Baoh

Original Title: バオー来訪者
Romanized: Baou Raihousha
Literal: Baoh The Visitor

Plot Synopsis

An innocent young man, Ikuroo, has a parasite known as Baoh implanted in his brain by an evil organization, Doress. The parasite makes him nearly immortal and gives him the ability to transform into a really powerful beastie when he's in trouble. Doress intends to use him in some sort of ploy for financial success, world domination, or something along those lines, but while they're moving him around a young psychic girl, Sumire (who's also being held by the organization), sets him free and the two escape together. Of course, Dr. Kasuminome is the mad scientist behind the whole thing, and he isn't about to let his test subject get away... and he has everything from superpowered lackeys to a small army at his disposal.

Review

Rating: 3 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2005-01-23

Baoh certainly doesn't cover any new ground--yet another "kid imbued with incredible powers by the secret organization that now wants to kill him" story--but it travels the bloody old road with a fair amount of style.

First, let's establish that Baoh definitely fits into the super-gory action flick category--it has more than its share of sectioned bodies and melting scientists. Fortunately, though the action is first and foremost (and plentiful), it stands out a bit from most splatterfest flicks because Baoh's host and their companion are fairly likable characters. You get the feeling that if this series were to continue for a while, they might even get interesting (probably because this story is based on a manga series where they did).

The story, on the other hand, leaves something to be desired (though there are some decent hints at backstory), and the whole thing feels kind of rushed. Adding to that, several parts of the plot have almost no explanation or followup whatsoever--the mysterious organization is never detailed, the "world's most powerful psychic" just shows up out of nowhere, and a lot of it feels like setup for a continuing series (and it is, in the sense that there's too much info from the comic the story is based on). In any case, the plot is pretty unsatisfying as a whole.

On the bright side, there are several really cheesy touches that don't do much for the seriousness of the story, but do make it more fun. For example, everybody likes to either explain what super-ability they're about to use or (the old classic) yell out whatever special move they're using. Of course, Baoh can't talk, so there are convenient labels (with great names like "BAOH SHOOTING BEES-STINGERS PHENOMENON" and "BAOH LISKINI HARDEN SABER PHENOMENON") at the bottom of the screen. On that note, I also enjoyed watching the big bad psychic spend the last 10 minutes of the movie walking around with a large piece of metal sticking out of his head.

The art in Baoh is generally well done, detailed, and despite the otherwise 80s-era style has a sort of... shiny look to it, for whatever that's worth. The character designs are fairly appealing and relatively distinctive, and the design of Baoh's fighting form is rather nice, too. The animation is also quite good, and the action is both plentiful and well animated. Heavy on the gore, of course, but depending on your preference, that could be a good thing.

As for the acting, I can't speak for the Japanese dialogue, but the dub isn't anything to write home about--the two primaries (Brian Hinnant as Ikuroo and Kem Helms as Sumire) turn in decent performances, but some of the bad guys (particularly the cannon-fodder) are abysmal. Sara Seidma is pretty good as Sophine (the bad lady), though.

Overall, I'd say that Baoh is certainly worth at least a look if you enjoy gory action flicks, but if you prefer more cerebral parasite-in-the-brain stories (pun intended), this isn't going to do it for you.

Related Recommendations

The Guyver is an obvious similar series (Baoh even looks a bit like the Guyver). It also has quite a bit in common with Battle Royal High School, as well as Genocyber (though Baoh is much less morbid).

US DVD Review

AnimEigo's hybrid DVD throws in a cel art gallery as a bonus.

Content Guide

Nothing objectionable but very graphic violence, but that's enough to put it in the 16-up category.

Violence: 4 - Gratuitous violence.

Nudity: 0 - Zip.

Sex/Mature Themes: 0 - None.

Language: 1 - Nothing noteworthy.

Notes and Trivia

Based on a comic book by Araki Hirohiko, which after seeing the animated version, I had a passing desire to read. As always, Animeigo's extensive liner notes can be found at their website.

Availability

Available on hybrid DVD, as well as now long out of print subtitled and dubbed VHS and even bilingual LD.

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