You're Under Arrest! (OVA)

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You're Under Arrest! (OVA)

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Synopsis:
After comitting traffic violations and showing up late on her first day on the job, Officer Tsujimoto Natsumi is partnered up with Officer Kobayakawa Miyuki in the Traffic Section of Bokuto Precinct, Tokyo Police Department. Various misadventures ensue.

Story: 7/10
The story is what really hurts an otherwise excellent OVA. About a year elapses over the course of four episodes; this is evident because of the change in uniforms. Use this for reference. Obviously, the pacing is very bad, so You're Under Arrest! has one flaw in common with the Oh! My Goddess OVA.

What is good about the OVA's story, like the TV series that continues it, is the "slice-of-life" storytelling. As I said in my review of the first two seasons of the TV series, the characters behave in real life in that they have a problem present itself, the problem gets solved, then a new one presents itself. Unlike other anime, the characters are not "bound" by a plot that they must abide to.

Also, the characters seem to face everyday problems, particularly in OVAs 3 and 4. Parts 1 and 2 dealt more with actual crimes whereas 3 and 4 were dedicated to the characters' personal lives. Therein is another good thing that the OVA has that continues in future YUA! anime: the fact that despite YUA! being a police-related anime, crimes are actually pretty rare occurances, thus giving the viewer more time to focus on the characters.

Animation: 10/10
Without a doubt, You're Under Arrest! is one of the most well-animated OVAs I've ever seen, if the most well-animated.

First, the characters are all designed by Fujishima Kousuke of Oh! My Goddess fame, although the YUA! manga actually preceded OMG. Naturally, all the women look attractive, particularly the beautiful Kobayakawa Miyuki. The OVA has the best artwork among the YUA! anime; it is the most detailed and is the closest to the manga that the anime ever gets.

What is another good part of the animation is the car sequences. Miyuki's modified Honda Today and all the other cars are drawn with a very meticulous attention to detail, and they all look fantastic in motion. The chase scenes actually put to shame eX-Driver, which is a newer anime and a really good-looking one at that. What I really like is more than flashy effects, the director made a very good use of camera angles which actually made me feel like I was somehow involved in the chase, thereby creating a greater sense of danger and excitement.

The fact that the OVA's animation is so good also creates a shock when the viewer ends the OVA and goes on to the first TV season.

Sound: 9/10
As always, Fujishima anime have authentic sound effects for the cars. The Today has its high-pitched whine like it should.

The music was also good. A lot of the tunes do get carried over to the two TV seasons. One tune that I really liked that made its appearance in the OVA and maybe a couple episodes of the first season was the chase music. For the chases, the music is a very jazzy sort, and it fits the scene perfectly.

The voice-acting is quite good too. As always, I am most impressed with Shimada Bin (Nakajima Ken) and Tamagawa Sakiko (Tsujimoto Natsumi).

Characters: 8/10
Again, due to the short length, the characters really do not get much in the way of development, but the viewer does get to learn the basics of all. Miyuki is the shy, but intelligent mechanic wiz whereas Natsumi is a more boisterous, strong, outgoing sort.

Other than the two leads, the viewer meets Nakajima Ken, Bokuto's best motorcycle officer. Despite being as good as he is, Ken is extremely shy around Miyuki, whom with he is madly in love. Also, the viewer meets Nikaidou Yoriko, a dispatcher who is an incorrigible gossip. We never really know to much of either, especially Yoriko, until the TV series.

Overall: 9/10
This OVA, had it stood alone would have been very weak. Fortunately, it has a TV series to continue the story and develop the characters. Although the story and characters fall a tad short, You're Under Arrest! more than makes up for it with the great animation and music. It is a treat for the eyes and ears like very few anime could really do well.