R. O. D.

Read or Die

Genre: Action

Format: 3 OVA

Allegiance: Studio Deen/SME

Director: Masunari Koji

Vintage: 2001-2002

Intelligence Agency Report by: Phate

To an outsider, Yomiko Readman seems to be nothing more than your run-of-the-mill bookworm. However, she is actually a top secret agent for the British Library’s Division of Special Operations, code-named The Paper. Soon, however, she is called back to duty when a mysterious force is cloning deceased geniuses from around the world and stealing rare books. Teaming up with other agents Ms. Deep and Drake Anderson, and led by the cool and collected Joker, this group of super heroes must uncover the sinister plot before more thefts occur.

Field Agent Report by: Phate

Plot
Characters
Impact
Visual
Audio

8.75
9.50
8.50
9.50
9.00

Overall

8.75

(not an average)

I have to admit; I’ve seen plenty of anime where the characters have names that are a bit out of the ordinary, but this show has to have the strangest names for its characters I’ve heard, even if they are agent names. Though it didn’t affect my grade of the show, it truly is something interesting.

By far, the best things Read or Die has going for it would be the animation and music. You just can’t go wrong with a soundtrack by Taku Iwasaki, and this show is no exception. From the absolutely thrilling opening to the end of the last episode, the music is certainly something that will please the ears. It’s no slouch in the animation department, either, and is very easy on the eyes, especially during the action scenes, which are also very pleasing to the eyes.

Music and eye candy aside, however, the faults are obvious. Due to the non-stop action-like pace and because it’s only 3 OVA long, Read or Die’s development on its characters is next to none, though their personalities make up for it, if just barely. The seiyuu cast did good jobs, though Yomiko’s seiyuu grated on my nerves.

A perfect anime by no means, Read or Die has good points that more than make up for the bad ones. Though not high in the development department, anyone who enjoys a superb soundtrack mixed with wonderful characters and great animation should walk away very pleased.

Field Agent Report by: Drake

Plot
Characters
Impact
Visual
Audio

9.00
8.50
9.50
9.00
10.00

Overall

9.50

(not an average)

Out of all the anime I've seen, Read or Die really sticks in my mind as an awesome anime with a lot going for it. The names of the British Library Agents are hilarious. How many anime do you see with characters named The Paper, Joker or Ms. Deep? However putting aside the odd names and the minor flaws you will begin to realize just how good this anime truly is.

Not only does Read or Die have memorable characters that will always be remembered as some of the best out there, but the music rocks as well. The R.O.D. OST fit the mood of the anime perfectly, especially during the action sequences. The plot was also very unique. How many times will you encounter such concepts as the British Library, a British Special Task Force in charge of dealing with any crimes dealing with books, or come face to face with geniuses of the past that many people only read about as inventors, composers and other equally famous people.

However, in all great anime there are always flaws. The anime was just a mere three OVA long. I feel the producers tried cramming to much into to small amount of space. These three episodes alone could have been stretched to at least thirteen episodes minimum and kept all of the things in that everyone loves about Read or Die and not kill any of the aspects of the show and drag it out at all. Thirteen episodes would have been the ticket to making Read or Die reach its full potential. However, what the creators lacked in length they made up for in animation. The animation was so colorful and beautifully done, it's enough to make the most hardcore animation freak soften up and worship it.

Overall, Read or Die is a must see for any and all anime fans of all genres. It has everything, from comedy to action along with a memorable plot and cast of characters. To compensate for the lack in length, there is a sequel, R. O. D. -The TV-, which will hopefully tie up any loose ends.

Field Agent Report by: Erigion

Plot
Characters
Impact
Visual
Audio

5.00
7.00
9.50
9.50
10.00

Overall

9.50

(not an average)

British secret agents, gadgets, cool weapons, evil organizations, silhouetted women floating around during the opening sequence. I’m talking about James Bond, right? Wrong. I’m talking about Read or Die, one of the best action series ever.

What does every action movie or TV series need? Good action sequences. And ROD has these in spades. But good action sequences just weren’t enough for the producers of this OVA. They wanted something unique and fun to watch, and what they wanted they got. Imagine, if you will, chasing a rocket powered glider on a giant paper airplane. Or dueling someone with a sword made out of money. Or phasing through the Statue of Liberty and using the girders inside to slow your fall. All of this is possible with the powers that the characters have and it makes for visually spectacular battles. But one fight stands above the rest and that is Ms. Deep’s final fight, trust me you do not want to miss it.

Speaking of fights, one thing you’ll notice is the mesmerizing battle theme with its rhythmic violins and thumping drums that is unmistakable no matter how it’s introduced. And no matter how often it’s used, you will not grow tired of listening to it. This brings me to another thing the producers wanted, and got, which was a great soundtrack from one of the best, Taku Iwasaki. The absolutely great opening song has the best guitar intro this side of Shell from Witch Hunter Robin, not to mention more of those great violins Iwasaki uses.

Now I bet you’re wondering about the plot and characters. Well stop wondering, they aren’t anything to write home about, but it doesn’t matter. You’ll be having too much fun watching the series to wonder about the silly plot or simple characters. However, that’s not to say they detracted from the series in any way. The plot, while a bit unsophisticated, provides enough of a setting for the characters to play around in. And while many of the supporting characters are underdeveloped, the two most important ones, Yomiko and Nancy, are strong enough to carry the rest of the weak cast across the finish line.

Like your average Bond flick, Read or Die doesn’t hassle you with complicated plots or characters, just good old fashioned fun. They say that nobody does it better than James Bond, but Read or Die sure gives Mr. Bond a run for his money in the world of spy games and action thrillers.