Daicon Opening Animations

The Daicon Opening Animations are two short films that were created for two Sci-fi conventions. They have gone down in history as the first and second titles produced by the infamous Studio Gainax, which at the time was little more than a group of students from the Osaka University of Arts.

Though they may be fairly humble origins for one of the most influential animation studios of the past 30 years, the Daicon films still demonstrate the tremendous potential of the Gainax staff. Both Daicon III and Daicon IV have essentially the same premise; a single girl fighting a battle royal against the Sci-Fi ... heroes of yesteryear. Deep and compelling storytelling it is not, but one can’t help but enjoy watching dozens of characters, some familiar and some long since forgotten, fighting each other.

Certainly, one doesn’t need to think hard to imagine the faces of the people attending those conventions all those years ago; seeing all their favourite characters in a single film with reasonable production (or in the case of Daicon IV, exceptional production) would have made for quite the kick. Hell, even thirty years later it’s hard not to feel pumped up when you hear the opening line: “Just on the border, of your waking mind”

That brings us to the soundtrack, which in Daicon IV, consists of the songs ‘Prologue’ and ‘Twilight’ by Electric Light Orchestra. It’s a perfect fit; it manages to sound futuristic, yet is still distinctly eighties at the same time. It manages to reflect the period of the films but also the sci-fi and fantasy themes that go with it. But it also conveys a strong sense of ambition, a clear reflection of how the film’s young creators felt at that time.

Because although the Daicon films follow a very simple concept, on technical terms they are on another level; comparable to and perhaps even exceeding the level of professional productions of the time. The animation is incredibly smooth, the backgrounds are detailed.

The cast is largely made up of characters borrowed from other shows, and these are somewhat faithful reproductions of their originals, but this isn’t where Daicon exceeds expectation; one of the most memorable scenes, featuring what appears to be a nuclear bomb going off in reverse, features no science fiction characters at all. It’s clear that the Gainax staff were not content with mere being mere imitators.

The Daicon Openings are certainly an important part of anime history, and one that will not be forgotten any time soon. But make no mistake, they are worth so much more than a pedestal in an anime museum exhibit. The Daicon Openings represent a youthful passion to do something you love; a sense of unity that (sadly) anime fans have since lost; and a studio not content with the status quo. They may be almost 30 years old, but the Daicon Opening animations are as young and fresh as they were at the first screening.

This is history. This is art. This is the passion and love of a medium encapsulated and condensed into 5 minutes with the care and effort of three men who would change the face of anime forever.

In just over 5 minutes, this opening animation to the 1981 DAICON sci-fi/anime convention, DAICON III tells the simple story of a little girl's quest to water a radish. Along the way, however, she is assailed and chased by popular pop culture icons, forcing her to utilize her full power to get to her goal.

It's a simple plot, yes. Also, the animation looks very dated and low-budget, yes. But ... the reason why DAICON III is so beautiful is because of its historical significance.

The short film was made by Hideaki Anno, Hiroyuki Yamaga and Takami Akai, the forefathers and founders of the legendary anime studio Gainax, which would later become Studio Trigger. The legacy of these men has repurposed the face of the anime industry, pumping out classics like Gurren Lagann, Gunbuster, and the timeless Neon Genesis Evangelion.

On top of that, the way they distributed the short film by selling individual tapes for fans to watch over and over back at home was revolutionary; this was the very first example of an anime original video animation (or OVA, for short), a practise that is still put into use today and has wrought some of the best things the medium has to offer (primarily 1988's Legend of the Galactic Heroes).

That legacy and more started with just this short, 5 minute film, a passion project so intimate, bursting to the seams with love and care, that in every key frame we can already see the signature touches and tropes that would begin to litter the industry for years to come.

Aside from the historical significance, DAICON III is just brimming with that optimism and unadulterated love of young, creative minds. Bolstered by a very bright and cheery wholesome 70s score, the short film is just a real love letter to the medium of anime as well as other influences (Star Wars and Ultraman among others).

It's more than just a pop culture romp akin to, say, 2006's The Ultimate Showdown, it's a short but sweet testament to the burning passion of three young men, and also a precursor to greater things to come.

Even in its dated glory, there's more heart and passion to be seen here than in most seasonal anime nowadays, and that's honestly refreshing to see. It's a reminder of why so many people love anime, why I love anime.

DAICON III may not offer much in terms of technical aspects or plot, but it is a very important milestone; it is modern anime's Steamboat Willie.

EVERYTHING started here, well, in terms of Gainax at least.

Daicon is a two-part entertaining yet unintentionally educational OVA released by Gainax with the first part being released in 1981 and the other one in 1983. What makes Daicon Opening Animations so interesting and different than any other OVA I’ve ever seen is the extraordinary context that it fits in, this little two-part OVA will give you all the necessary knowledge that you will need to know about the foundation and early history of Gainax since this was their very first show. Gainax was founded by a group of three otakus in the early ’80s. They ... were these three chads; Hideki Ano (who would later become the creator of Evangelion and director of Kare Kano), Hiroyuki Yamaga (who would become the president of Gainax for over 30 years) and Sadamoto Yoshiyuki (would be later be known for his character design for almost every original Gainax project including such shows as FLCL, Evangelion, Diebuster and more). These men were such huge otakus back in the early 80’s that they wanted to make shows themselves, Anno has stated that they were not only inspired by anime and by many other media like Ultraman, DC, Sci-fi movies, etc. Which is why Gainax became so great in the future, they were otaku of MANY different things, not just anime or manga.

Daicon was their first thing that Gainax ever made and it’s instantly noticeable for this having less production value than their later works, which is inevitable and understandable since this was the first thing they made. Even though this lacks the budget, which is noticeable in the animation quality and the choice the OVA having no dialogue, which I guess was because of voice actors being too expensive. Even though that’s the case, Daicon still oozes with creativity, beauty and most of all PASSION. What’s most noticeable is the plot that feels extremely sci-fi, with a girl who is given “special water” to water a radish which can turn into an enormous spaceship. However, the best thing about Daicon is its plentiful and endless references to other pop culture like f.ex DC, Marvel, Star Wars, Ultraman, Godzilla, as well as numerous popular anime. Which at the time where the likes of Gundam, Captain Harlock, Urusei Yatsura, Space Battleship Yamato, etc. They’re all included here as a tribute to these works as well as otaku culture in general. Daicon is also paired off with quite an amazing tune called “Twilight” from Electric Light Orchestra which fits the OVA so well.

Overall, if you're a fan of at least two Gainax shows then I would consider this a MUST-WATCH! You will get so much history, beauty, and joy here. Even if you're not, I highly recommend since this was the beginnings of a studio that would later create such beloved shows such as FLCL, Evangelion and Gurren Lagann. This may have not changed my personal life, but I do consider this to be a masterpiece and a hidden gem if you like this I also highly recommend Otaku No Video.

じゃあね!

I'm not at all biased. Anime is worth watching after all! I'm a boomer named Booms Mcgriddle and I gotta say this changed my mind almost immediately. My son Bartholomew is a crazy person who will not stop jerking off to bunny girls, and I thought he should be put to death, but he showed me this video and my mind is completely not the same anymore, because now I can't stop jerking off to Bunny Women. So there it is, it is, what it is, I love anime!!!

Additionally, I have now discovered my fetish for Daicon. Live long and prosper.

Daicon III:

It's endearing to know that the otaku in charge of that convention understood even then that the essence of anime is "cute gorl; also fetishistic referencing and remixing." I liked her design and I liked the ersatz monsters and mechanical stuff. It's not like I was expecting a story, so I wasn't really disappointed in any regard. If there's not enough here, it's just because they would go on to do bigger and better stuff as professionals. As a community, we should be and are glad that they did.

Daicon IV:

Everything that Daicon III was, but, like, more of it. And topping it in ... basically every way. Cute gorl? We have a cuter gorl. Fetishistic referencing? We have references to everything a 1980s otaku would have given a shit about. And we have it all in smoother animation, with great shot composition and a whole lot of frenetic energy. One of my favorite ELO songs backs it up perfectly. Almost 40 years later, this is still an absolute treat.

This was a guerilla team of otaku's tribute to everything they geeked out over. Made with a fast and loose approach to copyright laws, and using Electric Light Orchestra's music without permission these opening animations are a hallmark of GAINAX's love of big cool nonsense.

Star Wars, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, other old sentai properties, bunny girls, booba, huge explosions animated by Hideaki Anno himself, these shorts have everything befitting a science fiction convention in the late 80's.

Massive copyright infringement, fair use in limbo, and made for free in their spare time these projects are an essential part of understanding Gainax and all of their ... subsequent works.