Anime: Cobra The Animation: The Psychogun

Cobra: The Psycho-Gun
A title like that sorta screams "Epic" doesn't it?

Well, in a few ways it is. But in more ways it isn't.

Please note, I haven't seen any Cobra before, this is my first. So I can't tell you if this is a continuation of the older series or a condensed retelling. What I can tell you is that it looks nice.

Animation - Retro is awesome
Well, for Cobra being an 08/09 anime, it certainly doesn't look like it. There are a lot of things reminiscent of the 80's. Firstly the character designs; they aren't smooth and rounded like recent anime. They have a "hand drawn" appeal about them, while I can say that may get annoying that there isn't any flashy new animation techniques, it is a nice throwback to the times of old. Secodly the use of colors; there are a lot of bright colors used here without the distraction of the "smeared" look that older anime have in the darker colors, especially black.

The animations are fluid and visually pleasing. The backgrounds are nicely detailed but not distracting. With a small portion of time spent in space, there is a certain grandeur that shows through. Added to that the clothes of the female cast, there is something nice about seeing an anime that dawns the female cast with skimpy outfits. However, it isn't anything ecchi, so don't go into expecting some outrageous fanservice.

Sound - No funky sound effects here!
Well, I lied. there are a little. But it is something you'd expect with the lead having a beam rifle for a left arm. Aside from some absurdities with the story, the sound effects are nice. Nothing seemed to me out of place... you know when you are watching something and there is a sound that doesn't feel like it belongs? You end up pausing and thinking, "Well... that was odd" There was none of that here, which was nice.

The background music was nice and there was a bit of "epicness" to it, something that seemed frequent in 80's anime. Everything about it seems larger than life, but in a good way. The OP/ED were nice, but I only listened to it for the first episode. You can take it at that.

Story - Not much, so I won't give it away
Without trying to give away the story, it is about Cobra... a pirate that has a large bounty on his head. It is about space pirates trying to steal the power of the creation of the universe. It is about a budding romance between Cobra and Utopia, the skimply clad busty female lead.

There is some nice action to break up the story, which if you really thought about it. Could be told in the span of a single episode. Professor Utopia finally discovers how the universe was created and the power associated with it. Enter the Pirate Guild who wants to use that power to create a new universe where they are in charge. Add to that a ladies man of a lead who has some pretty sweet lines and a plethora of cigars. Finally, sprinkle in a little 80's grandeur and epicness and there you have it: Cobra

Was that enough of a summary without giving away the whole story? I hope so... I'd hate to spoil it for those that haven't seen it yet.

Character - I'm in love with you...
Ok, the characters, there are really only 3 major characters, and they are:

Cobra, he is a legendary pirate that causes fear at the mere mention of his name. He is a mans man that always gets the ladies. However there is more to him than meets the eye. He isn't hell bent on power, he just wants to seek revenge on those that killed his love and get a hot lady along the way. He is the type that you could imagine saying, "I'm here for the ride!"

Utopia, she is the professor that the Pirate Guild are after. She solved the secret to the creation of the universe that her father started on. She gets rescued by Cobra and subsequently has him follow her around, as he claimed he loves her. Over the course of the 4 episodes, she too falls for him.

Pirate Guild, they are the main baddies. There are more than just one of them, but it focus' on a single person. Count Bold, aka Gypsy Doc. He is working for the guild in trying to secure the power of the universe. By any means necessary.

They all come together to create a nice story, there is some conflict, some minor characters that help out, plenty of red shirts that die... It is nice.

Value + Enjoyment - Oh boy!
While, I can say I did enjoy Cobra, it was nice to see some "classic" style animation. I can certainly say I won't watch it again. It is one of those that once is enough. It has peaked my interest in the older series, which I might give them a try. There were a few strengths in Cobra, but unfortunately, even more faults. While I'd like to rate this pretty highly, I can't.

The animation, while a nice throwback, would irritate a lot of people. It is 2009, not 1979. Sad to say, get updated with the animation. But that is a double sided coin. While I have never seen Cobra before, I'd like modern animation techniques, I am sure there are plenty of fans out there that are just as content that it remains the same.

While there is a certain epicness to Cobra, as there is to most things from the 80's, it isn't the 80's. Tastes have changed, massive explosions, baddies with horrible aim, busty women in skimpy clothes, gun toting lead with awesome lines... they just don't suffice on their own. People want something with substance, they want a nice story. Who knows, maybe I am being a little pedantic... but I rated this a 6.5 and can't justify anything more than that. I am giving character an 8, because I have to admit. I do like the "gun toting, sweet line spewing, chain cigar smoking, woman getting lead" that Cobra is!