Genocyber Review

I first came across Genocyber in 2009 while looking for AD Police video clips on YouTube. It was April time and I was avoiding my coursework and trying to make my own Anime in Flash. I needed inspiration and I loved the old style Cel animation from the 80s and 90s. I watched a Genocyber AMV that someone had made and I must admit it disturbed me back then even though I was 17. This anime was very gory and full of violence so I decided not to watch it. Two years passed before I decided to give it my full and undivided attention.

I'm glad I did because it is now one of my favourites  A lot of people criticise Genocyber for the large amount of gratuitous violence but I don't think it would have the same feeling without it. I'll start by getting all the negative stuff out of the way. Firstly, I wish the other episodes were as good as the first one. The second and third are okay and I think everyone'll agree that they're better than the last two. Those last two episodes were very poor but I had to watch them to get my Genocyber fix. After the very last episode I wanted more and I think this is a big problem with most anime. Often I'll watch an anime and say "hey, this is really good" only to be disappointed when I find out that there were only 6 or so episodes in the series. It would be awesome if a studio picked up the Genocyber franchise and made more episodes or a film. Actually, I don't think modern computer animation would work since the traditional cel animation (in my opinion) makes an anime more appealing.

Many people complain about the plot, claiming it to be confusing but if you've watched it as often as I have then it makes more sense eventually. I decided to buy it on VHS because I wanted the full retro experience. I watch it occasionally and it's basically about a mad scientist (typical science fiction antagonist) who is trying to create the ultimate weapon using psychic power. Two psychic sisters (Elaine and Diana) are the key to the Genocyber but Elaine escapes and this obviously ruins the scientist's plans so he sends Diana out to retrieve her. At the same time, three government agents are sent to take Elaine and Diana back to Japan and a detective from the Hong Kong police force (Episode one is set in Hong Kong) is trying to put a stop to the unethical experimental that are taking place. It sounds weird but watching Genocyber actually makes me want to go to Hong Kong. 

Despite the violence, there are some feel good moments in the anime. When Elaine escapes she befriends a homeless boy who has also been through a lot of suffering at the hands of a local gang. Of course, this happiness doesn't last forever but that's just the tragedy of life I guess. I'm not going to spoil anything for anyone but I suggest you watch Genocyber if you don't mind extreme violence and gore. One of the best things about Genocyber is its music, especially the main theme. I play the guitar and I wish someone would post a tutorial online showing me how to play that riff. There's quite a few covers of the Genocyber theme on YouTube so if you've done a cover and you're reading this, please comment and tell me how to play it.