Chou Kidou Densetsu DinaGiga

I still remember parts of this anime when I watched it in Korean in the 90s on Tooniverse.

Here are the only things I remember without spoiling but still containing information within the scope of the synopsis and the image of the poster in the main page of this anime:

1. School life being the driving events of the characters
2. Slightly gray-ish tint color of the animation just like the poster (but it's the overall 90s anime visual vibe)
3. Just a very small number of characters leading the story
4. A mysterious atmosphere in demeanor and speech from one of the characters
5. Slightly sensing the hard science version ... of Patlabor

Just an interesting but uneventful anime only basing on my remaining knowledge of this anime. I still remember this only because the opening theme song of the anime is very catchy.

Dinagiga is the epitome of wasted potential.

The entire franchise (yes, this OVA didn't come out of nowhere) was the brainchild of Takeshi Doi. The franchise came about with the release of three drama CD's (which I own) that introduced the characters and the setting. I assume that those three were successful enough, and was planned as the starting point of a profitable mecha franchise with probably the most cute and adorable MC for a mecha series that had not been seen since Gunbuster.

Unfortunately, and I can only speculate, there did not seem to be enough money or sponsors for this anime television series of either ... 12 or 26 episodes to be made. They only had enough money for a two-part OVA, so their plot had to be downsized considerably, and as a result, if the plot feels rushed, that's because it pretty much is.

The first episode introduces the MC, the rival, and the mysterious girl that has a mysterious fixation on the MC, the school setting, and some implied elements. It ends just as the main confrontation is about to begin.

The second episode covers the confrontation for the most part, and it does its best to resolve the plot.

Even with those handicaps and circumstances I described, I still actually enjoyed the anime for what it is. But the OVA still had a lot of potential that could not be realized, and that's the real disappointment of it all.

The anime is in an interesting state. It's obscure enough that it will never get a release beyond VHS and LaserDisc (it doesn't help that PolyGram, who distributed the title, would reorganize into Universal Music Japan in less than a year). But I do happen to briefly own the VHS before upgrading to the LaserDisc.

The LaserDisc releases are unique for the bonus features that follow the OVA. Even with the limitations they had in production, they were not going to have it just be the OVA and that's that (as it was with Highschool Aurabuster). Instead, they've included a behind-the-scenes featurette at the end of the first LD volume. On the second volume is music video of a song on one of the drama CD's, and the creditless OP and ED's.

Also to note is the fact that this is probably one of the rare OVA's to have an eyecatch. Short and simple, but memorable in my opinion.