Amazon.com

The 2004 OAV New Getter Robo brings back the durable mecha franchise created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa in 1974-75. Earth is being attacked by oni (“demons” in Japanese folklore) that may also be aliens. Professor Saotome, who makes Commander Ikari in Evangelion look like Mr. Rogers, has created three vehicles that link to form the redoubtable mecha of the title. (“Getter” comes from getta, “combine” in Japanese.) He needs three pilots who can withstand the strain of guiding these powerful machines: thuggish martial artist Ryoma, screeching fanatic Hayato and none-too-bright monk Benkei. Except for a few bits of CG, New Getter Robo looks no better than the original series did more than 30 years ago. The blood-soaked fights may excite adolescents, but many recent mecha shows offer more coherent story-telling, more likeable characters, and more skillfully directed battles. (Rated 16 and older: graphic violence, grotesque imagery, profanity, brief nudity, sexual and gross humor, tobacco use) –Charles Solomon