I've recently immersed myself in a nostalgic journey through the late 80s and early 90s manga and anime that shaped my youth. It has been a truly enlightening experience traveling back to an amazingly formative period in my life as I navigate through what some may call a mild mid-life crisis. It was a golden time for 'Japanimation' - that term still makes me shudder a little- and this period holds a truly special place in my media-consuming heart.
Manga Entertainment built a bit of a cult following in its heydey of the late 80s and early 90s. Now, I watched whatever I could get my hands on but funds for me were limited so there were many films, series and OAVs that I never got to. However, with the power of the internet I've been able to catch up on loads that I never got around to the first time round.
Judge was one of those VHS tapes I'd see on shop shelves but never got around to watching. The 55 minute OVA is about the Judge of Darkness who tries people from crimes they may escape from in the human realm. The book of law, made from human skin, recalls the testimony from the victims so that they may find vindication in death. When an embezzler uses a girlfriend colleague to help him steal money, she commits suicide whilst he nearly gets to walk away but judgement is coming.
In the second case, a company director, who hires a hit man to kill his work rival, is on trial. The Judge of Darkness, who is usually the judge, jury and executioner, must attempt to present the case that the man is guilty to the Court of 10 King's against the Attorney of Darkness, a defence attorney who represents the guilty... for a high fee of course. But, who will win?
This is a great conceit and the idea of a judge watching us and making us face up to our actions is suitably dark fare. Now, I should preface this by saying that not all anime and manga that was released in England were bangers but they generally had a certain benchmark of quality. Unfortunately, this most definitely is not a banger... it's more of a damp squib. The art style is pretty ugly in my opinion and, whilst it does have a promising premise, it is severely let down but basic characterisation, forgettable dialogue and nothing to really make it stay in your memory. It's a no dawg from me.
LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East
LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review
LINK- The Offworld Collection- Book Review
LINK- Shadow of the Colossus- Book Review
LINK: Manga Exhibition at the British Museum
LINK- The Midnight Library and the Idea That You Can’t Go Home Again
LINK- The Transportive Nature of Objects (And the Power of Mini Consoles)