OK, I know there's a recent version of Appleseed that came to theaters in January and it contained a mix of CG and traditional cell-animation. I also know that there's a 1988 version, which I assume didn't have CG.

Now I'm normally not an anime fan, but this new version looks damn cool. And I'm seriously consider getting it when it hits DVD in May. Now then, how is the original '88 version? Would it be worth picking up that one as well?

And is there anything I should know about either version as far as solidity of story, grandiness of animation, etc?

The Appleseed OVA (Original Animation Video) from 1988 is mediocre, probably the worst anime adaptation of a Masamune Shirow manga (the others being Ghost in the Shell, Dominion, and Black Magic M-66). I saw it soon after it was released in Japan, and even by late '80s anime standards, the animation was poor. Best thing about the '88 version is the box art.

The new movie is much better, but it doesn't look like a typical anime feature. The animation resembles a pre-rendered cut-scene in a video game, albeit a really good pre-rendered cut-scene. Everything is 3-D, including the characters - there's no cel-based 2D animation in the movie. The main problem is the story, which seems pretty generic nowadays (how many stories have we had about artificial people who want to coexist with humans?). It is worth watching for the animation, however, which is currently unlike any other anime feature.

Thanks. With regards to the 2D animation, I thought I read somewhere that there was still a bit of old-fashioned cell animation, but I guess not. But that's good though...I actually prefer 3D animation. I enjoyed the MTV Spider-Man show emensely. And this new Appleseed version looks like my cup of tea, despite the lack of original story.

However, you convinced me and saved me the $10 or so the original is selling for.

I happen to have the R2 Appleseed dvd (no English subtitles but I can understand Japanese).

Jenkins is right when he says the story is quite generic. What is extraordinary are the action scenes. Though the movements of the characters are realistic, the characters themselves have retained the old-fashioned anime/manga features (such as big eyes, small noses, endless legs on women).

But watch the first 10 mins of this movie because it will blow you away...

The RightStuf has a video clip of the original OVA. The animation looks mediocre.

http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/cat...em/44874/4/0/0

Yeah, you're right. Pretty much mediocre animation. Traditional animation just can't do realistic explosions and gun fire. As much as CGI gets loathed by animation purists, I really prefer CG animated animation just for the realistic look it gives to certain things. The 3D aspect of it, I think, just adds that sense of depth and realism that old 2D stuff lacks.