
Boomer Baby
Bubblegum Crisis (Baburugamu kuraishisu) (1987): 7 out of 10: Hot chicks, giant robots, and evil corporations fill every frame of Bubblegum Crisis, as do some catchy Eighties tunes.

Bubblegum Crisis, much like Akira, Macross, or A.D. Police Files is one of those anime that separates the thirty-something anime fans from this year’s crop of snot-nosed wannabees. When you think about Japanese cartoons, do you think of Pokemon or shower scenes? Do you think irritating children or kick-ass adults? Do your favorite plots involve the little kids defeating the big evil corporation or adults facing economic hardship and self-sacrifice? Bubblegum crisis is an anime of the latter.

As I settle into my damn kids today’s voice and distaste for every over-hyped, rapidly cut, seizure-inducing, saccharine piece of crap that passes for entertainment these days. (I’m looking your way Cartoon Network). I can sit back and watch full-grown woman destroy some boomers (and half of Tokyo) and reminisce about my childhood when cartoon characters swore and a gratuitous nude scene followed every battle.

Is Bubblegum Crisis as good as I remember it? No. Bubblegum Crisis does not move seamlessly from one episode to another and the episodes certainly can vary in quality. Some dubbing is dubious and the live-action music videos in the extras are painful.
Does it both allow me to relive my childhood and look down upon kids today? You betcha.
The episodes are not supposed to be connected well. They are chronicles. They occur at different times. That’s why an entire future world and geography was created in painstaking detail.
I have no doubt you are correct. I do wish they had done more episodes with the world they created and found a way to flesh out the characters and connections between them.