Dai-Guard - Hostile Takeover (Vol. 1)
This 1999 mecha show has a tongue-in-cheek appeal that will remind viewers ofGenerator Gawland thePatlaborseries. During the early 21st century, Earth fought the monsters known as Heterodynes. But peace has reigned for 12 years, and Dai-Guard, the Gundam-esque giant mecha built to fight the Heterodynes, has been reduced to a curiosity exhibited at public events. When a Heterodyne strikes unexpectedly, hotheaded pilot and 21st Century Defense Security agent Shunsuke launches Dai-Guard into the fray. Unlike the mecha inGundam, this robot-suit requires three pilots working in tandem: Shunsuke must persuade dashing Aoyama and red-haired Ibuki to work with him. The trio defeats the Heterodyne, but their actions infuriate special agent Shirota, an army martinet, and the cost of the damage done in the battle horrifies Defense Security's board of directors. This series is an agreeable, offbeat mixture of comedy and sci-fi adventure. Rated 12 Up: Violence.--Charles Solomon