Welcome every person, again to a bit of function I name OVA October. It’s fairly straightfoward however I really feel like doing my tiny introduction spiel. OVA stands for “Authentic Video Animation” i.e. anime that was authentic launched as straight to VHS again within the day, that technically stretches into the straight to DVD period as properly.
I choose certainly one of these titles, ideally from the VHS period, to observe in or round October, and share my ideas with you guys right here. It’s not a flowery or difficult set of weblog posts, nevertheless it’s my very own little theme for the month. Some are duds, some are hidden gems, and others are simply mid as the youngsters say. As for Kimera although? Nicely I ought to let you realize what it’s about first earlier than you make your judgements.
Osamu is a daily cereal salesman, working along with his companion Jay and simply seeking to head house after an extended day. They arrive upon a authorities barricade, and find yourself within the cross hairs between two unknown figures, and seemingly the American navy. Taking cowl from the gunfire, Osamu stumbles upon a ravishing human-like creature, with lovely gold and crimson eyes. Captivated by it’s magnificence, Osamu shares a kiss with it via the glass earlier than he should flee once more. That kiss, and Jay’s connections get Osamu into much more then he bargained for particularly because the finish outcome would possibly really finish Earth as we all know it.
I received’t lie this OVA ended up on my radar for just a few causes. The primary was that that was the equal of a “thanks I hate it” assessment I learn eons in the past that at all times caught with me. The opinions that go the toughest in on sure elements, are those that make me understand that I might be tremendous into the anime being reviewed. Secondly, Kimera was featured on a number of lists with titles just like “obscure shojo/josei anime”, “LGBT anime pre 2000”, “Classic shojo anime”, and “House Gays”, and so forth. It was popping up in some very particular lists that ticked just a few private bins of mine, that I couldn’t resist.
All that being mentioned, it had an extremely middling rating, and muddled opinions. So I did what I do finest, and chucked it on my plan to observe. Then tried to neglect any expectations I had. Lastly having the ability to go in later with an open thoughts. Being trustworthy, I actually perceive why it’s ended up in such a place.
General, Kimera is a fairly solidly put collectively thought primarily based on a manga of the identical title. It’s acquired a slightly distinctive mix of sci-fi, fantasy, gentle BL, horror and vampires. It’s the curious mixture of all these themes and genres that caters to my preferences. I used to be genuinely curious to see how it might have been executed then, and ponder the way it holds up presently.
Specifically, and that is the place issues get a bit of risky, relating to how intersex was represented in Kimera. I discovered it to be extremely attention-grabbing that Kimera, as a personality completely needed to be intersex to ensure that Kimera, the anime, to work. It’s the primary work I’ve encountered the place being intersex had such a essential that means and performance within the work. The concept of it, and with all of the aforementioned context and story lore, simply made for a extremely partaking expertise. Plus, it left me with quite a bit to consider post-watch.
That being mentioned, as somebody whose not intersex, and whose data about intersex is extremely restricted – Kimera most likely isn’t nice illustration for intersex of us. I don’t wish to get into spoilers, as a result of Kimera has a number of advantage to observe with out them. Nevertheless, given what a number of events within the OVA determine Kimera’s assigned ‘operate’ is, it’s a flawed premise. It doesn’t maintain up very properly in 2024, however when it was produced again in 1996 was largely deemed completely high quality. I encourage of us to double verify and do your individual truth discovering earlier than partaking with Kimera, for those who’re involved about themes and portrayals.
Talking of the period it was made in although, for a late 90’s OVA Kimera holds up fairly properly. It was made by animate movies of all firms, and surprisingly I’ve a really constructive observe report with them. They produced a number of sci-fi OVA’s I’ve been into recently, Kimera being the most recent. The model of animation is so nostalgic, and oh-so very grounded. There’s simply a number of totally different weights to the characters and their lineart, how every location feels, and never even mentioning how every character strikes compared to each other. It’s actually nice OVA degree animation.
The one downside is that the OVA’s precise story telling is a bit skinny. Animate movies is admittedly banking on you having been uncovered to some form of vampire lore, earlier than watching to have a number of the plot operate. Loads of different plot holes are lined with ‘that is actually handy that every one these items line up precisely as they should for this to work’. Usually one thing like that will have me tearing my hair out. In Kimera although, given it’s a mere forty seven minute viewing session will get a little bit of a go on. The overall arc of the story is sufficient. It was introduced in an interesting method that I actually dug.
I additionally ought to throw this on the market, however Kimera does unapologetically go in on the blood, guts and gore of all of it. This isn’t your Vampire Dormitory vampires, these are creatures nearer to the monsters in Iczer-1. It’s a bit refreshing to see the extra energy starved, in additional methods then one, vampire on display once more. With powers which might be so acquainted however so totally different from present depiction traits.
I shall be trustworthy since we’re attending to the top: I completely perceive Osamu’s motivation and logic. I don’t complete heartedly agree with it, however I do perceive it. If I used to be confronted with somebody as placing, and alluring by nature as Kimera in comparable circumstances, I’d most likely do the identical.
That being mentioned, my closing verdict is Kimera is well worth the watch. Or a minimum of giving it the advantage of the doubt and making an attempt it for a couple of minutes. It’s attention-grabbing in lots of regards, a bit difficult to observe for sure events, however nonetheless an anime that ought to be seen by extra folks. Even when it’s solely to go ‘oh yeah, there’s not a shot at midnight any studio would take a threat with one thing as whacky as this anymore’. For me a hidden gem of an anime, however I perceive, really, why it’s additionally a dud for a lot of.
