Forgotten anime: Dragon’s Heaven (1988)

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Just a Girl & Her Battle Robot

Just a Girl & Her AI Battle Robot

Here’s an OVA you’re not likely to find outside of youtube or a streaming site: Dragon’s Heaven. (It took me a while to find it, because I’d heard the title as “Dragon Seven” :p

Dragon05It’s the story of an AI mech, created to work with a human pilot to fight a war against rebellious AI robots. After his pilot died and the war ended, he was left behind and put himself into standby mode…

Dragon04… for a thousand years. Enter Ikuru, a young woman with an interest in engineering and a desire to protect her city from the Empire of Brazil.In the cafe.Eventually the prime rebel AI arrives with the invading Brazilian air armada and battle is joined!
Dragon03Dragon06It’s a simple story, with some humorous touches, but what steals the show is the artwork, heavily influenced by Jean Giraud (Mœbius), an influential French comic artist (also known for his designs in the Alien movie franchise).

Here are a couple Moebius images, for comparison:

moebius01moebius02Here’s where I found it on youtube. It starts with live footage of people making a large model of the robot. Let me know what you think of it!

Spice and Wolf (2008) – an unusual fantasy anime.

Paul Kemner.com Posted on by
Kraft Lawrence & Holo

Kraft Lawrence & Holo

For a decidedly different anime series, try Spice and Wolf. It’s set in a medievalesque world, but it lacks the staples of magic swords, elves, orcs, or bratty princesses.

Instead, it’s the story of Kraft Lawrence, a merchant who’s working as a traveling trader to gain funds, experience, and contacts to eventually open his own shop. One evening he meets Holo, an ancient wolf goddess from the North.

Generations ago, Holo made a deal with the local town, guaranteeing them good harvests in exchange for honoring her. Over the centuries, the people have begun to take those harvests for granted, and have transferred their devotion to the (Christian-ish) Church. Her main festival has devolved into a harvest celebration, with her as a minor symbol. She’s feeling under-appreciated and bored, and decides to return to her home in the North.

She makes a deal with Lawrence to travel with him and learn more about how the world has changed, in exchange for her help.

It’s an appealing series, with excellent character development. Economics also provides some plot points, going beyond simplistic ‘buy low-sell high’. If you haven’t seen it, give it a try- (there are 2 seasons). If you have, what did you think of it?