Video Backlog: "Princess Minerva"

Publisher: ADV Films (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Dub and English Subtitles
Length: 43 mins
Production Date: 1995
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Story Outline: In the kingdom of Whisler, teenage Princess Minerva wants to be seen as a agent of justice much to the annoyance of the royal family. Despite strict instructions to behave in a lady like way, she constantly sneaks out to seek adventure and fun. But Minerva has a grander plan. A tournament is being held to find her a new body guard, however she plans to enter and win. She forces her lady in waiting, Blue Morris, to substitute for her, while she fights. However a pair of kidnappers abduct Morris thinking she was Minerva. It’s up to Minerva and a rag tag band of fighters to save Blue Morris and stop a plot to take over the kingdom by an evil wizard.

Mini Review: OK, so it’s not very original and in fact it’s based on a 1994 video game. Despite that, it’s not bad. I recall buying the VHS over a decade ago. Didn’t really like the show then, but my opinion of the show has changed a bit. There’s a couple of problems with the show however. First the character designs make the show look much older than it is. The animation is also pretty dire. It’s not up to OVA standard, it’s equivalent to TV animation of the time. While the fanservice is rather mild compared to recent shows, the focus on the girl’s crotch and lack of material covering them is rather exploitative. But then again, did we expect anything else? Kenji Kawai did the music on this OVA, which is always a plus. This OVA appeared on DVD in late 2008, more than three years after ADV first cancelled the original DVD release. Oddly this was just after the very public split with Sojitz, which made cynically think this disc was a little less than legit. Overall this little OVA wasn’t overly great, but not awful either. A bit mediocre and forgettable perhaps. 6 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).