Movie Review - ROD: Read or Die (2001)

There's a lot of anime out there in the world.  There's folks out there that like their action, some that like their horror and some that love their pr0n (NOTE: I use the Internet term "pr0n" because it's hi-frickin'-larious) or as the Japanese call it, "hentai." I choose my anime carefully, and make sure that I leave certain anime to their own devices if its general presence gets too ridiculous like the stateside phenomenon of Dragon Ball Z/GT/Kai/LOL. Now don't get me wrong: I've geeked out to many an anime and DBZ is no exception. But when I see a grown-ass man in suit and tie whine like a child because the comic book store didn't have the latest bootleg Japanese tape, something is WRONG with the show's fanbase and it goes without saying that I RAN AWAY VERY FAST.
With that said, I wish to acknowledge a certain sect of people since neglected in the wake of the anime revolution of which this anime is subconsciously dedicated to: LIBRARIANS.

ROD: Read or Die follows the exploits of one Yomiko Readman (voiced by Rieko Miura/Kimberly Yates). This young woman is an avid reader and part-time school teacher. She's absent-minded, leaving post-its on the stacks of books in her apartment as reminders to be a productive member of society. While she may not seem like much other than a mousy bookworm on the outside, she harbors quite the interesting life.

As a member of the top-secret, world-spanning British Library Special Operations Division, Miss Readman holds the rank of their best agent. She also had the mental powers to control paper on a molecular level. By harnessing this miraculous skill, she can use the harmless scrap paper in the suitcase she totes everywhere as anything she wants. This has also eaned her the goofiest code name ever spoken: "The Paper". Miss Readman is informed by her dispatcher Joker (voiced by Hozumi Goda/Crispin Freeman) to track down and foil a plot to take over the world by a previously unknown party called "I-Jin". The other thing that is known about the case is a very rare book is involved-- and with that, Yomiko is on the case. Joker's not letting her out of HQ without assigning a partner, so "the Paper" now has to contend with the unflappable Nancy, codename "Miss Deep" (voiced by Michiko Neya/Amanda Winn Lee). Blessed with superior combat skills, intangibility and a fathomless bosom, Miss Deep and the Paper work together with an agency sniper commando named Drake (voiced by Masami Iwasaki/Jason Lee) to take down I-Jin's genetically altered versions of... historical and legendary figures? What kind of methamphetamine grab-bag is this?
Believe it or not, the first enemy they fight is based on French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre (voiced by Junko Takeuchi/Douglas Rye), who rides into battle on a giant grasshopper. A serious case of WTF will grab your brain and not let go, especially if you're not up on academia. Many other important figures also pop up in the three episode OVA, who equally kick ass. But not as much as the music kicks ass.

Very much in the musically sharp style of 1970's action music, the opening music rocks. It's almost as if you look at the opening animation and just feel the city it shows you--I wouldn't be surprised if the neighborhood shown in the opening is none other than the Akihabara District in Tokyo, Japan. I'm probably wrong, but it would be an interesting touch. The bird's-eye view of the city isn't the cherry on top with this OVA, it's something far more affable to my sensibilities. The very idea that an introverted bookworm is the central protagonist to a three-part globetrotting action/adventure filled with over-the-top scenes AND wraps up with efforts to thwart a world domination plot goes against the grain. It damns the traditional hero with a flip of a page, teaches us all the power of books... and that "reading is fundamental".

CHOICE CUTS:

• Paper swords, planes and ninja stars were all the rage in my elementary school. I have never been so happy to see them used as the weapons and devices they were emulated after in combat situations.
• Historical and legendary figure used as villains. Otto Lillenthal, Genjo Sanzo and Mata Hari all make cameos in this OVA.
• Yomiko's single-minded determination to complete her goal is so mild, it's entertaining.

Well-animated, engaging beyond its action scenes and proving that paper beats both scissors and rock, ROD: Read or Die gets a rating of 10. Make this the only anime you see for a good long while.

RATING: 10/10