Yomiko Readman is "The Paper", a female agent for the British Library
Special Engineering Force. Her nerdy appearance belies the fact that she is a
highly skilled fighter who can manipulate paper any way she wants to, not
limited to creating giant paper airplanes to chase baddies on or wielding a
paper sword which is just as sturdy as a metal one.
Yomiko takes on dangerous missions all for the sake of her passion for
books... and saving the world is just one of the fringe benefits.
Review: Read or Die OVA
I was not too impressed when I started watching Read or Die streaming. The first episode
hit me like a brick and it took some degree of digesting before I could warm
up to it.
Enter Yomiko Readman, a tacky, clumsy bookworm who lives in a messy apartment.
She goes out, a bulky stroller bag full of paper in tow, in order to buy more
books to read. She picks up a rare find at an old shop, after which she is
attacked by a strange man who's flying around on the back of a giant bug.
The man takes her new book and surprise, surprise... Yomiko starts sporting
some exceptionally agile moves worthy of a ninja, takes the book back, and
makes short work of the enemy. And then I ask... what the bloody hell was
that? Yomiko is actually an agent codenamed "The Paper" because of her
power to manipulate paper any way she pleases. She can turn a one dollar bill
into a lethal weapon if need be.
Shortly after her encounter with the bug-man, Yomiko is called in to the
Special Force's headquarters -- where she is briefed on her mission. As it
turns out, someone is out to steal some rare books and Yomiko is going to be
sent out to stop them.
Two other agents are to work with Yomiko. Drake, a typical army-type macho-man
with blazing guns; and Ms. Deep, an alluring and enigmatic young woman with
the power to "dive" into matter -- she can pass through walls and solid
surfaces... that kind of thing (think Kitty Pride of the X-Men).
Yomiko and company come up against several of history's greatest men in their
mission, and it is ultimately discovered that a madman who wants to eliminate
"useless" human beings is behind all the book-pilfering. He has
enlisted Beethoven's talents to play the "Death Symphony", which will
make everyone who hears it commit suicide. Yomiko is instructed to stop this
scheme at all costs. With all the great books involved, how can Yomiko
possibly refuse?
The main thing Read or Die has going for it is its originality. I found it a
bit hard-to-swallow at first, but after I had come to terms with the series'
premises, it was one hell of a ride.
Non-stop action ensues right after Yomiko and company start off the mission. I
couldn't help but be amazed by Yomiko's paper stunts and Ms. Deep's superb
fighting skills.
The two women also develop a relationship that made Read or Die a lot more
meaningful right down to its touching conclusion. I did find Yomiko's appetite
for books over-exaggerated but hey... it's not such a big deal.
Read or Die's main flaw would have to be the lack of backgrounders for the
historical figures that Yomiko and company went up against. Why were they
picked, and how did they come into being? How did they get Beethoven into the
picture? It's not really explained. They just kept on coming.
The art and animation are excellent. I have to laud the distinct character
designs -- everyone actually looked like an individual. Then there's the
action. The fights are extremely well-choreographed and exciting to behold.
Music-wise, Read or Die reminded me of older James Bond films. I quite enjoyed
the stylish opening sequence as well.
Short as it is, Read or Die is surprisingly satisfying. I felt content after
watching (Read or Die Crunchyroll) its entirety since there was ample closure for everything and
everyone concerned. It's unlike most action-oriented series in the sense that
it actually spends time in making you care for the characters. Definitely one
of the better (if not one of the best) action-oriented series out
there.
Miscellanies: Read or Die (OVA)
Read or Die anime OVA is comprised of three episodes, all of which are in one DVD. There
is also a Read or Die TV series available.
R.O.D: Read or Die (OVA) | |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 3 |
| Status | Finished Airing |
| Aired | May 23, 2001 to Feb 6, 2002 |
| Producers | Aniplex, SME Visual Works |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Rating | PG-13 - Teens 13 or older |
| Themes | Adult Cast, Historical |
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