Dirty Pair OVA Vol-2 - Damsels In Destruction (1987)
Animation Production: Sunrise
Released by: ADV Films
Official Website: ADV's Dirty Pair Ova Vol -2 Page
Episodes: 5
By Jmaruyama

Introduction

Beautiful agents Kei and Yuri are Trouble Consultants for the World’s Welfare Watch Association (3WA), a federal police force that serves the United Galactic government. While officially called the “Lovely Angels”, they are more widely known by their less than flattering code name “Dirty Pair”, due to their penchant for causing mass destruction, mayhem and outright chaos wherever they go.

The flame haired Kei is the more brash of the two. She excels at unarmed combat, assault and demolitions. She is a master with numerous handheld weaponry and especially loves “big guns”. The raven haired Yuri is the more “girlie” of the two, opting to specialize in covert tactics, disguises, counter intelligence and computers. Separate, they are dangerous but together they are practically unstoppable.

When they’re not destroying everything in their wake, the two girls are always looking for the latest fashions and forever falling in love (usually with the bad boys).

They are aided in their missions by a gigantic space cat, whom they affectionately call “Mughi”. Mughi is a lazy fur ball but is exceptionally smart due to genetic DNA manipulation.

Story

"They’re baaack! And if you though the Dirty Pair’s first DVD was explosive, just wait till you see what they blow up this time. Mafia bosses, drug lords, arms dealers, innocent bystanders: no one’s safe when the top agents of the World Welfare & Works Association (3WA) are on the loose. But even though they leave a swath of destruction General Sherman would envy, the Lovely Angels always close the case, and that means the 3WA’s main computer is going to keep assigning them. Watch out universe, the Original Dirty Pair are back and ready for action!”"-- Box Cover

Review

ADV Films has been on the forefront of bringing great Japanimation favorities to Western Audiences. Such is case with their recent offering “Dirty Pair Vol. 2 – Damsels In Destruction”.

Fans like myself, who were expecting to see episodes from the excellent original short-lived TV series that aired in 1984, might be surprised to find that this “Original Dirty Pair” DVD gathers together not the TV episodes but rather the various OVA specials that came out a couple years after the “Dirty Pair” TV series went off-air. According to Jonathan Clements’ invaluable resource “The Anime Encyclopedia”, these episodes were said to have been originally commissioned for distribution abroad (most notably to Italy). While the animation, stories, action and comedy are comparable to the TV series, there are some differences, which will surprise long time fans.

One difference is the costumes for the gals. Instead of the “gold swimsuit” that Yuri is famous for, she is seen wearing a “silver bikini suit” very much similar to Kei’s usual uniform (these uniforms look similar to the ones they wore in the movie “Project Eden” -1987). This is certainly a minor nitpick but it does tend to make her indistinguishable from Kei (oddly enough in the original Crusher Joe series, this was indeed the very case).

Another fact that might surprise is that faithful robot Namo is nowhere to be found in any of the episodes. Namo played such an important part in the original TV series, that its non-presence here is certainly felt. It is also curious to note that another thing missing from the original series is their ultra chic pink battle cruiser “Lovely Angel”. Why these particular elements were removed from these later episodes is anyone’s guess.

ADV Films has done a superb job in translating the episodes. I found most of the dialogue and Japanese Episode Titles to be translated accurately.

ADV Films has done a good job of bringing the original “Dirty Pair” to American audiences. Now if only they could get the rights to release the actual TV series, that would be much appreciated.

The 2nd OVA DVD includes the following episodes:

Episode 6
“Honki Na No?! Umibe De Dokiri – Wedding Panic! (For Real! A Beachfront Surprise – Wedding Panic/Wedding Panic!)

Episode 7
“Revenge of the Muscle Lady – Onna No Ijite Ring No Hana” (Revenge of the Muscle Lady – A Woman’s Spirit - The Ring’s Flower?!/Revenge of the Muscle Lady)

Episode 8
“Ana Ko Wa Toshi Ue Hozon Wa Riyo Ko?! Sleeping Beauty” (That Girl Is Well Preserved For Her Age?! Sleeping Beauty/Sleeping Beauty)

Episode 9
“Akai Medama Wa Jikoku No Signal – Satsujin Kotai O Oeru” (The Red Eyes That Signal Hell – After The Killing Squad/Red Eyes Are The Sign Of Hell)

Episode 10
“Warui Yatsura Ni Iya Goiken Mudou – Uchura Uchu No Truck Yarou (No Need To Say Anything To The Bad Guys – We Are Space Truckers/We Are Space Truckers)

Menus

This DVD features very simple, easy to maneuver menus. While the overall layout is okay, it is nothing very exceptional.

Languages

The original Japanese soundtrack is available with or without subtitles. The subtitles are fairly easy to read but are a bit distracting.

Video

The episodes are presented in a 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio. While colors and picture seem a bit muted at points, but this is probably owing to the original source video.

Audio

The DVD features a Dolby Digital audio track. The audio is clear and audible, rendering the dialogue and action sound effects perfectly clear. The BGM, OP and ED songs all sound great and definitely benefit from the improved sound. Other than that, the audio here is nothing special but quite sufficient.

Special Features/Extras

*DP Trailer – video clip from the featured episodes.
*(Textless) Closing Animation
*ADV Previews – featuring “Orphen”, “Arc The Lad”, “Those Who Hunt Elves”, “Blue Seed”, “Dirty Pair Flash”, and “Getter Robo”.

Easter Eggs

None Reported.

Production

Original Story – Haruka Takachiho (Hayakawa Bookstore, Kadokawa Books)
Planning – Norio Hatsukawa (Nippon TV), Yasuo Shibue (Sunrise)
Series Coordinator – Hiroyuki Hoshiyama
Character Designs/Director of Animation – Tsukasa Dokite
Mechanical Designs – Yasushi Ishizu
Music – Toshiyuki Kimori, Kohei Tanaka
Director – Katsuyoshi Yatabe
Producer – Hiroshi Hirayama (VAP), Eiiji Sashida (Sunrise)
Produced – VAP, Sunrise

Principle Cast (Japanese):
Kei – Noriko Tomimiya
Yuri – Saeko Shimazu
Mughi – Naoki Akishima

Principle English Dub Cast:
Kei – Pamela Lauer
Yuri – Jessica Calvello
Mughi – Donl Johnson

Opening Theme:
“By Yourself”
Lyrics – Keiko Mai
Music – Tsuneiku Waizumi
Arrangements – Kenji Yamamoto
Performed by- Miho Morikawa

Closing Theme:
“Summer Time from Autumn”
Lyrics - Keiko Mai
Music – Akiya Nakazaki
Arrangement – Megumi Wakagusa
Performed by – Yuko Nido

DVD Specs

Five (5) Episodes
Color
Running Time: 125 min.
NTSC/Region 1
4:3 - Full Screen
Dual-Layer Format
Dolby Digital Sound
English Dubbed Track
Original Japanese Track with English Subtitles (Yellow)

Jmaruyama