Watching The Humanoid is like pulling out a iconic curio from a time capsule from the 1980s. Its lead character, Antoinette, is based off of Hajime Sorayama‘s popular gynoid art designs. If ever you’ve seen a Trapper Keeper or Aerosmith album cover, you’ve probably seen his work.
Unfortunately, the plot of this 1986 OVA doesn’t contain much substance beyond the exploits of the robot’s familiar design. A long time from now, in a planet far far away, the royal refugees of a war-torn planet have made a new home for themselves on a lush, primitive planet.
However, some villainous douchebag within the empire seeks to exploit powerful ancient secrets left behind by a lost native civilization to–bum bum BUM–seize the throne and rule the new world.
Wouldn’t you know it: At the same time, our heroes’ cargo ship crash lands on the planet and unravel this sinister plot. Our heroes include such deep, three-dimensional characters as Eric (“the dude”), Dr. Watson (“the scientist”), Sheri (“the daughter”), Alan (“the black guy” or possibly “Lando”), and of course his newest creation: Antoinette (“the robot chick from the video cover, which is why you bought it, possibly mistaking it for SilverHawks“).
As this crew of clichés searches around for means to repair their ship, the robot Antoinette learns about what it means to be human, including our most mystical of emotions, love. The target of her growing affection is Eric, whose engagement with the scientist’s daughter, Sheri she covets; thankfully without murderous ambition. Had this anime drawn farther than a one-shot OVA, it could have easily become just another “Homeboy Gon’ Fuck The Robot”.
It’s no spoiler that Antoinette is not only the key to unraveling the villain’s dastardly scheme, but also is his undoing. The strength of both her robotic body combined with her suddenly-developed womanly heart allow her to bear the deadly energies unleashed by the ancient power, thus saving her love Eric, the Empire, and the world.
There are few redeeming qualities to this anime that would make it worth watching. If you were born after 1985, this anime will likely mean nothing to you. The animation is poor. The plot is hackneyed. And there isn’t even any fanservice for otaku in search of some fembot wank fuel.
Haha, not even worth a podcast huh? I don’t blame you. Though I would add there is ONE slight redeeming quality to this anime that you completely left out, and that’s its love for coffee. I remember watching this last month and the only thing that even amused me was how this could have been a show funded by Folgers or Maxwell House. I’m led to believe that somewhere in the far off space future, coffee is as valuable a commodity as oil or gold.
Also I believe I figured out the difference between the two “notify me” options below. The first one is for ALL follow-up comments and the second is only for replies to your own comment. Might want to clarify that. ;)
Haha, not even worth a podcast huh? I don’t blame you.
Pretty much… Sometimes Kevin or I will watch a show that’s either too good or too bland to draw any podcast material. But sometimes there’s just enough worth mentioning that I can address the show briefly in written form.
[...] Might want to clarify that. ;)
It’s on the to-do list, believe me… Though if you have an account with the site, there’s no redundant tick box if you reply to a comment while logged in.
Sorayama was also mentioned and payed homage to in an episode of The Venture Bros where its a flashback epiosde to Rusty Venture’s college days, and the “Leslie Cohen” robots.