The 6-episode OVA sequel to the original Gunbuster exceeds expectations and imagination. Gunbuster 2 (known in Japan as Diebuster and to some as Top o Narae 2), is an innovative blend of some of Japans most singular talents in anime, to bring a unique story about heart, growing up, and of course, Buster Machines!The story begins in a small and quiet snow covered countryside. A young girl leaves her peaceful home to become one of the space pilots that fight the space monsters. She has more guts than sense, but she takes the late night train and rides it all the way to the big city. There she meets several characters, one, the young female Lal’C, is an actual Space Pilot known as a Topless. Only the Topless have the ability to combat the space monsters. Not being a Topless doesn’t cause a moment’s hesitation in Nono’s pure heart. She is convinced “hard work and guts” (a spirited belief held in the original Gunbuster anime) will get her though to her dream. And when a space monster attacks, will it be Nono or Lal’C to the rescue? It’s a curious start to a fascinating science fiction adventure. The beginning set in the quiet countryside could have been anywhere on Earth in the present. Yet once Nono arrives in the heavy industrialized city, we are given a clear view that this is indeed the far future. This sequel to Gunbuster shows the human population having expanded, spreading out over the Sol System and colonating planets such as Pluto and Mars. These first two episodes of the 6 episode OVA series sees Nono’s induction into the Fraternity, the organization of Topless, and the view of life in this future for these characters. The main character of Nono is refreshing with her lively never give up spirit and monumental lack of common sense. But then again, that too is a tie-in to the original series because that purity marks in many ways the youthful exuberance of childhood. This state of innocence and the disparity between that and adults is shown strongly in Gunbuster 2, not only through Nono, but the Topless as well. Lal’C seems very different than Nono. She can even be a bit mean though it hides a soft heart. But she and the other Topless have a somewhat self-centered and undisciplined way of doing things, much unlike the adults around them. And while the adults speak of all the things people can’t do, Nono and the Topless only concentrate and what they can. This pragmatism and even cynicism shown by the adults, particularly Captain Hatori who thinks the Topless may be as much a threat to humanity as the space monsters, seems to be a striking difference from the energetic optimism of the younger characters. The original series marked this difference more dramatically with the passage of time between the light years that passed, causing the pilots to live longer than their classmates, having to watch their friends age and have families while the pilots stayed almost trapped in time. Gunbuster 2 throws some off-the-wall comedic quirks to the schism between innocence and adulthood, except for one looming bit of drama – Topless pilots have an expiration date to their incredible abilities. Could this be that the transition to adulthood in this anime is reflected by a loss of this power? If so, it is a strong message about the importance of youth symbolized through the characters within the anime.Although the animation might not seem similar to the original Gunbuster, it certainly is exemplary. Gunbuster 2 is flat out gorgeous to look at. It has jaw-dropping, eye-popping, absolutely lustrous animation. The blend of 2D and 3D CG is so well done it is hard to spot the difference. The animation quality is on a par, if not sometimes better, than that of some theatrical anime releases. It’s incredible. The unique look of it, the vibrancy and off-beat nature, may well be due to those involved in the production of this anime from Gainax (most famous for bringing viewers Neon Genesis Evangelion as well as Wings of Honneamise and the original Gunbuster). Gunbuster 2 has such talents working on it as Kazuya Tsurumaki (Original Planner and Director) and Yoji Enokido (Scriptwriter) who both worked on the bizarre, psychedelic fun ride anime known as FLCL. Gunbuster 2 also has Hideaki Anno as producer who is famous for his work on the iconic Neon Genesis Evengelion and was also involved in the original Gunbuster. The combination of these immense talents creates an anime that has a unique feel, a most engaging style and incredible artistry and imagination. The FLCL influence can definitely be seen and felt throughout the anime in both the character designs, Gunbuster designs, and overall psychedelic, even wacky moments with the unpredictable humor and pacing of these first two episodes. It is clearly felt in the opening animation and song “Groovin’ Magic” which is addictive and trippy. The talent isn’t relegated to the crew either. The voice acting is superb and features one of the most well known and respected talents in the business: Maaya Sakamoto. Both a singing idol and a voice actress, she is well known for her work as the main character Hitomi in Escaflowne as well as in Gundam SEED Destiny as Lunamaria. Yukari Fukui, who gives Nono so much life, has doen work on other Gainax roles such as His and Her Circumstances (Kare Kano) as Rika and FLCL as the unforgettable Junko. EXTRAS:Bonus features include clean ending animation and DIEBUSTER TV which is a Japanese special featuring Japanese voice actress Yukari Fukui in full cosplay as Nono, the character she voices in the anime, doing some comedic exchanges with a puppet machine. This is intermixed with video interview segments with Director Kazuya Tsurumaki. The feature runs just shy of 30 minutes (this does not include the 54-minute episode running length). Another bonus feature of the Gunbuster 2 DVD releases are the thick booklet inserts that come with each DVD. This first booklet is 20 pages, including the covers, and holds anime images from the series, character summaries with background notes, full color art work and character sketches, similar background notes and images for some of the Buster Machines and spaceships seen in the anime, and extensive interviews with Kazuya Tsurumaki (Original Planner/Director) and Yoji Enokido (Scriptwriter). There are also extensive staff credits, two humorous Gunbuster 2 Science Lessons given by the anime characters, and brief interviews with the voice actresses for Nono (Yukari Fukui) and Lal’C (Maaya Sakamoto).IN SUMMARY:Gunbuster 2 is an incredible anime experience. It’s a fun sci-fi adventure superbly animated and with great quirky characters. As a sequel to Gunbuster, it is creative and fascinating. As a stand-alone OVA series, it is the best of the best. The Top Gun of anime! You don’t have to be a fan or have watched the first Gunbuster to be able to enjoy this sequel.