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| And so it begins... |
Yes, I noticed I haven't made a post in a year or so. Not that I was sick, or that busy. It's just that the film and Animé industry haven't been that interesting for a 43 year older like me. The COVID years really hurt the industry, and as they say "business is where you find it", so the streaming platforms took the chance and have been pushing our brains into enjoying films at home instead of buying a movie ticket. Fast forward to 2025, and the good old days of going to the movies seem to be in their final days. While this is extremely convenient for the streaming moguls, we also saw the end of production for Blu-ray Discs, thus there has been a shift in how we consume entertainment. Although compact discs seem to be making a solid return, they never stopped manufacturing them, just so you know, this is the world in which we're living. Now, explanations set aside, I still have plenty of old Animé left for reviewing here, so let's go!
Dallos, to everyone's agreement, is the firs OVA, OAV if you prefer, ever made. The story and setting take influence from past works such as the 1966 novel The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. The story was developed by the late Hisayiuki Toriumi, who is known for his work on Science Ninja Team Watchman, Area 88, The Mysterious Cities of Gold & Tekkaman. Although he remains uncredited as the director, because a young Mamoru Oshii took the directing helm. However, don't expect to see his skills to be at full power here. Any of the magic he created for Angel's Egg (1985) & Ghost In The Shell (1995) it's simply nowhere to be found here.
the storyline follows a rebellion taking place on a moon colony. Star Wars anyone?. Why these people are in the moon you say? well, Earth resources have been already depleted so in order for mankind to survive, they move their society and sins, to mining colonies in the moon. The Earth Federal Government decides that all the resources have to be brought back to Earth for the wealthy to enjoy. Obviously, some colonies are against it, and the good old battle between good and evil starts.
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| Shun, the archetype. |
Although the presime seems unoriginal even for the early 80s, the story isn't that far from what have potentially happened in our real world. Politicians from Earth manipulate the older mining population into thinking they're pledging allegiance to their homeworld by working as slaves in the distant hope they may have a better future prospect. On the other hand, people born on the moon, represent the youngest population, and the force the rebellion needs to state their case. Shun Nonomura is the leading character, AKA, our rebel hero. One thing I like about Dallos is that, for a 4 episode only OVA, we do get to see the consequences of Shun's choices, and how these directly affect the lives of those who are close to him. The generational divide sets the mood for the rest of the story.
Production wise, the sole existence of Dallos may have proved the home video format for Animé was a viable possibility. The animation of mechanical elements, like machines, robots, space crafts and buildings can still be considered top notch. On the other hand, character animation and design, may seem dated to younger viewers, but not for me.
The OVA industry did find room at the homes of thousand of avid fans from the early day. While Dallos may have not been the only igniter for companies to produce the format, it definitely played its part offering something you couldn't see on TV: Content made for a mature audience. Although graphic violence and sex, were nothing compared to future releases, let's not forget the adult themes Dallos comes packed with. Although undeveloped, we see religion, class struggle, slavery, abusive governments, and the consequences of choosing sides. Themes that may appeal a more mature audience. Do you remember ADV's ad? You know, the one that said "Animé is not kids' stuff". Well, perhaps that's what ultimately made the format so profitable overseas.
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| Give me VHS, or give me death. |
Now, let's discuss the OVA industry a bit. as the VCR became hugely popular in Japan, demand for more Animé became a necessity for the red sun country. Video Stores would carry a massive variety of options for fans to look for. The Green Cat would have been the first OVA. However it was never released on VHS, or any home format during the 1980s. Dallos, on the other hand, was released by Bandai in 1983. Other production companies quickly developed an interest and started working on their own "direct-to-video" animations. The mid-to-late 80s became the golden era for the format, resulting in a lot of productions that are now considered as classics by Otakus, AKA, Animé connoisseurs. But, don't be confused by thinking anything made during these years is a certified must-watch experience.
During Japan's economic bubble, production companies were more than willing to spontaneously decide to make a one- or two-part OVA in the 1980s. They paid money to anime studios, who then haphazardly created an OVA to be released to rental shops. Judging from sales, should a longer series be deemed feasible, TV networks paid for most of the production costs of the entire series.
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| Moon workers are not happy. |
Now, who built the Dallos machine? no one knows, yet it is worshipped as some kind of god that is there since the early days of colonizing the Moon. What is its purpose? I'm not sure since, what happens on the final episode seems to imply it's a security mechanism that is only there to protect the moon instead of protecting its followers. Moreover the ending seems to suggest the story would continue to expand on this, and the rebellion against the Earth Government. Sadly, all we have left is the ending, and credit scenes where some of these things are hinted.
I for one, think Dallos real value lies in the fact, it hinted the beginning of an industry shift, were Animé would no longer be "for kids only". Plot wise, there are better OVAs out there telling the same story. However, producers and artists had to start somewhere, and this is the closest to evidence we will ever get.
Dallos had no trailer, so this is the opening sequence instead:
