Dark Cat

I really don't understand why this OVA is so hated

This is one of the few pre 2000s OVAs i've watched which has a decent script and pacing, and most inportantly, a captivating story
It's only downfall is time, trying to fit many layers and different tones in just 50 minutes made some scenes feel a bit rushed and shifts in tone were quite abrupt
This story i think would've fit very well as a one cour show, the already interesting concept and power system would've only benefitted from having more time to smooth out the different tones and explore and develope the characters

Dark Cat is an early 90s OVA that has two main focuses in it's story. The first follows Aimi Koenji, who is hopelessly in love with a boy in her school, Hiroki Koizumi. However, Hiroki is in love with somebody else, who ended up rejecting him. The other is a tale of two brothers, Hyoi and Hiroki Koizumi, who have the power to transform into creatures known as "Dark Cats", and who are busy fending off evil monsters that are being awoken in humans by the main villain, an ogre named Jukokubo.

Either story on it's own would be somewhat generic, and combining the two makes ... the anime seem a bit unfocused. However, the two tales intertwine at the end. I can't say the story was super unique, but it was at least entertaining for the duration, even if it's somewhat poorly executed with some plot holes.
The characters are pretty basic and forgettable, but they were interesting enough for the story they were telling. The ending also didn't seem very satisfying, which is a downside. I would say the story is probably the weakest part of this whole thing, but it's got just enough in it to keep things interesting for a 50 minute OVA.

The visual directing also isn't very great, consisting mostly of very typical shots, without anything impressive standing out. This doesn't do any favors for the art, which seems to be dated, even by 1991 OVA standards. It definitely looks more like the kind of thing that would have came out 5 years earlier than it did. Still, the art wasn't atrocious to look at, even if it was kind of plain and unrefined.

The music was great, and was definitely the highlight, being one of the more memorable aspects of the anime. It had this 80s J-pop sound to it which felt really reminiscent of the era, and worked well in the setting.

Voice acting in the Japanese dub was above average. There weren't any standout performances, but each actor did an adequate job at voicing their character, even if the lines they had to read were somewhat generic.

Overall, it's not anything special, but it's a decent enough anime to check out if you're bored and can forgive some rough edges and a generic story.

Story: 4
Characters: 5
Art: 6
Sound: 8
Enjoyment: 7
Overall: 6

Have you ever wondered what would happen if hentai-worthy, eldritch dick monsters invaded a Saturday morning cartoon? Well, Dark Cat of course!

It's near impossible to explain in text how messed up and inconsistent the tone of this anime is, combining pure cheese typical for kids cartoons with absolutely obscene, Lovecraftian scenes of demon possession and disturbing fanservice. Also, as a cherry on top, the English dubbing for this was done by a hentai localisation company with no experience with proper anime.

Honestly, the end effect is kind of hilarious, particularly when the story becomes more dramatic or during fight scenes. Combining an anime that has no ... idea what it tries to be with voice actors that have no idea what they're doing is more or less a match made in heaven. If you're looking something to laugh at, Dark Cat should be high on your least, probably on the same level as masterpieces such as Mars of Destruction or Psychic Wars. That's the only way you should approach it though...