Project A-ko

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Project A-ko


caption = "Project A-ko" Australian DVD cover
ja_name = プロジェクトA子
ja_name_trans = Purojekuto A-ko
genre = Adventure, Action, Comedy, Science FictionInfobox animanga/Movie
title =
director = Katsuhiko Nishijima
studio = Soeishinsha, Studio A.P.P.P.
released = June 21 1986
runtime = 84 min

nihongo|"Project A-ko"|プロジェクトA子|Purojekuto A-ko is a popular movie that spun off 3 OVA movies and later two alternate-universe OVAs (the "Vs." series) were released. This parody series references a number of other works of anime from the 1970s and 1980s. The title itself is a reference to a Jackie Chan movie, "Project A". Production of the first movie included several artists who would later go on to become popular in their own works, including Kia Asamiya and Atsuko Nakajima. Also noted is the Western production of the soundtrack of the first movie, credited to Joey Carbone & Richie Zito.

The English language version was produced and released by Central Park Media and was one of the first anime series brought to the Western market. It has had a profound impact in Japanese animation and manga and has become a benchmark and a cornerstone of the industry ever sinceFact|date=July 2007.

ummary

The first Project A-ko movie is often considered the best of the series, and is known for its clever blend of action, screwball comedy, and satirical jabs at anime conventions.

The plot revolves around Eiko (or, "A-ko") Magami, a red-haired teenage girl who just happens to be stronger and faster than anyone else alive. However, A-ko considers herself to be perfectly normal, and worries mostly about getting to school on time. Her best friend is Shiiko (or, "C-ko") Kotobuki, an incessantly whiny but lovable blonde. The two girls transfer to Graviton High School and catch the attention of Biko (or, "B-ko") Daitokuji, a brilliant (but spoiled-rotten and possibly psychotic) classmate with a knack for building mecha in no time flat.

B-ko develops an unexpected crush on the innocent C-ko, and is determined to get A-ko out of the picture at any cost. Her determination goes from being merely obsessive to homicidal when she realizes that she and A-ko were rivals back in kindergarten. B-ko creates a series of killer mecha to defeat A-ko before the morning bell rings. All of them are destroyed effortlessly by A-ko. In a final attempt at victory, B-ko makes the fight more personal by donning her infamous "Akagiyama-23" battlesuit and challenging A-ko to a duel, devastating the school and much of Graviton City in the process.

Meanwhile, Earth is being threatened by a massive spaceship piloted by a race of female aliens from the Lepton Kingdom of Alpha-Cygni, who have come to Earth to retrieve their long-lost princess. Oddly enough, the princess turns out to be none other than C-ko; she is kidnapped by an alien operative known as "D" in the middle of A-ko and B-ko's fight, and taken aboard the spaceship.

A-ko and B-ko agree to put aside their differences long enough to rescue C-ko. They successfully infiltrate the spaceship but, as soon as C-ko is found, B-ko reneges on her earlier truce and attacks A-ko, instigating a gunfight between herself and the ship's alcoholic captain, Miss Napolipolita. The spaceship's navigation system is damaged in the crossfire, causing it to crash into Graviton City. The girls, D, and the captain barely escape, crash-landing right into Graviton High.

The next morning an exhausted A-ko wakes up for school. A brief glimpse of A-ko's parents is shown; they appear to be none other than American superheroes Superman and Wonder Woman, an apparent explanation for A-ko's superhuman abilities. C-ko joins A-ko and the two girls walk to school, remarking on the alien spaceship that now dominates the skyline of Graviton City. As the credits begin to roll, there is a final glimpse of B-ko standing outside the school, smiling ambiguously -- whether to signal a truce or to start a new fight is anyone's guess.

Characters

;A-ko (Eiko Magami) :A-ko, a red-haired girl who seems to be near invulnerable with superhuman speed and strength, is the heroine of the series and lives in Graviton City, Japan. A-ko is usually very friendly, cheerful, and polite, and always tries to lead a normal life despite her unusual lineage. However, she does have a fiery temper, and is very dangerous when angered. She has a large appetite, and a tendency to oversleep on school days. Her constant friend is C-ko Kotobuki, whom she has known since kindergarten. Although she truly loves C-ko, even she can be frustrated at her friend's relentless immaturity.

:A-ko's powers are kept in check by the distinctive armbands that she always wears. Without them, her strength is uncontrollable, and she destroys nearly anything she touches (and even things that she doesn't touch.)

:In future incarnations of the A-ko series, it is revealed that A-ko successfully graduated from Graviton High School, and assumed a fairly normal position as a secretary in a Japanese Corporation. Her adult destiny is somewhat murky, because by that time the focus of the series had shifted to her younger, alternate-universe self.

anime voices|Miki Itō|Teryl Rothery and Stacey Gregg (first movie only)

;B-ko (Biko Daitokuji) :B-ko Daitokuji is well-known in Graviton High as the daughter of a local industrial tycoon. She is thoroughly spoiled, arrogant, and dismissive of her fellow students. She has no friends, although she employs Ine, Uma, Asa, and Mari as paid subordinates. B-ko is a mechanical genius, who can construct or repair virtually anything, in extremely brief periods of time.

:Although seemingly very calm and poised in public, and always deferring to her teachers' authority, B-ko has a tremendous temper, which flares up whenever she doesn't get what she wants. Her desire to obtain C-ko's affection from A-ko develops from regular obsession to all-consuming megalomania, and she proves that she is capable of doing anything, even attempted murder, to achieve her goals. Her unhinged rants reveal that despite her superiority complex, she is actually rather insecure and troubled.

:B-ko's ultimate technological triumph is her Akagiyama-23 battlesuit, which — despite its skimpiness — gives her strength and speed on par with the superhuman A-ko. It also allows her to fly and has a variety of heavy weaponry, ranging from missiles to an energy whip. She tends to wear the Akagiyama beneath her normal clothing much of the time, so that she is never caught unprepared for a battle.

:Apart from her technological knowledge, B-ko also appears to have a keen mind for literature and is shown to be able to memorize and quote Japanese poetry with little effort.

anime voices|Emi Shinohara|Venus Terzo and Denica Fairman (first movie only)

;C-ko (Shiiko Kotobuki) :C-ko Kotobuki is A-ko's best friend, and has depended on A-ko since they met in kindergarten. C-ko is described as extremely childlike, although childish might be a better word for her. Although the same age as A-ko and B-ko, she seems to have the mind of a prepubescent. Her mood is either annoyingly gleeful or tearfully petulant, and can vacillate between the two at any time. Unlike A-ko and B-ko, C-ko has no special skills, no powers, and no interesting abilities to speak of.

:Despite her lack of sophistication and intellect, C-ko is revealed to be the Fourth Princess of the Fifth Queen of the Lepton Kingdom of Alpha Cygni, an all-female race of extraterrestrial aliens. She crash-landed on Earth when she was an infant, and the Lepton Kingdom has been searching fervently for her ever since. However, C-ko is fairly uninterested in her unearthly ancestry and wants nothing more than to remain on Earth with A-ko.

:C-ko enjoys cooking, but the food that she prepares is largely inedible and often contains ingredients not meant for human consumption. In episode three and four of the main series, we see her having trouble sleeping, usually falling off of the bed after tossing and turning. From episode one to episode three, where we see her face flattened against a toy shop window, she loves looking at dolls. From episode one and four, we learn she is an avid moviegoer, usually taking A-ko along with her to watch.

anime voices|Michie Tomizawa|Cathy Weseluck and Julia Brahms (first movie only)

;Captain Napolipolita

:Napolipolita is a captain in the Alpha Cygnan space navy, who has spent the last sixteen years searching the universe for C-ko. Although she first appears to be a man, it is later revealed that the Alpha Cygnans are an all-female race, some of which resemble males. Although Napolipolita cuts a fine figure, always impeccably dressed with a dramatically-swirling cloak and wraparound sunglasses, her facade quickly shatters when danger arises. During the long sojourn in space, she has become completely addicted to alcohol, and unravels when she is unable to get a drink.

:After the events of the first movie, Napolipolita is stranded on Earth, seemingly doomed to never return home to the Lepton Kingdom. She rebuilds her grounded spaceship into a 30,000 room hotel catering to Earthling tastes, giving a brave face to the human population. However, she is miserable and longs only to return home.

:In the final A-ko movie, she misses her only chance to return to her home planet. This was because she stopped to get drunk on the way to the Graviton City High School for Girls, site of the Alpha Cygnan's landing.

anime voices|Shūichi Ikeda|Scott McNeil and Jay Benedict (first movie only)

;D (Operative DC138621-S113) :As a spy for the Lepton Kingdom, D has been stationed on earth for a long while, searching for signs of their missing princess. Her long exile comes to fruition when she encounters A-ko and C-ko racing to school one morning. She continues to stalk the pair, despite suffering massive (but accidental) bodily harm whenever they meet.

:Like the Captain, D is in fact a woman, but appears very masculine to Earthling eyes. This confusion is cleared up at the end of the first movie, when she dons a very scant uniform to battle A-ko.

:Although D does try to kill A-ko, she remains fervently loyal to C-ko, even going so far as to sample C-ko's toxic cooking out of respect. However, her main goal is to get C-ko back to the Lepton Kingdom, whether she wants to return or not. During the series, we see her sticking close to Napolipolita, indictating they are close friends as well as fellow soldiers.

anime voices|Tesshō Genda|Robert O. Smith and Marc Smith (first movie only)

;Miss Ayumi:Miss Ayumi is a teacher at Graviton High School, who has the unfortunate distinction of having A-ko, B-ko, and C-ko in her class at the same time. This means that she has the nearly impossible task of trying to get C-ko to learn, while preventing A-ko and B-ko from murdering each other.

:Later, we learn that Miss Ayumi nurses a secret gloominess in her soul. Her parents are both dead, and she worries that she will never fall in love. This leads to her fateful decision to accept an arranged marriage with Kei.

:Miss Ayumi is also a member of the Volunteer Defense Force, a loose-knit organization of do-gooders who defend the city when the authorities fail. When A-ko and B-ko's brawl sparks a citywide alert in "Cinderella Rhapsody," she immediately dons an outlandish superhero costume and rides a gravity-defying cycle into action. her skimpy outfit was a holdover from the time when Project A-ko was going to be an adult series.

:Miss Ayumi is modeled after the lead character of the eponymous TV series Creamy Mami, one of several magical girl TV shows that came out during the 80s.

:Miss Ayumi's subject appears to be literature. She loves fireworks displays and is an avid swimmer.

anime voices|Asami Mukaidono|Lynda Boyd and Lisa Ross (first movie only)

;Hikaru Daitokuji :B-ko's father, and a billionaire industrialist specializing in heavy machinery and military hardware. When the Alpha Cygnan ship crashlands on earth, he yearns to capture their alien super-technology and learn its secrets for himself. He uses his influence to convince the Japanese military that the hapless aliens are in fact malevolent invaders, and engineers a dastardly attack on the helpless ship. When the military forces are repelled by A-ko and B-ko, he resorts to using experimental mecha that he purloined from his daughter, with disastrous consequences. In later chapters, his ambitions of conquest fade, and he pursues more mundane activities, such as playing matchmaker for Miss Ayumi during her proposed marriage with Kei.

:Hikaru and his daughter have an interesting relationship. Although they seemingly have a deep bond, they often find themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield. Knowing that B-ko takes no prisoners when on a rampage, Hikaru has to respond with equally brutal force just to avoid being killed by her in one of her many fits of passion. Both father and daughter know their Japanese poetry well, as seen in episode four when they both quote from the same poem by Manyushu. He also has a fascination with Elvis Presley, as seen when he dons an Elvis-style Las Vegas jumpsuit for much of his battle with both his daughter and the Alpha Cygnans.

:It would appear that B-ko's father is based on Marvel Comics' Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man. He looks a bit like Tony, is a rich businessman, and helped B-ko design her powersuit (he even uses a copy of one himself). Others have claimed that he more closely resembles American super-tycoon Ted Turner.

;Mari, Ine, Asa, Ume:These four girls are B-ko's only friends, although 'employees;' might be a better term. They spend most of their time doing whatever B-ko orders them to. This can range from reconnaissance work, to piloting B-ko's enormous war machines, to helping her stage commando raids against anyone who dares to cross her. They are apparently not paid well, and gripe among themselves that they can only afford to eat ramen noodles most of the time.

:Ume is chubby and wears spectacles. Ine is skinny and buck-toothed. Asa is fairly normal-looking. Mari stands at least eight feet tall, tanned skin and has enormous musculature. She is an obvious parody of Kenshiro from the anime/manga series "Fist of the North Star". She looks quite a bit like Ken, uses a similar fighting style, constantly tatters her clothing when flexing and has many of his manuerisms; however, her speaking voice is a normal female one.

;Kei Yuki:Kei is a young scion of a wealthy Japanese family, but seems to spend most of his time jetting around Graviton City on his motorcycle. He becomes infatutated with the infantile C-ko, which is disturbing given that both A-ko and B-ko are vying for his attention at the same time.

:Kei hardly ever speaks, and has an intense fondness for Coke. In the fourth movie, his parents arrange for him to be married to Miss Ayumi, although he remains pathetically enraptured with C-ko. One of the few instances in which he speaks indicates that he might in fact be rather droll, but it's not clear whether this is a fluke or not.

:In the alternate universe series, a brief flash of Kei's future life hints that he does eventually pursue a relationship with both A-ko and B-ko, possibly at the same time.

;Gail :Gail is the leader of a small cell of galactic space pirates in the alternate universe. He is very distinctive-looking, having light blue skin, white hair, and a rather elaborate outfit. He is apparently from a non-human race, and has the ability to fire energy blasts from his hands capable of killing others.

:Gail is a sad soul who considers the universe to be an inherently evil place. His faith in life was shattered at a young age. He grew up as an orphan in a church, where a beautiful young nun became his surrogate mother. However, Gail killed her when he found her breaking her vows and sleeping with a man.

:Gail's ultimate goal is to resurrect the long-dead sorceress, Xena, who in turn can resurrect a legendary dragon-god, which can annihilate every universe currently in existence. Gail believes that this will give birth to a new, pure universe free of evil. However, he is mistaken in this, as Xena turns out to be more insidious than he suspects. His obsession with purifying the universe slightly relents when he begins to fall in love with B-ko, although this proves to be his downfall when B-ko chooses the life of her friend over the prospect of his love.

;Commander Maruten :The diminutive Maruten ("ball-head" in Japanese, likely a pun on the English word "Martian") is a galaxy police officer who is assigned to pursue Gail and thwart his plans. He possesses the unusual power to bring people back to life who have recently been killed. Maruten is a self-described "nice guy" who bemoans the fact that girls tend to fall for "bad boys" such as Gail.

;Grash :Grash is one of Gail's space pirates. Although a hardened outlaw, he is fairly level-headed and seems to have no interest in cruelty for its own sake—unlike his partner, Liza.

;Liza Chichi:Liza is Grash's partner-in-crime, and is the definite muscle of their operation. An advanced human, she has enough strength and speed to battle A-ko to a stalemate. She has a fierce temper, and takes delight in physically dominating others. However, she does have a surprisingly sensitive ego, and is devastated when C-ko refers to her as "granny." Her oversexed appearance—stretch pants, teased hair, and enormous cleavage—probably contributes to C-ko's misconception about her age.

;Xena:Xena is a legendary sorceress who has been dead for many hundreds of years. Since her death, the facts of her life have been obscured and she is revered by many people in the universe as a potential savior. Xena's greatest power is her ability to summon a great dragon-god which is capable of destroying not only her universe, but all universes in existence. The tragic truth is that Xena is a psychotic despot, and intends only to use her powers to rule others. Xena is briefly returned to life when she inahabits C-ko's body for a short time, but is defeated by C-ko herself.

Production

Project A-ko was initially planned to be part of the Cream Lemon series of hentai OVAs, but during the production of the series it was decided to make it into a more mainstream title. The only sequence animated during its Cream Lemon days left in the revised production is B-ko's private bath scene. In a nod to Project A-ko's origins as a Cream Lemon episode, the owner and several working girls from the brothel in the Cream Lemon episode "Pop Chaser" can be seen in one of the classrooms A-ko and B-ko crash through during a fight sequence in the first Project A-ko OVA.

Director Katsuhiko Nishijima took on this project because he was missing some teeth at the time and needed the funding from this film to buy new ones. (Source: 2002 Collectors series DVD behind the scenes footage)

Notes

*Among the subtitle clues that hint that A-ko's parents are none other than DC Comics characters Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) and Clark Kent (Superman):
**A Superman symbol on her father's shirt is partially shown;
**A-ko's father is shown reading a newspaper titled "The Daily Plenet" (misspelled in the anime);
**A-ko normally wears wrist bands akin to Wonder Woman's [http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.anime.fandom/msg/323da3c2b0eade05|"Bands of Submission"] and laments not having them when a fight breaks out at a fancy dinner;
**A-ko's mother is shown in a stars and stripes apron in FINAL.:This explains where A-ko received her superhuman strength and speed. However, in no way whatsoever does it explain anything else, like how they met and why they went to Japan.

*During their day out in town, A-ko and C-ko watch a movie, "Harmagedon". However, animation director Yuji Moriyama made a slight change to the scene that is shown. Instead of the original colonel in the movie, the young man is shown encountering Colonel Sanders instead, causing A-ko and C-ko to shriek in terror. Moriyama said he had a different character in the storyboards, but switched Sanders in later.

*After releasing "Project A-ko" on DVD in its original widescreen video format, Central Park Media later released a "Collector's Series" version, which features remastered video and coloring, a large number of A-ko related extras, commentary and interviews by many of the Project A-ko staff, and a free Project A-ko soundtrack CD.

*Central Park Media has released the other "Project A-ko" OVAs in two DVD collections: "Project A-ko: Love and Robots" (which contains the OVAs Plot of the Daitokuji Financial Group, Cinderella Rhapsody, and Final) and "Project A-ko: Uncivil Wars" (which contains both the Grey Side and Blue Side of "A-ko the Vs").

*There are numerous references to Maison Ikkoku by Rumiko Takahashi throughout the series, but the most notable is near the ending of FINAL where a distinctly Kyoko-like woman can be seen with her daughter, wishing upon the "star" falling from the sky.

*The ending of FINAL also directly references the original ending of Cyborg 009, with the dialogue of the mother and daughter being exactly the same as that of the brother and sister in the original.

*Captain Napolipolita is a spoof on Captain Harlock. There are also elements of "Mobile Suit Gundam's" Char Aznable in the character (as Napolipolita resembles Char in his "Zeta Gundam" incarnation), which is unsurprising, as both characters are voiced by Shuichi Ikeda.

*In Japanese, "-ko" is a common suffix for little girl's names, like Hanako, Rumiko, Yuriko. "Ko" means "child". So A-ko, B-ko, and C-ko literally mean Child-A, Child-B and Child-C. This is a common way to reference extra characters in Japanese contemproary drama. While "A-ko" can be indicative of the common name "Eiko", the central joke behind the names is that the main characters of the series are actually just extras.

*A girl who looks very similar to A-Ko can be seen in episode IV of the Lolita Anime OVA.

External links

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* [http://www.gravitoncity.com/ Graviton City: The Project A-ko Web Site]
* [http://www.animecritic.com/_metareview/viewtitle.php?aid=161 "Project A-ko"] reviews from multiple sites at Meta Anime Review