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.