The reason why I’m writing this review of an ultra-obscure OVA that’s more than 20 years old now is because it is at long last being subbed (more info on that at the series subforum). For those who are unfamiliar with KNK I'll just say it's an epic 32 episodes (each one 45 min on average) OVA that run from 1993 to 2003. So yes, it took JC Staff (the studio) 10 years to make it. That can give you an idea of the quality level and the effort that was put into creating this. The story is set in an alternate WW2 where a Japanese admiralis trying to change Japan's role in the war. It plays out pretty much as a political thriller with a ton of absolutely gorgeous action scenes, all of which are fully handrawn and joy to watch to any (realistic) 2D animation fan (Think Legend of the Galactic Heroes meets Zipang with the quality level of Patlabor 2 or Jin Roh in the action scenes). I guess the fact that I've watched the series several times Raw with my broken japanese should give you an indication of just how good the action scenes are.
I’m not even a history or military buff but I sure as hell am a hardcore handrawn animation fan who loves a good, gripping story and interesting characters. And, really, it doesn’t get much better than this
They just don't make them like they used to and it’s painfully obvious that we won't be able to get any military-political thriller of this caliber any time soon (if ever).