Gatchaman

Gatchman is...fine. This 3 episode OVA update of the 1970s original Science Ninja Team Gatchaman is a decent enough effort. The character designs by Yasuomi Umetsu are solid (though I admittedly like the original series art more), and it is pretty action packed with fluid animation. The story is par for the course, alien invaders and all that, but it moves along at a brisk pace. My biggest issue is trying to give Gatchaman a darker tone. It works at times, particularly when non costumed characters are on screen. But the second the Ninja Teams or villains show up in costume...well, it's just silly and ... doesn't work. I guess after 8Man After and Casshan: Robot Hunter, this sort of update was inevitable at the time. While it does have a "wtf" ending, I'd say it's worth checking out if you have an affinity for '90s anime or want to see early Yasuomi Umetsu.