Tetsuwan Birdy Decode

While pursuing an alien fugitive, Birdy Cephon Altera—a bombastic police officer from the Space Federation—finds herself on Earth. Her target, Geega, has disguised himself as a human and assimilated into the fashion industry, so Birdy follows suit and joins a modeling agency, taking on the identity "Shion Arita." Her position as a rising model has her posing for photo shoots by day and chasing intergalactic criminals by night.

Meanwhile, Tsutomu Senkawa, an average high school student, explores an abandoned building with his friend, and coincidentally, Birdy has tracked down Geega to the same building. Senkawa briefly witnesses the battle before being seized as a hostage by Geega. However, Birdy, oblivious, attacks Geega and accidentally kills Senkawa. Distraught, she quickly decides to save him by integrating his consciousness into her body.

Now, Birdy and Senkawa must not only cohabitate the same body, but also balance Senkawa's high school life, Shion Arita's modeling career, and Birdy's increasingly dangerous job as a Federation officer.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Altera, Birdy Cephon Main

Chiba, Saeko Japanese

Senkawa, Tsutomu Main

Irino, Miyu Japanese

Nakasugi, Sayaka Main

Sakamoto, Maaya Japanese

Tuto Supporting

Kawada, Shinji Japanese

Gomez, George Supporting

Ishizuka, Unshou Japanese

Muroto, Keisuke Supporting

Fujiwara, Keiji Japanese

Megius, Paul Supporting

Aoyama, Yutaka Japanese

Thetis, Capella Supporting

Nazuka, Kaori Japanese

Weegie Supporting

Neya, Michiko Japanese

Hayamiya, Natsumi Supporting

Itou, Kanae Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Izubuchi, Yutaka Producer

Ochikoshi, Tomonori Producer

Minami, Masae Producer

Reviews

Jan 31, 2009

Archaeon

Recommended

I will freely admit that I'm a fan of the original Birdy the Mighty. I watched the original OVA back in 1997, and I loved the show for it's surrealistic sci-fi premise. When I heard that the show was being remade into a 13 part TV series, it goes without saying that I was looking forward to it.

The original Tetsuwan Birdy manga was created by Yuuki Masami (who is more well known for his Mobile Police Patlabor series), and ran in Shounen Sunday Super magazine. However, Yuuki's work on Kyuukyoku Chojin R (The Ultimate Esper "R"), for the same magazine eventually led to the manga ... being abandoned. The original manga was received rather well though, which led to it's adaptation as a four part OVA.

It wasn't until a few years later that Yuuki went back to the original Tetsuwan Birdy series, and instead of continuing with the series from the time it was abandoned, he decided to do a complete revision of the series from scratch. The new series, Birdy the Mighty II, began serialisation in Weekly Young Sunday magazine in 2003.

The story for both the original OVA and the new series generally follows the same path. Intergalactic police officer Birdy Cephon Altera and her cyborg partner Tute arrive on Earth in pursuit of a wanted alien criminal and, whilst chasing that criminal, she accidentally kills a high school student named Senkawa Tsutomu. However, this is not the end for Tsutomu as the Federation that Birdy works for will provide him with a new body. In the interests of not causing undue alarm to the people around him (and letting him continue with his life), Tsutomu's "soul" is merged with Birdy's body (allowing them to switch between each other), whilst his new body is made.

In all honesty, I preferred the story in the OVA. The new series, whilst being more in depth, also tends to drag its heels with regards to the plot. The OVA had a much tighter story, and the pacing was far better because of the time constraints. The new series, whilst giving more information, is also guilty of not using the extra time in the series to drive the story forward. Indeed, there are to many occasions in the new series that can only be described as "filler" moments (thankfully though, there's no real filler episodes).

The most noticeable thing about this series is the quality of the artwork and the animation. The character designs are very much in keeping with both manga, however the level of detail in the designs is superior than that of the OVA. The backgrounds are often very well done, and the CG sequences are very smooth, especially during the sequences in space. A-1 pictures have done some excellent work animating the show, and nowhere is this more noticeable than in the various action sequences. The various fights and chases are extremely fluid and surprisingly detailed.

Sound is another big plus for this series, and is definitely better than that of the OVA. The sound effects used throughout the show are generally very good, although some of the effects can be a little odd in their usage. The OP is a pretty good J-rock track by Hearts Grow, entitled Sora. I have to admit that I much prefer the track used for the ED though, as it seems more in keeping with the slightly whimsical nature of the show.

Birdy is actually a pretty good character on the whole. During her time on Earth she moonlights as an up-and-coming idol named Arita Shion. The nice part about giving Birdy a "secret identity" is that it allows more of her playful personality to come to the fore.

Tsutomu, on the other hand, is more of a typical high school boy of the type that appear in many anime. The relationship between Birdy and Tsutomu works surprisingly well however, especially during the time they share one body. There is a definite chemistry between the two characters that was never really developed in the OVA, and the conversations between the two are often lively.

The downside though, is that a number of the other characters aren't developed well (or at all in some cases). Some of the more prominent characters (Nakasugi Sayaka and Satyajit Shyamalan for example), could have received a great deal more development than the show provided, especially in the case of Shyamalan.

That said though, this is still a entertaining series. There's enough going on in the show to keep you interested, although the end of the show was rather predictable. I did enjoy the series on the whole, and whilst it may be superior to the OVA in many respects, it doesn't have the same pacing or the tight storyline of the original.

This is a show that action fans may enjoy, but it may also appeal to those who want to see a strong female lead. If you simply want a show that's got action without being too serious, then it may be worth giving this a try.

Given a choice though, I would go for the OVA before watching this.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Oct 21, 2009

SamFury

Mixed Feelings

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Comments and Constructive Criticism is Welcome
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Story
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I was in search for breasts. I know… I know… Ecchi anime doesn’t usually leave a pleasant taste in the mouth, but I’m a man, and I live in the now! No one can tell me that alien crime fighters with swelling bosoms aren’t quality entertainment. So I sat there, legs crossed, pondering what I could watch. I took the necessary steps, asked a few of my friends who lurked in the dank recesses of their mother’s basement, desperate carnal housewives and of course, the internet. To my surprise the vast archives ... Google unfurled the arms of its vast archives to reveal Birdy: a futuristic Venus, flecked tresses and state-of-the-art thong. Was she who I was looking for?

It’s easy to see the lead’s character model in the opening few minutes of Birdy the Mighty: Decode and inaccurately assume that this show aims for sensuality instead of substance. On the contrary, it’s a blend: a large helping of action and science fiction, a few doses of political struggle and a shot of comedy some zest of romance thrown in for good measure. These elements play friendly enough together, but this is where the series falters; the plot strands tangle themselves into a distracted wreck.

It starts modestly enough; Birdy has come to Earth from Altaria to investigate Geega, a smuggler who nabbed an unknown alien artifact. Her pursuit leads her to the abandoned hollows of an abandoned warehouse, where Tsutomo becomes ensnared in the ensuing melee between the two extraterrestrials. The experience leaves him a mangled mess of crimson pools and crippled limbs. The solution: our heroine decides to house the boy’s conscious in her own body while his carcass is shipped off for reconstruction.

The narrative is driven by the quarrels between the two, both trying to reconcile the fact their lives aren’t their own anymore. As Tsutomo tries to get back on the rails of reality, Birdy struggles for control, trying to maintain some job security as an intergalactic investigator. My interest in their back and forth was slender at best, most of the dialogue slanting towards comedy punctuated by tender moments of little depth. A simple remedy would be to focus on the potential of the relationship and expanding it, but as I said before the plot pieces on so many factors they can’t fit into the 13 episodes.

The scenarios begin to thicken with the introduction of the Fedearition and the Union, two large interplanetary governments that are vying to annex the neutral territories that separate them and suppress conflict. After taking front stage and center for a few installments it disappears into the background, nonchalantly hinted at in the last two sections. The product of this bureaucratic boxing and science fiction setting establish frames for some intense action, which fade when the writers decided to blanket the storyline with a romance.

Tsutomo begins to mingle with a classmate, Sawaka, which eventually blossoms into the wholesome love of youth. It’s a touching affair, choreographed dances of awkwardness and naivety. It might be the strongest aspect the entire series, as it burgeons into a memorable peak. It would have left a palatable taste in my mouth if it weren’t for the wrap up in the final episode.

The pulp of Birdy the Might Decode is disemboweled from the fruit and tossed out in it’s a final moments. The climax is rendered to meaninglessness and the courtship of the two children is scrapped. I thought to myself, “What the hell was all this for then?” Backtracking, I revaluated my final impressions, “Well this is a sequel, and perhaps there is hope.” The program is unsatisfying, yet it benefits from having a future; that maybe space-cop and I can kiss and make up.

= = = = =
Art
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Amazing. Few shows can match the quality of animation in Birdy the Mighty Decode, being beat out by productions such as X’amd: The Lost Memories. The world vibrates with color, accented with unpretentious cell shaded CGI. The alien set-pieces favor using natural curves, their technology giving living and breathing impression. The character designs reflect the form, sleek lines and bold hues. They look at their best in action, moving gracefully over building rooftops, theatrical sets and extraterrestrial arenas. Watching them being reduced to rubble by otherworldly brouhaha is a feast for the eyes.

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Sound
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The sound does not match the ‘amazing’ of the animation but holds it’s own. The voice actors earn their salaries, but don’t go over and above the call of duty. The opening is a sprightly J-pop tune that follows the vivid palette. The rest of the soundtrack is a mesh drawing from both techno-pop and classical instruments mirroring the clash between the hi-tech Altarians and the underdeveloped earthlings. It’s a decent package rounded out by the happy-go-lucky ED that annoys with it’s extensive use of Japlish. I guess it could be considered cute… but broken English doesn’t sit well with my ears.

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Characters
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It’s fitting the Tsutomo and Birdy share a body, each being so meager in depth that you could fit it into one frame. More so the former than the latter, as he proves to have an uncompromised sense of a justice and gawky handling of the female species typical of middle-school aged males. Scenes of Birdy’s past are shaded in, indicating she wasn’t always the goody two shoed defender of the galaxy she is now. It’s paltry, but at least its something.

The supporting cast doesn’t offer much either, the fair face Sawaka being the most delectable of the group. Her balancing act is impressive, teetering from pubescent teen to tortured soul to the sterling daughter of a tycoon. The other notable character is the antagonist, Shyamalan, who give no rhyme of reason as to why he is the bad guy. He ends up coming off as a Global Neo-Nazi Facist with a fetish for Darwinian lingo. An improvement in character development would have helped prop up and even suppress some of the disorientation of the plot, but instead just adds to it.

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Overall
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It’s hard to recommend Birdy the Might Decode because of its wayward storytelling and cardboard characters. But it does offer entertainment, a slick production and engaging combat all within thirteen episodes. It’s a short series that pledges a sequel, a continuation that hopefully unlocks the promising aspects of the series while maintaining it strengths. It wasn’t the hi-tech ecchi series I was looking for, but the results were the same, the insipid relish left lingering on my tongue.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Feb 25, 2022

Gsarthotegga

Not Recommended

After the original Birdy series was abandoned, the author returned to write a new Birdy series, which Birdy the Mighty: Decode is an adaptation of. The gist of it is more or less the same, but Decode is completed. Although the rating on MAL is pretty decent, I remember this being a series with a fairly lukewarm reception back when it came out—at least the first season, and i can see why.

It starts off well enough. A typical sci-fi action/adventure that sometimes looks merely okay or a bit generic, but the production values shift rapidly to be something more awe inspiring. There's a lot ... of great key animation here, especially coming alive during the numerous action sequences. The problem with a number of "sakuga fests" is that, like Naruto, it's not uncommon for them to be like dumpster dives where you end up swimming through banana peels and sludge, but you at least find a few nice items--in this case, animation--that (hopefully) makes the tedious and/or gross experience worthwhile. Fortunately, all of these slices of nice animation are presented in an isolated format for your viewing pleasure on Youtube, so while dumpster diving may lead to some unique finds, you can forego the diving part and just get right to the good stuff when it comes to anime. Is BM: D like that? Sort of... it's not a slog like Naruto or Bleach or some LONG shounen. It has nice qualities, but it's definitely flawed.

To begin with, it has one of those storylines following an intergalactic police organization. There are many different races populating various far-flung planets, most of which seem far more advanced than earth. Nothing wrong with it as a concept. Though I've personally never seen it pulled off in a truly great way. Birdy tracks down several alien criminals to earth, and while the story doesn't differentiate itself from your average sci-fi anime much, hunting down Geega and Bacillus is quite entertaining, the fights have immense energy and dynamism, the story is well-paced for about 3-4 eps, and there's a mystery slowly unravelling, almost like a detective story.

Then it goes off the rails. Senkawa and Birdy are fused, which leads to an interesting dynamic between the two, but it feels squandered since most of the runtime switches between the main sci-fi plot, and then to the slow dump that is the school-based slice of life segments. Obviously we're going to have school life segments if the two are sharing the same body, but the writing is nothing exceptional in these parts and the pacing is atrocious. Many segments seem like filler. For example, when Senkawa is not present for Nakasugi's party, and we're presented to several scenes... there's really no point to these parts.

The same for the urban exploration scenes. I'm not one of those people who constantly nags if something isn't integral to the plot, but it needs to have interesting thematics or ideas, develop the character in some way, etc. This is literally just padding in almost all instances here. Another awkward bit is how Senkawa's classmates are pestering him to continue with the urban exploration club that Senkawa started in the first place. It might have made sense to introduce this AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW INSTEAD. I mean, we all know what Senkawa is up to at the beginning, and it wouldn't make the fact that the building he randomly picks to explore happens to have a criminal space alien and Birdy--to clumsily advance the plot--any less ridiculous, but still... most of the subplots are also very sloppy, and though the information we learn from these scenes eventually fleshes out aspects of the story, they don't feel well integrated. What is even the point in the serial killer subplot in the subways?! (I'll concede that this might have had a purpose that I missed, but it didn't seem like it did, other than for Capella to have a quick run-in with Birdy and introduce herself to Shyamalan; they could have easily done this without that subplot.)

The villain is basically an Indian version (he looks exactly like every other character, just with darker skin. lol) of Bill Gates, who wants to depopulate the planet, of course, though he poses it as selecting between the "chosen" versus the "chaff," or whatever epithet you prefer--sort of accelerating evolution. This seems to be the no. 1 go to choice when an author doesn't know what to do with his villain. I feel like this is practically every other anime villain nowadays. It's not even a spoiler to confirm that he ends up being the chaff as well, because that's what ALWAYS happens, so the creator can smugly be like "Ha, look at my good boy characters triumphing over this narcissistic elitist eugenicist." I don't know whether to sigh or yawn.

There is also some definite filler when it comes to the sci-fi side of the coin: when Birdy heads back to headquarters, she is embroiled in a conspiracy involving a race of... dog people who are rebelling against the Federation. It has absolutely nothing to do with the main plot, though it introduces a few new characters. Most of the aliens look really, really stupid. Almost the entire show could have just as easily remained on earth, and the only parts we really needed from here would be a quick court sequence and a bit of exposition, the introduction of Nechia Geeze, and a few choice sequences, and we would be better off.

Although there are some enjoyable moments, and occasionally good chemistry between Birdy and the main, a decent opening, etc., it's really the great fight scenes that are the main attraction. Do the surrounding scenes enhance these fight scenes because of character motivation and emotions? Eh... not much, tbh. There are really only 4 or so especially good fight scenes. Aside from the opening action, there is the fight with Geega, two fights with Bacillus, and the fight with Ondine. Other than that, there's some crappy stuff with the dog people... then the ending sequence is good, but it's anti-climatic as an action sequence. If season 2 is better as a series overall in comparison to season 1, then this might be worth trudging through. It's just a pretty average and inconsistent series when there are so many better ones out there. Most of the necessary components for this to succeed are there, it just needed a better writer, I think.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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