This is part of the Martian Successor Nadesico (see Categories, below) series of articles

Martian Successor Nadesico (機動戦艦ナデシコ Kidō Senkan Nadeshiko, 1996) is a science fiction comedy anime TV series, and a subsequent manga series by Kia Asamiya. The series takes place in the year 2196.

The manga, published in English by CPM Manga, is significantly different from the anime.

Plot overview

When Earth's colonies on Mars are suddenly attacked by alien invaders known as the Jovian Lizards, civilian contractor Nergal decides to come to the Earth's aid by constructing powerful space battleships, the first of which is known as the ND-001 Nadesico. A crew is selected made up of the top experts in their field, however, these individuals tend to be highly eccentric. .

The main character, Akito Tenkawa, only wants to be a cook, however, he is constantly called on to be a pilot of one of the Nadesico's Aestevalis combat robots. While on board the Nadesico, Akito has more problems to deal with than just the Jovians. Pretty much all the female members of the crew seem to be head over heels on love with Akito, but all he wants to do is cook and watch Gekigangar III.

Review

The series features an energetic juxtaposition of comedy and drama, as the characters engage in lighthearted antics in between facing the drama of war. Many of the characters are themselves anime fans, and there is often comparison between the campy, sanitized war of the anime within an anime Geikigangar III and the harsher reality that the crew of the Nadesico faces.

The show intentionally includes a number of science fiction anime cliches but turns these concepts on their heads by the end of the series through a number of plot twists.

There are many anime references, particularly to the series Space Battleship Yamato (The name Nadesico is a play on the phrase "Yamato Nadesico," which represents the traditional Japanese ideal of femininity). One of the characters is a hentai and magical girl seiyuu before joining the crew (and in fact is a parody of a specific seiyuu, Megumi Hayashibara), another is a fangirl who likes to draw her own lemon shounen-ai manga doujinshi, while a third is an otaku who bases his entire life on Gekigangar III. In one episode the ship holds an anime convention, complete with a viewing marathon of Gekigangar, people engaged in cosplay, and tie-in merchandising.

The Gekigangar anime show is in fact an homage (and parody) of Getter Robo , one of the earliest Super Robot mecha shows made by manga artist Go Nagai, and was very popular in Japan in the early '70s.

The TV series ran for 26 episodes. A Gekigangar III compilation OVA was also released, as well as a sequel movie called that takes place several years after the main series.

Major Characters:

• Yurika Misumaru - Captain of the Nadesico, smitten with Akito. Somewhat ditzy, but a capable captain.
• Akito Tenkawa - Cook, Aestevalis pilot, the main (albeit reluctant) hero. A fan of the anime series Gekigangar III.
• Ruri Hoshino - "Electronic Fairy", she keeps the ship's computer (Omoikane) running. Child prodigy. Given to call the rest of the crew "fools" (Japanese ばか baka)
• Gai Daigoji - Born as Jiro Yamada (although he considers Gai the "name that belongs to [his] soul". Aestevalis pilot. An even bigger fan of Gekigangar III than Akito; Gai turned Akito on to the series early on.
• Megumi Reinard - Voice actress, communications officer of the Nadesico, Akito's girlfriend.
• Jun Aoi - First officer of the Nadesico. Has no small infatuation for Yurika, although it goes unrequited.
• Inez Fressange - Developed the Nadesico's engines for Nergal, was rescued from Mars. She hosts the "Naze Nani Nadesico" segment.
• Ryoko Subaru - Aestivalis pilot. Joined along with Izumi and Hikaru. The more fiery of the three.
• Izumi Maki - Aestivalis pilot. Quiet and reserved. Incurable punster.
• Hikaru Amano - Aestivalis pilot. Rabid Gekigangar III fangirl.
• Nagare Akatsuki - Aestivalis pilot. Joins after they return from Mars. (See if you can guess who he is really)

Theme Songs

Opening

• "You Get to Burning" by Yumi Matsuzawa

Ending

• "Watashi Rashiku" (Being Myself) by Houko Kuwashima

External links

• ADV Films - English release only.
• Nadesico Thumbnail Theatre - Watch for spoilers.
• IMDb's MSN page
• Karuikane Nadesico Encyclopedia