Of all the live-action manga adaptations to be made over the past decade, at least those in the West, Robert Rodriguez's “Alita: Battle Angel” is arguably the best. However, before making it to Hollywood, Yukito Kishiro's manga had been adapted for the small screen in the form of Hiroshi Fukutomi's “Battle Angel Alita”. The OVA, which is just under an hour in length, is a short and overstuffed yet action-packed and intriguing anime.
Living on a desolate Earth in the shadow of the rich sky city Zalem, Doctor Daisuke Ido finds the intact remains of a discarded cyborg when scavenging through a scrap heap. He quickly restores the body and names the android adoptee Alita. Unaware of her past, Alita is set into the world anew and soon finds the harsh realities of living in the dystopian city beneath Zalem. Encountering mechanically enhanced thugs and shady corporate figures, Alita fights for love while trying to forge an identity of her own.
Despite her name being in the title, the revived Alita doesn't really play a central role in the plot, with the narrative focus being far more widespread. The amnesiac android is more of an observer to the plights of others who struggle to survive on Earth. While there are flashes of character development as Alita strives to move from under the father-like gaze of Ido, she is primarily a spectator rather than an active agent. Surrounding Alita is a cast of interesting characters, each of whom has distinct character designs and clearly defined characteristics – the villainous Vector is a particular joy to watch.
Arguably, the OVA's central character is Hugo, the young scavenger who dreams of one day saving up enough money to buy his way to Zalem. The love story between him and Alita has two ways in which it can be viewed – one where it's a whimsical and clichéd farce that doesn't hold much narrative weight, and another where it's critiquing those who value personal wealth over companionship and human relationships. Alita is essentially an uncorrupted entity, as she was effectively born yesterday, but her loving feelings for Hugo are not reciprocated, as the frankly selfish boy is more concerned with personal fortune and escaping from the rabble of Earth. Their story is a tragic one, yet it makes up the heart of the film, despite some narrative developments being rushed.
What the film lacks in character development it makes up for in world-building and action. Alita faces off against a cast of colorful villains, with each encounter leading her to discover another hidden ability. The fights are bloody and quick, serving as short, sharp departures from the thin narrative. Several characters meet a gruesome end, with the OVA not holding back with its mature content. The breakneck pacing means that some of these conflicts are over as soon as they begin, but this briskness also helps to keep things moving along nicely.
What information we do learn about the world is mostly provided through a handful of throwaway lines, which makes for more organic world-building. A fighting arena of some sort is referred to several times, and the concept of the Hunter Warriors is also explored, albeit briefly. The rich lore of the world is somewhat crammed into the short runtime, but there's enough intrigue here to keep you invested in what's happening. It's a shame that the OVA was never continued in some form, as you feel that there's a lot more to explore in this beautifully realized world.
As with a lot of dystopian future settings, the world of Alita looks dirty and lived-in. There's a harsh grit to the broken city as the setting falls right into the cyberpunk genre, with artificial limbs and oversized weapons abound. The stunning world comes alive through the detailed, hand-drawn animation. Interestingly, the muck of Earth is never visually contrasted with the supposed glory of the elitist Zalem, which we never actually see. The closest we get is a glimpse through the clouds, as the floating city sits in the piercing blue sky, situated as a sort of heaven above the strugglers below.
“Battle Angel Alita” is a great example of classic sci-fi anime. The shortcomings in characterisation and narrative substance are more than made up for by the gorgeous animation, savage action, and solid world-building. A brisk and enjoyable OVA, Hiroshi Fukutomi's project is one well worth seeking out for fans of classic anime and sci-fi alike.
