Melty Lancer

“A Visually Stunning Sci-Fi Flop”

If I'm guilty of anything, it's expecting too much. Melty Lancer, you were supposed to be my soul mate. You were intended to serve as my Soul Bianca, Bubblegum Crisis, and potentially my superior Gundress, or even my Silent Mobius. I didn’t ask for much, just an all-girl crew, yet you let me down. I tried to find good in you. I looked for relatable characters, and there were a few, but we never got close, at least not how I expected. I have to accept it for what it is and realize that perhaps Sylia Stingray, Linna Yamazaki, Priscilla S. Asagiri, and Nene Romanova can be imitated but never duplicated, but at least you tried.

Melty Lancer is a specialized unit within the Galaxy Police Organization, comprising six girls with unique skills and talents. You can interpret this as anime stew, in which we combine characters who would not otherwise gel together and throw them on a show similar to anime's version of the television show Survivor, except it gets more confusing as we go along.

Initially disbanded a year ago, the unit is reactivated when a new threat arises, forcing these special operatives back into action. The series contains layers of conspiracy and universe-saving missions across Earth, the Eastern Metropolis, and the galaxy. It’s high-stakes drama blended with character-rich moments.

The series is a six-episode OVA anime that aired between May 25, 1999, and May 25, 2000. Tenky created it, Bandai Visual obtained the license, and Studio Gonzo animated it. Director Takeshi Mori (Chain Chronicle, Gunsmith Cats OVA, and his commentary on the English dub of Gunsmith Cats) and his associates made up most of the crew: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, the screenwriter, and Toshihiro Hirata, the character designer. Masamichi Amano was the music composer.

The Melty Lancer video game series, which TENKY Co. Ltd. created and distributed through various companies like Imagineer and Konami, inspired the anime. The first game, Melty Lancer: The Melting Pot Police, was released in 1995 for the PC-FX console. Several sequels and ports followed, including Melty Lancer: Ginga Shoujo Keisatsu 2086 (1996), released for PlayStation and Sega Saturn.

A sci-fi dating sim/adventure game. Melty Lancer: Re-inforce (1997), released for PlayStation and Sega Saturn in the strategy genre. Melty Lancer: Re-inforce (1998): An updated re-release of the 1997 game for Sega Saturn. Melty Lancer: The 3rd Planet (1999): A strategy game released for PlayStation. Like the anime, the games follow a police unit called Melty Lancer, which comprises six girls with special abilities who protect the galaxy. They blend visual novel-style storytelling with various gameplay genres like adventure, dating sims, and strategy.

The Melty Lancer anime falls into the sci-fi, adventure, and comedy genres. The series received a PG-13 rating, indicating content inappropriate for children under 13, likely due to sci-fi action violence and mild suggestive themes common to many anime of the late 1990s. At the time of writing, the anime can be viewed on Tubi, or you can sail the seven seas.

Now, let's move on to the meat of this OVA series. It would be an understatement to say that a lot is happening in this anime. I am loosely guessing, but in several minutes, we have Melty Lancer’s version of the Genesis Project from the Wrath of Khan being tested on a planet, and what I can only assume are space terrorists in the Iyonesco/Defiant who interrupt the show. At the same time, in another part of space, there is an asteroid (it’s a ship) headed to Earth, and everyone is on high alert, cueing the tension.

These two incidents would be sufficient to whet my appetite, but then the government intervenes in a covert effort to re-form a now-defunct police unit under Collins' command. Who is Collins? I don’t know, but it must be necessary if the government has him locked away only to call upon him when needed.

So, in the name of all that was Charlie’s Angels, Collins is tasked with taking the ladies from whatever they have been doing for the past year and drafting them back into the service of the Galaxy Federation. It sounds delicious, and I know you are itching to know the names of these six ladies and what they were doing in the year that they have been away.

So, first up, the six ladies are Sylvia Nimrod, Angela, Sakuya Lansaihe, Jun Kamishiro, Nany Nataresionn Neinhalten (Nana), and Melvina MacGarlen, and these ladies are, for the most part, spread throughout the galaxy.

Six ladies with so many miles and parsecs (maybe) between them would be challenging to locate, but I guess not. Apparently, it’s pretty easy if you know where to look. Melvina has been spending her time being a politician on a planet not named Earth; Jun and Nana are in school, though the latter simply can’t use her magic; otherwise, she’d transform and return to the Promised Land. Sylvia is doing her version of Ellen Ripley. Sakuya is a religious leader, and Angela is a conservationist. So, like I said earlier, it's all anime stew.

I’ve stated in other reviews that political upheaval was a big deal in Japan in the '90s, and I guess that hasn't changed over the years. Anime futures are no exception, and I am happy to report that, unlike Gungrave, no one will inflict gunshot wounds upon themselves due to dishonor. Instead, we’ll let these six lovely ladies take the heat, who, in the past, unbeknownst to the viewer but perhaps known to Vanessa and perhaps to the gaming fandom, were a force to be reckoned with.

So, I will play the role of town crier, stand in the middle of the square, and proclaim to the fandom that more than six episodes are needed to tell a cohesive story if there is more than one central plot and multiple subplots. Iria: The Animation is an excellent example of a six-episode OVA that kept things simple. On the flip side, Karas, though it could be argued that that was the intent, stumbled at this, but it righted itself as the episodes continued. Can the same be said for Melty Lancer?

If this anime were exciting, and I am biased, somebody may have found it exhilarating; it would be easier to piece this animation together, but unfortunately, it's not the most engaging piece of art available. One glaring flaw is that the tension build-up in the first episode immediately gets derailed by the Aide; that is how he billed in the series searching for the girls.

Per Collins, the aide is tasked with locating the girls and providing comic relief. He only finds Sylvia, Melvina, and Sakuya. Sylvia does the remainder of the legwork. They wanted the viewer to get some backstory, but a montage could have handled that better. That’s strike one.

The antagonists are easy to figure out: the usual government suspects, the eco-terrorist group the Venessars, who remind me of Team Rocket, the mysterious Iyonesco, and the Defiant, basically mercenaries. And there is a plot centered around genetics and endangered species, which I pieced together from the first two episodes. Finally, Sylvia and Melvina are the two with the brains trying to figure things out. Collins is merely present to provide Sylvia with breadcrumbs while remaining a mystery to Melvina and to make snide comments.

The anime starts to get back on its feet if viewers are willing to stick around at the end of episode three. The gears begin turning around, finally giving the viewer character and story development. I use character development lightly, as most of it is wasted potential. As I stated earlier, the anime honestly needed more episodes or, at the very least, a longer duration per episode, similar to Hellsing Ultimate.

It’s established that Sylvia, or Sylvie, is supposed to be the main protagonist, but besides being in the thick of things, she grows very little throughout the series. She had been investigating the Iyenesco, but unfortunately, our secondary characters, Melvina and Collins, do more to push the story forward as Melvina, via her political ties, can gather information, and Collins, who knows the truth, provides the exposition dump. Wow, that's not all he does.

When you see the first episode, you initially think that he's some kind of hardcore former soldier and will whip these girls into shape, but unfortunately, that's not how the anime progresses. Collins does have a backstory, and he is connected in some way to the Defiant, but it doesn't get the time and attention it deserves, nor does Melvina, and if I'm pushing forward, neither does Angela.

Ironically, Angela is a bio-soldier and the last of her kind. At least, she thought she was. There is another bio-soldier similar to her who appears in the anime and is allied with the Defiant. Unfortunately, he gets little backstory and only helps move the story forward. That is a running theme in this anime. Even when we get to Defiant D, who one could consider the ring leader and the Brigitte Nelson of the mercenary squad, she too gets little backstory, although I liked her character. Even Vanessa of the Vanessars gets minimal backstory; they're all just there to move the story along. Strike Two.

It's a big letdown because, as the anime moves into episodes 4 through 6, the characters become more palatable and relatable. Though they were secondary characters, they felt the most authentic, as did Jun.

Though the narrative isn't polished when we look at the animation and art style, Gonzo had all hands on deck for this one. It is as if they were attempting to promote their services for upcoming projects. Tomohiro Horata, a character designer who has worked on many projects in different roles, from Attack on Titan to Trinity Blood, was in charge of this one. Along with him were the animation directors Atsushi Aono, Minoru Murao, Satoru Isono, Tomohiro Hirata, and the mechanical designers Kanetake Ebikawa and Shichi Masuo Tomohiro Kawahara.

They delivered some beautiful and crisp color work. The backgrounds are detailed, and the character designs are pretty eye-catching. CGI is noticeable and can be hit and miss, but it blends with the traditional animation, giving the series a modern touch indicative of its time. I was impressed by the galactic space battle in episode six, as the Federation ships pursued Iyenesco and the ship once owned by the Cosmic Ark Order.

Despite high-quality animation, the series sometimes feels like an elaborately wrapped gift with little substance. Yes, it looks great, but the visual charm needs to hide the narrative flaws.

The soundtrack in Melty Lancer sets the mood appropriately in most scenes; the standout moments are few and far between. There’s a solid mix of dramatic and action-packed scores that help elevate some of the more intense sequences. Still, the soundtrack doesn't leave a lasting impression. The opening theme is "Flying High" by Yuki Matsuura, and the ending theme is "Yume Mita Watashi no Soba e" by Aya.

The voice acting suffers from the same fate as the characterization, and it doesn’t matter whether you go sub or dub; most of the voices seem to fit typical anime stereotypes, which can make the viewing experience feel a bit bland. It's like biting into something that smells great but does not taste great. It does not thrill the taste buds, but nothing is incredibly off.

Reflecting on the animation makes me think about potential, and the ironic thing about potential is that it usually comes off as insulting rather than uplifting. When something is said to have potential, it just implies that something could have been but wasn't. Yes, that is precisely the plot point of this anime. It hovers around the middle ground, never really getting you invested in or connecting with the characters.

The writers were aware of this at some point because when things start to make sense in episode 6, they go all spiritual and esoteric, searching for a greater meaning to tie everything together. They even try to make us empathize with Iyenesco, even though I have never felt fully invested in her motivation. Her back story was another wasted opportunity.

The series' storytelling suffers from a myriad of pacing problems. Episodes often fail to establish a steady rhythm. Important plot pieces are introduced abruptly and resolved just as quickly, glossing over essential development stages. The lack of story development, darker themes, and flat comedic moments feel disjointed.

Additionally, if you're going to dump a bunch of space science on us, at least make it make sense. As far as the characters, I’ve never played the games, and though I believe the Melty Lancer anime is based on Melty Lancer: The 3rd Planet, it should have taken a more simplistic approach, as obviously, you can't dump a game into six 29-minute episodes.

A more extended series could have allowed more room for character development and a slower plot build-up. The characters needed individual arcs to make their stories compelling and emotionally engaging for the audience. Hiroshi Yamaguchi, who handled scripting duties, must not have been given free rein to flex his creative muscles, as I know he has the ability. His work on Peacemaker and King of Thorn better represents his screenwriting abilities.

In conclusion, Melty Lancer is an anime that promises a thrilling sci-fi adventure but fails to deliver a cohesive and engaging narrative. Despite its impressive visual flair, courtesy of Studio Gonzo's animation, the series needs help to develop its characters and themes effectively within its six-episode run.

The anime's premise, which explores the consequences of genetic engineering and the exploitation of biotechnology, had the potential to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant story. However, the rushed pacing, lack of character development, and disjointed plot points prevent Melty Lancer from reaching its full potential.

While the main characters, Sylvie, Sakuya, and Angela, drive the story forward, their arcs feel flat and uninspired. The supporting cast, including intriguing figures like Vanessa and Defiant D, are underutilized and reduced to mere plot devices. This lack of character depth makes it difficult for viewers to form emotional connections with the cast and invest in their struggles.

Melty Lancer's saving graces lie in its visual presentation and occasional moments of brilliance. The animation quality and art style are commendable, showcasing Gonzo's talent for creating visually striking worlds; however, more than these strengths are needed to compensate for the series' narrative shortcomings.

Melty Lancer may disappoint sci-fi anime fans who crave well-developed characters, engaging plotlines, and satisfying conclusions. Instead, viewers might find more fulfilling experiences in series like Dirty Pair, Burn Up, or Kiddy Grade, which offers similar themes and genres but with more successful execution.

Ultimately, Melty Lancer is a cautionary tale about balancing style with substance. While the anime's visual appeal and intriguing premise may draw viewers in, its inability to deliver a well-crafted story and compelling characters ultimately leaves it falling short of its potential. As a result, Melty Lancer earns a score of 5/10—a visually impressive but narratively flawed anime that fails to live up to its promise.