Figure 17

[Aydan]

Figure 17
(a.k.a. Figure 17 Tsubasa & Hikaru)

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Figure 17 Tsubasa & Hikaru, 13 episode (47 min each)


While transporting bio weapons, agent DD, member of an alien police force,
encounters problems with his ship and is forced to crash landing on the earth.
These bio weapons are extremely violent and dangerous live forms, which can
adapt themselves to a planet and destroy every living thing on that planet.
During the crash 5 of the 6 life forms escape and one was activated. Using a
Liberus suit, a liquid battle suit, agent DD tried to destroy the activated bio
weapon. During this battle the quit girl Tsubasa comes into contact with DD’s
extra Liberus suit. Because that Liberus suit was defective, Hikaru is born. She
is a complete copy of Tsubasa. Together Tsubasa & Hikaru can transform into
figure 17 and their help is enlisted to destroy the bio weapons.

Story
Rating: 8
The story is a bit hard to appreciate, mainly because it has a slow pace. The
show isn't just about destroying the bio weapons. The emotional development of
Tsubasa pays a big part. She is just 10 years old girl and the reactions to the
situations she faces might seem disappointing/irritating, but it is exactly how
the average person of her age would react. Tsubasa is quit and has low self
confidence, Hikaru is her exact copy and has very high self confidence. Hikaru
helping Tsubasa through her troubled times is also a big part of the show.

The science fiction part is there, but is overshadowed by the realistic feel of
the show. There are high-tech weapons but they could be real. A great plus is
that the scientific level doesn't stand still. The longer the bio weapons stay
alive the greater they adapt to there surrounding and the better their organic
weapons develop. To match this, the aliens also have to adapt/upgrade their
weapons. It's a sort of weapons race. This makes the battle sequences very real.
The bio weapons can't just be overpowered, you have to work around their
defences and only then can they be defeated. It takes strategic teamwork.

Animation
Rating: 9
The characters are all nicely made. All physics seem to be in order when it
comes down to walking, jumping, fighting, etc. This show is realistic mainly
because the animation is realistic. The alien weaponry is a great example,
although they are high tech, there practical. Don't go expecting very cool gear
or fancy looking weapon design, it's not there.

Music
Rating: 9
The music is very enjoyable and reflects the mood of the scenes well. The music
doesn't overwhelm the show, it just adds to the watching experience. For
instance in happy times there is a gentle melody in the background and in battle
sequences there is the thrilling action music that gets your adrenalin pumping.
The sound effects are well placed and realistic, especially in the battle
sequences.

Overall
Rating: 8
Overall the show is ok. While the action sequences are great, it takes long to
get there. The emotion development of Tsubasa is not something I really enjoyed
watching, although her actions are justified, human and real, I didn't find it
very entertaining. This is something that overshadows the show. On a more
positive note, I just loved how real this show is.

[sothis]

I second the notion of it being SLOW.

Each episode of Figure 17 is 45 minutes, and there probably is only 5 minutes of action in each one. Don't get me wrong, the action is badass! The monsters are rad, DD looks kickass... the fights are great.. but then you have to sit through 30 minutes of random character development. It would have been nice to only make the episode 20 minutes so you didn't have to sit through as much plodding stuff.

[Flimmeren]

This is interesting. Your gripes with this series were the exact same reason I immidiatly liked it. It takes its time to get to know the characters. We are not talking about any two dimensional characters - allthough all the focus is directed at Tsubasa. We do never really get under the skin on the aliens, but they represent really only a backdrop for Tsubasa as she grows. I am certain amateur psychologists would have a field time trying to analyze the character Tsubasa.

Hikaru is Tsubasas exact duplicated - but with opposite personality. This gives a nice touch to the "what if" aspect of the action.

Just as with "Kokoro Library", "Figure 17" is more about having patience - and just enjoy the ride - and perhaps even become a better person yourself along the way. This is your typical story driven anime. It has a contemplative approach that appeals very much to me. You will find its equal in stories like "Hoshi no Koe" and perhaps to a certain degree also "Quiet Country Cafë" and ... err... I forgot the name of that other series. oh well.

*shrugs* ... however, I realize this series is probably not everyones cup of tea.

i kind of lost interest after seeing 2 eps. haha, if you seen sailor moon, you know what i mean. why is that guy, dd such a weakling while a girl who is puny in comparison can whip some butt...anyone seen guyver? this is hell of alot better imo and it has nothing to do with kiddies being the heroin which is way off my taste :(

[Flimmeren]

I dont consider DD being a weakling, but it seems to exists a much stronger bond between Tsubasa and her liberus suit than it exists between DDs liberus suit.

If you pay attention you will see that even if the Liberus is living, sentinent metal, you do not see any communication between the operator and the Liberus itself except for the graphic symbols and diagrams.

However, Tsubasa has created a kind of person interface which is Hikaru. And Hikaru loves Tsubasa - and is fighting to protect her, while you dont see any such sentiments from DDs Liberu suit. So I believe you will find the real difference here.

This goes of course the other way as well - nobody is mourning whenever a "normal" Liberus suit is hit and destroyed, while everybody is very concerned about what is going to happen to Hikaru. This is perhaps a way of saying "Love gives strength", I dont know.

[Flimmeren]

Oh, and do answer your other comments - no, I havent seen any Sailor Moon eps ... I am afraid I'll turn even more gay than whenever I listen to ABBA tunes, however I've been watching "The Guyver" - both the series and the movie - and did really enjoy it. It was entertaining, cheesy, and screamed "B movie classic" long way.

But I dont think it would make any sense to compare Figure 17 with shows like the Guyver - other than to compare how the suits may work. And yes - there was certainly some kind of communication between the Guyver and the main character as well, but not really on the very deep level you'll find in Figure 17.

I believe Hikura is in a way an answer to a yearning from Tsubasas ... perhaps for a mother figure, perhaps for a true friend, perhaps for a sister, perhaps for something else. The guyver on the other hand was more like a testosteron boosted teenager on acid having fun in a porcelain store while saving the heroin. I didnt really find much of a hidden meaning with the guyver - at least not the way you'll find in Figure 17.

[KiraRin]

Please be gentle, I felt I had to review this after enjoying it so much ^^

At first glance, I thought Figure 17 was going to be the typical kind of dainty, magical girl show I usually enjoy, but wouldn't admit publicly to. Halfway through the first episode, the show had taken a dark and manacing turn into something much more appealing to my tastes. With a good dash of blood spilling monster horror, heart warming friendship and a twist of sci-fi, I was left puzzling as to whom exactly was the target audience of Figure 17.

Walking into this show, and not expecting to be blown away, I can honestly say I was pleasantly suprised by how successfully all of the mismatched genres gelled together. The "magical girl" aspect is balanced perfectly with the character development and relationship between Tsubasa and Hikaru. The monster of the week was also evolved well by the writers, allowing the evil Maguar to learn from previous battles and the environment to become a tougher opponent. There is a plethora of twists and turns that will keep you tuning into the next episode to find out if the world is still in mortal peril or if Tsubasa's school presentation was successful.

All of the drama, action and excitement ends with a genuinely touching finale. The story is wrapped up succesfully, explaining why D.D. came to Earth, who the Maguar are and the invitably condemned love between the two girls leaving you feeling heavy hearted.

ANIMATION
8 / 10

Having been spoiled in recent years with the natural advances of animation techniques, I went into Figure 17 a little apprehensive that the 2002 animation style would look extremely dated. The wide-eyed innocence of the characters was not immediately likable, but matched the feel of the show perfectly. This was also the time that CG started to creep into the animated world, and I was prepared for the usual overuse of stylised mech and technology, but what was there was used sparingly. Sometimes, it required a double-take to see exactly where it was used. Overall, the story was beautifully visualised and the scenery exquisite.

SOUND
6 / 10

From the electronic opening, to the spunky and charged monster battles, I felt like I had been transported back to the early 90's. This is exactly the kind of thing I remember listening to on the tv when I was younger (think Ulysses 31, Jase and the Wheeled Warriors). It didn't quite fit with the feel of the show, and probably was the weakest part for me. The ED was a evocative harmonic melody that matched Tsubasa and Hikaru's relationship perfectly, and making me well up after the last episode.

For me, the "twins" had standout seiyuu. From the shy and coy Tsubasa, to the confident and compelling Hikaru, both were put across perfectly and allowed the viewer to sympathise with them both. D.D. and Ordina were enthusiastic, as were the rest of the cast, however they did not stand out for me as much as the two girls.

CHARACTERS
8 / 10

The strongest aspect of this show was the character development, making each 40 minute episode seem much shorter. Seeing how the two contrasting personalities of the girls helped the other grow and develop. There were times when it seemed to slip into the stereotypical kind of shoujo show, but the dialogue and emotion between Tsubasa and Hikaru soon shook the show up. The blurred line between friendship and sisterly love is complicated further when there is the threat of splitting up the two girls is brought to light. This is where the development throughout the show excels and Tsubasa has to find the strength to continue alone.

The school class is a scattering of stereotypical characters. From the strong male and female bullies, to the be-spectacled geek, the day dreamer and the possible love interest from the room next door. For all of their cliched faults, the class offer a strong supporting cast and an enjoyable break in each episode. Some of the characters seemed to be a little underused and not fully explained, such as Tsubasa's father. This is almost explained at the end, as the distance visible in the majority of the show is bridged between father and daughter in the conclusion.

OVERALL
7.5 / 10

Still sitting and pondering now as to who would enjoy this show, I would say a wide audience may enjoy different aspects, but a small handful would appreciate it in its entirity for all of its nuances. This is one of those lesser known gems that will not appeal to everyone. Although this show seems to be a jack of all genre's, and a master of none, I really enjoyed it and if just one person watches Figure 17 because of this review, my work here will be done.

[VivisQueen]

What a brilliant read, thank you very much! :) I keep thinking it might be something along the lines of Card Captor Sakura, judging by your review, and this makes me curious.

My only criticisms would be the overuse of 'the show' in the first and final paragraphs. You might as well just call she series by its name or use a shortened version like so: Still sitting and pondering now as to who would enjoy Figure 17... The resulting personification just reads more natural.

publically <--- publicly

[KiraRin]

Originally Posted by VivisQueen

What a brilliant read, thank you very much! :) I keep thinking it might be something along the lines of Card Captor Sakura, judging by your review, and this makes me curious.

My only criticisms would be the overuse of 'the show' in the first and final paragraphs. You might as well just call she series by its name or use a shortened version like so: Still sitting and pondering now as to who would enjoy Figure 17... The resulting personification just reads more natural.

publically <--- publicly

Thanks for the constructive criticism Vivi ^^

If the show is similar to anything, I would definitely say its like Alien Nine (which reminds me, I need to make the rec). There are certainly the shoujo aspects, moral life lessons and such, but it catalogues a huge range of different genres in the show that it would be difficult to pin it down to one.

I have also edited the review with your tips ^^

H.

[rockenroll4life]

*Thread merged with already existing Figure 17 thread*

~Rock