Shin Hurricane Polymar

So anyway, New Hurricane Polymar OVA: Holy Blood has actually been released in the US - more than once, even - interesting given that the original hasn't been released here in any capacity (though, it sure is popular in Italy - go figure - which is where I'd first seen the original).

To any extent, Hurricane Polymar OVA is VERY indiciative of it's era in Anime - nearly fossilized even. At a quick glance one can tell exactly when it's from - both to it's credit and detriment.

First of all, if you're not familiar with it, the original is ridiculous - it's action-jammed and fluid and surprisingly viseral, especially for not being too graphic. In this way the original reflect IT'S era of Anime. I suppose, then, it's appropriate that the remake reflects it's era as well.
The action in the remake is rammed up accordingly - it does try to capture the feel of the original - though one can tell the budget had to be considered at times. There is, of course, blood and nudity factored in now where there wasn't in the original - as one might expect.

Secondly, the art is a bit "extreme" and there certainly are some questionable choices - what is with all the cats? And what in the world is Detective Joe wearing? Further, there is a clear inclination that they are trying to punch up the art style, to make it grittier - the point that even the tears are exaggerated.

Finally, the tone is a little weird - that is, EXTREME action and then ODDBALL comedy for long stretches; the show seems a bit confused about the tone that it's really aiming for - I imagine this a product of both misguided direction and an attempt to pad out the whole VHS. The whole mess comes out a bit over-the-top, as it were.

It's not a bad OVA by any means - it's fun and very watchable - quite action-y for your thirty minutes. However, it also feels very much a relic of an "extreme" time gone by.

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