Its a shame not that many people appreciate this show to give it a higher score, but more importantly, that many people haven't even heard of it to begin with considering how rare the more grounded subject matter it deals with is both more poignant in today's political climate, and absent in anime's obsesdion with action schlock geared towards the fantastical.
Because Desert Rose is action schlock, and honestly has no real greater message other than, terrorists are bad. But its execution is admirable and the creator clearly is well researched enough to immerse his audience within the story that he spins with great detail.
Desert Rose is about an all female group of counter terrorists led by a female victim of terrorism. The OVA came out in the 90s and for some reason was never picked up for a full series. Which is a shame because the manga it was based off of gave me the same kind of enjoyment as gunslinger girls.
The OVA in question is more than competent as well. The enjoyment comes from the details I mentioned earlier. I get that this is an anime and obviously takes some liberties with its realism but what was there brought a huge smile on my face. Soldiers that talk like soldiers, who clear rooms and relay reports to one another with brevity. There's a scene where a Swiss commando tests these ladies in their competencies by drawing a gun on them and while most of it was over the top, there was a bit in there where two of the counter terrorists immediatwly snap to covering the window in anticipation of other opposition forces. The implication being that they are always cognizant of their surroundings and are as a result, always alert.
This last part was what I got out of the OVA the most and what I expect is what warranted such a low MAL score. I expect most people wanted a Die Hard or Black Lagoon kind of show where everyone is a Peckinpah, Woo, or Tarantino creation and was bored by the pre planning, waiting, and brief bits of action that actually occured. To those people I ask, don't we have way too many of those shows already? Again, this is just an anime so girls with guns in maid outfits are a plenty, but they have a mission pertinent reason for putting them on to begin with. Not to mention the female combatants are given way more agency than just, girls who like to shoot things.
The ending was abrupt and if this was supposed to be a pilot for a potential series, I wonder why they didn't jist adapt the first chapter which was a more palatable opening for what the series can offer.
All in all, I think this is a great OVA, the character designs were cool and much attention was given to the firearms to not look goofy. The large cast works as a strength as they serve more as a way to highlight tue main character's competencies as a leader and how they admire her l, with the exceptions of her direct subordinates, each of whom have a moment, however brief to shine.
The soundtrack, outside of the Ending was kind of forgetable but the baclground art was consistently enjoyable.
I'd give this a 7.5/10 with a strong reccomendation to check out the manga after the OVA but more than likely the OVA will have sold you on that option already as I was wanting more and binge read as much as I could.
