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Outlanders (anime)
Encyclopedia
is a popular manga
comic written by Johji Manabe
, combining aspects of the space opera
, science fantasy
, fan service
, magical girlfriend
and harem genres.
Tetsuya learns from Kahm that her ancestors in fact came from earth and they've returned to reclaim their sacred home planet that mankind has subsequently spoiled (due to pollution
). However, the invasion of the "sacred planet" is really the front for a struggle between two secret fractions from the Santovasku Empire, ancient rivals which have vowed to destroy each other no matter what the cost - even if this includes all of humankind. And Earth, too, has her share of sinister conspirators who seek advancement for their own benefit only ...
on behalf of Tatsunoko Production
and is not listed on Tatsunoko's web site. There is an Outlanders OVA and the Outlanders manga was distributed by Dark Horse Comics
in the United States prior to the expiration of their license on the property. The Dark Horse version was translated by Toren Smith of Studio Proteus
. In 2005 Central Park Media released a remastered version of the Outlanders OVA with new voice actors. A poll was conducted to select the voice actors
, and 18,000 voters selected Sean Schemmel
to play Tetsuya and Rebecca Soler
selected to play Battia.
Manabe would later revisit the Outlanders universe with the one-shot manga, The Key of Graciale. Although it is not a direct prequel to his earlier Outlanders manga in terms of plot, Princess Kham does return as heroine complete with her band of trusted servants in tow. The principal characters also make several cameos in Manabe's subsequent works, as do those from the other titles he has produced.
The OVA condenses roughly the first half of the series into a single self-contained episode less than an hour in length; all but the main story elements, in addition to most of the non-essential characters, are subsequently dispensed with.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
comic written by Johji Manabe
Johji Manabe
is a Japanese manga artist.He is not to be confused with an animator of the same name , who worked mainly in the 1970s for Oh! Production: A Dog of Flanders, Genshi Shōnen Ryû, Marco, Dokonjō Gaeru, King Arthur, Galaxy Express 999, Lupin the 3rd: Season 1, Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro,...
, combining aspects of the space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
, science fantasy
Science fantasy
Science fantasy is a mixed genre within speculative fiction drawing elements from both science fiction and fantasy. Although in some terms of its portrayal in recent media products it can be defined as instead of being a mixed genre of science fiction and fantasy it is instead a mixing of the...
, fan service
Fan service
, fanservice, or , is a term originating from anime and manga fandom for material in a series which is intentionally added to please the audience. It is about "servicing" the fan - giving the fans "exactly what they want"...
, magical girlfriend
Magical girlfriend
A magical girlfriend is a female character often associated with romantic comedy anime series, and is sometimes considered a genre of its own, or as the leading lady of the "fantastic romance" genre, which combines the fantasy and romance genres.As Thomas LaMarre states, "Anime fans become...
and harem genres.
Plot
Outlanders tells the story of alien Princess Kahm and Tokyo News Photographer Wakatsuki Tetsuya as they try to save the Earth from the invasion forces led Kahm's father, emperor of the interstellar Santovasku Empire. The Santovasku use giant organic spaceships, or "Biomech," their advanced technology and their mastery of sorcery in their assault.Tetsuya learns from Kahm that her ancestors in fact came from earth and they've returned to reclaim their sacred home planet that mankind has subsequently spoiled (due to pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
). However, the invasion of the "sacred planet" is really the front for a struggle between two secret fractions from the Santovasku Empire, ancient rivals which have vowed to destroy each other no matter what the cost - even if this includes all of humankind. And Earth, too, has her share of sinister conspirators who seek advancement for their own benefit only ...
Production and medial history
Outlanders was produced by AICAIC (company)
, often abbreviated as AIC, is a Japanese anime studio with headquarters in Nerima, Tokyo.The company was founded on July 15, 1982. In addition to producing anime for domestic consumption in Japan, AIC has provided animation assistance on other animated series such as Inspector Gadget...
on behalf of Tatsunoko Production
Tatsunoko Production
, often shortened to , is a Japanese animation company. Founded in October 1962 by acclaimed anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida along with his brothers Kenji and Toyoharu...
and is not listed on Tatsunoko's web site. There is an Outlanders OVA and the Outlanders manga was distributed by Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
in the United States prior to the expiration of their license on the property. The Dark Horse version was translated by Toren Smith of Studio Proteus
Studio Proteus
Studio Proteus is a Japanese manga import, translation and lettering company, founded in 1986 by Toren Smith and based in San Francisco. Other staff included translators Dana Lewis and Frederik Schodt, letterer Tom Orzechowski and translator/letterer Tomoko Saito...
. In 2005 Central Park Media released a remastered version of the Outlanders OVA with new voice actors. A poll was conducted to select the voice actors
Seiyu
Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
, and 18,000 voters selected Sean Schemmel
Sean Schemmel
Sean Schemmel is an American voice actor, ADR director, and script writer who has worked for NYAV Post, Bandai Entertainment, Funimation Entertainment, OkraTron 5000, DuArt Film and Video, and 4Kids Entertainment...
to play Tetsuya and Rebecca Soler
Rebecca Soler
Rebecca Soler is an American voice actress who works on the properties of 4Kids Entertainment.-Notable Voice Roles:* Red Dead Redemption - Miranda Fortuna* Chaotic - Sarah* Magical DoReMi - Reanne Griffith...
selected to play Battia.
Manabe would later revisit the Outlanders universe with the one-shot manga, The Key of Graciale. Although it is not a direct prequel to his earlier Outlanders manga in terms of plot, Princess Kham does return as heroine complete with her band of trusted servants in tow. The principal characters also make several cameos in Manabe's subsequent works, as do those from the other titles he has produced.
The OVA condenses roughly the first half of the series into a single self-contained episode less than an hour in length; all but the main story elements, in addition to most of the non-essential characters, are subsequently dispensed with.