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Genres: Action, Drama, Military
Release: Autumn season 2006
Studios: AIC, Gonzo
OP: “Aoki Flamme” by Yoko Takahashi
ED: “Mercury Go” by Kana Ueda & Yukai na Nakama-tachi
Official Site: http://rikujyo3ka.com/

Impressions:

When I read the numerous other entries on this anime from other bloggers, I could not see myself liking this type of show. Firstly, it looked like it’s set in the past, which I dislike. Second, the character design (especially the hair) didn’t appeal to me at all. Third, it looked pretty dark and serious. But then there were a lot of people saying it was good, so I decided to try it anyway. And I can’t believe I loved it! Thankyou to those bloggers and their commenters, as without them I would’ve most likely missed this awesome anime. It seems that this will be another one I will be blogging (crap I won’t be able to keep up! I must control myself before saying these things, as probably I will have to drop a few due to time restraints).

Although the three things I pointed out to myself before were sort of half-right, it didn’t matter. I don’t know about the first one (set in the past), but the second thing – the character design – is absolutely no problem. It’s perfectly fine, and any problems I had with the lead’s hairstyle have been completely made up by her awesome personality and I love her voice! The third thing, about the anime being dark and such, I was completely wrong. It may be more serious than other some other anime titles, but that’s expected as it revolves around war (post-war actually, but military nonetheless). The anime is actually pretty light-hearted, with occasional fun and comedic moments, but turns serious when necessary (during battle). Alice’s character also lifts the possible bleakness that would be there without her.

The quality was exceptionally high and I hope it stays that way. The characters are quite interesting, especially Alice and Orlando. Alice’s confidence and will to help others is very strong, which makes her quite stubborn sometimes. She is pretty likeable and is perfect for the role of the star of such an anime. An old strict, war-veteran acting as the lead obviously wouldn’t be cool, and some afraid little rookie would just make it into a mixed shounen genre. Orlando, on the other hand, is pretty quite and possibly depressed. He doesn’t like to harm people or risk their lives, probably because he saw the damage dealt to the civilians from the war that he fought three years ago. However, when he becomes serious, he is as deadly as the Terminator himself! He’s such a tank and gun at the same time – the ultimate killing machine! Against tanks at least…

OP:

Screen-caps:

Story:

From AnimeNFO

The long war against Frost Republic scarred many places of the Empire; famine, plague, returned soldiers who become bandits… Worrying about these “war damages” resulting from the devastations of the nation and people’s minds, the Empire Army orgnaizes the 3rd section of Information Bureau known as “Pumpkin Scisors”, and they assigned the section for the duty of recovery from the war damage.

Three years have passed since the truce so called “thin ice agreement”. The 3rd section hasn’t accomplished their task, yet. Rather, they are absorbed in paper works, and without notice, people ridicule that it is an “Excuse Section” that suppress people’s complaint. However, they strive to achieve their tasks. One day, a man offers a help to them. It was a big guy who used to be a soldier. Dangling an iron lantern from his waist, he handles a heavy gun one-handed.

Plot Outline:

- Three years after the end of the war, the specialised war relief unit [Pumpkin Scissors] discovers a group of bandits (who were once soldiers from the war) with a tank in the dam of a nearby town
- Alice wants to raid the bandits’ headquarters, but her two team-mates oppose strongly as they have no chance of winning because of the tank and number of guards (around 30)
- The three then head into town, where they meet Orlando, whom they don’t know the identity off in the beginning
- The bandits suddenly attack with their tank, and when Alice goes to oppose it, it supposedly fires a blank shot into the sky
- Although it seems the villagers are safe, later in the evening, the majority of the residents of the town collapse unconscious, except the Pumpkin Scissors, Orlando and a few others as they have better immune systems
- Alice wonders if this is the result of the ‘blank’ shot fired by the bandits, which turns out to be true as the blank shot was actually a chemical weapon, which can kill in 20 hours if the antidote is not provided
- The Pumpkin Scissors and Orlando formulate a plan to steal the antidote by first flooding the bandits’ headquarters to immobilise the tank
- As the majority of the bandits are distracted by the other Pumpkin Scissors, Alice and Orlando sneak into the damn
- Orlando floods the area while Alice goes to steal the antidote, as the remaining bandits and their leader have run off to manoeuvre the tank
- Orlando goes up against the tank by himself with his powerful gun, taking out the drivers quickly and easily
- The tank is pushed back to the edge of the dam
- The leader of the bandits reveals himself and the antidote, but Orlando can’t shoot him because the medicine would fall off the dam
- Before the leader can shoot Orlando, Alice swiftly cuts his arm with a small knife and catches the antidote, allowing Orlando to shoot him
- Afterwards, everyone is saved by the antidote

Notes:

- Orlando was once part of an anti-armour division
- Orlando is usually withdrawn and does not like to interfere with things, but after helping save the villagers, seems to have gotten a bit more enthusiasm
- The bandits were a chemical unit before they decided to become outlaws

Preview:

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