For 35 years, Sol Bianca lingered on my watchlist. Released in 1990, during the golden age of OVAs and distributed by AD Vision, a key player in bringing anime to the West, it remained an elusive gem until recently. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I experienced the original OVA and found it a surprisingly solid sci-fi adventure.
The original Sol Bianca presented a straightforward narrative with a charmingly quirky crew. Each female character, from the tech genius to the stoic leader, was distinct, and refreshingly, the absence of excessive fanservice allowed their personalities and skills to shine. While the hour-long runtime limited deep character development, their archetypes were immediately clear, making for an entertaining retro anime experience. It wasn’t a masterpiece, but its unique blend of action, humor, and space adventure remianed appealing even after all these years.
Naturally, I wondered if Sol Bianca 2 would build upon this foundation. I never got to see the OVA here in England as I don't think it was ever released. so, having discovered the sequel uploaded in its dubbed format on YouTube I though I'd give it a watch.
Thankfully, I can say that it delivers a high-octane action experience, focusing on escalating set pieces. The plot centers on the crew's heist of an energy-enhancing Pasha doodat, a device of immense power. However, their plan is disrupted by a rival faction, leading to intense conflicts as multiple parties vie for the same prize. The stakes rise when some of the motley crew are kidnapped, and the Sol Bianca faces a physical cyber worm outbreak, a technological virus corrupting its systems. The remaining members pull a Scottie to fix the ship and rescue their colleagues but meet a mysterious figure, intimately familiar with the Sol Bianca crew, who seeks the Pasha for his own evil machinations. Unfortunately, this intriguing cliffhanger plotline remains unresolved due to the series' abrupt end. We never got closure...
Despite the unresolved plot and increasing unnecessary fanservice, Sol Bianca 2 excels as a fast paced space opera with kinetic action sequences within its brief 45-minute runtime. The OVA showcases fluid animation and dynamic fight scenes, highlighting the stylish ship designs and intense firefights while the story builds on the established world and starts to add some backstory to Feb and April's past.
Ultimately, Sol Bianca 2 stands as a visually impressive but unfinished OVA. While its narrative potential was never fully realized, it remains a worthwhile watch for fans of space opera action and those who appreciate well-animated fight scenes, even amidst a somewhat fragmented and unrealised story.