Overview

Across the ocean, on the tiny island kingdom of Barou, something wakes an ancient god; Neo Ranga, from his slumber. He is drawn to Tokyo, and nothing's going to stop him as he searches for Minami, Ushio and Yuuhi, three beautiful sisters who are unwittingly linked to him. But instead of rolling out the red carpet, the military rolls out the weaponry, and things start to get nasty. As Neo Ranga goes on his rough-and-tumble, crush-and-crumble romp through the city, the mystery grows. Is he a vehicle for corruption, or is he simply uncovering what already dwells within the city? Is he a messenger with a warning for humankind, or just a big boy out for a good time? Can Ranga defeat the military's fully-loaded ACE robot and the power-mad pilot who's out to blast him to bits?

On the surface, it's all fun, games and greed. But things are not as simple as they seem. While everyone is having fun and making money, criminal forces are working behind the scenes. As corruption runs rampant, the conflict grows. Sinister forces awaken another old god, all plans for fun fall to the wayside. Meanwhile, anti-Ranga sentiment is on the rise. In Tokyo, ugly rumors have started to spread that Neo Ranga is no god, but a devil! With the National Defense Force and the U.S. Army standing by, will the girls be able to convince the people that Neo Ranga is truly good? Will they show themselves to be true kings?

On the fringes, Neo Ranga's enemies continue their attacks, waging war both in the streets and in the minds of people. Spreading lies, kidnapping loved ones, resurrecting new gods - nothing is off limits when the stakes are this high. But nothing thus far has prepared the sisters for the biggest shock of all&emdash;the mystifying return of their long-lost brother, Masaru. Is it really him...or something taking advantage of their greatest weakness?

New rampages and resurrections bring forth the most difficult enemy yet-the god Ibuki. Overwhelming Neo Ranga with an awesome display of power, this new foe leaves him for dead in the snowy wastes of northern Japan. Neo Ranga lives, but barely. Strange beings descend upon the Earth bearing a message: finish Neo Ranga off or face annihilation.

Review

Alright so now that I've managed to summarize [poorly] a truly unique and massive TV show, it did go two seasons (not common over in Japan). It's about these three sisters who can control a massive plant/animal robot god with a Godzilla tail who has some really cool powers such as manipulating time. He kind of looks like the 'Garthim' insect creatures from the Dark Crystal and the Invid from Robotech Masters.

Now to drop a few ideas on you to be intrigued by, the three sisters had a brother who one day mysteriously disappeared out in the ocean. Then there is a secret society that wants to regain control of Japan called the Kyoshin Ki - who are worshippers of the "empty gods", very similar to the Gasara worshippers in Gasaraki. These Kyoshin are the same as Neo Ranga, except that Ranga has an Asura inside him. An Asura is an advanced perfect human being who is transcended from the universal overlord 'Tau'. Tau had given the asura back in ancient times the power to rule the world under his name until Ranga showed up of course. I don't want to give away much more but the shows pretty sophisticated in the bizarro department.

When we get back down to Earth in the show, it takes the giant monster "thing" into new avenues, such as the Yakuza taking advantage of the chaos Ranga's presence produces in Tokyo. The sisters start selling Ranga cookies to the public for extra cash. Fighting breaks out against the Americans because of height limitations.

The show is really about the trials and tribulations of being in charge of something greater than yourself - like a big freakin monster with heat rays, plasma bolts and a Vine sword from its chest! Overall the shows pretty funny too. Anyone who liked Gasaraki, I think would definitely enjoy it.

Review by David Marini
www.everythingevangelion.com