Angel Cop

As I've put in the title. This series came very close to being an all time classic. Hence my 9/10 instead of a possible 6/10. To explain... Angel Cop is essentially an 'Indie' style of anime with all the same flaws. Some talented people came up with a great concept and did the absolute best they could with limited resources. The result is average animation, passable voice acting and a much shorter series length than the concept deserves. Even today, I believe it's well worth a look, so long as you have an open mind.

"Angel Cop" is mind-numbingly violent, no question about that. It is also mind-numbingly stupid.

The plot to this six-part direct-to-video anime series revolves around a Communist terrorist organization out to topple Japan's economy on their first step to taking over the world, three psychic assassins that take orders from some very powerful (and corrupt) government positions, and the Special Security Force, which is the only police force in Japan that is actually allowed to fire their guns.

"Angel Cop" is idiotic, but it does have some redeeming values. First off being the English dubbing, which is laughably bad ("If this is justice, then I'm a banana!"). Second is that it does not pretend to be any smarter than it actually is. Third is the above-average animation quality.

I'd recommend this one for anybody seeking a mindless action fest, but make sure the kids are in bed first.

OK, this isn't exactly the thinking man's Manga, but a kickass, nonstop action romp nonetheless. A lot of people will criticise this movie for having a weak storyline, underdeveloped characters or whatever, but it has one thing in spades - violence! Head popping, limb wrenching, flesh burning violent action in all of it's glory. And isn't that the main reason why people watch these kind of Manga films? Also, the standard of the animation is very high, an essential requirement for any kind of animated feature in my book. An anime film could tell the greatest story since War and Peace, but, if it has the kind of animation that makes early Hanna Barbera cartoons look like masterpieces, I'll turn it off after about ten minutes. Anyway, the plot and storyline aren't as bad as many would have you believe, certainly not compared to the standard of most anime features. Maybe it wasn't surrealistic enough, perhaps some people would have been happier if it all turned out to be a metaphor, unveiling the mysteries of evolution and the spirituality of man. For me, this flick has it all - violent "cops on the edge", slowmo shootouts, vengeful cyborgs and psychotic superhuman killers. If there were a live action film that had all of this backed up with cutting edge effects, I'd go see it in a minute. Angel Cop is well worth watching for any fan of in-your-face, violent action anime.

This DVD is well worth your time only if you are a serious anime fan. This is not mindless violence and the overall character development throughout the series is solid. I must admit it's one of my favorites right up there with Berserk.

Angel is a female cop fighting terrorist with an unknown enemy behind the scenes called "Hunters"

Keywords: Hard Boiled Cop, Gun-Play, Female Gun-Play, Special Powers/Hero Powers, Japanese Manga, Shonen Jump, Shonen Sunday.

Anime quality is not top of the line but those who know Anime will certainly appreciate this type of 'drawing style' along with the eerie music. It's harder edge for a more mature male audience. Shonen "Sunday" demographic.

It's well worth it and throw it on your Netflix Que or pick it up at your local video store. The Japanese spoken word with English subtitle is always the best way to go.

Special Security Force…sign up! RGMitchell

Angel Cop isn't quality in the political correct sense of high culture, perhaps a bit depending on the audio-track. In the west its "known" for its cursing. Im not a fan of it normally. I would even say i dislike it. But even i have to admit its done in special combinations in release from the ordinary ordeals. Its not political correct in any way, for that matter. Our "Angel" is a really ruthless agent and doesn't even cry to many rivers if one of her own men gets hurt. The unusual stile is to my knowledge closest to "I come in peace" with Dolph Lundgren. Its starts out as a Police-typo story with heavy firefights against natural bad-guys. But later a new threat is on the menu. Its up there with the most violent animated features ever. But its well made. There is also a political sidetrack which makes it hold together a bit better. For me personally a very entertaining classic.