Zesshou Symphogear, Freezing, etc where normal girls gains powers and abilities. For the girls though, they are tied together by a strong bond known as friendship. The girls are united by friendship and whether you believe it or not, it is one of the keys to prevent the destruction of their world. With science and a little genius behind the works, it must just seem so.

At least so, that's what it looks like.

The new enemy known as the Alone makes their presence well known by causing mass destruction with seemingly no purpose at first. Rather though, they are likely after the polar opposite of what the people living in Oshima wants: war. In fact, their attack on the Manifestation Engine proves this as even in the pilot episode, the Alone are single-mindingly bend on spreading their terror. It certainly kills that laid-back atmosphere and turns the series into more of a dramatic battlefield. It's something that almost no one wants in their world especially Akane, a friendly and outgoing girl.

From the surface, Akane seems like a normal, outgoing, and cute little girl. Her love for tomatoes seems to symbolize her happy personality and with that, she is easily able to get along with others. It's often shown where she cruises around the city on her scooter and joyfully enjoying the atmosphere of what the Manifestation Engine has bought to their world. Well, that was before the Alone made their grand entrances. And as things are present, Akane vows to put an end to this destruction especially after an event in the beginning that even involves her own family.

Luckily though, Akane doesn't seem to be alone. With her is Aoi Futaba, Akane's best friend who has came back to the peaceful city. Like Akane, Futaba presents herself as a a friendly girl who is helpful and caring to those around her. Despite her poor health, she has a strong heart and believes what needs to be protected in their world. On the other hand, there is Wakaba Saegusa, the captain of New Oshima Academy's Female Kendo Club as well as being a pro at kendo. She is also the president of her class and is highly respected among her peers. Finally, last but not least, there's Himawari Shinomiya who although lacks the brawns makes it up with her brilliance in technology. These four girls makes up the team and what humanity has hope for.

Outside of that cast though is a girl named Rei Kuroki. Her presence in the series is seen as more of a mystery because of her actions. Seemingly strange enough, Akane treats her as a friend but her actions tells much more of a different story. In fact, her actions is malevolent and considered a threat to society. Furthermore, it seems that she doesn't like society herself judging by the fondness of animals rather than with people. The "Alone" themselves may be a symbol of what she stands for because Rei always seems so alone, even though she has people who truly wants to be her friend. Talk about being the anti-Akane here.

Now, let's get to the action part because what else are those cool gear and gadgets used for? Of course, if you're thinking to kick some Alone butt, then that's the right answer. The action presented in Vividred Operation is somewhat entertaining but at times, just seems too cliched. It gets crazy at times too when the girls does spectacular aerial displays despite never ever having prior military experience. Even Aoi Futaba who is seen as physically weak pulls out the stops wit her jet catching and battle sequences. When did these girls get so talented? Among other things involving the battles are teamwork that is literally presented when they fuse together to bring out a stronger entity. Oh it's flashy but at many times, it just seems too forced. Furthermore, let's not forget about the outfits the girls are wearing. The way the young girls are dressed become a joke with the flashy outfits and transformations. It's like taking the 'let's save the world theme' and give it a more visual touch of crotches and ass.

On the other hand, the Alones are designed with the typical science fiction trope. They have strange shapes, strange attacks styles, and most of all, a strange mystery of their background with their origins. Well, at least they give off that science fiction feel. I mean, just look at them standing some hundred feet tall and roaming around not giving care about what happens to the peaceful world. They seemingly declare war on humanity and brings that feeling of terror to the people in Oshima as well as the rest of the world.

As mentioned before, friendship becomes a symbol and a major source of the girls' power. In fact, it is what ties them together in states of crisis (especially so in later episodes). Unfortunately, the deeper dynamics of their friendship is an unexplored territory. As a matter of fact, there is a lack of real development between the characters. It could of done so in one of the first few episodes but the producers instead throws in one of those fun/fillerish beach episode to give fans service. It just doesn't work out right and makes the friendship theme more weaker than it should be.

Furthermore, the character of Rei becomes the antithesis of friendship in this series. She seemingly has no real friends but rather a mysterious being that she often has conversations with. These conversations are also not very pleasant and among other things, she seems to have a dark past. Additionally, the potential friendship she has with Akane gets killed in a single episode. This lack of development destroys the mood of the series and makes it seem as if Rei is even worse than the Alone themselves.

Despite this though, I do find the series to be entertaining and cute at various instances. Most of this comes from Akane's cheerful mood and that energetic personality of hers. She is one of those girls where it's almost impossible for anyone to hate her. Besides her strong bond with her friends, she wishes to protect the world and an everlasting peace. She views Alone as a factor that stands in the way of this and something of an abomination to what she believes in.

Visually, the series is pleasant and A-1 pictures did their jobs right here. The sun reflects a cheerful atmosphere like a paradise across Oshima. The series also makes the usage of some of the technology through CGI to give the Alone their science fiction trope. However, at times, it lacks any real favor but rather fits into a more category of the 'alien design department'. Additionally, some of the designs of the Alone looks similar to Strike Witches although it doesn't come as a surprise given Kazuhiro Takamura's involvement in the series. And of course, who can forget about those outfits the characters wear?

In terms of music/soundtrack presentation, the series seems alright but becomes crispy at many instances. With 5 different ED songs, the series gives every character a chance for spotlight. However, the soundtrack is just medicore and nothing particularly stands out. The background music is typical and although the seiyu does their work right, I just feel like nothing really particularly stood out more than the others.

Overall, I found Vividred Operation to be a series of fun and entertaining but becomes frustrating to watch as the episodes passed on. The seemingly lack of story and weak character development/relationships makes watching the series feels like a chore. Additionally, some of the fan service are distracting and the Alone themselves seems to have no motivation rather than seeking endless destruction; their designs are also generic and doesn't stand out too much from my perspective. It serves just as a device to bring out the 'save the world theme' with no regards to making any lesson of morality. Ultimately, this show is more of a way to pass time for me, but it did have some of its fun moments. After all, who ever said you need pants to save the world.
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