Aoki Ryuusei SPT Layzner OVA

Highly recommended for anyone who has watched the original Layzner series. Unfortunately it was cancelled before it could be properly concluded but the third episode of the OVA addresses this by including a more complete ending. I believed the themes of the show resonated more strongly in the new additions the OVA included compared to the series.

While at times, the pacifism of both Eiji and his sister Julia came across as preachy and inappropriate considering the circumstances they faced, here that stance is finally justified and Julia takes on a much more active role compared to just being someone for Eiji to save throughout the ... second half of the original show.

I would rate the OVA higher but it carries many of the flaws the original series had. Most of the villains, with the exception of Gail, are very one dimensional and pure evil with no redeeming characteristics. And also, this is more of a super robot show than a real robot series one would expect considering Ryosuke Takahashi's other works. There's not much tension when all Eiji has to do is enter his V-Max mode to win.

The opening animation and song is exceptional as well as the closing song, which is used aptly to conclude the series. Aside from that though the music throughout the show is somewhat repetitive. Also, I found the lasers the mecha would shoot to be not as appealing compared to the ballistics and beam weapons from other series. The lasers were for the most part just jagged lines and there wasn't much of a sense of impact with them.

There were also confusing time skips, even before the official cancellation point that detracted from the viewing experience. For a hardcore mecha fan, I still think there is a lot that Layzner has to offer and I would recommend this to them.