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This is part of the Martian Successor Nadesico (see Categories, below) series of articles
Martian Successor Nadesico (機動戦艦ナデシコ Kidō Senkan Nadeshiko, 1996) is a science fiction comedy anime TV series, and a subsequent manga series by Kia Asamiya. The series takes place in the year 2196.
The manga is published in English by CPM Manga.
Plot overview
Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow. When Earth's colonies on Mars are suddenly attacked by alien invaders known as the Jovian Lizards, civilian contractor Nergal decides to come to the Earth's aid by constructing powerful space battleships, the first of which is known as the ND-001 Nadesico (hence the series' name). Unfortunately, the crew they choose are a little unorthodox, although they are good at their jobs.
The main character, Akito Tenkawa, only wants to be a cook, however, he is constantly called on to be a pilot of one of the Nadesico's Aestevalis combat robots. While on board the Nadesico, Akito has more problems to deal with than just the Jovians. Pretty much all the female members of the crew seem to be head over heels on love with Akito, and all he wants to do is cook and watch Gekigangar III.
Review While Nadesico is definitely a good series, it lacks the serious air of more popular anime such as Neon Genesis Evangelion and Gundam Wing. Although, it tends to be a little more light hearted, this ties in well with some of the major plot developments.
The series pokes fun at anime in general and mecha anime in particular. In addition to Gekigangar III, the anime within an anime, there are many other anime references. One of the characters is a hentai and magical girl seiyuu before joining the crew (and in fact is a parody of a specific seiyuu, Megumi Hayashibara), another is a fangirl who likes to draw her own lemon shounen-ai manga doujinshi, while a third is an otaku who bases his entire life on Gekigangar III. In one episode the ship holds an anime convention, complete with a viewing marathon of Gekigangar, people engaged in cosplay, and tie-in merchandising.
The TV series ran for 26 episodes. A Gekigangar III compilation OVA was also released, as well as a sequel movie called Martian Successor Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness that takes place several years after the main series.
Major Characters: - Yurika Misumaru - Captain of the Nadesico, smitten with Akito. Somewhat ditzy, but a capable captain.
- Akito Tenkawa - Cook, Aestevalis pilot, the main (albeit reluctant) hero. A fan of the anime series Gekigangar III.
- Ruri Hoshino - "Electronic Fairy", she keeps the ship's computer (Omoikane) running. Child prodigy. Given to call the rest of the crew "fools" (Japanese ばか baka)
- Gai Daigoji - Born as Jiro Yamada (although he considers Gai the "name that belongs to [his] soul". Aestevalis pilot. An even bigger fan of Gekigangar III than Akito; Gai turned Akito on to the series early on.
- Megumi Reinard - Voice actress, communications officer of the Nadesico, Akito's girlfriend.
- Jun Aoi - First officer of the Nadesico. Has no small infatuation for Yurika, although it goes unrequited.
- Inez Fressange - Developed the Nadesico's engines for Nergal, was rescued from Mars. She hosts the "Naze Nani Nadesico" segment.
- Ryoko Subaru - Aestivalis pilot. Joined along with Izumi and Hikaru. The more fiery of the three.
- Izumi Maki - Aestivalis pilot. Quiet and reserved. Incurable punster.
- Hikaru Amano - Aestivalis pilot. Rabid Gekigangar III fangirl.
- Nagare Akatsuki - Aestivalis pilot. Joins after they return from Mars. (See if you can guess who he is really)
Theme Songs Opening - "You Get to Burning" by Yumi Matsuzawa
Ending
Links - ADV Films (http://www.advfilms.com)
- Nadesico Thumbnail Theatre (http://amethyst-angel.com/nadesico_main.html) - Watch for spoilers.
- IMDb's MSN page (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0115263/combined)
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