D-1 Devastator

Aired: 1992

A two-part OVA released through Warner-Pioneer. Set in the near future, the work pits a young pilot crew of the massive robotic weapon Devastator against the labyrinthine intrigues of the military top brass that controls them, presenting a serious-minded science-fiction war drama. With its two-volume structure — Contact Arc and Fierce Battle Arc — the OVA emphasizes the engineering details of its machinery and a hard-edged military atmosphere, clearly aimed at viewers passionate about mecha animation. A distinctive touch is the use of separate artists for the two ending themes, Rash Guy in the first volume and Follow You in the second, each lending a different mood to its installment. Among the prolific robot OVAs of the early 1990s, the work is remembered for its restrained and resolute tone.