"Uncontrollable corruption and destruction threatens life in Mega Tokyo in this 3-part cyber-fi series based on the original comic by artist Tony Takezaki. AD Police is a companion to the popular fan classic Bubblegum Crisis and shares many characters with the comic strip."
"Mega Tokyo:2027 AD. Mankind's relentless march towards progress has resulted in the ceation of artificially intelligent cyborgs known as oomers - to do the jobs people don't want to do anymore. But in time the Voomers begin to lose control, carrying out senseless and destructive rampages. As the death toll mounts, it becomes clear that the standard police can't deal with these ultra violent, inhumanly strong creatures and The Advanced Police are brought in."
Director: Ikegami Takamasa Screenplay: Noboru Aikawa Copyright: Artmic/Youmex/Bandai First release: Language Format: English Language Running time: 26/28/27 mins Certificate: 18/18/18 Label: Manga Video Catalogue no: MANV 1061/MANV 1066/MANV 1068 Price: £6.99 each Release Date: 5th Dec 1994/9th Jan/Feb 1995 Compilation version: Language Format: English Language Running time: 81 mins Certificate: 18 Label: Manga Video Catalogue no: MANV 1137 Price: £12.99 Release Date: 4th March 1996
MV have done there best to confuse us with ADP, by using the fact that this is a spin off from Bubblegum Crisis to promote it, but changing the names of characters so that it no longer fits! The setting is Mega Tokyo before the creation of the Knight Sabers, with only the AD Police around to deal with renegade boomers. The stories centre around a young Leon McNichol, the only character here that appears in BGC.
Episode one owes a lot to Bladerunner; many of the scenes are almost directly copied from the movie, although the overall plot is original. MV have spiced up the dialogue as usual, with Genna Malt making more than just the one pass at Leon in this version. Episode two is more faithful, though only because the sexual innuendo was present in the original this time. [Jonathan Weeks]
I was impressed with the first two episodes of this three part series: grim, hi-tech... just like Bladerunner, really. In fact, the writers were obviously so taken with Ridley Scott's masterpiece, they based the first story on it and, to a lesser extent, the whole series, which, on the most basic level are stories of renegade androids and the special police unit, the Advanced Police, detailed to terminate them.
This little number thinks it leans in the Robocop direction, and superficially it does, with its mechanical law enforcer with human brain. If we peel away a few layers, though, we find Frankenstein, or The Human Prometheus. The doctor meant well, the creation wasn't supposed to end up a paranoid homicidal lunatic, the supporting cast only turned up to get turned to mush, and the love was unrequited.
This isn't a straight piece of plagiarism, however; it's an original work that isn't afraid to pay homage to its forebears. Its a shame it isn't confident enough not to throw in the gratuitous semi-nudity in flimsy lingerie, which jars somewhat with the equal opportunities message that everyone, regardless of their sex, can tote big guns and make big explosions. But that's not enough to stop me recommending you to get all three episodes and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! [Marlon A. Seton]