Movies / Animé and Toons

Dirty Pair Part 2

By Chris Zimmerman
May 12, 2011 - 16:44

The first volume of Dirty Pair was a fun reminder of a classic series that deserved to be released to a new generation of fans. However, as with all things from days long since past, the dusting off of a series also exposes it’s age and the flaws that were not readily apparent to the audiences of the time. Rightstuf/ Nozomi nabbed the rights for the series and have thus far released two box sets.

The episodes contained herein range from laugh out loud hilarious to downright cringe-worthy. This is off course to be expected. The format of the series is very episodic, with only hints of continuity interspersed throughout to tie them together. This doesn’t allow for much in the way of story, and for those who require a plot to get through a series, then this isn’t the show for you.

It doesn’t help that each episode is a reconstruction of the last. Kel and Yuri essentially chase a criminal, encounter trouble of some sort, and somehow manage to sort everything out by the end of the episode. It’s not all that deep as fans of the series can attest, but at the end of the day it equates to sci-fi shenanigans with fan-service.

The DVDs comes in a sturdy box as is expected of Nozomi. The quality of the release is top notch, another trademark of the company, with every episode looking about as good as one could hope from a series of this age. The only downer of the release is the lack of extras. Still, after the lack of a booklet for the first set, the inclusion of one here is definitely appreciated.

The only other extras are clean openings trailers, and line-art galleries. It’s a descent assortment of extras but the booklet is where the real content is, detailing the show’s production using creator interviews that range from past to present. It’s an informative read and worth looking into if you’re a fan of the franchise.

On the audio front, there is only a Japanese language track to be found. The acting is also a product of the time, with the voice actors hamming it up and screaming at high-pitched intervals.

Love it or hate it, Dirty Pair has its audience. Does it deserve the label of “classic”? Some would argue yes. After twenty years, the series still attracts a loyal fan-base and has consistently proven to have staying power with several different media adaptations under its belt. The story won’t exactly leave fans contemplating their lives, but it is a nice piece of nostalgia for people to retreat to.

B-

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12