Your Anime Sucks - Armored Trooper Votoms: The Pailsen Files - Review

This week, old-school mecha institution Armored Trooper Votoms gets some newfangled CGI in 12-part OAV, The Pailsen Files. Is the old (scope)dog still a force to be reckoned with?

Show notes here: http://alanfilmt.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/your-anime-sucks-armored-trooper-vo...

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[coolfan30]

i know there are ovas to this series but is there actually a series for this anime

[Areashiftybun]

@coolfan30 Yeah, the original '80s series was the only one to get a release in the US.

[CrixMakin]

For a second I thought this was being reviewed by Stef from Vids.

[Areashiftybun]

@CrixMakin Shh - don't blow my cover...

[sw0rdf1sh2326]

Good review...I'm watching the Pailsen Files right now. I mean, I dunno. Sure it's narratively weaker, but at the very least it's not weak in the way that Shining Heresy was. Plus you're right; this is a pretty refreshing turn from Gundam and Macross F even though by now the stoic protagonist is overdone...it makes me wonder why it hadn't fared too well in the West (or why Sunrise doesn't make a compilation trilogy of the original series a la Z Gundam: A New Translation :D).

[Areashiftybun]

@sw0rdf1sh2326 Afraid I've still not caught Shining Heresy yet - the animation quality looked good from the little I've seen of it, but the story seems to have been a big disappointment. Compilation movies might not be a bad idea for the original series though. I didn't feel it too much myself, but I think some people did complain about the pacing. A condensed version might draw in some new fans :)

[Areashiftybun]

@RapturousxPoet Yeah, sadly I think the ending for this series was probably its biggest let down. As for the original series, I'd try and stick it out a little longer as the second arc, which starts at ep14, is usually held up as the best part and the jungle warfare scenes are nicely handled. There's still a big emphasis on the combat though, so if you don't like the new setting and you're finding the battle scenes repetitive, I'm afraid you might be better off watching something else.

[RapturousxPoet]

I like animes like blue gender and gasaraki this was enjoyable but the ending was too rushed. Have you seen the original series and if so do you know if the story ever gets good enough to make up for the repetative battles I watched the first 13 of the original votoms not sure if it's worth continuing though?

[Areashiftybun]

@CodenameBaralyth No problem :)

[CodenameBaralyth]

Thank you for the review, it was very informative.