Story Review (Spoiler Free)

Alt. title: None
Production studios: JVC, AIC
Year of Production: 1998
US distribution rights: ADV Films

Seiyuu: Asakawa Yuu, Yukino Satsuki, Konishi Hiroko, Natsuki Rio, Ueda Yuji
Highs: Awesome punk music, story takes a smoother pace than the OVAs, fresh character designs/makeovers
Lows: Inconsistent art, some parts are just plain lame (especially the ending)

Review: In the aftermath of an earthquake, in the year 2040, Tokyo stands on the brink of a digital revolution where "boomers" (robots which perform human tasks) are present almost everywhere. These boomers, although useful, are known to often go rogue, and four young females are determined to protect the innocent from them. Sylia, Priss, Linna and Nene (a.k.a. the Knight Sabers) risk their lives repeatedly, fighting something they don't fully understand. Initially, destroying boomers was considered a necessary task, despite the fact that the tension between the Knight Sabers and the AD Police kept growing and growing. But later on, more secrets are revealed, and the team is tested when they discover that Sylia has hidden agendas and more closer ties to boomers than any of them could have dreamed.

Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 has some considerable differences from the original 8 episode Bubblegum Crisis from 1985. They follow the same general storyline and contain the same characters, but some of the events that occur and how the characters act are extremely different. One such difference is how Linna joined the group. In this first episode BGC 2040, Linna has just moved to Tokyo after the earthquake and is not yet a member of the Knight Sabers. But in the original one, Linna is already a member. I personally feel BGC 2040 features more higher quality art and much better music. It also takes a more futuristic stance, and is deemed a highly acclaimed cyberpunk masterpiece.

This anime, I can honestly say, exceeded my initial expectations of it. The first time I watched it, the art completely blew me away and I was surprised by how good the music was. Seriously, the music is awesome. I can't get enough of it, especially Monster Walk and DGR-1. The art is also somewhat superior -- the characters are beautifully crafted and their movements are smooth and clear, although, sometimes it looks a little weird. Gripping action, awesome music and great art, this anime is definitely worth checking out.

Other related anime: Bubblegum Crisis, Bubblegum Crash
Number of episodes: 26 (1 season)
My rating: 7 out of 10