APOCALYPSE ZERO (1996)
Format: 2 37-minute OVA episodes on one DVD
Rating: NC-17 (N, AC, GV, EG)
Type: Martial Arts/Horror
American Production: Anime Works
English Dub Production: Bang Zoom! Entertainment
Japanese Production: Big West/Victor Entertainment Inc./Ashi Productions
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Grading |
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Premise: |
C |
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Story: |
C- |
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Writing: |
C |
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Character Design: |
D- |
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Animation: |
C |
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Artistic Merits: |
C- |
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English Dub: |
C |
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Musical Score: |
C |
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Songs: |
C+ |
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Closer: |
C |
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Humor Content: |
n/a |
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Action Content: |
C+ |
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Drama Content: |
n/a |
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DVD Presentation: |
C |
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DVD Extras: |
D |
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OVERALL: |
C- |
Synopsis
In the early 21st century cataclysmic earthquakes all but destroy human civilization, giving birth to an environment where giant cockroaches and monsters called Tactical Evils run rampant and only pockets of humanity persist (although this doesn’t stop them from carrying on everyday activities like conventional Japanese schooling). The world is a dangerous place for humans, but they do have their protectors. One is Kakugo, a young man who has bonded with the sentient Zero armor to become a defender of his fellow classmates. Opposing him is an array of monstrous creatures called Tactical Evils, but none is more dangerous than Kakugo’s own sister Harara, who controls a similar suit of sentient armor but has strayed so far into the “dark side” that she is now referred to as a Human Demon and seeks to wipe out all humanity.
Quotes
“Without his dick there’s no way Eikichi can hope to beat Kakugo.” (Harara)
The Long View
Apocalypse Zero will never be mistaken for a quality production. Its character design is atrocious and its artistry, technical merits, music, and writing, are all mediocre at best. The action and English voice acting are both decent but generic, but the cheery little ditties sung by one of the characters are respectable. The one selling point of the series it that it is easily one of the most outrageous anime ever made. No matter what you’ve seen before, there is stuff in Zero that will make your jaw drop, whether it’s the Tactical Evil who uses his genitalia as one of his main attack forms or the massively fat nude woman wearing the spiked crotch strap and a victim’s face sewed over one breast. This is the work of a truly demented mind, and should be considered a horror title because of it.
On top of the gross sexual stuff (think horror-themed fan service), Zero is incredibly gory. It is not appropriate for many adults, much less anyone younger.
In short, Apocalypse Zero is one truly sick puppy only suitable for those who want to see the extremes to which anime can be taken. I cannot recommend it.
DVD Extras
Extras include only company trailers and a minimal art gallery
Principle English Voice Actors
|
Role |
Voice Actor |
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Kakugo, Zero |
Lex Lang |
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Harara, minor roles |
Mona Marshall |
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Horie |
Katie Ashley |
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Haoka, Rai |
David Orasco |
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Pyonsuke |
Zan |
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Ponta |
Jane Alan |
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Aoki |
Jessica Gee |
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Hiroko |
Georgette Rose |
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Kazu, Jackal |
Dave Mallow |
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Kagenari |
Terrence Stone |
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Principal, minor roles |
John Smallberries |
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Tactical Evil Hamuko |
Sonja S. Fox |
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Tactical Evil Dogumakuro, Volt |
David Umansky |
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Tactical Evil Chidukuro, Oboro |
Anthony Mozdy |
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Tactical Evil Megumi |
Melissa Charles |
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Tactical Evil Eikichi, Zenigata |
Steve Kramer |
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