BGC 2040

BUBBLEGUM CRASH (1991)

Format: 3 45-minute OVA episodes on one DVD (under the title Bubblegum Crash: Total Crash)

Rating: PG-13 (AC, GV)

Type: Sci-Fi Action-Drama (mecha)

American Production: AnimEigo

Japanese Production: ARTMIC

Grading
Premise:	C
Story:	C-
Writing:	C-
Character Design:	C
Mecha Design:	C
Animation:	C
Artistic Merits:	B-
English Dub:	C
Musical Score:	C-
Songs:	C-
Opener:	C-
Closer:	C

Humor Content:	n/a
Action Content:	C+
Drama Content:	C

DVD Presentation:	C+
DVD Extras:	C+

OVERALL:	C-

Synopsis

A year after the events in the original Bubblegum Crisis, some of the members and associates of the Knight Sabers have advanced with their lives: Priss has a shot at a recording contract, Linna now works as a stock broker, Mackey has gone to college in Germany, and Leon and Daley have a new and more reasonable boss at the AD Police. A villain from the Knight Sabers’ past comes back to haunt them, however, and ultimately the Knight Sabers realize that their side careers as armored vigilantes isn’t something they can easily leave behind.

The Long View

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you read the review of the original Bubblegum Crisis first if you have not already done so. It can be found here.

Each of the three episodes is a stand-alone story linked together under an overall plot. The tech has advanced from the original series, with some of the Hard Suits having new gimmicks: Nene’s has an ECM suite that can deflect away missiles, while Linna’s includes taser-like wires, and they all use a flier to get around on missions rather than motorcycles and customized trucks. Despite the nifty new touches, the quality of the series has gone downhill. Crash was made by a different company than the original, and it shows. The episodes now have a brief narration set to CG and standardized intro music, which is okay, but they also rely too heavily on stock footage and music; although getting to see the Knight Sabers armor up is interesting the first time, it quickly becomes dull and repetitive. Although the artistry isn’t bad, shortcuts are also made in the animation which were not seen in the original. The music, which was one of the strongest points of the original series, is pathetic both on its own merits and by comparison to the original. None of the problems that plagued the original BGC have been corrected, either, and the writing and fight scenes aren’t as crisp. Also, Priss had to be voiced by a different actress in the English dub because the original was unavailable.

The one thing Crash does have in its favor is that it does preview some elements that were not in the original that do pop up in Bubblegum Crisis 2040, the remake. Whether that’s enough reason or not to waste your time with this dreck is entirely up to the individual.

Crash tries to continue the spirit of the original BGC, but it’s a major disappointment. I recommend it only for completists.

DVD Extras

The case liner includes song lyrics and translations. The DVD itself contains only Concept Art and a Gallery which is a mix of screen shots and poster art. However, the Settings do include an option to have captions for on-screen text on or off.

Principle English Voice Actors

Role	Voice Actor
Priss Asagiri	Sinda Nichols*
Sylia Stingray	Jamila Ericson
Nene Romanov	Susan Grillo
Linna Yamazaki	Elizabeth Becka
Mason	Eric Paisley
Leon	Brad Moranz
Daley	Marshall Carroll

* - I don’t think this is right, but I cannot find any information online that lists a different name