Thanks to an extraordinary person (Stardust!), I have finally been able to see the Gatch OAVs. Love them. Characters: Re-designs Ok, I realize that some of the re-designs are not preferred by many fans. However, I didn't think they were bad. Jinpei and Ryu looked great (Ryu looking more muscular than fat). Ken, I will admit, did look like an Eagle Scout. But a very hunky Eagle Scout, at that. ^_^ Joe was all right, but I preferred it when he was in bird style rather than his new civvie look. Jun...er...developed. She's going to be very sorry when she's in her middle thirties and her boobs are down to her belly button because she ran around killing bad guys without a bra. On another note, though, I like her haircut. ^_^ Nambu...er...looks like he needs a wife to pick out his clothes. Definitely. Other than that, he's not that bad. Maybe he should be put on TLC's What Not to Wear? Hmmm... Characterization: Comparing the 105 episodes of characterization the original series got to the three episodes of the OAV, yeah, the original is far better. However, in my own, humble, opinion, the OAV did a good job with the time it had. Sure, at times, the characters seemed a bit one-dimensional, but it never reached the level of the comics...which I think prepared me a lot to like this interpretation. Story: Changed it around a little, but it was still pretty close to the original. Nothing major was changed (well, aside from the end). Speaking of the end...what the heck was that thing that talked to them. I noticed that the English version was a lot more talkative than the Japanese. Any clues/hints would be great. Anyways, great dvd! (I'm being a bit rushed since I have to go.) Aaah! Coming!

I am glad to help Elvin! I am also glad to hear you wonder who that voice is in the end too. Been trying to figure that one out for awhile now. Hey, maybe it is the same narrator guy from the original series that Tengu pointed out. What do you think?

Could be. I'm wondering why it popped out of the explosion of Sosai X. I thought it might be a "redeemed" Sosai X or something, but that didn't make a lot of sense. Guess I'll just have to rewatch it and the few Gatch episodes I have to see if it's the narrator. I'm sure I can suffer through it. I'd just like to know why he was trapped in Sosai X, in that case. Or was it just tagged on for the heck of it. Or something.

I dont think nobody knows.... I liked the OAVs..for what they are worth. But the one word in the review in the Official BOTP guide `They were beautiful to look at, but were hollow, somehow.` BTW, IMHO, the subbed is better than the dubbed version, the plot makes more sense.

Tengu I totally agree with you. The subbed version is better.

Are there any....unofficial.....versions of this available?

You mean *coughs* unofficial?

Yes, there are bootlegs of the OAVs, and one of the places you can get them from is http://www.discountanimedvd.com/. I dare say they still turn up on Ebay too.

Definitely subbed, though the conversation with the whatchamacallit scene had both the translated Japanese subs and the English subtitles used in the...English version. So I got to see how much they differed. The differences throughout are small, but, in my opinion, important. Dunno what the guide was talking about. I didn't find it to be hollow at all. Wish I had Joe's car though...probably one of the sweetest things out there. *drool*

I really enjoyed the OAV's - more than I expected to. Personally- I love the new Condor look! Absolute hate the new civvy Ken look (though fortunately he looks good in uniform still) and yes - Jun has developed somewhat. As for the thing at the end, I took that to be the Phoenix - as it seemed to come out of the Firey Phoenix and return to that. The one thing that really did interest me was the very last still - as they're walking near the amusement park. Did you notice that Joe was turned away from the rest of the team?? Megs

He hates them too.

I bought the OAV by accident thinking they were the first episodes of the orignal Gatchaman. I didn't like the dubbed versions of either but prefer to try to read the subbed versions which is nice. Lol I can the pros and cons for the OAVs and for a beginner, I thought it looked alright. Not fantastic but alright and at least the plot made some sense, though I am sure there are some things that I can't put my finger on.....excluding the Bird Missle firing stud.

What are the OAV episodes??? I have the boxed series but not sure what version that makes them. Also I'm not sure if they are the subbed or dubbed version. HELP me please on trying to figure this stuff out.

Here's a link to Amazon's page on the OAVs. Basically, it's a three-episode re-make with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Have it added to my favorites so I won't forget to watch it later. When I'm not trying to get ready for work. Thanks for the info.

I thought the OAV was pretty good for what's it worth. I thought some of the designs seem a little off like Ken,for instance.Joe looked okay,Jun,was like wow!!! If only she had more lines.Jinpei,not too much.Love the new surfer look for Ryu though(considering that he's from Okinawa.) The ending is real confusing. And not that much from the original has changed but compare that to a well-written 104 episode series,it doesn't hold a candle. All inall,I thought it was a pretty good reboot for the series.I'd wish that they make another that's at least Gundam length.(50s)

I don't mind the look so much of the OAVs (TJ ducks the flying tomatoes) but the flat storylines and characterizations bothered me. I guess that's what happens when you try to cram too many episodes into too short a time.

I think they had a good bit of time to work with, but so much of it was spent talking.. they could have put more action in there...