Oldtaku no Radio #009 – R.O.D. (2001) OVA

Produced waaaaaaay back in 2001, R.O.D. (Read or Die),
directed by Koji Masunari, revolves around special agent
Yomiko Readman (a.k.a. “The Paper”) and her allies at the British
Library as they try to obtain and protect a book that, in the
wrong hands, could lead to the end of all human life on
Earth. This OVA is, despite only being sixteen years old, a
classic among classics…but why? Is it the pulpy presentation
of the protagonists’ (and antagonists’) superpowers? the magical
realism of their daring-do? the dreaded pirate moé? Listen to
Jared and Ink as they banter about and stumble upon what makes
this bookworm’s tale-turned-spy thriller so impactful.


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Runtime: 1 hr, 17 min
Show Notes Opening Song: “Through the Glass” by Kaz
Mirblouk 00:50 – /Corny Sketch & Intros. 01:30 – An
Oldtaku no Radio first: real nostalgia? (The feels!) 02:30 –
How our memories failed us. (Forgotten undertones &
scenes.) 04:22 – Ink mispronounces endear as “endow.” 05:10 –
Plot(-holed) fluidity and devices. 09:40 – Plot structure.
14:08 – Someone steps on Jared’s tail. 15:25 – Pulpy aspects. 15:54
– Ink mispronounces trumpet as “sax.” 17:56 – Animation,
character/mechanical design quality. 24:22 – Is Agent Paper a
protagonist with which current audiences can sympathize? 26:58 –
Proto-moé? (Girls with bandages are ADORBS.) 32:45 – SPOILERS!
“Hand-wavy bullsh*t” Defining powers via animation as opposed to
over-explanation Anti-climactic villains and clumsily constructed
allies. Too distracting/charming for analysis?! Nomenclature rant.
Problematic transitions. Hooray for older characters! (Classrooms
be damned.) Movin’ pictures r purty (and gritty). Disparity of
capability as interest investment. 61:40 – Twitter questions.
Ending Song: “Money 1973” by NO FUTURE Trivia: Before
its reboot, the Ani-Gamers podcast used a cut from the R.O.D.
theme as its intro. Twitter: Ani-Gamers, Oldtaku no
Radio, Ink, Jared Ink also writes for Otaku USA
Magazine and The Fandom Post. Jared also writes for The
Electrum Edition and Wave Motion Cannon.