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Birth | |
バース (Bāsu) | |
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Original video animation | |
Directed by | Shinya Sadamitsu |
Produced by | Toshihiro Nagao |
Music by | Joe Hisaishi |
Studio |
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Licensed by |
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Released | August 21, 1984 |
Runtime | 80 minutes |
Birth (バース, Bāsu), also known in the West as Planet Busters or The World of the Talisman, is a 1984 anime original video animation (OVA), which was released on VHS and DVD in North America by, variously, Streamline and ADV Films. The Japanese DVD was released by video game publisher Atlus on March 25, 2005.
It is based on the manga Birth Planet Busters by Yoshinori Kanada published in 1983.
It is based on a far futuristic planet where four mercenaries band together to try and unlock the power of the ultimate weapon which can either save humanity or destroy it. Against mechas and strange races, they sweep the vast planet to reach their goal.
Summary
Aqualoid was a prosperous planet, but an attack from a mysterious life force, the Inorganics, transforms it into a post-apocalyptic shell of its former self. When Nam finds a mysterious sword, he is suddenly the object of a planet-wide chase. With the Inorganics closing in, will Nam and his friends discover the secret of the sword and save their world? Or will they destroy Aqualoid in favor of a new Birth?
Production
Yoshinori Kanada acted as the OVA's character designer, as well as one of the animation directors and key animators. Another noteworthy animator on Birth was a young Hideaki Anno, who would go on to direct Neon Genesis Evangelion. Fellow Gainax founder Yoshiyuki Sadamoto worked uncredited as an animator.
English dubs
Two English dubs of Birth exist. The first was licensed in 1987 by Harmony Gold and released by Streamline Pictures in North America and the United Kingdom under the title The World of the Talisman. According to New Straits Times, it briefly aired in Malaysia in late 1987. The OVA was later retitled yet again to Planet Busters. Harmony Gold's version changes some of the character names, tones down some of the more surreal Japanese humour to appeal to a younger audience, and contains more American-style dialogue, alternate music composed by Randy Miller and additional voice-overs. The second dub by ADV Films, released on DVD on July 13, 2004, is much more faithful to the original Japanese version.
Characters
In order of appearance - ADV (2004) / Streamline (1992, 1987) / Japanese (1984)
- Monga - Matt Hislope / __ / Fuyumi Shiraishi
- Mu-nyo - Cyndi Williams / __ / Chika Sakamoto
- Rasa - Alexis Chamov / Sandra Snow / Miina Tominaga
- Kim/Keen - Bradley Carlin / Ryan O'Flannigan / Kaneto Shiozawa
- Bao/Mo/Pao - James Phillips / Greg Snow / Ichiro Nagai
- Nam's Ostrich - Cyndi Williams / __ /
- Nam/Talon - Brent Werzner / Tony Oliver / Kazuki Yao
- Arlia - Gemma Wilcox / __ / Keiko Toda
- Orange Mole - Robert S. Fisher / __ /
- Inorganic Biker #1 - Robert Matney / A. Gregory / Ryunosuke Ohbayashi
- Inorganic Biker #2 - Matt Hislope / __ / Yusaka Yara
- Inorganic Biker #3 - Robert S. Fisher / __ / Kozo Shioya
- Village Girl/Child - Samantha Inoue-Harte / Rebecca Forstadt / Noriko Tsukase
- Grandma/Mother - Mary Agen Cox / Lisa Michaels / Reiko Suzuki
- Grandpa/Father - Garry Peters / __ / Joji Yanami
- Inorganic Biker Kid/Kooni - Jeffrey Mills / __ / Masahiro Anzai
- Monster Octopus - Robert S. Fisher / __ / Miki Takahashi
- Giant Inorganic - Vinnie Moxpar / __ / Yoko Ōgai
- Monga's Tribe - Bigjyl, Jim Damm, Robert S. Fisher, Samantha Inoue-Harte, Wil Ragan, Jessica Simon, Ben Turrabiarte, Racel Vasquez, Dominic Vitucci, Kenny Weigel
References
- "BIRTH DVD" (in Japanese). Atlus. Archived from the original on August 18, 2006. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
- ^ McCarthy, Helen (2009). 500 Essential Anime Movies: The Ultimate Guide. New York: Collins Design. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-06-147450-7.
- ^ McCarthy, Helen (July 1997). The Anime! Movie Guide. The Overlook Press. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-87951-781-6.
- Shahibulah, M. (December 20, 1987). "Today's Viewing". New Straits Times. New Straits Times Press. p. 15.
- Jenkins, Ralph (2001). "Old Skool Anime: Windaria & Birth". Mania.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
- Lent, John A. (August 1, 2001). Animation in Asia and the Pacific. Indiana University Press. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-253-34035-1.
- Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2006). The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 (Revised and Expanded ed.). ISBN 1-933330-10-4.
- Beveridge, Chris (August 7, 2004). "Birth". Mania.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
External links
- Birth at IMDb
- Birth (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia