Campus Special Investigator Hikaruon - 1987

Campus Special Investigator Hikaruon is an attractive 30 minute OVA from 1987. It is the second entry into an OVA series by the Pink Noise team of staff, following up the highly unique, romantic horror title called Call Me Tonight. The signature touch for all their productions were unique self contained OVA's that accompanied a certain degree of fan service. Hikaruon keeps this element nicely in tact but with a completly different style of story from the last.

This OVA is a parody/tribute to the popular sentai genre of Japan from the early to mid 80's. Sentai is basically a show which features a person who transforms into a superhero to save the day. This show is also part of the sub genre Metal Hero which features a hero that uses a metallic metal suit. These shows are primarily about stylish combat moves and over the top fighting sequences, parrelled by loud voice commands. Many outside of Japan will recognise the once popular English adaptations of the live action sentai genre, brought over and produced by Saban in the the US during the mid 90's. These included shows like Power Rangers and VR Troopers.

Campus Special Investigator Hikaruon remains true to it's roots, even though the show only has 1 episode, the animators felt dedicated enough to animate a complete intro to really capture the style of the metal hero shows that were popular back in the 80's when they were still being regularly broadcasted. It's a flashy sequence that introduces our two main characters, Hikaru and Adzumi. Hikaru is the confident yet slightly hot headed male lead who transforms into the powerful Hikaruon, using his special suit to combat the forces of evil. While partner Adzumi seeminly does more of the detective side of work, uncovering complex mysteries and pulling together clues and events. She is the older yet highly attractive and sophisticated female companion who compliments Hikaru perfectly. It's the standard combination of braun and brains but it's finely crafted and well excuted with style.

As to be expected from the Pink Noise team, the character designs have that gorgeous, rough yet utterly cute look to them. All the characters have the typical big puppy dog eyes that makes all the females in particular, so appealing to look at. The larger eyes help display the characters emotions better, a signature feature that other countries sadly neglected back then and still do now to quite some degree. At least this helps define Japanese anime as a unique art form with it's own characteristics and styles.

Anyway focusing back on the show, the plot doesn't really do anything out of the oridinary but it's all put together solidly with conviction. There's lots of flashy posing, fast chase sequences and raunchy yet harmless fan service to keep the viewers happy. There's also some truly noteable background art, especially in the 'other dimension' sequences, with the kind of weird and wonderful look that made the classic Angel's Egg so endearing to gaze at.

So if the show's content is only above average then what makes it so enjoyable? Quite simply the combination of style with cute, detailed animation makes this title an entertaining watch. The mystery plays out in a fairly standard form but i do give it kudos for keeping you guessing. I also like the fact that the fight sequences are not drawn, they are quick, flashy and straight to the point. There is no messing about with characters, like in other shows, for instance taking up to 10 minutes for one single character to just powerup. I'm constantly amazed at how entertaining these short OVA's are when they have so little time to fit it all in.

Remember just because a show might border on the shallow side, shouldn't mean it's automatically qualifies as a poor quality show. It's the likes of Dirty Pair and Bubblegum Crisis that have taught fandom in the past that style can triumph and making it the primary basis for the show, it can still succeed in capturing it's audience. That's not to disregard the importance of content but to reitterate that visuals are just as important, if not more so at times than the actual content. Anime is a visual based medium and therefore the importance of the visuals should not be disregarded.

In conclusion if your looking for a short OVA with lots of style and a hint of parody, then Campus Special Investigator Hikaruon should be watched as soon as possible, especially if you have a fondness for sentai or the action genre in general, although the mystery element in the show means it's not a complete neccesity for appreciating this gem.

Download - Campus Special Investigator Hikaruon

Overall Grade/Rating: B+
Commercial Availability: VHS (Japan), Laserdisc (Japan)