The Guyver: Bio-Booster Armor

Firstly, I would just like to say that this anime adaptation of the Guyver manga is incomplete. Therefore it leaves you unfinished at the end and you will have to read the manga if you want to see the rest. So depending on the person, the score may be lower if having to continue the story via reading the manga is a critical negative to you. The story of this anime is actually quite believable in that there is this secret corporation, called Chronos, that plans on obtaining world power (similar to the "Illuminati"). Unlike other anime that rely on magic and supernatural, this one isscientific and also often makes references to the unknown of beasts and aliens. The art has a retro look to it and would seem to be this anime's weakest aspect (because it is old). Although if you really like action anime, I'd say don't let the art stop you from enjoying this epic anime. The action is great and I really enjoyed the idea and concept for Guyver. However, I will say that, despite being old, the art style is really spectacular. Which makes me wish more modern anime could adapt this kind of art. This anime has pain and sacrifice. Suffering and loss. As well as friendship, in both sides of good and evil. Characters have their personalities and qualities; and the bonds between main character-Shou and his precious father and friends are interesting and powerful. Even the enemies have their desires to protect one another. Since enemies also have back-stories, they have reasons to fight for each another. I really enjoyed this anime because it has a well thought out plot and story; and from this, it also makes good use of its characters. The pacing is incredibly well done and the action is nice. If you like action anime, watch Kyoushoku Soukou Guyver.

The Guyver Volume 1 is the first six of a twelve episode series loosely based on Yoshiki Takaya's manga. The anime has gained a huge cult following over the years. This was mainly due to its graphic violence which can be brutal at times. To the best of my knowledge the manga spawned this particular series, two live action films, and a 26 episode remake that was released in 2005. Some fans actually hail this version as the best. I on the other hand just can't agree with that. The Guyver is a sci-fi action series which in my view succeeds in two areas. This wouldbe in the action scenes and with some of its characters. The battle scenes can be very brutal on some occasions. The action scenes consist of hand to hand combat plus battles with advanced weaponry. The Guyver armor itself has some interesting abilities. The wearer can slice enemies to pieces or completely annihilate them on the spot with different weapons, which adds variety to the battles. The main character Sho is very believable because his personality seems genuine. Sho doesn't possess the typical shonen mindset consisting of the super bad teen that loves to fight and overcomes all near death odds simply by believing in himself. Sho is forced to battle with combat ready soldiers. However, he doesn't possess the slightest bit of training. He gains all of his experiance in the heat of the moment. Also, luck plays a factor at times. I think the storytelling is well presented in this area, and it gives the series a realistic feel. There are plenty of characters introduced with only a few that actually serve a purpose. The villains are a mixed bag for the most part. The generic Zoanoids are mainly cannon fodder and lose their appeal very early. The real threat comes in the form of other Guyver units, as well as an advanced group called the Hyper Zoanoid Team 5. The Guyver is an all out action series for the most part, but it takes other measures to try and be a little more than that. The plot is rarely boring, and the events that take place are mainly to display the Chronos Organizations links throughout the country: such as media manipulation and even mass mind wiping. These overwhelming advantages works in Chrono's favor heavily against Sho. The series does several things right but has its flaws, and animation and artwork happens to be among them. The animation tends to suffer by the sixth episode. The animation during the opening credits was actually used as a battle scene. I find this approach to be very lazy, and some of the character designs for the Zoanoids are downright atrocious. The artwork only gets worse later in the series. The English dub isn't bad, but translations could have used some serious work. Definitely watch this with subs. Not exactly one of my lows, but for those whom remember the original VHS releases will definitely be greatly disappointed, because songs are either changed or completely removed altogether. The original Guyver theme song can only be heard when watching the Japanese version with subs. The English version plays a very generic song that even people new to the series may immediately despise. The series also has a problem with its episode presentation. It isn't the least bit subtle when delivering the episode titles. Here's an example, episode five is titled "Death Of The Guyver"; as if the writers couldn't come up with a bigger spoiler. This is what adds to the predictability and after episode three there is very little in the way of suspense, simply because the episode title already alerted the viewer on what to expect. I know of several anime fans whom consider this series a classic and even a must see, but this is nostalgia playing a huge role because many cite this series among the first they seen over 20 years ago. I really don't feel the same way at all. I will never shower a title with praise simply because it opened new doors for me. I just find that type of attitude to be strange. I mainly recommend this version only to serious anime fans whom must see everything anime related. If you don't fall into that category and you're more picky. Then your time is better spent with the remake. The 26 episode series remake which also goes by The Guyver surpasses this version in character development, character usage, story depth, plot, animation, artwork, and soundtrack. After watching this version again I have to say it's just not on the same level. This is also considering that the remake also has its flaws. Highs: Brutal and very vicious action scenes, believable main character Lows: Predictable, some crude artwork

Really enjoyed all 12 episodes and even more so after seeing the more recent 24 episode remake. Great story and concept and even liked the 2nd live action movie staring David Hayter (Voice of Solid Snake) I think both the older and the newer ones have there pros and cons regarding certain elements. The older series felt very rushed and did skip alot of the original material which was a shame. However, the character development was just right even thou they missed out key events. The action and gore was great and even thou the newer series advertised itself as the 'new face of ultra violence'i prefer this series.Really a shame they did not continue this and make more episodes and would have benefited restructuring and adding to the original 12 to reflect the manga. The newer series does provide more material to the point i had to read the novels. Unfortunately the fight scenes, character development, explanations and pretty much everything dragged on and could have been done in half the time. Example:- when a certain Dr is hit and is slowly dying and speaking to our hero's the enemy who is just standing around and has time to recharge his weapon, which he states himself. Also character's self explanations into their abilities did ruin the fight scenes in a big way, I can accept that this is required sometimes and if viewers have not seen the original this needs to be done but honestly killed the action and fights for the entire series.