Battle Angel (OVA)

Battle Angel, also known as Gunnm (銃夢) in Japan, is a two-part Original Video Animation (OVA) based on the manga series of the same name by Yukito Kishiro. Released in 1993, the OVA adapts the first two volumes of the manga, covering the Scrapyard arc and concluding with the Motorball storyline.

Summary:

The story follows Gally (Alita in the English dub), a cyborg with amnesia discovered in the Scrapyard, a massive junkyard city existing beneath the floating city of Zalem (Tiphares). Dr. Daisuke Ido, a skilled cybernetics expert, rebuilds Gally and becomes her surrogate father. As Gally adjusts to her new life, she discovers she possesses incredible martial arts skills of a long-lost fighting style called Panzer Kunst. She initially works as a Hunter-Warrior, a bounty hunter tracking down criminals in the Scrapyard. Her experiences lead her to confront her past and question the social inequities of the world she inhabits.

Production:

The OVA was directed by Hiroshi Fukutomi and produced by Animate Film and Movic. The animation is considered high quality for its time, particularly the action sequences. The music was composed by Kaoru Wada.

Differences from the Manga:

The Battle Angel OVA is a condensed adaptation of the manga's initial storyline. Significant plot points and characters are omitted or altered. The OVA's ending diverges considerably from the manga's continuation. Due to its limited length, it lacks the extensive world-building and philosophical exploration present in the manga.

Reception:

The Battle Angel OVA was generally well-received for its animation quality and action. However, some criticism was directed at its condensed storyline and lack of depth compared to the source material. It served as an introduction to the Battle Angel world for many viewers and contributed to the manga's popularity outside of Japan.

Legacy:

The OVA paved the way for future adaptations of Battle Angel, including the live-action film Alita: Battle Angel released in 2019. It remains a significant work in the cyberpunk anime genre.