V for Verdict: Guardian Sentai RoboMan Stage Show Acts I – III (SPOILERS)

Mister Watts goes above and beyond the call of duty. It’s hard not to admire his dedication.

When I first spoke to Mister Watts about Roboman, he outlined a plan involving a series, ‘movie’ and crossover, corresponding to the formula established by Toei’s franchise. The fact that he has likewise created a ’stage show’ as an analogue for the summer shows that are used to entertain children and advertise the series is a seriously commendable effort.

In terms of the story, I was really pleased to see Senshi back in action and as one of the main characters in Act I. Likewise, it was nice to see Sorceress Miko. There’s also been a subtle change in her depiction – she’s still antagonistic to our multicoloured heroes but now, more than ever, there’s a sense that she’s certainly not the bad girl the opening arc made her out to be. Perhaps this is in light of Mister Watts’ exploration of Jinsei’s morality in the previous arc, but there’s a definite parallel to be drawn here.

An unexpected, but welcomed, event in the series was the appearance of Heatwave, Mister Watts’ dimension-hopping whose second appearance has been long overdue. There are a couple of new facts revealed about Heatwave’s armour that I hadn’t expected at all but now make a Roboman/New Mages crossover seem something more of a possibility (although, even without this new background information and Heatwave as an enabling character, the notion of Johann Weisz trying to hit on Sorceress Miko is enough to make me try and force the hands of AC staff).

The biggest problem with the series is that, whilst it’s really admirable that, as stated in his introduction, all of this *could* be played out on a stage and whilst the characterisation is as tight as it has been in recent issues, there’s a sense of the story having been left hanging which really doesn’t suit the ideal of the format. This is based entirely on my assumption that this is a three act story but, the way the final part plays out, I can’t help but feel that more should have been spent on exploring principle villain, Serafina and her background. Everything is tied up neatly in terms of the narrative but there’s a sense of rush that just isn’t present in the actual series.

In short, I think this is an amazing effort but, being greedy, I can’t help but wish there was either a fourth act or that the three that we do have were just a tiny bit longer.

What He Said…

OT4.

V for Verdict: Guardian Sentai RoboMan #25 (SPOILERS – & SPOILERS FOR GATCHAMAN)

Tatsunoko’s sentai-precursor Gatchaman features a central character developing a brain haemorrhage and dying. This ground-breaking anime series, familiar to perhaps some of you as Battle of the Planets or Eagle Riders, is often accepted as an influence on both the sentai genre and more specifically on the series Chojin Sentai Jetman.

You can understand then why I find the end of RoboMan issue #25 slightly unnerving.

This issue, for a storyline that began fairly light-heartedly, is significantly weighty. There’s a bit of the Liveman touch in the way Mochi Robo’s fate is dealt with which again demonstrates Mister Watts’ talent for incorporating the themes and tropes of the genre and still managing to make them organic themes within his plot.

Despite the depth and the obvious development for both Ikku and Kageki (and Ikku/Kageki, henceforth called Ikkageki) but for me this issue is all about Guardian and the return of Chojin Robo who are still far from being on the side of the angels but are also characters with their own agenda and morals (much like Jinsei!). I’m really happy to see them both back – and back in action.

Because of the rotating appearances of the series’ villains and supporting cast, I must admit I’m curious to know what Miko’s up to and I’m looking forwards to seeing Senshi again. Of the possible future plotlines, I am most interested in the idea of a meeting between Senshi and Guardian because, regardless of the actual canon of the story, I’m already pretty much sold on the self-declared RoboMan fanon notion of Senshi and Guardian staring together in some 80s buddy cop movie ala Lethal Weapon.

If none of this makes sense, it’s because you’re too young.

So, in short, a solid issue and some much needed development for our youthful boy in green. Keep up the good work, Mister Watts.

V for Verdict: Guardian Sentai RoboMan #22 – 24 (SPOILERS)

“I don’t – ” Kageki began, but he did not get to finish his sentence as Ikku lunged forward and took hold of his wrists. The older man leaned against Kageki and pressed him firmly against the side of the couch.

One word, dear reader: canon.

As a friend of mine is fond of saying, ‘context is for the weak’.

After last week’s discussion of Kiko/Trick (which the jury is still out on, I’m afraid), this week gives us Ikku/Kageki. I would call it subtext but I think Mister Watts has deliberately emulated the aspects of the genre that play up this kind of interpretation. None the less, it’s a fun scene and the most I’ve liked Kageki in a long time.

Out of the three issues that Mister Watts has recently posted, issue #22 is by far the favourite – the tone and depth of the action, despite the reduced cast, is a real mark of how far this has come and how well the author has managed to juggle a number of plots and opposing factions. The villains in this series really are the stars at present and it is a constant source of amazement to me how well balanced Mister Watts manages to keep this storyline and how he manages to afford equal time and development for each different faction. It is, perhaps, the end result of a formula Toei attempted in Boukenger, and yet the coherence of the series really does benefit from the fact that Mister Watts alone is guiding the story.

There’s a good deal of complication and development in #22, especially relating to the natures of Jinsei and Sei and a hint at Jinsei’s previous relationship (as Doctor Smith) with Ikku. This really is one of those issues were everything that’s good about this series shines through.

Issues #23 – 24 are lighter in context, being true to the more light-hearted genre episodes whilst still continuing to tweak the format in favour of RoboMan’s central themes – the fact that #22 ends with Cog discussing the nature of DNA and all three issues deal with emotions and issues of free will in regards to their respective monsters-of-the-week is a real credit.

Plus, there’s the return of Guardian and Director Satoshi and a very flattering reference to my own work, which completely surprised me (I should take the time to thank the author for this kindness — THANK YOU!).

I’m well aware that I have something of a habit of attempting to readdress the viewpoints and perceptions of villains in fiction and I really do feel that, despite their methods, Guardian and Satoshi are, in some ways, ‘on the level’…this is of course means that I will invariably be writing ‘fanfic’ for them at some point in the near future.

So, 24 issues on and still going strong. Things are looking bright for the future of this series.

V for Verdict: Guardian Sentai RoboMan #21 (SPOILERS)

http://www.night-jaeger.net/fiction/roboman/roboman-21.htm

IKKU! In the doghouse!

TRICK/KIKO! A pairing in the making!

KAGEKI! Why is he still here?

That last comment was perhaps unfair. I’m taking out my excess dislike of Go-onger’s happy-go-lucky Hant on Kageki, simply because they share a common archetype. Apologies for when you read this, Mister Watts.

Trick really comes through in this issue. Unexpectedly, and without me actually realising, I see now that he has almost completely filled the mentor role left absent by the kidnapping of Doctor Nagura. I’m going to have to go back and revisit some of the earlier issues to see if I can pinpoint when this change began to happen, as it’s an interesting direction for Trick’s character to move in.

Ikku gets a fair share of development in this issue, coming across as by the far the most likeable of the cast at present. A lot of the rough edges of earlier issues have been worn down in these later stories and there’s an innate sense of who these characters are in the way Mister Watts writes. This really communicates their hopes and struggles a lot more clearly than when first we met them. It’s like all good friendships, in that respect. And that’s another good reason to be reading this series.

These characters are real people beneath their costumes and despite the weight of their archetypes and I really can’t praise that quality enough.

Looking forwards to future issues, Mister Watts. Keep up the good work.