
	Format VHS Released in North America by US Manga Corps Length 80 minutes English Dubbed Version Reviewed
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Roujin Z

roujin z review

Technology can play quite the prominent role in anime, there are enough giant robot / bio armor / sci-fi space flicks out there to induce vertigo. Throw in the "Technology Runs Amuck" theme at it’s just nutty the sheer presence of technology in anime (though I just can’t help but wonder how that theme would play out in the Flintstones, hmmm…). Roujin Z is one such film that has technology misbehaving itself within, as a new prototype robotic bed intended to care for the elderly has taken on a life of its own and is now, you guessed it, running amuck. Thankfully this film unfolds marvelously, main character, Haruko, brings a lot of life to it, as well as her friends, antagonists, as well as Mr. Takazawa and his reincarnated wife in the machine.

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The story is a very off key sci-fi comedy that pokes fun at care for the elderly, or more precisely the younger generation’s attempts to not have to do so. As such a robotic bed has been designed to take care of the elderly, cleaning, exercising, entertaining the person and so on. The first such bed however has a military issue computer running the thing, and there-in lies the rub. It’s a learning computer, so it eventually learns from its patient, Mr. Takazawa, and manifests the personality of his dead

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wife. From there the sweet old woman wants to take her schnuckems / honey-bunch / buttercup to the beach where he’ll be happy. This is a very funny premise, as the out of control technology isn’t some evil, menacing beast like in other anime, instead it’s a gentle, kind out of control machine.

The cast is very strong with Haruko leading the charge. She used to care for Mr. Takazawa before he was taken to participate in the project. Her liveliness really adds a spark to the film, and her friends do a lot to flesh things out. Even those trying to recapture the run away bed and stop Haruko have their moments.

The animation is by and large quite good. Not great mind you, but more than acceptable. There’s plenty of detail, varied character design, and the animation is plenty smooth.

Roujin Z is a very entertaining title. It takes an interesting, satirical look at elderly care, while throwing in a fair bit of action at the same time. This is definitely another fine Otomo film.

Reviewed by Mr. Nash