MS06FZ

To begin with, I'd like to say that this show is only a 10/10 if you know anything about Fist of the North Star and the shows of Go Nagai. If you have, or know anything about fighting anime in general, you'll love this. Because it's a total love letter to them all. There is basically no plot, just two episodes of lots of punching, shouting, sideburns and jokes. The art-style is a Go Nagai-esque heavy lined style, very much like an animated manga. The music is full of heroic themes, and a rock OP reminiscent of Ai Wo Torimodose (as is fitting.) What the showdoes well is compress into two episodes every fighting show cliche it can, from ludicrously named finishers to the devoted girlfriend and the school violence which provides the backdrop for things like the Getter Robo manga. There are unsubtle VA jokes, and no pretence of a fourth wall. It's because of this that Honoo no Tenkousei is so fun. It's nice to have a show that's only two episodes of breakneck-paced action every once in a while, and the jokes really hit the spot. There's not really much more to say - HnT is a love letter to the fighting anime genre which pokes fun at it while employing all the cliches in a competent way, and really can't be recommended enough if you like that sort of thing.

FAKEANIMEGIRL

(Check out my profile for a link to my site containing more up-to-date reviews and bonus media!) Blazing Transfer Student is a 1991 two episode Gainax OVA specifically made to advertise the much longer running manga, as such things often are. This shonen/delinquent parody stars Takizawa Noboru, a good-natured but daft boy who challenges the school bully Ibuki Saburo for the love of Yukari Takamura. Honjakuniku High seems to only follow one rule, and it's the one unwritten rule of all fighting anime: the winner of a fight gets whatever they want. The endearing thing about Blazing Transfer Student's style of humor is that it neverleaves the mind of its setting. The characters are all teenagers and consistently act as melodramatic and self-absorbed as one would expect selfish high schoolers given free reign to do, and masculinity is portrayed as a stupid form of expression prioritized by stupid people rather than something to aspire to, no matter who wins. The bully brags about his ridiculously trite finishing move, "Insect Killing Punch", and everyone fears it because of the intimidating way he presents his personality rather than the pointless thing the punch did in the first place. You remember high school, don't you? People are popular for speaking loudly, not for the content of their speech. Of course, beyond parodying high school there's general mockery of dramatic action cliches. My personal favorite comes in the climax when the main character realizes his own special attack is never landing first because naturally he has to finish saying the attack name before it hits, but its name is longer than the bully's attack name. Simply changing the name would be an unacceptable finish for a hero, of course. Gainax takes an interesting direction for art style here, intentionally copying the rough and thick outlines of 70s anime and the simple "blobby" facial expressions of comedy anime from around the same time. Due to the budget only having to be spread out two episodes and Gainax's resources in 1991 being far better than the 70s anime they're paying homage to, the frame rate turns out to be very smooth and the blu-rays specifically really make the simple solid colors pop for a very visually appealing look with a lot of charm that holds up in high resolutions. More than the jokes themselves, this is the selling point of this OVA. The soundtrack is lightly enjoyable with the main opening being suitably retro while the mix of synthesizers/rock in the score is more contemporary, along with the cute ending theme that'll make any 90s anime fan nostalgic. Though the OVA is too short to really go anywhere and seems like it could've built upon the charm of its humor and environment, it also doesn't allow itself to overextend or wear out its personality or sense of humor. The great production values, animation, and short running time make this an easy and enjoyable watch that's both simple and difficult to particularly recommend. Anyone who's discovered this OVA exists is the kind of genre fan very unlikely to think they've wasted their time with it.