Elf 17

Since nobody has said anything, I'm going to post a really brief review here. This is mainly to give you an idea of what the heck you're looking at, rather than eloquently express my opinion. Consider it a placeholder until someone comes along and writes a real review.

So, Elf 17 is an 80's OVA that is rather goofy and doesn't even try to make sense. The point to watching it is nothing more than enjoyment. If you want to relax to something lighthearted and fun, this might be for you. If you're seeking depth or originality, then stay away from this title at all costs.

Plot-wise, ... it involves a few characters who travel to another planet and cause trouble by stealing their holy wine. The protagonist is apparently an elf who can fly, the male foil is some guy in a mech suit (he even sleeps in the suit!), there is a prince who's apparently just here to enjoy the spectacle, and a traitor taxi driver. It's nothing more than a mish-mash of cliches, without even the slightest attempt to explain it.

The art is surprisingly good considering how obscure this title is. You won't be let down on that point. The music is mostly notable for the awesome ED.

And.. that's it! Not much more to talk about really, considering its short length and subject matter.

After crashing a ridiculous intergalactic martial arts tournament being held by the eccentric prince Masukata Taira (or Muscat Tyler as I've seen throughout the internet), the sometimes winged superhuman protagonist Ruu battles the perpetually mech suit wearing K.K. for the prize of touring the galaxy with the aforementioned prince. Ultimately both Ruu and K.K. accompany Taira, and hilarity ensues as they get into hijinks on a planet that's vaguely Middle Eastern.

This 1987 OVA is predictably light on plot, with most things occurring for no other reason than for the sake of goofy humor. The art and animation is serviceable though, and Elf 17 is rather ... cute and fun in its own way. The elf Ruu is positively '80s, and the fact K.K. never gets out of his mech suit is amusing. He freakin sleeps in the thing. And keep an eye out for the blink and you'll miss cameos from the likes of Chewbacca, Jabba the Hut, and Lum from Urusei Yatsura in the crowd of the opening tournament scene. Which isn't to say this thing is some kind of laugh riot, because it's not. It's pure '80s silliness that is rather hit and miss on the jokes.

I guess one could file this under "useless anime" if they were so inclined. But let's be perfectly honest here, this is an OVA that's a few seconds shy of 30 minutes, expecting a well crafted story and deep character development from it is like expecting a coherent plot from an Italian horror movie. You're just not gonna get that. Which isn't to excuse its shortcomings, but understanding that goes a long way to being able to just sit back and be entertained by the lunacy that you're about to behold. There's certainly worst ways to kill time after all.