I just discovered "Armitage"
 

Well -

It looks like I stumbled on yet another series of anime that has caught my eye...! I was channel surfing yesterday afternoon and due to perfect timing and nothing else of interest being on, I had a chance to watch "Armitage - Dual Matrix" on Showtime.

Armitage - Dual Matrix

http://www.film.org.pl/images2/armitage_dual/3.jpg http://www.film.org.pl/images2/armitage_dual/8.jpg http://www.film.org.pl/images2/armitage_dual/2.jpg

I've been aware of the "Armitage" film series, but I've never seen any of it before - I must say that I was very impressed with the artwork, character design and the story as well. All of the elements that I look for in great anime.

I know that there is a series that preceeds the movies, nor is "Dual Matrix" the first film, but you take what you can get when you get it.... I would take a stab at a story review, but there is a pretty good one at the IMDB page for the film:

IMDB page for Dual Matrix

I think that the one thing that struck me was a plot where electronically enhanced people and androids as in "Ghost in the Shell" - it seems that this is a popular theme in anime circles.... It isn't exactly the same thing, yet it does seem very similar.

If you haven't seen it, take the time to check it out. I will have to seek out the other movies and the series as well.

Best,
Bryan

For some reason Blade Runner had a bigger impact over there than here. You can see that in animes like Bubblegum Crisis and Silent Moebius. You can see it effecting Ghost in the Shell and possibly this film.

I actually have Armitage...but I'm confused cause I don't recognize the scenes you posted. Maybe there is mre than one video?

Btw- on my version, Elizabeth Berkely is Armitage. And Kiefer Sutherland I think was the male lead.

:D

Tom -

You must have "Armitage III: Poly Matrix" - that is the first of the 2 "Armitage" films which was made in 1997. The one I saw was the second film, which was made in 2002. Here is the IMDB page for "Armitage III":

Armitage III: Poly Matrix IMDB profile

I added the first "Armitage" film (the one you have) to my Netflix rental queue - I'll get it when I've finished with "Blue Gender"....

Bryan