Video Backlog: "Stratos 4"

Publisher: Bandai Entertainment (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Dub and English Subtitles
Length: 13 Episodes x 24 minutes
Production Date: 2003
Currently in Print (as of writing): No

Story Outline: The Earth is being bombarded by a cluster of meteorites, some of which are sizable enough to cause extinction of all species on Earth. The solution is two fold; have a team of Comet Blasters orbiting in space as a first line of defence, and a secondary aircraft based defence on the ground, called Meteor Sweepers. 50 years after the beginning of the threat, a new wave of comets is headed towards Earth. One of the Meteor Sweepers’ bases is on the small island Shimoji off the coast of Okinawa. A number of trainees including a young Mikaze Honjo prepare to become Meteor Sweepers. Though being a Meteor Sweeper is seen as a second class job and most of them want to become Comet Blasters. Mikaze feels the weight of being forced to become a Comet Blaster due to her coming from a family of ace pilots, she soon snaps out of her lethargicness after unexpectantly being chosen for a mission and having shot down a meteor that slipped through the first line of defence. However an incident on a latter mission has her doubting what the comets are and the private company they work for.

Mini Review: The show was an absolute surprise. When I saw the Studio Fantasia credit, I suspected that there would be panty shots galore and not much else. This is the studio that bought us “Aika”, “Najica” and “Megami Paradise”. However there while there is a bit of fanservice, there is hardly a panty shot to be seen. The plot is excellent too. While mostly revolving around Mikaze, the focus soon shifts to the quite Karin with an amazing conspiracy plot. The four main girls of the show are all good with fleshed out personalities, even though they boarder slightly on stereotypes. The supporting cast is really good too. Studio Fantasia does mecha well, and always has. The rocket powered planes, though meant to be technology in the middle of the 21st century, are all reminiscent of experimental craft from the middle of the 20th century. As I said before, I totally expected nothing from this show and was really surprised at how well it was written. It does dip for an episode or so in the middle, but soon returns to a rather strong plot. 7.5 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 19 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).