Najica Blitz Tactics
Publisher
ADV
Director
Katsuhiko Nishijima
Production
Amber Filmworks, Studio Fantagia
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
12 episodes
Year
2001
Najica Blitz Tactics Vol 1
By John Huxley
20th May 04  Panties. If I were to write a one word review for Najica, it would surely be 'panties'. Not since Colorful has one show been so utterly obsessed with providing gratuitous and lengthy shots of women's undergarments from a variety of peculiar camera angles. And while Colorful had tongue firmly implanted in cheek, Najica is as subtle as Men's Own magazine, making no excuses for its borderline fetish with immaculately waxed legs and pristine white panties. Sadly, their inclusion is often more obtrusive and ludicrous than it is erotic. Which is a shame, because, if you're willing to scratch beneath the surface, you'll find there's more to Najica than a few unnecessary up-skirt shots. Another entry in to the increasingly popular girls-with-guns category of anime, Najica centres around secret agent cum perfumer (...?) Najica Hiragi, a refined lady with slightly boyish looks and fashions to match. Every bit James Bond in a skirt (dig that white tux), miss Najica is the world's foremost perfume expert and equally accomplished secret agent, exposing and disposing terrorists and criminals with the aid of her unique ability to distinguish over 500 hundred different scents...and a little advanced artillery. She's accompanied by her android (or humaritt as they prefer to call them) partner Lila, a naive and thoroughly obedient young girl with a disproportionate amount strength and agility. At first Najica is unwilling to accept the emotionless Lila as her subordinate, but soon takes a liking to her once she is able to appreciate her more obvious talents. The four episodes on this disc are relatively self contained, each bringing a new mission for our heroines to tackle. Although every episode inevitably reaches the same conclusion, there's enough variety on offer to keep things from turning stale. The most accomplished and enjoyable aspect is certainly the action, which helps inject a little fun and excitement. The action scenes are well directed, showing plenty of imagination and very rarely relying on cliched techniques, while their appearance is timely and frequent enough to keep interest levels high. Unfortunately, it is during the action where the panty obsession is at its most flagrant, often disrupting the atmosphere with highly inappropriate and lingering shots of women's panties as they lie unconscious. If this were supposed to be erotic, sadly the opposite is true. When an assassin armed with a submachine gun and dressed in a french maid's outfit is knocked cold by Najica's swift kick, falling to the ground, ass in air, panties on display for all to see; you're more likely to burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. Which is not an ideal reaction to an otherwise exciting action scene! Najica does feature some comedy, purposeful comedy, that should generate a few laughs or at least a sly grin. The majority of the humour centres around Lila's inability to grasp human idiosyncrasies and her absolute obedience, following each and every command a little too closely. It's hardly standup material, but it does help lighten the otherwise sedate atmosphere. The characters themselves are a mostly staid bunch, with very few unique personalities to grab your attentions and affections. Of most interest is the unusual teacher/ student relationship between Najica and Lila, something which will hopefully develop further as the series progresses. The often predictable storylines are helped enormously by the great 60's spy thriller vibe that runs throughout, giving everything a slightly 'Man From UNCLE' feel, right down to the fabulously jazzy soundtrack. The excellent presentation and animation compliment this feeling nicely, as does the slightly ridiculous premise of a secret agent cum perfumer and her android partner working for some clandestine anti-terrorist network. All that's missing is those little triangular yellow badges and Napoleon Solo! Ever so slightly camp, but all the more appealing for it. No doubt some of you will be attracted to Najica from the risque box art alone, and you certainly won't be disappointed with the content. Girls, guns, panties, martial arts and lesbian overtones - it's all here. There are better entries in to the genre, but none can offer such a 'unique' experience.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 audio, English subtitles, clean open/close, production sketches, commentary by Kira Vincent Davis (Najica) and Monica Rial (Lila), ADV previews
Release information: UK release date: 16th February 2004, ADV
Notes: The whole package is wonderfully presented, with neat lines and the whitest of whites giving this a unique, clean look. This is carried over to the DVD menus, which are typically easy to navigate. Flick to the extras page and you'll find a few items that should divert your attention for a little while, most notably the voice commentary from the two English voice actresses that play Najica and Lila. There's also some production sketches and a clean open/close, as well as the usual ADV previews.
-- John Huxley 20th May 04
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