In the wake of an electric (literally) opening scene and a theme song with a driving bass line and jazzy overtones, one can tell right away that the Read or Die OVA series will not be lacking in Sweet Sweet Candy (TM). This three-parter starts with a bang - the villainry opening the show with an attack on the White House. (I wonder if there's supposed to be some kind of subliminal message there. Hmmmm.) Add to this silliness the fact that one character is fanservice incarnate, and one might start to think that this OVA is a throwaway.

But it's not. The sole reason is the main character, Miss Yomiko Readman, a.k.a. "The Paper." She gives a whole new meaning to obsession with her love of books. She doesn't eat. She forgets to pay rent. And the very first place she goes when we see her is Jinbo-cho, a paradise of bookstores, all of whom know her face very well. Even though her day job is buying and reading books, she also works for the British Library's Special Operations, Section A. She is tasked in this OVA to use her ability to turn pieces of paper into weapons, in order to put down an uprising of clones of past geniuses that have suddenly gained special powers and want to cleanse the world of filthy humans. (I am not making this up.)

Miss Readman in action. Now we know how the British Government recycles its waste paper.	He's grinning because the girls are hotter on the evil side.

Perhaps this series works precisely because it shouldn't. The premise is outlandish to the point of absurdity, but it has Yomiko, the calming factor and comic relief. She could really care less about saving humanity; she's just trying to read the book she bought - Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved" letters - in peace. And she'll stop at nothing to get it back when the Supervillain Sidekicks keep robbing her of it.

Read or Die really delivers in the audio-visual arena. The visuals are indicative of an OVA budget: nice round lines, smooth motion, and flashy digital effects. The series is fast-paced and action-oriented, so expect plenty of explosions and demolition. The villains' drawings supplement their comical super-powers. The good guys all look pretty normal in contrast: English persons in suits, a commando named Drake, and Miss Readman in modest office clothing.

The aural experience of the series is delivered in full 5.1 surround. The music was done by Mr. Taku Iwasaki (Now and Then, Here and There; Rurouni Kenshin OVAs), and has some similarity to his previous works. Iwasaki's music works indirectly, focusing on creating an ambience instead of jumping out at you. He breaks away from the norm a bit when it comes to the R.O.D theme song - a rockin' jazzy piece that commands attention. It plays at the beginning of each episode to get the audience psyched, and it does its job well.

Read or Die is fun and exciting, but not deep. Anybody looking for a popcorn feature ought to give this three-parter a try. It has a good mix of comic book action and ordinary relationship dialogue, and the great music and animation make it a real treat. I like.

Distributor: Manga Entertainment
Creator: Hideyuki Kurata / Studio DEEN
Released: 2002

Plot: A
Character Design: B+
Animation Quality: A-
Music: A-
Overall: A