The Big O: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
imported>R'n'B m Disambiguating links to Flash (link changed to Flash (Queen song)) using DisamAssist. |
imported>Jeffrey34555 m Post-move cleanup, following swap of The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series) and The Twilight Zone: Changed link from The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series) to The Twilight Zone using Move+ |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|1999 Japanese anime television series}} | {{Short description|1999 Japanese anime television series}} | ||
{{ | {{Other uses|Big O (disambiguation){{!}}Big O}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox animanga/Header | {{Infobox animanga/Header | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
| ja_romaji = Za Biggu Ō | | ja_romaji = Za Biggu Ō | ||
| genre = {{ubl|[[Mecha anime and manga|Mecha]]<ref name="OtakuUSA">{{cite web|author=Otaku USA Staff|url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/the-big-o-anime-heads-back-to-paradigm-city-on-blu-ray/|title=The Big O Anime Heads Back to Paradigm City on Blu-ray!|publisher=[[Otaku USA]]|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025636/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/the-big-o-anime-heads-back-to-paradigm-city-on-blu-ray/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Forbes">{{cite magazine|last=Barder|first=Ollie|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/08/the-big-o-complete-collection-blu-ray-review-ye-not-guilty/|title='The Big O Complete Collection' Blu-Ray Review: Ye Not Guilty|magazine=[[Forbes]]|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608183028/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/08/the-big-o-complete-collection-blu-ray-review-ye-not-guilty/|url-status=live }}</ref>|[[Neo-noir]]<ref name="OtakuUSA"/><ref name="Forbes"/>|[[Tech-noir]]<ref name="OtakuUSA"/><ref name="Forbes"/>}} | | genre = {{ubl|[[Mecha anime and manga|Mecha]]<ref name="OtakuUSA">{{cite web|author=Otaku USA Staff|url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/the-big-o-anime-heads-back-to-paradigm-city-on-blu-ray/|title=The Big O Anime Heads Back to Paradigm City on Blu-ray!|publisher=[[Otaku USA]]|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025636/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/the-big-o-anime-heads-back-to-paradigm-city-on-blu-ray/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Forbes">{{cite magazine|last=Barder|first=Ollie|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/08/the-big-o-complete-collection-blu-ray-review-ye-not-guilty/|title='The Big O Complete Collection' Blu-Ray Review: Ye Not Guilty|magazine=[[Forbes]]|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608183028/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/08/the-big-o-complete-collection-blu-ray-review-ye-not-guilty/|url-status=live }}</ref>|[[Neo-noir]]<ref name="OtakuUSA"/><ref name="Forbes"/>|[[Tech-noir]]<ref name="OtakuUSA"/><ref name="Forbes"/>}} | ||
| creator = | | creator = [[Hajime Yatate]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Infobox animanga/Print | {{Infobox animanga/Print | ||
| type | | type = manga | ||
| author | | author = Hitoshi Ariga | ||
| publisher | | publisher = [[Kodansha]] | ||
| publisher_en | | publisher_en = {{English manga publisher | ||
| NA = [[Viz Media]] | | NA = [[Viz Media]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| | | magazine = [[Monthly Magazine Z]] | ||
| first = July 1999 | |||
| first | | last = October 2001 | ||
| last | | volumes = 6 | ||
| volumes | | volume_list = List of The Big O chapters#Original manga | ||
| volume_list | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Infobox animanga/Video | {{Infobox animanga/Video | ||
| type = tv series | | type = tv series | ||
| director = Kazuyoshi Katayama | | director = [[Kazuyoshi Katayama]] | ||
| producer = {{ubl|Tsutomu Sugita|Eiji Sashida|Ohashi Chieo}} | | producer = {{ubl|Tsutomu Sugita|Eiji Sashida|Ohashi Chieo}} | ||
| writer = {{ubl|[[Chiaki J. Konaka]]|Kazuyoshi Katayama}} | | writer = {{ubl|[[Chiaki J. Konaka]]|Kazuyoshi Katayama}} | ||
| Line 57: | Line 56: | ||
| AUS = Madman Entertainment | | AUS = Madman Entertainment | ||
}} | }} | ||
| network = [[Sun Television|SUN]], Wowow | | network = [[Sun Television|SUN]], [[Tokyo MX|MX-TV]], [[Chiba Television Broadcasting|CTC]], [[Television Saitama|TVS]], [[Television Kanagawa|TVK]], [[TV Aichi|TVA]], Wowow | ||
| network_en = {{English anime network | | network_en = {{English anime network | ||
| US = Adult Swim | | US = Adult Swim (Toonami) | ||
}} | }} | ||
| first = January 2, 2003 | | first = January 2, 2003 | ||
| Line 67: | Line 66: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Infobox animanga/Print | {{Infobox animanga/Print | ||
| type | | type = manga | ||
| title | | title = The Big O: Lost Memory | ||
| author | | author = Hajime Yatate | ||
| illustrator | | illustrator = Hitoshi Ariga | ||
| publisher | | publisher = Kodansha | ||
| magazine = Magazine Z | |||
| magazine | | first = November 2002 | ||
| first | | last = September 2003 | ||
| last | | volumes = 2 | ||
| volumes | | volume_list = List of The Big O chapters#Lost Memory | ||
| volume_list | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}} | {{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}} | ||
| Line 85: | Line 83: | ||
The television series was designed as a tribute to Japanese and [[western world|Western]] shows from the 1960s and 1970s. The series is presented in the style of ''[[film noir]]'' and combines themes of [[detective fiction]] and [[mecha anime]]. The [[setpiece]]s are reminiscent of ''[[tokusatsu]]'' productions of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly [[Toho]]'s ''[[kaiju]]'' movies, and the score is an eclectic mix of styles and musical homages. | The television series was designed as a tribute to Japanese and [[western world|Western]] shows from the 1960s and 1970s. The series is presented in the style of ''[[film noir]]'' and combines themes of [[detective fiction]] and [[mecha anime]]. The [[setpiece]]s are reminiscent of ''[[tokusatsu]]'' productions of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly [[Toho]]'s ''[[kaiju]]'' movies, and the score is an eclectic mix of styles and musical homages. | ||
''The Big O'' aired on [[Wowow]] satellite television from October 13, 1999, and January 19, 2000. The English-language version | ''The Big O'' aired on [[Wowow]] satellite television from October 13, 1999, and January 19, 2000. The English-language version aired on [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Toonami]] from April 2 to 23, 2001.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Erickson|first1=Hal|title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003|date=2005|edition=2nd|publisher=McFarland & Co|isbn=978-1476665993|pages=138–139}}</ref> Originally planned as a 26-episode series, low viewership in Japan reduced production to the first 13. Positive international reception resulted in a second season consisting of the remaining 13 episodes, co-produced by Cartoon Network, Sunrise, and [[Bandai Visual]]. Season two premiered on Japan's [[Sun Television]] on January 2, 2003, and the American [[premiere]] took place seven months later. Following the closure of Bandai Entertainment by parent company [[Bandai]] (owned by [[Bandai Namco Holdings]]) in 2012, [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]] announced at [[Otakon]] 2013 that [[Sentai Filmworks]] acquired both seasons of ''The Big O''. | ||
==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
===Setting=== | ===Setting=== | ||
[[File:Paradigm City.JPG|thumb|left|240px|An [[aerial shot]] of Paradigm City. The city is based on the island of [[Manhattan]] and is suggested to be [[New York City]] itself.<ref>''The Big O Visual'': Official Companion to "The Big-O" TV series ({{ISBN|4-575-29579-5}}), p. 39.</ref>]] | [[File:Paradigm City.JPG|thumb|left|240px|An [[aerial shot]] of Paradigm City. The city is based on the island of [[Manhattan]] and is suggested to be [[New York City]] itself.<ref>''The Big O Visual'': Official Companion to "The Big-O" TV series ({{ISBN|4-575-29579-5}}), p. 39.</ref>]] | ||
''The Big O'' is set in the fictional [[city-state]] of {{Nihongo foot|Paradigm City|パラダイム・シティ|Paradaimu Shiti|group=lower-alpha}}. The city is located on a seacoast and is surrounded by a vast desert wasteland. The partially [[geodesic dome|domed]] city is wholly controlled by the monopolistic [[Megacorporation|Paradigm Corporation]], resulting in a corporate [[police state]]. Paradigm is known as {{Nihongo foot|"The City of Amnesia"|記憶喪失の街|Kioku soushitsu no Machi|group=lower-alpha}} because forty years prior to the story, {{Nihongo foot|"The Event"|何か|Nani ka|lit. "Something"|group=lower-alpha}} destroyed the world outside the city and left the survivors without any prior memories. The city is characterized by severe class | ''The Big O'' is set in the fictional [[city-state]] of {{Nihongo foot|Paradigm City|パラダイム・シティ|Paradaimu Shiti|group=lower-alpha}}. The city is located on a seacoast and is surrounded by a vast desert wasteland. The partially [[geodesic dome|domed]] city is wholly controlled by the monopolistic [[Megacorporation|Paradigm Corporation]], resulting in a corporate [[police state]]. Paradigm is known as {{Nihongo foot|"The City of Amnesia"|記憶喪失の街|Kioku soushitsu no Machi|group=lower-alpha}} because forty years prior to the story, {{Nihongo foot|"The Event"|何か|Nani ka|lit. "Something"|group=lower-alpha}} destroyed the world outside the city and left the survivors without any prior memories. The city is characterized by severe class inequality; the higher-income population resides inside the more pleasant domes, with the remainder left in tenements outside. Residents of the city believe that they are the last survivors of the world and no other nations exist outside the city. Androids and giant robots known as "Megadeus" coexist with the residents of Paradigm City and residents do not find them unusual.<ref name="artbook">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WiLuAAAAMAAJ|title=Television cartoon shows: an illustrated encyclopedia|volume=1|author=Hal Erickson|publisher=McFarland & Co.|isbn=978-0-7864-2255-5|date=July 2005|access-date=2016-09-26|archive-date=2020-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810205254/https://books.google.com/books?id=WiLuAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
===Plot=== | ===Plot=== | ||
| Line 102: | Line 100: | ||
==Production and release== | ==Production and release== | ||
{{See also|List of The Big O episodes}} | {{See also|List of The Big O episodes{{!}}List of ''The Big O'' episodes}} | ||
Development of the [[retro]]-styled series began in 1996. [[Keiichi Sato]] came up with the concept of ''The Big O'': a giant city-smashing robot, piloted by a man in black, in a [[Gotham City|Gotham]]-like environment. He later met up with Kazuyoshi Katayama, who had just finished directing ''[[Those Who Hunt Elves]]'', and started work on the layouts and character designs. But when things "were about to really start moving," production on Katayama's ''[[Sentimental Journey (anime)|Sentimental Journey]]'' began, putting plans on hold. Meanwhile, Sato was heavily involved with his work on ''[[City Hunter]]''.<ref name="birth">{{cite AV media notes|title=The Big O Vol. 1|orig-year=1999|author=Kazuyoshi Katayama|publisher =Bandai Entertainment|year=2001}}</ref> The initial story idea revolved around a cataclysm (caused by a meteorite impact) that destroyed most of human civilization.<ref name="artbook" /> The setting would be a city that survived, where the protagonist pilots a giant robot engineered from the meteorite's recovered [[superalloy]] to battle against the authority in charge of the surviving city.<ref name="artbook" /> | Development of the [[retro]]-styled series began in 1996. [[Keiichi Sato]] came up with the concept of ''The Big O'': a giant city-smashing robot, piloted by a man in black, in a [[Gotham City|Gotham]]-like environment. He later met up with Kazuyoshi Katayama, who had just finished directing ''[[Those Who Hunt Elves]]'', and started work on the layouts and character designs. But when things "were about to really start moving," production on Katayama's ''[[Sentimental Journey (anime)|Sentimental Journey]]'' began, putting plans on hold. Meanwhile, Sato was heavily involved with his work on ''[[City Hunter]]''.<ref name="birth">{{cite AV media notes|title=The Big O Vol. 1|orig-year=1999|author=Kazuyoshi Katayama|publisher =Bandai Entertainment|year=2001}}</ref> The initial story idea revolved around a cataclysm (caused by a meteorite impact) that destroyed most of human civilization.<ref name="artbook" /> The setting would be a city that survived, where the protagonist pilots a giant robot engineered from the meteorite's recovered [[superalloy]] to battle against the authority in charge of the surviving city.<ref name="artbook" /> | ||
| Line 108: | Line 106: | ||
Sato admits it all started as "a gimmick for a toy" but the representatives at Bandai Hobby Division did not see the same [[toyetic|potential]].<ref name="birth"/> From there on, the dealings would be with [[Bandai Visual]], but [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]] still needed some safeguards and requested more robots be designed to increase prospective toy sales. In 1999, with the designs complete, [[Chiaki J. Konaka]] was brought on as head writer. Among other things, Konaka came up with the idea of "a town without memory" and his writing staff put together the outline for a 26-episodes series.<ref name="Konakajump">{{cite web|url=http://www.animejump.com/cgi-bin/go.cgi?go=features/big-o/konaka|title=THE BIG O! Chiaki J. Konaka Interview|publisher=Anime Jump|year=2001|access-date=2007-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030629040803/http://www.animejump.com/cgi-bin/go.cgi?go=features%2Fbig-o%2Fkonaka|archive-date=2003-06-29|url-status=dead }}</ref> Konaka deliberately chose to present the setting, Paradigm City, as a city of amnesiacs to avoid needing to develop lore for the origin of the show's mecha.<ref name="artbook" /> When Cartoon Network later offered funding for the second season, its representatives requested that the story be satisfactorily finished at the end of this season; this prompted Konaka to continue developing the concept of the amnesiac city as its central theme.<ref name="artbook" /> | Sato admits it all started as "a gimmick for a toy" but the representatives at Bandai Hobby Division did not see the same [[toyetic|potential]].<ref name="birth"/> From there on, the dealings would be with [[Bandai Visual]], but [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]] still needed some safeguards and requested more robots be designed to increase prospective toy sales. In 1999, with the designs complete, [[Chiaki J. Konaka]] was brought on as head writer. Among other things, Konaka came up with the idea of "a town without memory" and his writing staff put together the outline for a 26-episodes series.<ref name="Konakajump">{{cite web|url=http://www.animejump.com/cgi-bin/go.cgi?go=features/big-o/konaka|title=THE BIG O! Chiaki J. Konaka Interview|publisher=Anime Jump|year=2001|access-date=2007-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030629040803/http://www.animejump.com/cgi-bin/go.cgi?go=features%2Fbig-o%2Fkonaka|archive-date=2003-06-29|url-status=dead }}</ref> Konaka deliberately chose to present the setting, Paradigm City, as a city of amnesiacs to avoid needing to develop lore for the origin of the show's mecha.<ref name="artbook" /> When Cartoon Network later offered funding for the second season, its representatives requested that the story be satisfactorily finished at the end of this season; this prompted Konaka to continue developing the concept of the amnesiac city as its central theme.<ref name="artbook" /> | ||
''The Big O'' premiered on October 13, 1999, on [[Wowow]]. When the production staff was informed the series would be shortened to 13 episodes, the writers decided to end it with a [[cliffhanger]], hoping the next 13 episodes would be picked up.<ref name="konaka">{{cite web|url = http://www.konaka.com/alice6/big-o/|title = ''The Big O'' (production notes)|access-date = 2006-11-18|author = Chiaki J. Konaka|language = ja|archive-date = 2007-06-07|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607221323/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/big-o/|url-status = live }}</ref> In April 2001, ''The Big O'' premiered on [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Toonami]] lineup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-03-27/large-toonami-updates|title=Large Toonami Updates| | ''The Big O'' premiered on October 13, 1999, on [[Wowow]]. When the production staff was informed the series would be shortened to 13 episodes, the writers decided to end it with a [[cliffhanger]], hoping the next 13 episodes would be picked up.<ref name="konaka">{{cite web|url = http://www.konaka.com/alice6/big-o/|title = ''The Big O'' (production notes)|access-date = 2006-11-18|author = Chiaki J. Konaka|language = ja|archive-date = 2007-06-07|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607221323/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/big-o/|url-status = live }}</ref> In April 2001, ''The Big O'' premiered on [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Toonami]] lineup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-03-27/large-toonami-updates|title=Large Toonami Updates|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2001-03-27|access-date=2009-08-06|archive-date=2008-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527080326/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-03-27/large-toonami-updates|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The series garnered positive fan response internationally that resulted in a second season co-produced by Cartoon Network and Sunrise. Season two premiered on Japan's [[Sun Television]] in January 2003, with the American premiere taking place seven months later as an [[Adult Swim]] exclusive.<ref name="konaka"/><ref name = "comiccon">{{cite news|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-08-04/comic-con-adult-swim|title = Comic-con Adult Swim News|date = 2002-08-04|access-date = 2006-11-18|work = Anime News Network|archive-date = 2007-10-12|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184435/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-08-04/comic-con-adult-swim|url-status = live }}</ref> The second season would not be seen on Toonami until July 27, 2013, 10 years after it began airing on Adult Swim. | The series garnered positive fan response internationally that resulted in a second season co-produced by Cartoon Network and Sunrise. Season two premiered on Japan's [[Sun Television]] in January 2003, with the American premiere taking place seven months later as an [[Adult Swim]] exclusive.<ref name="konaka"/><ref name = "comiccon">{{cite news|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-08-04/comic-con-adult-swim|title = Comic-con Adult Swim News|date = 2002-08-04|access-date = 2006-11-18|work = Anime News Network|archive-date = 2007-10-12|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184435/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-08-04/comic-con-adult-swim|url-status = live }}</ref> The second season would not be seen on Toonami until July 27, 2013, 10 years after it began airing on Adult Swim. | ||
| Line 117: | Line 115: | ||
===Music=== | ===Music=== | ||
{{main|Music of The Big O}} | {{main|Music of The Big O{{!}}Music of ''The Big O''}} | ||
''The Big O'' was scored by ''[[Geidai]]'' alumnus [[Toshihiko Sahashi]]. His composition is richly symphonic and [[classical music|classical]], with a number of pieces delving into [[electronica]] and [[jazz]].<ref name="theEX-OST">{{cite web|url = http://www.ex.org/5.4/33-cd_big-o.html|title = ''The Big-O'' Original Sound Score|last = McCarter|first = Charles|access-date = 2006-12-15|publisher = EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070209174450/http://www.ex.org/5.4/33-cd_big-o.html|archive-date = 2007-02-09 }}</ref> Chosen because of his "frightening amount of musical knowledge about TV dramas overseas,"<ref name = "AnimePlay"/> Sahashi integrates musical homages into the soundtrack. The background music draws from ''[[film noir]]'', [[spy film]]s and [[sci-fi]] television series like ''[[ | ''The Big O'' was scored by ''[[Geidai]]'' alumnus [[Toshihiko Sahashi]]. His composition is richly symphonic and [[classical music|classical]], with a number of pieces delving into [[electronica]] and [[jazz]].<ref name="theEX-OST">{{cite web|url = http://www.ex.org/5.4/33-cd_big-o.html|title = ''The Big-O'' Original Sound Score|last = McCarter|first = Charles|access-date = 2006-12-15|publisher = EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070209174450/http://www.ex.org/5.4/33-cd_big-o.html|archive-date = 2007-02-09 }}</ref> Chosen because of his "frightening amount of musical knowledge about TV dramas overseas,"<ref name = "AnimePlay"/> Sahashi integrates musical homages into the soundtrack. The background music draws from ''[[film noir]]'', [[spy film]]s and [[sci-fi]] television series like ''[[The Twilight Zone]]''. The battle themes are reminiscent of [[Akira Ifukube]]'s compositions for the ''[[Godzilla]]'' series.<ref name = "influences"/> | ||
The first opening theme is the [[Queen (band)|Queen]]-influenced "Big-O!".<ref name="theEX-Single">{{cite web|url=http://www.ex.org/5.3/51-cd_bigo.html|title=The Big O! CD Single|access-date=2006-12-08|last=McCarter|first=Charles|publisher=EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207103143/http://www.ex.org/5.3/51-cd_bigo.html|archive-date=2006-12-07 }}</ref> Composed, arranged and performed by Rui Nagai, the song resembles [[Flash (Queen song)|the theme]] to the ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]'' film. The second opening theme is "Respect," composed by Sahashi. The track is an homage to the music of ''[[UFO (British TV series)|UFO]]'', composed by [[Barry Gray]].<ref name="ACen03"/> In 2007, Rui Nagai composed "Big-O! Show Must Go On," a 1960s [[hard rock]] piece, for [[Animax]]'s reruns of the show; this composition replaced the original opening themes for the Blu-Ray release of the series. The closing theme is the slow love ballad "And Forever..." written by Chie and composed by Ken Shima. The duet is performed by Robbie Danzie and Naoki Takao. | The first opening theme is the [[Queen (band)|Queen]]-influenced "Big-O!".<ref name="theEX-Single">{{cite web|url=http://www.ex.org/5.3/51-cd_bigo.html|title=The Big O! CD Single|access-date=2006-12-08|last=McCarter|first=Charles|publisher=EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207103143/http://www.ex.org/5.3/51-cd_bigo.html|archive-date=2006-12-07 }}</ref> Composed, arranged and performed by Rui Nagai, the song resembles [[Flash (Queen song)|the theme]] to the ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]'' film. The second opening theme is "Respect," composed by Sahashi. The track is an homage to the music of ''[[UFO (British TV series)|UFO]]'', composed by [[Barry Gray]].<ref name="ACen03"/> In 2007, Rui Nagai composed "Big-O! Show Must Go On," a 1960s [[hard rock]] piece, for [[Animax]]'s reruns of the show; this composition replaced the original opening themes for the Blu-Ray release of the series. The closing theme is the slow love ballad "And Forever..." written by Chie and composed by Ken Shima. The duet is performed by Robbie Danzie and Naoki Takao. | ||
| Line 138: | Line 136: | ||
[[Amnesia]] is a common [[plot device]] in ''film noir''. Because most of these stories focused on a character proving his innocence, authors up the ante by making him an amnesiac, unable to prove his innocence even to himself.<ref name="holiday">[[Terrence Rafferty|Rafferty, T]]. (2 November 2003) The Last Word in Alienation: I Just Don't Remember. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> | [[Amnesia]] is a common [[plot device]] in ''film noir''. Because most of these stories focused on a character proving his innocence, authors up the ante by making him an amnesiac, unable to prove his innocence even to himself.<ref name="holiday">[[Terrence Rafferty|Rafferty, T]]. (2 November 2003) The Last Word in Alienation: I Just Don't Remember. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> | ||
The series style has also been classified as [[dieselpunk]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Folami |first=Oluwatokiloba |date=2023-01-09 |title=8 Best Dieselpunk Anime |url=https://gamerant.com/best-dieselpunk-anime/ |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=GameRant |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Influences=== | ===Influences=== | ||
| Line 144: | Line 144: | ||
Roger Smith is a [[pastiche]] of the [[Bruce Wayne]] [[persona]] and the Batman. The character design resembles Wayne, complete with slicked-back hair and double-breasted business suit.<ref name="theEX"/> Like Bruce, Roger prides himself in being a rich playboy to the extent that one of his household's rules is only women may be let into his mansion without his permission.<ref name="ANNpreview"/> Like Batman, Roger Smith carries a no-gun policy, albeit more flexible. Unlike the personal motives of the Batman, Roger enforces this rule for "it's all part of being a gentleman."<ref>{{cite episode|title = Missing Cat|series = The Big O|credits = [[Keiichi Hasegawa]] (writer)|network = [[WOWOW]]|airdate = 1999-12-01|number = 08 }}</ref> Among Roger's gadgetry is the Griffon, a large, black hi-tech [[sedan (car)|sedan]] comparable to the [[Batmobile]], a grappling cable that shoots out his wristwatch and the giant robot that Angel calls "Roger's [[alter ego]]."<ref name = "influences"/><ref>{{cite episode|title = Negotiations with the Dead|series = The Big O|credits = [[Chiaki J. Konaka]] (writer)|network = [[Sun Television (Japan)|Sun Television]]|airdate = 2003-01-09|number = 15 }}</ref> | Roger Smith is a [[pastiche]] of the [[Bruce Wayne]] [[persona]] and the Batman. The character design resembles Wayne, complete with slicked-back hair and double-breasted business suit.<ref name="theEX"/> Like Bruce, Roger prides himself in being a rich playboy to the extent that one of his household's rules is only women may be let into his mansion without his permission.<ref name="ANNpreview"/> Like Batman, Roger Smith carries a no-gun policy, albeit more flexible. Unlike the personal motives of the Batman, Roger enforces this rule for "it's all part of being a gentleman."<ref>{{cite episode|title = Missing Cat|series = The Big O|credits = [[Keiichi Hasegawa]] (writer)|network = [[WOWOW]]|airdate = 1999-12-01|number = 08 }}</ref> Among Roger's gadgetry is the Griffon, a large, black hi-tech [[sedan (car)|sedan]] comparable to the [[Batmobile]], a grappling cable that shoots out his wristwatch and the giant robot that Angel calls "Roger's [[alter ego]]."<ref name = "influences"/><ref>{{cite episode|title = Negotiations with the Dead|series = The Big O|credits = [[Chiaki J. Konaka]] (writer)|network = [[Sun Television (Japan)|Sun Television]]|airdate = 2003-01-09|number = 15 }}</ref> | ||
''The Big O'''s cast of [[supporting character]]s includes Norman, Roger's faithful mechanically inclined butler who fills the role of [[Alfred Pennyworth]]; R. Dorothy Wayneright, who plays the role of the sidekick; and Dan Dastun, a good honest cop who, like [[ | ''The Big O'''s cast of [[supporting character]]s includes Norman, Roger's faithful mechanically inclined butler who fills the role of [[Alfred Pennyworth]]; R. Dorothy Wayneright, who plays the role of the sidekick; and Dan Dastun, a good honest cop who, like [[Commissioner Gordon|Jim Gordon]], is both a friend to the hero and greatly respected by his comrades.<ref name = "influences"/> | ||
The other major influence is [[Mitsuteru Yokoyama]]'s ''[[Giant Robo]]''.<ref name="ANNpreview"/><ref name = "encyclopedia"/> Before working on ''The Big O'', Kazuyoshi Katayama and other animators worked with [[Yasuhiro Imagawa]] on ''[[Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still]]''. The feature, a "[[retro]] [[chic (style)|chic]]" homage to Yokoyama's career,<ref name="AWMAG">{{cite web|url = http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=164|title = New from Japan: ''The Big O'' Volumes 1 - 4|access-date = 2006-11-23|date = 2001-06-15|last = Patten|first = Fred|publisher = Animation World Magazine|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012183951/http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=164|archive-date = 2007-10-12 }}</ref> took seven years to produce and suffered low sales and high running costs. Frustrated by the experience, Katayama and his staff put all their efforts into making "good" with ''The Big O''.<ref name="ACen03">{{cite web|last=Lillard|first=Kevin|url= http://www.fansview.com/2003/animecentral/051703c.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051128230501/http://www.fansview.com/2003/animecentral/051703c.htm|archive-date= 2005-11-28|title= Anime Central 2003 Panel|access-date = 2006-11-23|publisher = A Fan's View}}</ref> | The other major influence is [[Mitsuteru Yokoyama]]'s ''[[Giant Robo]]''.<ref name="ANNpreview"/><ref name = "encyclopedia"/> Before working on ''The Big O'', Kazuyoshi Katayama and other animators worked with [[Yasuhiro Imagawa]] on ''[[Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still]]''. The feature, a "[[retro]] [[chic (style)|chic]]" homage to Yokoyama's career,<ref name="AWMAG">{{cite web|url = http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=164|title = New from Japan: ''The Big O'' Volumes 1 - 4|access-date = 2006-11-23|date = 2001-06-15|last = Patten|first = Fred|publisher = Animation World Magazine|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012183951/http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=164|archive-date = 2007-10-12 }}</ref> took seven years to produce and suffered low sales and high running costs. Frustrated by the experience, Katayama and his staff put all their efforts into making "good" with ''The Big O''.<ref name="ACen03">{{cite web|last=Lillard|first=Kevin|url= http://www.fansview.com/2003/animecentral/051703c.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051128230501/http://www.fansview.com/2003/animecentral/051703c.htm|archive-date= 2005-11-28|title= Anime Central 2003 Panel|access-date = 2006-11-23|publisher = A Fan's View}}</ref> | ||
| Line 154: | Line 154: | ||
==Related media== | ==Related media== | ||
===Publications=== | ===Publications=== | ||
{{See also|List of The Big O chapters}} | {{See also|List of The Big O chapters{{!}}List of ''The Big O'' chapters}} | ||
''The Big O'' was conceived as a [[media franchise]].<ref name = "birth"/> To this effect, [[Hajime Yatate|Sunrise]] requested a manga be produced along with the animated series. ''The Big O'' manga started serialization in [[Kodansha]]'s ''[[Magazine Z]]'' in July 1999, three months before the anime premiere. Authored by Hitoshi Ariga, the manga uses Keiichi Sato's concept designs in an all-new story. The series ended in October 2001. The issues were later collected in six [[tankōbon|volumes]]. The English version of the manga is published by [[Viz Media]].<ref name="ariga">{{cite web|url = http://www.ancient.co.jp/~ariga/bigo/index.html|title = ''The Big O'' section at Hitoshi Ariga's site|access-date = 2007-08-01|language = ja|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930080500/http://www.ancient.co.jp/~ariga/bigo/index.html|archive-date = 2007-09-30|url-status = dead }}</ref> | ''The Big O'' was conceived as a [[media franchise]].<ref name = "birth"/> To this effect, [[Hajime Yatate|Sunrise]] requested a manga be produced along with the animated series. ''The Big O'' manga started serialization in [[Kodansha]]'s ''[[Magazine Z]]'' in July 1999, three months before the anime premiere. Authored by Hitoshi Ariga, the manga uses Keiichi Sato's concept designs in an all-new story. The series ended in October 2001. The issues were later collected in six [[tankōbon|volumes]]. The English version of the manga is published by [[Viz Media]].<ref name="ariga">{{cite web|url = http://www.ancient.co.jp/~ariga/bigo/index.html|title = ''The Big O'' section at Hitoshi Ariga's site|access-date = 2007-08-01|language = ja|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930080500/http://www.ancient.co.jp/~ariga/bigo/index.html|archive-date = 2007-09-30|url-status = dead }}</ref> | ||
| Line 172: | Line 172: | ||
[[Polyvinyl chloride|PVC]] figures of Big O and Big Duo (Schwarzwald's Megadeus) were sold by Bandai America. Each came with non-poseable figures of Roger, Dorothy and Angel. Mini-figure sets were sold in Japan and America during the run of the second season. The characters included Big O (standard and attack modes), Roger, Dorothy & Norman, Griffon (Roger's car), Dorothy-1 (Big O's first opponent), Schwarzwald and Big Duo. | [[Polyvinyl chloride|PVC]] figures of Big O and Big Duo (Schwarzwald's Megadeus) were sold by Bandai America. Each came with non-poseable figures of Roger, Dorothy and Angel. Mini-figure sets were sold in Japan and America during the run of the second season. The characters included Big O (standard and attack modes), Roger, Dorothy & Norman, Griffon (Roger's car), Dorothy-1 (Big O's first opponent), Schwarzwald and Big Duo. | ||
In 2009, Bandai released a plastic/diecast figure of the Big O under their | In 2009, Bandai released a plastic/diecast figure of the Big O under their Soul of Chogokin line. The figure has the same features as the model kit, but with added detail and accessories. Its design was closely supervised by original designer Keiichi Sato.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN956922|title=HobbyLink Japan - Soul of Chogokin The Big O|access-date=2010-02-25|archive-date=2010-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223070626/http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN956922|url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
In 2011, Max Factory released action figures of Roger and Dorothy through their [[Figma (toy)|Figma]] toyline. Like most Figmas, they are very detailed, articulated and come with accessories and interchangeable faces. In the same year, Max Factory also released a 12-inch, diecast figure of Big O under their Max Gokin line. The figure contained most of the accessories as the Soul of Chogokin figure but also included some others that could be bought separately from the SOC figure, such as the Mobydick (hip) Anchors and Roger Smith's car: the Griffon. Like the Soul of Chogokin figure, its design was also supervised by Keiichi Sato. As well, in that same year, Max Factory released soft vinyl figures of Big Duo and Big Fau, in-scale with the Max Gokin Big O. These figures are high in detail but limited in articulation, such as the arms and legs being the only things to move. To date, this is the only action figure of Big Fau. | In 2011, Max Factory released action figures of Roger and Dorothy through their [[Figma (toy)|Figma]] toyline. Like most Figmas, they are very detailed, articulated and come with accessories and interchangeable faces. In the same year, Max Factory also released a 12-inch, diecast figure of Big O under their Max Gokin line. The figure contained most of the accessories as the Soul of Chogokin figure but also included some others that could be bought separately from the SOC figure, such as the Mobydick (hip) Anchors and Roger Smith's car: the Griffon. Like the Soul of Chogokin figure, its design was also supervised by Keiichi Sato. As well, in that same year, Max Factory released soft vinyl figures of Big Duo and Big Fau, in-scale with the Max Gokin Big O. These figures are high in detail but limited in articulation, such as the arms and legs being the only things to move. To date, this is the only action figure of Big Fau. | ||
| Line 190: | Line 190: | ||
Sato, Katayama, Konaka, and Bandai in general received many inquiries from fans in Japan asking for further clarification on the plot and ending.<ref name="artbook" /> The three directly addressed these questions via an art book and companion to the series in 2004.<ref name="artbook" /> Katayama describes Paradigm City as the created narrative of Angel, who (alongside Roger Smith only) stands above the story but writes herself a role to play.<ref name="artbook" /> The narrative provided for civilization to continue in some form, though Angel included a safeguard that would reset the narrative should her identity as the creator ever be discovered by the characters.<ref name="artbook" /> Having fallen in love with the character of Roger Smith, she inserts herself into the story with conditions designed to bring them together whenever Roger encounters a particularly tough challenge or is investigating mysteries.<ref name="artbook" /> According to Katayama, her planned narrative collapses when she becomes jealous of Roger's affinity for R. Dorothy, culminating in Gordon Rosewater's realization that Angel is indeed the creator of Paradigm City.<ref name="artbook" /> Angel prepares to end the narrative world via piloting Big Venus, which Konaka states will return everything to its destroyed, ruined state it lay in immediately after the cataclysm 40 years ago.<ref name="artbook" /> Roger however successfully negotiates for her to simply restart the narrative and allow Paradigm City to be reset and continue in some form.<ref name="artbook" /> Konaka originally wrote the ending to clearly show that Angel changed her role to become Roger's assistant, repeating a scene in the first episode where Roger negotiates for the release of Dorothy Waynewright, who is implied to now be human; Katayama changed this to make the ending more ambiguous.<ref name="artbook" /> In both endings, Paradigm City continues as a city of amnesiacs, despite Gordon Rosewater's wishes for Roger to negotiate with the creator to return people's memories to them.<ref name="artbook" /> | Sato, Katayama, Konaka, and Bandai in general received many inquiries from fans in Japan asking for further clarification on the plot and ending.<ref name="artbook" /> The three directly addressed these questions via an art book and companion to the series in 2004.<ref name="artbook" /> Katayama describes Paradigm City as the created narrative of Angel, who (alongside Roger Smith only) stands above the story but writes herself a role to play.<ref name="artbook" /> The narrative provided for civilization to continue in some form, though Angel included a safeguard that would reset the narrative should her identity as the creator ever be discovered by the characters.<ref name="artbook" /> Having fallen in love with the character of Roger Smith, she inserts herself into the story with conditions designed to bring them together whenever Roger encounters a particularly tough challenge or is investigating mysteries.<ref name="artbook" /> According to Katayama, her planned narrative collapses when she becomes jealous of Roger's affinity for R. Dorothy, culminating in Gordon Rosewater's realization that Angel is indeed the creator of Paradigm City.<ref name="artbook" /> Angel prepares to end the narrative world via piloting Big Venus, which Konaka states will return everything to its destroyed, ruined state it lay in immediately after the cataclysm 40 years ago.<ref name="artbook" /> Roger however successfully negotiates for her to simply restart the narrative and allow Paradigm City to be reset and continue in some form.<ref name="artbook" /> Konaka originally wrote the ending to clearly show that Angel changed her role to become Roger's assistant, repeating a scene in the first episode where Roger negotiates for the release of Dorothy Waynewright, who is implied to now be human; Katayama changed this to make the ending more ambiguous.<ref name="artbook" /> In both endings, Paradigm City continues as a city of amnesiacs, despite Gordon Rosewater's wishes for Roger to negotiate with the creator to return people's memories to them.<ref name="artbook" /> | ||
The series continues to have a strong cult following into the 2010s. In 2014 [[BuzzFeed]] writer [[Ryan Broderick]] ranked ''The Big O'' as one of the best anime series to binge-watch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/list-of-cool-animes-you-should-definitely-watch#.tcgD444yl7|title=30 Animes That Are Perfect for Binge-Watching and Definitely Not for Kids|website=[[BuzzFeed]]|date=March 10, 2014|access-date=2017-09-15|archive-date=2017-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930084638/https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/list-of-cool-animes-you-should-definitely-watch#.tcgD444yl7|url-status=live }}</ref> Dan Casey host of [[Nerdist Industries|The Nerdist's]] ''Dan Cave'' stated ''The Big O'' was the anime series he was most eager to see rebooted or remade, along with ''[[Trigun]]'' and ''[[Soul Eater (manga)|Soul Eater]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url= | The series continues to have a strong cult following into the 2010s. In 2014 [[BuzzFeed]] writer [[Ryan Broderick]] ranked ''The Big O'' as one of the best anime series to binge-watch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/list-of-cool-animes-you-should-definitely-watch#.tcgD444yl7|title=30 Animes That Are Perfect for Binge-Watching and Definitely Not for Kids|website=[[BuzzFeed]]|date=March 10, 2014|access-date=2017-09-15|archive-date=2017-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930084638/https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/list-of-cool-animes-you-should-definitely-watch#.tcgD444yl7|url-status=live }}</ref> Dan Casey host of [[Nerdist Industries|The Nerdist's]] ''Dan Cave'' stated ''The Big O'' was the anime series he was most eager to see rebooted or remade, along with ''[[Trigun]]'' and ''[[Soul Eater (manga)|Soul Eater]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.nerdist.com/the-dan-cave-6-anime-series-that-deserve-a-reboot-sequel/|title=6 Anime Series That Deserve a Reboot/Sequel | Nerdist|access-date=2016-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202190525/http://nerdist.com/the-dan-cave-6-anime-series-that-deserve-a-reboot-sequel/|archive-date=2016-02-02|url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Ollie Barder of [[Forbes]] wrote, "From the classic and retro styled mecha design of Keiichi Sato to the overall film noir visual tone of the series, The Big O was a fascinating and visually very different kind of show. It also had a fantastic voice cast, with probably the most notable of these being Akiko Yajima as the voice of Roger's disapproving android Dorothy."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barder|first1=Ollie|title='The Big O Complete Collection' Blu-Ray Review: Ye Not Guilty|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/08/the-big-o-complete-collection-blu-ray-review-ye-not-guilty/|access-date=19 October 2019|work=Forbes|date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608183028/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/08/the-big-o-complete-collection-blu-ray-review-ye-not-guilty/#228db6573561|archive-date=2017-06-08 }}</ref> In 2019, [[Crunchyroll]] writer Thomas Zoth ranked ''The Big O'' as his top 10 anime since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Zoth|first1=Thomas|title=Thanks For the Memories: 20 Years of The Big O|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2019/10/13/thanks-for-the-memories-20-years-of-the-big-o|access-date=19 October 2019|work=Crunchyroll|date=October 14, 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019040703/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2019/10/13/thanks-for-the-memories-20-years-of-the-big-o|url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| Line 205: | Line 205: | ||
{{The Big O}} | {{The Big O}} | ||
{{Kazuyoshi Katayama}} | {{Kazuyoshi Katayama}} | ||
{{Chiaki J. Konaka}} | |||
{{Sunrise}} | {{Sunrise}} | ||
{{Cartoon Network co-productions}} | {{Cartoon Network co-productions}} | ||
| Line 216: | Line 217: | ||
[[Category:2003 Japanese television series endings]] | [[Category:2003 Japanese television series endings]] | ||
[[Category:2003 anime television series debuts]] | [[Category:2003 anime television series debuts]] | ||
[[Category:Animated television series about amnesia]] | |||
[[Category:Animated television series about robots]] | [[Category:Animated television series about robots]] | ||
[[Category:Anime with original screenplays]] | [[Category:Anime with original screenplays]] | ||
| Line 221: | Line 223: | ||
[[Category:Bandai Namco franchises]] | [[Category:Bandai Namco franchises]] | ||
[[Category:Bandai Visual]] | [[Category:Bandai Visual]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Anime and manga about amnesia]] | ||
[[Category:Japanese adult animated science fiction television series]] | [[Category:Japanese adult animated science fiction television series]] | ||
[[Category:Kodansha manga]] | [[Category:Kodansha manga]] | ||
| Line 229: | Line 231: | ||
[[Category:Seinen manga]] | [[Category:Seinen manga]] | ||
[[Category:Sentai Filmworks]] | [[Category:Sentai Filmworks]] | ||
[[Category:Sunrise ( | [[Category:Sunrise (studio)]] | ||
[[Category:Super robot anime and manga]] | [[Category:Super robot anime and manga]] | ||
[[Category:Viz Media manga]] | [[Category:Viz Media manga]] | ||
[[Category:Wowow original programming]] | [[Category:Wowow original programming]] | ||
[[Category:Dieselpunk anime and manga]] | |||