Giant Robo: Ginrei Special · review
Spoiler warning
This review may discuss plot details.
Dang. I've never had such mixed feelings for 3 episodes before. The first episode was just plain boring filler with some blatant fanservice. Although the shower switcheroo to Alberto was actually really funny. all in all a meh experience panned along with cheap animation. The second episode, it's just a complete circus of unadulterated fanservice. From start to finished its filled with some of the most blatant and ashamed fanservice I have ever seen in an anime. Daisaku getting drunk, to him (and everybody) wearing chinese dresses. To repeated (at nauseum levels) of naked shots of Ginrei. Its a crack episode no doubt. Half of me lovesthe sheer absurdity and insanity of it all, but half of me is speechless at the unashamed nature of it all. The animations was at least upped here, along with an original opening theme.
The third episode shakes things up a bit with a genuinely compelling plot. The wild west setting is a fresh breather, and the backstory of Daisaku(Rudo) in this episode feels quite different in a good way, even if it does feel a bit tropey. The fan service has been toned down (for better or for worse) to a minimum here choosing to focus on the western drama aspects of its plot. All in all it feels like a enjoyable homage to old Clint Eastwood movies. Quite enjoyable, would recommend.
Why would a near masterpiece of a anime OVA like Giant Robo need a comedic 3 parter like this? Who knows. Oh well, at least we get more Ginrei.