A great wave of terror races across Japan like none before, as the evil organization known only as Demon Seed runs rampant throughout Tokyo. With the overwhelming might of their Power Suits and the genius of their leader, Professor Demon, no one can oppose them as they contemptuously loot and plunder to their hearts' content. No one, save for a small group of trained specialists working for the government's elite Special Operations Anti-Demon Seed Section who have vowed to fight unendingly against the tyranny of Professor Demon and his minions. Why? Could it be for pride? Or honor? Or for a sense of justice? No. They fight because they don't want to risk losing their perfect office location. As you might have guessed from that intro, the two OAVs that make up Assemble Insert are not your run-of-the mill mecha shows. As might be guessed from the art style, it was created by Yuuki Masami, who was also the mastermind behind Patlabor -- and like Patlabor at its comic best, AI manages to tread the thin line between humor and absurdity. Beset by the unceasing attacks from Demon Seed and finding themselves powerless to halt their might, Chief Hattori, the head of the Special Operations Anti-Demon Seed Section, comes up with a brilliant plan to save the reputation of the Japanese police department and Tokyo. The plan? The Special Operations Anti-Demon Seed Section is to find a hero, a Champion of Justice, who will then stand defiantly against Demon Seed and will use the top-secret Power Suit under development to vanquish evil. How in the world are they to find such a paladin? Through an idol star competition, of course. Assemble Insert, like another show we've shown this year involving robots, super powers, and idol stars, makes a statement about the pop music industry in Japan. It's completely outrageous and not meant to be taken too seriously, but it is indeed a definite statement. I'd share it with you, but I haven't found it yet. All you folks out there who laugh at the pathetic excuses Japanese television tries to pass off as commercials that appear during the Kenshin episodes are in for an extra treat -- but I won't spoil it for you. Instead, I'll just strongly recommend that you stick around to see the second funniest (and by far the wackiest) show in this year's marathon. |