I've mentioned in the past that the fansub groups working on back catalog shows aren't all that distinct. They're more like an interlocking keiretsu than distinct teams. Orphan, Saizen, Soldado, Live-eviL, and others all share staff. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in Saizen's recent release of the 1988 OVA Watt Poe to Bokura no Ohanashi (The Legend of Watt Poe). The project leader, Ayanami-, is part of Saizen, so it's a Saizen release, but the staff comes from across the keiretsu:
Watt Poe is a very old-school fantasy set in a post-apocalyptic world. Struggling villagers at the base of a mountain live in fear of the "Birdos", flying armored creatures that live at the top of the mountain. The Birdos have kidnapped a magical narwhal named Watt Poe, whom the villagers worship as a god, and now the villagers' sources of food are drying up. Intrepid youngster Jam decides to climb the mountain and release Watt Poe. He finds the Birdos are actually technologically advanced humans, but their society is dying out. He teams up with the only Birdos child born in the last twenty years, a girl named Selene, to free Watt Poe and prevent a war between the villagers and the Birdos. As Ayanami- wrote, "This is what happens when Free Willy and Lassie join forces in a Japanese anime." And as every old-school Hollywood actor knew, the dog steals the show.
The voice cast includes:
It was fun, and not too demanding, to work on an "all ages" OVA, and I always like to build up chits I can call in later (heh heh). If you haven't watched Watt Poe yet, then you can find it on the usual torrent site or on IRC bot Saizen|Arutha in channels #nibl or #news on irc.rizon.net
- Translation - Ayanami- (Saizen)
- Timing - ninjacloud (Orphan and Saizen)
- Editing - Collectr (Orphan)
- QC - Kuro Nemesis (Orphan), BeeBee (Orphan and Saizen), sangofe (Saizen)
- Encoding - tyroz (Anime Fanrips)
- Raw Acquisition and ripping - Intrepid raw hunter (Orphan)
Watt Poe is a very old-school fantasy set in a post-apocalyptic world. Struggling villagers at the base of a mountain live in fear of the "Birdos", flying armored creatures that live at the top of the mountain. The Birdos have kidnapped a magical narwhal named Watt Poe, whom the villagers worship as a god, and now the villagers' sources of food are drying up. Intrepid youngster Jam decides to climb the mountain and release Watt Poe. He finds the Birdos are actually technologically advanced humans, but their society is dying out. He teams up with the only Birdos child born in the last twenty years, a girl named Selene, to free Watt Poe and prevent a war between the villagers and the Birdos. As Ayanami- wrote, "This is what happens when Free Willy and Lassie join forces in a Japanese anime." And as every old-school Hollywood actor knew, the dog steals the show.
The voice cast includes:
- Fujita Toshiko (Jam) played the title roles in the Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken properties, Fujiko Fujio no Kiteretsu Daihyakka, Ikkyuu-san, Tomcat's Big Adventure, and Ganbare Genki. She starred as Rui in Cat's Eye and Ryoko in Goku: Midnight Eye. She also played Lulu in Grimm Douwa: Kin no Tori, Takao in Oedo wa Nemurenai!, Cyborg 1019 in Oz, Gordon in Hitomi no Naka no Shounen: 15 Shounen Hyouryuuki, Sharaku in Akuma Tou no Prince: Mitsume ga Tooru, and Princess Iron Fan in Tezuka Osamu Monogatari: I Am Son Goku, all Orphan releases.
- Hara Eriko (Selene) played Patty in the Gall Force properties, Fana in Gldeen, Hiyami Hikaru in the Kimagure Orange Road properties, and Pyonkichi in the Soreike! Anpanman franchise. She starred as Ranze in Tokimeki Tonight and appeared in Fukuyama Gekijou - Natsu no Himitsu, both Orphan releases.
- Kawashima Chiyoko (Eva, a villager) played Okiyo in Haguregumo, Fujiko (Yawara's best friend in college) in Yawara!, and Ikou in Greed, an Orphan release.
- Yara Yuusaku (Regio, a villager) played the destroyer captain in Zipang. He had many featured roles, appearing in Eguchi Hisashi no Kotobuki Gorou Show, Next Senki Ehrgeiz, Eien no Filena, Hidamari no Ki, Nozomi Witches, both Sangokushi OVAs, Prime Rose, and both What's Michael? OVAs, all Orphan releases.
- Utsumi Kenji (Village chief) is best known for his roles as Roah in Fist of the North Star, Kaioh in Fist of the North Star 2, and Senbei Norimaki in the Dr. Slump and Arale-chan franchise. He appeared in Bavi Stock and 15 Shounen Hyouruuki, both Orphan releases.
- Miyauchi Kouhei (Birdos mayor) usually played elderly men or authority figures. He appeared in many Orphan releases, including the first two Sangokushi movies, Condition Green (Jack Goldman), Grimm Douwa: Kin no Tori (King Kaiser), Nozomi Witches (Eddie), Stop!! Hibari-kun (Kogorou Shirachi), Tsuki ga Noboru made ni (Grandfather), A Penguin's Memories (the judge), and Techno Police 21C (Brigadier Hamilton). He had a recurring role as Kame Sennin in the Dragon Ball franchise.
It was fun, and not too demanding, to work on an "all ages" OVA, and I always like to build up chits I can call in later (heh heh). If you haven't watched Watt Poe yet, then you can find it on the usual torrent site or on IRC bot Saizen|Arutha in channels #nibl or #news on irc.rizon.net
