Moldiver
Encyclopedia
is a 6-episode 1993 OVA
anime
series. It is a parody of magical girl
and superhero
anime series.
It all begins with Hiroshi's invention of the "Mol-Unit", a device capable of allowing an object to operate outside of the normal laws of physics. Flight, super-speed and strength, invulnerability, all capable through the Mol-Unit's power. The only catch, however, is that it can only stay active for a limited time, only 666 seconds (just over 11 minutes).
Such a device would have changed the world on a whole, but Hiroshi's motives for its invention are not so much for the world as it is for his own ego. Using the Mol-Unit and its power, Hiroshi develops a new superheroic personality for himself, Captain Tokyo.
After his initial debut, "Captain Tokyo" becomes a media sensation, and Hiroshi eats it up. However, things backfire when, out of curiosity, Mirai finds the Mol-Unit and tampers with the costume it generates, giving it a more feminine appearance. In doing so, the Mol-Unit malfunctions, causing the costume to randomly alter between Hiroshi's design and Mirai's. Upon realizing this, Hiroshi is forced to lend the Mol-Unit to Mirai, whose own personal use for the device seems to be more lighthearted than her brother's.
However, things are not right in Tokyo. A mysterious man by the name of "Dr. Machinegal" (actually an old friend and teacher of Hiroshi's, Professor Amagi) and his personal robot army, among them the destructive android group known as the "Machinegal Dolls" (all named after famous models and actresses) is bent on causing havoc upon the world. To make matters worse, Nozumu, the youngest of the Ozora siblings, has developed his own Mol-Unit and created a supervillain persona to oppose his brother and sister out of spite. Completely unaware of such events at first, but obligated to do something, Mirai finds herself thrown into the world of superheroism, which she takes in stride.
The world "Moldiver" is spelt out using the first letter of the first five episode titles and the first three letters of the episode title for episode six (Metamorforce!, Overzone, Longing, Destruction, Intruder, Verity).
Moldiver was originally released on VHS
and LaserDisc
in dubbed and subtitled versions by Pioneer LDC
. All six episodes were later released by Pioneer on one dual-layered DVD
in 2001.
), which ran in "Shōnen Captain".
Moldiver also makes a cameo appearance in episode 8 of the Tenchi Universe
series, "No Need for a Genius". In it, Moldiver is Mihoshi
's favorite TV show.
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series. It is a parody of magical girl
Magical girl
belong to a sub-genre of Japanese fantasy anime and manga. Magical girl stories feature young girls with superhuman abilities, forced to fight evil and to protect the Earth. They often possess a secret identity, although the name can just refer to young girls who follow a plotline involving magic...
and superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
anime series.
Plot
The plot focuses on a young girl by the name of Mirai Ozora, living in Tokyo in the year 2045. Being obsessed with her hobbies of shopping and modeling, one would never expect her big brother Hiroshi to be a brilliant inventor for ZIC, a major technological corporation.It all begins with Hiroshi's invention of the "Mol-Unit", a device capable of allowing an object to operate outside of the normal laws of physics. Flight, super-speed and strength, invulnerability, all capable through the Mol-Unit's power. The only catch, however, is that it can only stay active for a limited time, only 666 seconds (just over 11 minutes).
Such a device would have changed the world on a whole, but Hiroshi's motives for its invention are not so much for the world as it is for his own ego. Using the Mol-Unit and its power, Hiroshi develops a new superheroic personality for himself, Captain Tokyo.
After his initial debut, "Captain Tokyo" becomes a media sensation, and Hiroshi eats it up. However, things backfire when, out of curiosity, Mirai finds the Mol-Unit and tampers with the costume it generates, giving it a more feminine appearance. In doing so, the Mol-Unit malfunctions, causing the costume to randomly alter between Hiroshi's design and Mirai's. Upon realizing this, Hiroshi is forced to lend the Mol-Unit to Mirai, whose own personal use for the device seems to be more lighthearted than her brother's.
However, things are not right in Tokyo. A mysterious man by the name of "Dr. Machinegal" (actually an old friend and teacher of Hiroshi's, Professor Amagi) and his personal robot army, among them the destructive android group known as the "Machinegal Dolls" (all named after famous models and actresses) is bent on causing havoc upon the world. To make matters worse, Nozumu, the youngest of the Ozora siblings, has developed his own Mol-Unit and created a supervillain persona to oppose his brother and sister out of spite. Completely unaware of such events at first, but obligated to do something, Mirai finds herself thrown into the world of superheroism, which she takes in stride.
Episodes and home releases
- Metamorforce!
- Overzone
- Longing
- Destruction
- Intruder
- Verity
The world "Moldiver" is spelt out using the first letter of the first five episode titles and the first three letters of the episode title for episode six (Metamorforce!, Overzone, Longing, Destruction, Intruder, Verity).
Moldiver was originally released on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
and LaserDisc
Laserdisc
LaserDisc was a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium. Initially licensed, sold, and marketed as MCA DiscoVision in North America in 1978, the technology was previously referred to interally as Optical Videodisc System, Reflective Optical Videodisc, Laser Optical...
in dubbed and subtitled versions by Pioneer LDC
Geneon
is a Japanese music, anime and home entertainment production and distribution enterprise headquartered in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Geneon has been involved in the production and distribution of several anime in Japan...
. All six episodes were later released by Pioneer on one dual-layered DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in 2001.
Other appearances
The OVA was later followed by a Moldiver manga by Shinpei Itou (the writer of Hyper DollHyper Doll
is a manga series created by Shimpei Itoh. It was adapted in 1995 into a two episode OVA about two alien androids that are sent from space to defend the Earth...
), which ran in "Shōnen Captain".
Moldiver also makes a cameo appearance in episode 8 of the Tenchi Universe
Tenchi Universe
was a 26 episode anime series produced by the AIC and Pioneer Animation. It is loosely based on the first six episodes of the Tenchi Muyo! OVA series. The series premiered on April 2, 1995 in Japan and concluded its airing on September 24, 1995. The series aired in the United States on Cartoon...
series, "No Need for a Genius". In it, Moldiver is Mihoshi
Mihoshi Kuramitsu
is a Galaxy Police detective in the fictional Tenchi Muyo! anime and manga series. Her given name "Mihoshi", , literally means "Beautiful Star", and is derived from a town in the Okayama Prefecture formerly known as Bisei.-OVA:...
's favorite TV show.
Soundtrack
- Opening: Go! Go! Moldiver (Japanese version performed by Yukana Nogami, English version performed by Molly Pasutti)
- Ending: Time Limit (Japanese version performed by Yukana Nogami, English version performed by Molly Pasutti)
- Insert song (episode 2): Falling in Love in the 20th Century (Japanese version performed by Nariko Fujieda, English version performed by Molly Pasutti)
Voice cast
- Mirai Ozora: Yukana NogamiYukana Nogamiis a female voice actress . She is currently affiliated with Sigma Seven.- Profile :* Her full name, which she had earlier also used as her stage name, is...
(Japanese), Julia Reyna Kato (English) - Hiroshi Ozora: Toshiyuki MorikawaToshiyuki Morikawais a prolific Japanese male voice actor from Yokohama, Kanagawa, was affiliated with Arts Vision. Lately, however, he has become the head of that a voice actor company he founded in Apr 2011. His name is also sometimes mistranslated as Tomoyuki...
(Japanese), David HayterDavid HayterDavid Hayter is a Canadian-American voice and screen actor and screenwriter. He is best known for providing the English voices of Solid Snake and Big Boss in the Metal Gear video game series, and for writing the screenplay for X-Men and co-writing the screenplay for The Scorpion King and X2...
(English) - Nozomu Ozora: Rica MatsumotoRica Matsumotois a Japanese voice actress and J-pop singer who was born in Yokohama, Japan. Her name is also sometimes romanized as Rika Matsumoto. She was one of the original members of the popular vocal group JAM Project. After the way of the stage, she embarked on voice acting and a singing career...
(Japanese), Joshua SethJoshua SethJoshua Seth Freedman is an American entertainer and voice actor. He was born in Kent, Ohio and attended the New York University film school. He has voiced dozens of well known anime characters and is sometimes credited as "Jeremiah Freedman", but has retired from voice acting in 2005...
(English) - Professor Amagi / Dr. Machinegal: Jouji Yanami (Japanese), Doug StoneDoug Stone (voice actor)Douglas David Stone is a voice actor who is most notable for his representation of the character Psycho Mantis from the popular video game Metal Gear Solid, as well as the voice of Matt Trakker and several other characters in M.A.S.K., and Dragonborg in Beetleborgs Metallix...
(English) - Mao Shirase: Akiko HiramatsuAkiko Hiramatsuis a Japanese voice actress. Hiramatsu works at Ken Production.-Notable voice roles:*.hack//Roots *.hack//SIGN *A Tree of Palme *Ai Yori Aoshi *Azumanga Daioh...
(Japanese), Melissa CharlesMelissa FahnMelissa Fahn is an American voice and stage actress and singer known for her work in anime dubs and other mainstream animated series, as well as her work in Broadway and Los Angeles Theatre.-Biography:...
(English) - Isabelle: Emi ShinoharaEmi Shinoharais a Japanese voice actress employed by 81 Produce. She was born in Fukushima Prefecture and raised in Nagano. She is married to tokusatsu actor Hiroshi Watari...
(Japanese), Susan ByrkettSusan ByrkettSusan Byrkett is a voice actress and wife of Sonny Byrkett.-External links:...
(English) - Sayuri: Izumi Kikuchi (Japanese), Melody Lee (English)
- Nastassja: Kaoru ShimamuraKaoru Shimamura, better known by the stage name , is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with 81 Produce.-Voice roles:*Battle Skipper *Cool Devices *Crayon Shin-chan: Ankoku Tamatama Daitsuiseki...
(Japanese), Debra Jean Rogers (English) - Brooke: Kikuko InoueKikuko Inoueis a popular Japanese voice actress and singer. She has been part of the singing groups DoCo and Goddess Family Club, among others, and is the manager of her voice-acting company, Office Anemone. Inoue tends to play the "perfect girlfriend" or "motherly" role in many series, but she has also played...
(Japanese), Jane AlanMari DevonMari Devon is an American voice actress who is also known as Jane Alan.-Anime roles:* 8 Man After - Sachiko* Babel II - Juju* Battle B-Daman - B-DaMage* The Big O - Vice-President Mari Devon (born 1960) is an American voice actress who is also known as Jane Alan.-Anime roles:* 8 Man After -...
(English) - Vivien: Kumiko NishiharaKumiko Nishiharais a Japanese voice actress who was born in Chigasaki, Kanagawa and works for Aoni Production.-Notable anime roles:*Ayane's High Kick *Cool Devices *Digimon Frontier *Dragon Ball Z...
(Japanese), Dorothy Elias-FahnDorothy Elias-FahnDorothy Ann Elias-Fahn is an American voice actress who is the wife of Tom Fahn . She is also known as Dorothy Melendrez and Annie Pastrano...
(English) - Elizabeth: Yumiko ShibataYumiko Shibatais a Japanese voice actress employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce.-TV:*Gō Q Chōji Ikkiman *Headmaster *High School! Kimengumi *Kyōryū Wakusei...
(Japanese), Wendee LeeWendee LeeWendee Lee is an American voice actress. While she has done voice work for many video games as well as several episodes in the Power Rangers franchise, she is particularly prolific in the dubbing of anime. As of April 2009, with 223 credits to her name, she has more credits in this medium than any...
(English) - Jennifer: Yuri AmanoYuri Amanois a Japanese voice actor. She was born .- Films :* Soreike! Anpanman: Baikinman no Gyakushuu , Akachanman* Mobile Suit Gundam F91 , Jessica* Tobé! Kujira no Peek...
(Japanese), Mimi WoodsMimi WoodsMimi J. Woods is a retired voice actress who had acted primarily in anime dubs. She is best known for being the English voice of Motoko Kusanagi in the original Ghost in the Shell film and video game. She also acted in anime films such as, The Wings of Honneamise, El Hazard, Macross Plus,...
(English) - Kaoru Misaki: Steven BlumSteven BlumSteven Jay Blum is an American voice actor known primarily for his work in anime dubs and video games, using his distinctive deep voice. Among his credits include the voice of Spike Spiegel of the anime series Cowboy Bebop and Mugen of the anime series Samurai Champloo...
(English) - Amy Lean: Nariko Fujieda (Japanese)