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There are so many panty shots, partial nudes, and sexual innuendo that every male (and some female) otaku will stand up and notice.

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DNA 2

Metamorphosis

Review by Matthew Anderson

12 Episode TV Series

Company: US Manga Corps

Running Time: 75 Min (3 episodes)

Region: all

Rating: PG-13 (Partial nudity, violence)

EXTERNAL EXAM

Karin is a DNA Operator from the future. She has arrived in present day Japan to alter the DNA of a boy named Junta, known in her time as the Mega Playboy. If she fails in her mission, Junta will impregnate 100 women, who will give birth to 100 sons, who will eventually impregnate 100 women. This "population bomb" has put a serious strain on the resources of future Earth.

Junta is anything but a Mega Playboy. He is geeky, not very bright, and vomits at the sight of half naked women. In fact, he can't even look at a book or a video with out blowing chunks. The only girl that seems to understand him is Ami, his childhood friend. She has a crush on this luckless looser, and he is totally unaware of it.

Junta's lack of suaveness puzzles Karin. However her data confirms that he is the Mega Playboy. So, she shoots him with a DNA Control Medicine bullet, and returns to her time pod. However, she is informed that she shot him with the wrong bullet. Her computer informs her that there is 150% chance that he is now the Mega Playboy.

Now, Karin must find a way to stop Junta from fulfilling his destiny. Problem is, Junta has no control over the "effect" and not even Karin is immune from his charms. The only one who seems to be immune is Ami. Can Karin find a way to use this to her advantage and get the two of them together?

DVD VISION TEST

VIDEO: As far as the transfer goes, it's free of pixels, rainbows, and digital garbage. No color bleeds either. The washed out look is due to the video source, and not the transfer.

AUDIO: Since the movie is mostly dialogue based, there is not a lot of need for surround sound. The English 2.0 is louder and fuller than the Japanese 2.0. The dialogue is center speaker based with the music and sfx from the sides.

What the Japanese lacks in power, it has in subtlety. You can make out the surround sound elements better than in the English 2.0, which is very aggressive.

EDITS: The only edit is the replacement of the Japanese episode titles with English text. No other edits.

EXTRAS: Kind of skimpy. There is a photo gallery, a very brief description about DNA, and an amusing feature called the "Mega Playboy Quiz". Depending on you answer, you are either a Mega Playboy, or something else.

The DVD ROM features include an art gallery, the original script, links, and cast and crew credits.

WIDESCREEN REVIEW

STORY: It's cute. Based off of the manga by Masakazu Katsura, its not a brilliant story, but it's an interesting take on the "romantic entanglement" scenario. I will be interested to see how the writers keep the "Mega Playboy" effect from becoming a "one trick pony".

ACTING: I enjoy both the English and Japanese dubs on this one. On the English side, Jessica Calvello is damn funny as Karin. She infuses the right amount of manic energy, but does not launch too far into "Excel Saga" zaniness. Liam O'Brien does a fine job as the horny, yet pukey Junta. I also think Rachael Lillis plays Ami with the right amount of sweetness, and tomboyness.

Keiichi Nanba is very funny as Junta, and is able to modulate his voice from a zany, oversexed, barfer to swave ladies man in a snap. Megumi Hayashibara fans will delight at her portrayal of the sweet yet playful Tomoko. Personally, she is better than Veronica Lake's (love those stage names) occasionally stuttered voice work.

FAN SERVICE: There is so much, both in panty/partial nudity category it would take a couple of days to list them all.

FINAL EXAM

Initially, I was not sure if I was going to like this series. While I enjoy "romantic comedies" like Tenchi Muyo and Ranma 1/2, you never know with these shows. However with it's 80's look (I know, it was made in 94), attractive looking characters, and a character that throws up, I had to check it out.

Well, if you like the aforementioned series, your gonna love this. Similar to the "gender bending" games from "Ranma 1/2", you have the main character (Junta) who changes when confronted by hot water, err, I mean hot women. You have three women, all hot for him, which he has no idea what to do with (unless he is the Mega Playboy). Sound familiar? Really, this is nothing new. Why it's considered a classic, I don't know. Since when did a character that pukes and a girl that looks like a knock off from Zeram constitute classic anime?

So, right now you may be thinking that I don't like this series. On the contrary. It's the acting, character design, and the abundance of "titillation" that really works it for me, not the plot.

With a comedy, you need people who can act. Since the visual comedy is handled by the animators, the actors have to find a way to enhance the characters action. Fortunately, on both the Japanese and English versions, this feat is accomplished, for the most part. While there are a couple that may not quite cut the mustard, I found myself laughing at Keiichi Nanba's portrayal of Junta, and chuckling at Jessica Cavello's ditzy, yet strong Karin.

The character designs are quite lovely. Those who love Video Girl Ai and Iria: Zeram the Animation will enjoy the looks of Karin, Tomoko, and even Ami. Sweet and sexy at the same time, you will wish that real girls would look as good.

As a fan boy, this series caters to my lustful mind. There are so many panty shots, partial nudes, and sexual innuendo that every male (and some female) otaku will stand up and notice. Even the opening, with it's long body pan of Karin, shows that this is a boys anime. In my opinion, DNA2 is just one step away from soft porn. The fact that there is no nudity and no sex is the only reason why it's not hentai. If DNA2 was hentai, it would be one of the funniest (most hentai is so serious).

Disc wise, CPM has done a fine job. The video and audio quality is quite nice. Unfortunately, the quality of the DVD shows the rather dated quality of the source print. The limited extras, while entertaining, are not quite on par with other CPM releases.

All in all, I enjoy DNA. Despite it's recycled plot devices, it is an entertaining and funny series. While I may not rush out and buy the next one, I would not turn down a chance to see how it ends.

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