Bastard!! · review
A 7 is for the Heavy Metal aesthetic. It’s loud and it’s ridiculous. It feels like an album cover come to life. It’s a solid 7 because it’s fun, but it’s definitely not "high art." ● Themes and Narrative Structure: It’s a classic "Dark Wizard vs. The World" setup. The themes are light, mostly about ego and power. The structure is a bit dated (it is an 80s throwback, after all), following a villain of the week progression for a while. ● Character Development: Dark Schneider is the ultimate love to hate him lead. He’s arrogant and powerful, but he’s not shallow. He’s a man with apast that slowly unfurls. He’s the opposite of a good hero, which makes him interesting.
The antagonists are often former allies, which adds a layer of history to the fights.
● Technical Execution:
The modern remake is flashy and colorful, with plenty of magical pyrotechnics. The soundtrack is, naturally, heavy on the metal. It’s a visual treat if you like that specific 80s/90s OVA vibe.