Baoh Raihousha

Hello, Visk here and today I will be clearing up this misconception about how this masterpiece has been misrepresented in the other reviews here.

I love Baoh. I truly do. The world seems to also. I've been told that this OVA was the basis for how alchemy worked in the critically acclaimed series FMA. I've also been told that it was also the inspiration for the T800 Robot in Terminator. In many ways this OVA is superior to the aforementioned titles but due to its short run time and lack of exposure critics nitpick just because they are worried someone else will see through their clever ... ruse that I've seen through. I will now tell you the truth the others are to scared to tell you. Sure it is flawed but this is a real gem compared to the shit that comes out every season nowadays.

(Note: The same Mango Farmer that made Jojo wrote the source material for this.)

[PART 1: THE STORY]
There was once a parasite, no not the maxim one, and this said parasite was named Baoh. The parasite infects our main character's love interest. Said love interest gains the ability to become blue and that entitles gaining the ability to be baller like a Smurf or the "I'm Blue" guys. The evil people are jealous of his baller status and loli girlfriend so they set out to kill him. That is what you get at the start of this riveting story. I personally think this one of the most engaging and relatable stories I've ever had the pleasure of viewing. There is literally no way this could have gone in any other way than sheer perfection. I was told by a friend that the production of this show was done in a five year long orgy that only ended because the decade was about to end.

[PART 2: THE ART & ANIMATION]
For something that came out in 1989 it looks brilliant but the problem comes in when all your amazing characters are dwarfed by Col. Dordo. There just was not enough screen time for this glorious hunk of man and machine. Stan Lee also agrees with as Cyborg is pretty much a wannabe of the power that Dordo holds. Marvel makes Cyborg's enemies laughably weak compared to man that Dordo faces. He takes on the last Indian on Earth while Cyborg fights some skinny bitch boys who die in one hit. To our knowledge Baoh is invincible. Now, you are wondering why I rated it so high but the reason for that is that Dordo made it worth the money and the fights were as smooth as Bruce Willis's bald head. With that out of the way I will now continue onto the next segment.

[PART 3: CHARACTERS]
This show suffers from the fact that Dordo wasn't the main character. The world spoke and now we know that the only true flaw this show has is that there isn't more Dordo. It is a paradox because of the fact that Dordo exists the characters are instantly a 10/10 but the fact that he isn't the main character warrants this section a 0/10; so to be fair to the show I will give the characters a 2/10. Better luck next time Pierrot.

I will end this with an overwhelming recommendation that you should watch it and then tell 5 friends to watch and repeat and repeat and repeat etc. This saved anime way before your French Killers and your Attacking Titans ever tried to. You will not regret giving this 46 minute masterpiece a shot. The end has to be one of the most memorable I have seen in any piece of media.

Visk here and I'm signing out.
I hope you enjoy the show.

I'm not sure about lightning but genius can definitely strike twice!

This fantastic short story comes from Hirohiko Araki, the creator of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, my all-time favourite manga/anime series, so naturally I had super high expectations going into this, which were lowered due to the 6.12 rating and the other reviews making fun of it. Was it anything like JoJo? Absolutely not. Did it deliver in terms of the initial high expectations? Absolutely yes.

Don't trust the mediocre rating! Baoh is an extremely entertaining short film. Since it is above 45 minutes it's technically long enough to be considered feature length, and well, it gives you ... everything that a sci-fi thriller you would see in theaters even today would give you, but only in a fraction of the time which for me makes this far superior to 90% sci-fi movies.

Story: 8/10
The story is the typical tale of a secret government/organisation scientist creating an ultimate weapon that ultimately kills him and endangers the world, however it is brilliantly executed here. It makes me think that this was in a way Akira, before the Akira movie was even released (the Baoh manga is from 1984) Baoh's tragedy is that Ikuro, a 17-year-old teenager who was experimented on and had a parasite placed in him, must confront and control his demons and use his superhuman abilities, that he can tap into with the parasite, to stop the hitmen sent after him. The scientist and his organisation will stop at nothing to capture him, even endangering the lives of the innocent by setting a gas station on fire or capturing and torturing a nine year old girl who was with him. The ending sequence is also great however I won't spoil it.

Art: 8/10
Given that this was made in the 80's I was not expecting anything jaw-dropping, but kind of got it in the end. True, the animation is quite choppy at times by today's standards, but "art" encapsulates more than just the fluidity of animation. For it's time it's relatively smooth anyways. The firey effects, the violence, the people's faces melting from Baoh's ability, the visual effects when it comes to the destruction of walls and buildings, though - amazing! This movie was not afraid to get graphic with it's gore and they animated it well. That is to be expected of Hirohiko Araki, since he likes to make even mundane injuries look really gory, which strangely appeals to me. As a result, all the fighting scenes looks great and are constantly tense, also due to the fact that Ikuro is vulnerable when he is in his human state.

Characters: 8/10
There aren't too many characters in this anime as it is only 48 minutes long, but the main two, Ikuro and Sumire were quite nice and wholesome. Sumire was cute, and Ikuro's struggle of taming Baoh and escaping from the mercenaries sent at them, while protecting her, was what made him so very likeable. I was very attached to these characters and even felt sad for them multiple times during the movie. Also, the hitmen were cool as you would expect from hitmen in a badass action anime, plus the last one had extremely cool abilities.

Enjoyment: 10/10
You won't believe what a blast I had watching this. First off, I'm usually not the biggest fan of old shows or movies since they are usually very slow-paced, however Baoh was not like that. I already explained how Baoh achives what most sci-fy moves do but only a fraction of the time, cramming as many sci-fi thriller tropes as possible in a short amount of time while still remaining original in its execution. I also already spoke about how entertaining the gore and destruction effects are. However, most importantly this movie flew right past me along with the time I spent watching it. At some point during the film I moved my cursor to see roughly where I am and I was at the 35 minute mark. I could swear I had been watching this for only about 10 minutes maximum. The truth is I was so sucked in that it felt like it past by too quickly for me to notice how much time had truly pased. I can definitely see myself rewatching this soon, even though I rarely rewatch anime.

The only major criticism I have for this is that it cuts off a LOT of content from the original manga. Really, it's an adaptation of the beginning, hook, and end of it, while leaving the three chapters in the middle completely.

Now this is a great OVA and does not disappoint. You may recognise some similarities to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. That's because this was Araki's first to use his signature gore (the guy who made JoJo).

Starting at a confusing beginning, everything is soon explained. Although not much is revealed about the main character's characteristics. It is great for a short story.

The battles are unlike anything I've seen from a superhero anime. When this ended, I was left wanting more.

There isn't much else I can say about this other then to watch it.
It's great for all sorts of fans, it's got a Superhero, Gory fights, Horror, Science ... Fiction, Cyborgs and Espers.

This OVA is incredible for something of it's time.

This anime has a lot of flaws, and I mean A LOT, but somehow, I can't get myself do dislike it. In my quest for 80's and 90's GAR anime I stumpled upon this great short OVA, and since I like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, I thought I might like this. I was right.

The story itself is very eh. The way it's being told is very rushed, which is to be expected from a 50-ish minute OVA, but it was still entertaining to me, though not that good.

The art was, in my opinion, probably the best part of this. It was in short terms, pretty damn ... good. Very Araki-styled.

The characters are sort of bland and generic, but still lovable. Don't expect to be very connected emotionally to any of them, they're mostly just fun to watch.

Even though it has it's flaws. Baoh the Visitor was so fun to watch. Really a sort of guilty pleasure anime. I really enjoyed this, but because of it's clear flaws, I can't give it a higher score than 7/10.

English:
First of all, yes, it's from the creator of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

Personally I decided to see Baoh on the basis that he was the creator of Jojo's, I did not really want it, but although if his start is a little loose, the movie I finish liking quite a bit.

Story: The story begins and does not tell you what is happening, later you discover why things are wrong, but the story is not the most interesting of the film, but I would have wished it to explain itself more.

Art / Animation: The film is 89, so I can not demand much, okay, it is noted ... that they strived to keep Araki's drawing style as much as possible, which until the arrival of David Productions did not fit so well .

Sound: Every time I started an action scene I sounded to the music that sounded in the ancient fighting arches, it was not bad, it gave a touch of emotion to the scene, otherwise I miss it a little, serious average The right word. Except Ending, that was fine.

Characters: The characters are the worst of the movie, each and every one is flat, not that this bad and that damages the movie, but I would have liked more immersion of the characters, but it is only a movie and does not want to waste time In the characters to show more action.

Enjoy: The film is quite enjoyable, it is very entertaining, I do not remember having comedy scenes, it is ok, since although they could, the story does not give much comedy, personally I say I liked it more than I should since I know Jojo's beforehand, but I have to say that even if you do not know Jojo's you might like it, my advice is to see Jojo's (David Production versions) and then see Baoh.

Overall: Baoh is a good movie, not well known, but worth seeing, and more if you're a fan of Araki's works, and even if you're not giving this movie a chance it will not hurt you. If I give it an 8/10 even though in the other points none exceeded 7 points, it is because even with everything I have I like and I get excited with every fight, which has not happened much, that 8 more than anything It is by myself, if I were serious I would be a 7.

PS: It has its touch GORE and there is a character that reminds me of Hokuto No Ken, if you do not know Araki is a fan of that series. Baoh is one of Araki's early works before Jojo's, and yet the series is good and it shows that even before Jojo's was a great writer.

Español:
Primero que todo, si, es del creador de Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

Personalmente decidí ver Baoh a base de que era del creador de Jojo's, no le tenia muchas ganas, pero aunque su inicio es algo flojo, la película me termino gustando bastante.

Historia: La historia empieza y no te dice que esta pasando, tiempo después descubres el por que de las cosas, esta mal hecho, pero la historia no es lo mas interesante de la película, pero hubiera deseado que se explicara mas a si misma.

Arte/Animación: La película es del 89, así que no le puedo exigir mucho, esta bien, se nota que se esforzaron por mantener lo mas posible el estilo de dibujo de Araki, lo cual hasta la llegada de David Productions no quedaba tan bien.

Sonido: Cada vez que empezaba una escena de accion me sonaba a la música que sonaba en los árcades de lucha antiguos, no esta mal, la daba un toque de emoción a la escena, por lo demás lo pase un poco por alto, promedio seria la palabra adecuada. Excepto el Ending, eso estaba bien.

Personajes: Los personajes son lo peor de la Película, todos y cada uno son planos, no es que este mal y que eso dañe la película, pero me hubiera gustado mas inmersión de los personajes, pero es solo una película y no quiere perder tiempo en los personajes para así mostrar mas acción.

Disfrute: La película se disfruta bastante, es muy entretenida, no recuerdo que tenga escenas de comedia, esta bien, ya que aunque podrían, la historia no da para mucha comedia, en lo personal digo que me gusto mas de lo que debería ya que de antemano conozco a Jojo's, pero he de decir que aun si no conoces a Jojo's tal vez te guste, mi consejo es que veas Jojo's (las versiones de David Production) y que después veas Baoh.

En general: Baoh es una buena película, no muy conocida, pero vale la pena ver, y mas si eres fan de los trabajos de Araki, y aun si no lo eres darle una oportunidad a esta película no te hará daño. Si le doy un 8/10 aun cuando en los demás puntos ninguno supero los 7 puntos, es por que aun con todo lo que tiene me gusto y me emocione con cada pelea, lo que hace mucho no pasaba, eso 8 mas que cualquier cosa es por mi mismo, si fuera enserio seria un 7.

PD: Tiene su toque GORE y hay un personaje que me recuerda a Hokuto No Ken, si no lo sabes Araki es fan de esa serie. Baoh es uno de los primeros trabajos de Araki antes de Jojo's, y aun asi la serie es buena y se nota que aun antes de Jojo's ya era un gran escritor.

I've been doing a deep dive into Araki's other works, since I've really taken to "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure" as one of my favorite series. I've read a number of his other manga, and since my personal tastes don't often go into the action/SciFi/Psychic powers/Government Conspiracies kind of stories, I would say I would have preferred other lesser-known manga of his to either continue or be adapted into OVA like this, such as "Cool Shock BT" and "Gorgeous Irene".

Plus, as I read Baoh's manga beforehand, I can't help but feel that there were impactful scenes that didn't make the cut into this short OVA. Some extra ... details behind the fate of Ikuro's parents, and an entire section where Ikuro and Sumire are taken in by a kind elderly couple. Sadly some of my favorite scenes, from an already very short manga.

That being said, being what it is, it's hard to not recommend it. There are certainly people who enjoy this genre of action more than I do, and it's so short and leaves you with little reason not to give it a try. The main character is powerful, intimidating, and the story is the type of gorey you would expect from the "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure" mangaka. It's a very "you get what you came for" SciFi experiment 80s/90s anime feeling, and for something less than an hour long I can't really ask for more.

This OVA brilliantly carries across one of Araki's earlier works into animated form and proves that he always had the talent for creating truly memorable battle encounters. Much of the escaped bioweapon falling into a teenagers hands premise reminds me of Guyver but BAOH is so much more concise in its pacing and spectacular in its action. (Not to put Guyver down or anything, also some awesome anime there).

Baoh's action sequences have this sheer intensity punctuated by flamboyant and merciless special moves, with a single well calculated strike decisively winning an encounter in an instant. Exactly like a certain other BIZARRE anime.

The art is ... quite pretty and character designs even better; a strange thing to say about an anime where people's faces get melted or cleanly bisected but it truly is. I'd put it in the same grade as Windaria (obviously far more greenery there though) and Venus wars.

Great pre-Jojo wackiness with production values on the upper spectrum of anime OVAs. Must watch for all JoBros and MANime lovers.

Felt compelled to write a review after watching this.

What an underrated gem this short ova is. I highly recommend this for fans of jojo's, fans of ultra violence, and fans of 80s anime art style. The story is cohesive and interesting, the art is clean and the animation is fluid. There isn't enough time to really get attached to any characters, but there are no annoying or bad characters so theirs that.

Overall I enjoyed it quite a bit as a fan of 80s anime. As of right now there is a high quality version of this ova on youtube, definitely go check it ... out.

I sort of liked this anime, well I should say that it was an OVA, which it was almost like a movie when it first came on. I'll probably have to spoil a little bit of this OVA, because the main character has this alien thing inside of him & he gets these powers & such. He ends up protecting this one girl & her pet, whatever in the world it was. There was a lot of blood & gore within this 48 minute OVA, so if that's not your thing, then I wouldn't watch this, but if you like action. sci-fi or supernatural anime, ... then I would say give this a try.

A quick paced and simple story about an evil lab and a boy who was experimented on by unethical scientists. The animation is nice to look at and and the voice acting is good. Fun, pacey action scenes with lots of variety in abilities and powers, and there's some tension towards the middle and end. The look of Baoh as a creature is very interesting and the OVA doesn't shy away from gore or extreme violence. There's nothing particularly remarkable about this OVA by itself- it's a fairly standard 80s OVA- but of course the context of its creator is what makes it notable.

Baoh is ... almost more interesting as an artefact than it is as entertainment. You can see the beginnings of the style and flair which would go into Jojo, but it's still underdeveloped. Additionally, the story has been trimmed down and shorn of some plot elements in order to fit into the runtime and structure of an OVA. This makes it feel a little rushed and shallow. The characters are compelling enough, but are missing the development which was present in the manga (and there wasn't much there, either). The protagonist is astonishingly dull- he's a nice young man burdened by this great power, but he doesn't seem to feel any particular way about his horrifying transformations, nor about the deaths of his parents and his new status. What is he now? Is he going to die? He tends to go along with things as they happen to him, and is rather passive. It also just sort of... stops at the end, with a short eplogue. Nothing really feels like it mattered all that much.

Despite this I think there's enough good here to recommend Baoh. It's a fun watch and compelling enough if you can get around the ethnic stereotyping of native Americans in the second half. Watch out for dying dogs, as per with Araki.