Daicon III Opening Animation
An unnamed girl watches as the Science Patrol lands their aircraft. A masked individual exits the ship and approaches the girl, entrusting her with a cup of water and a simple task: to water a radish. The girl enthusiastically accepts her mission but is obstructed by a multitude of foes. Faced with waves of unrelenting monsters, mechas, and starfighters, can the young heroine protect the cup of water and make it to the radish unharmed?
Daicon IV Opening Animation
Clad in a Playboy Bunny suit, an older version of the same girl takes on new and notable adversaries from around the galaxy. From dueling with lightsabers to surfing the magical sword Stormbringer, there is no shortage of action!
Set to Electric Light Orchestra's "Twilight," the Daicon IV Opening Animation is a grand tribute to science fiction culture, showcasing hundreds of familiar characters in one spectacular bout.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
AnnoKano
The Daicon Opening Animations are two short films that were created for two Sci-fi conventions. They have gone down in history as the first and second titles produced by the infamous Studio Gainax, which at the time was little more than a group of students from the Osaka University of Arts. Though they may be fairly humble origins for one of the most influential animation studios of the past 30 years, the Daicon films still demonstrate the tremendous potential of the Gainax staff. Both Daicon III and Daicon IV have essentially the same premise; a single girl fighting a battle royal against the Sci-Fiheroes of yesteryear. Deep and compelling storytelling it is not, but one can’t help but enjoy watching dozens of characters, some familiar and some long since forgotten, fighting each other.
Certainly, one doesn’t need to think hard to imagine the faces of the people attending those conventions all those years ago; seeing all their favourite characters in a single film with reasonable production (or in the case of Daicon IV, exceptional production) would have made for quite the kick. Hell, even thirty years later it’s hard not to feel pumped up when you hear the opening line: “Just on the border, of your waking mind”
That brings us to the soundtrack, which in Daicon IV, consists of the songs ‘Prologue’ and ‘Twilight’ by Electric Light Orchestra. It’s a perfect fit; it manages to sound futuristic, yet is still distinctly eighties at the same time. It manages to reflect the period of the films but also the sci-fi and fantasy themes that go with it. But it also conveys a strong sense of ambition, a clear reflection of how the film’s young creators felt at that time.
Because although the Daicon films follow a very simple concept, on technical terms they are on another level; comparable to and perhaps even exceeding the level of professional productions of the time. The animation is incredibly smooth, the backgrounds are detailed.
The cast is largely made up of characters borrowed from other shows, and these are somewhat faithful reproductions of their originals, but this isn’t where Daicon exceeds expectation; one of the most memorable scenes, featuring what appears to be a nuclear bomb going off in reverse, features no science fiction characters at all. It’s clear that the Gainax staff were not content with mere being mere imitators.
The Daicon Openings are certainly an important part of anime history, and one that will not be forgotten any time soon. But make no mistake, they are worth so much more than a pedestal in an anime museum exhibit. The Daicon Openings represent a youthful passion to do something you love; a sense of unity that (sadly) anime fans have since lost; and a studio not content with the status quo. They may be almost 30 years old, but the Daicon Opening animations are as young and fresh as they were at the first screening.
brandotendie
This is history. This is art. This is the passion and love of a medium encapsulated and condensed into 5 minutes with the care and effort of three men who would change the face of anime forever. In just over 5 minutes, this opening animation to the 1981 DAICON sci-fi/anime convention, DAICON III tells the simple story of a little girl's quest to water a radish. Along the way, however, she is assailed and chased by popular pop culture icons, forcing her to utilize her full power to get to her goal. It's a simple plot, yes. Also, the animation looks very dated and low-budget, yes. Butthe reason why DAICON III is so beautiful is because of its historical significance.
The short film was made by Hideaki Anno, Hiroyuki Yamaga and Takami Akai, the forefathers and founders of the legendary anime studio Gainax, which would later become Studio Trigger. The legacy of these men has repurposed the face of the anime industry, pumping out classics like Gurren Lagann, Gunbuster, and the timeless Neon Genesis Evangelion.
On top of that, the way they distributed the short film by selling individual tapes for fans to watch over and over back at home was revolutionary; this was the very first example of an anime original video animation (or OVA, for short), a practise that is still put into use today and has wrought some of the best things the medium has to offer (primarily 1988's Legend of the Galactic Heroes).
That legacy and more started with just this short, 5 minute film, a passion project so intimate, bursting to the seams with love and care, that in every key frame we can already see the signature touches and tropes that would begin to litter the industry for years to come.
Aside from the historical significance, DAICON III is just brimming with that optimism and unadulterated love of young, creative minds. Bolstered by a very bright and cheery wholesome 70s score, the short film is just a real love letter to the medium of anime as well as other influences (Star Wars and Ultraman among others).
It's more than just a pop culture romp akin to, say, 2006's The Ultimate Showdown, it's a short but sweet testament to the burning passion of three young men, and also a precursor to greater things to come.
Even in its dated glory, there's more heart and passion to be seen here than in most seasonal anime nowadays, and that's honestly refreshing to see. It's a reminder of why so many people love anime, why I love anime.
DAICON III may not offer much in terms of technical aspects or plot, but it is a very important milestone; it is modern anime's Steamboat Willie.
FAKEANIMEGIRL
(Check out my profile for a link to my site containing more up-to-date reviews and bonus media!) This entry represents Gainax's two short films made for the science-fiction conventions, Daicon III and Daicon IV. But that's not exactly true. The truth is is that this wasn't made by Gainax in name, but rather a group of young animators that would go on to form that of one of anime's most prolific and influential studios of all time. These seemingly little things birthing such a giant of Japanese animation would come as no surprise to anyone who'd watch them. These music videos are full of fluent, activeanimation as mascot girls jump between absurd scenes and battles featuring science-fiction icons such as Darth Vader, Gundam, and Transformers. The number of references is astounding, and this is a work that bursts from passion both from its animation and appreciation for the fantasy of anime and its many national and international origins.
The opening for Daicon IV is the most well-known of the two, partially for featuring the song "Twilight" by rock band Electric Light Orchestra from their 1981 album "Time". I was never that much of a fan of that album for getting away from ELO's faux-electro orchestra sound, but if there's an exception it's that single song. And if there's a reason, it's this single short which I saw for the first time ages ago. The use of the track is such literary genius that I wonder if it was accidental because of the language barrier and just chosen for being a cool song. The opening text scroll subtitling the album's concept narrative implies otherwise, as lyrically Twilight conjures up the story of a bewildered man who finds himself transported through time into the future and questioning whether he's in reality or a dream, and that he "only meant to stay a while". These shorts, made at the beginning of the anime Otaku-boom and birth of a true subculture herald such an event, a celebration of the starry-eyed fanaticism that the boundless wonders of escapist imagination anime has been inspired for decades since. It's a beautiful thing to look back on now as a celebration of anime while at the same time being at that early a stage in the medium's life making it an optimistic view looking forward to the countless dreams to come. The bouncing surrealist narrative is unhinged and loose with excitement about all of the creative fantasies that have been created as well as the ones that would be on their way forever more. To give us one last reminder, an ending animation features ELO's "Hold on Tight" which repeatedly states "hold on tight to your dreams". And many of the animators who touched this project did just that.
It's just about impossible for an anime fan to not like the Daicon shorts, because they are so definitively "anime" in their sporadic eccentricities, and that level of energy was only just blooming at the time they were created. It's almost like watching something new come to life, because in a way, that's what was happening.
YoungVagabond
I came across this anime in an unusual manner. Recently, I lost some files on my computer, including a number of music albums. That included ELO's (Electric Light Orchestra) phenomenal 1981 concept album "Time", which I consider one of the finest of the decade. Luckily, there was a complete playlist on Youtube. Out of curiosity, I decided to check out the comments and noticed a number mentioning "Daicon IV". "The fuck is that?", I wondered. Turns out that it was a series of specially made intro videos to several anime conventions during the 1980s (who knew they even existedback then?!), also notable for being the first output by Studio Gainax.
Essentially, it's a specially-made 80's AMV featuring a girl, small and innocent during Daicon III, and then an adult in a Playboy bunny costume in Daicon IV (who didn't see that coming?) having a number of fantastic adventures, including flying on a sword, throwing around giant mechas, and fighting an array of monsters and villains.
Watching it as a jaded 28 year-old in the year 2015, I still found it relatively fun and energetic. Of course, a lot of the credit for that goes to a song by ELO that I absolutely adore.
The animation is hit and miss. Some of it is interesting and unique, especially the more science fiction-inspired creatures. Other parts remind me of generic, cheap, and bland 80's fare, both in terms of detail and subject.
Overall, I liked the Daicon Opening Animations, and feel they served their purpose. However, neither are they anything special.
With such an amazing song, I can easily imagine Gainax creating something more interesting, particularly if they had pushed a stronger science fiction theme, and taken out some of the random, silly aspects of the video. (The Western superhero cameos, random anime characters making goofy faces, etc.)
Certainly, I have seen promotional anime music videos that were much better despite far inferior songs.
Nevertheless, this deserves credit for being one of the first.
bigunderscorepp
I'm not at all biased. Anime is worth watching after all! I'm a boomer named Booms Mcgriddle and I gotta say this changed my mind almost immediately. My son Bartholomew is a crazy person who will not stop jerking off to bunny girls, and I thought he should be put to death, but he showed me this video and my mind is completely not the same anymore, because now I can't stop jerking off to Bunny Women. So there it is, it is, what it is, I love anime!!! Additionally, I have now discovered my fetish for Daicon. Live long and prosper.
Krav40
EVERYTHING started here, well, in terms of Gainax at least. Daicon is a two-part entertaining yet unintentionally educational OVA released by Gainax with the first part being released in 1981 and the other one in 1983. What makes Daicon Opening Animations so interesting and different than any other OVA I’ve ever seen is the extraordinary context that it fits in, this little two-part OVA will give you all the necessary knowledge that you will need to know about the foundation and early history of Gainax since this was their very first show. Gainax was founded by a group of three otakus in the early ’80s. Theywere these three chads; Hideki Ano (who would later become the creator of Evangelion and director of Kare Kano), Hiroyuki Yamaga (who would become the president of Gainax for over 30 years) and Sadamoto Yoshiyuki (would be later be known for his character design for almost every original Gainax project including such shows as FLCL, Evangelion, Diebuster and more). These men were such huge otakus back in the early 80’s that they wanted to make shows themselves, Anno has stated that they were not only inspired by anime and by many other media like Ultraman, DC, Sci-fi movies, etc. Which is why Gainax became so great in the future, they were otaku of MANY different things, not just anime or manga.
Daicon was their first thing that Gainax ever made and it’s instantly noticeable for this having less production value than their later works, which is inevitable and understandable since this was the first thing they made. Even though this lacks the budget, which is noticeable in the animation quality and the choice the OVA having no dialogue, which I guess was because of voice actors being too expensive. Even though that’s the case, Daicon still oozes with creativity, beauty and most of all PASSION. What’s most noticeable is the plot that feels extremely sci-fi, with a girl who is given “special water” to water a radish which can turn into an enormous spaceship. However, the best thing about Daicon is its plentiful and endless references to other pop culture like f.ex DC, Marvel, Star Wars, Ultraman, Godzilla, as well as numerous popular anime. Which at the time where the likes of Gundam, Captain Harlock, Urusei Yatsura, Space Battleship Yamato, etc. They’re all included here as a tribute to these works as well as otaku culture in general. Daicon is also paired off with quite an amazing tune called “Twilight” from Electric Light Orchestra which fits the OVA so well.
Overall, if you're a fan of at least two Gainax shows then I would consider this a MUST-WATCH! You will get so much history, beauty, and joy here. Even if you're not, I highly recommend since this was the beginnings of a studio that would later create such beloved shows such as FLCL, Evangelion and Gurren Lagann. This may have not changed my personal life, but I do consider this to be a masterpiece and a hidden gem if you like this I also highly recommend Otaku No Video.
じゃあね!
blizar
Daicon III Opening Animation is a charming, short animated piece featuring a young girl battling various monsters, accompanied by a City Pop instrumental track. For its time, the animation quality is impressive, and at just five minutes long, it doesn't overstay its welcome. The significance behind this project becomes even greater when you learn that it was created by only 3 university students, one of whom is Hideaki Anno who would later go on to create the classic Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. Daicon IV Opening Animation, also a five minute short, is the more famous of the two, and for good reason—it's the better ofthe two. With a tripled animation team, the production quality increased immensely. This installment is packed with many pop-culture references with the appearances of Darth Vader from Star Wars as well as Batman and Spider-Man from their own respective comic book universes. It also introduced the iconic girl in the red bunny suit, which is often referenced in future anime works such as FLCL. Everything about Daicon IV is a significant step up from its predecessor, with the backing track "Twilight" by Electric Light Orchestra adding a psychedelic and unforgettable auditory experience.
I would recommend watching this for two main reasons. First, with a total runtime of 11 minutes, the Daicon Opening Animations are short, nice to listen to and cool to look at. The second and most significant reason, is their historical importance. Daicon III marks Hideaki Anno's first professional animation project and the 12 animators responsible for the creation of Daicon IV went on to establish Gainax, arguably the most influential anime studio of all time.
Final Scorings:
Animation: 7/10 (Very well animated for its time)
Sound: 7/10 (City Pop, Psychedelic)
Value: 10/10 (Hideaki Anno and Studio Gainax's first production)
Enjoyment: 5/10 (Pleasant, but nothing too crazy)
Overall: 7.25/10 ~ 7/10 (Good)
The_Cmoose
This was a guerilla team of otaku's tribute to everything they geeked out over. Made with a fast and loose approach to copyright laws, and using Electric Light Orchestra's music without permission these opening animations are a hallmark of GAINAX's love of big cool nonsense. Star Wars, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, other old sentai properties, bunny girls, booba, huge explosions animated by Hideaki Anno himself, these shorts have everything befitting a science fiction convention in the late 80's. Massive copyright infringement, fair use in limbo, and made for free in their spare time these projects are an essential part of understanding Gainax and all of theirsubsequent works.
CaptainSalty
Simply incredible for the time. Holding up and surpassing things today with the sheer amount of talent, passion, and experimentation that makes Diacon III and IV a historical legend that jumpstarted Studio Gainax. All for a convention to get their names out, they blow everything out of the water with stellar visuals and a wonderful background track of Electric Light Orchestra's "Twilight" to create a visual masterpiece. Many shots would go on to change the anime industry forever and its so breathtaking to see all of these things in the span of a few minutes. Amazing work, another reason for Gainax's legendary status as thebest (and my favorite) studio.
