Watch Battle Angel Alita

Battle Angel Alita is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukito Kishiro that first began serialization in 1990. The manga was later adapted into an original video animation (OVA) series in 1993, which was directed by Hiroshi Fukutomi and produced by Animate Film and Madhouse Studios. The OVA series consists of two episodes, each a roughly 25-minute long adaptation of the first two volumes of the manga.

The story revolves around Alita, a cyborg found in a scrapyard by a cybernetics doctor named Daisuke Ido. Ido takes the unconscious Alita to his clinic, where he restores her to full health. Upon awakening, Alita has no memory of her past and is given the name "Alita" by Ido.

Ido, who is also a bounty hunter, takes Alita under his wing and trains her in the art of combat. Alita discovers that she possesses incredible strength and agility, as well as a fighting style and knowledge she cannot explain. Impressed by her potential, Ido encourages Alita to become a bounty hunter herself, and she soon discovers a talent for taking down dangerous criminals.

As Alita begins to build her reputation as a bounty hunter, she also starts to uncover clues about her past life. The city she lives in, Tiphares, is heavily stratified with the wealthy living in a floating city above the poor. Alita discovers that she may have once been a citizen of Tiphares, and begins to unravel a complex web of political intrigue involving the city's ruling class, the Tiphareans.

Along the way, Alita forms relationships with various characters, including a street thug named Yugo and a fellow bounty hunter named Zapan. These relationships are tested as Alita navigates the dangerous world of bounty hunting and tries to uncover the secrets of her past.

The animation in Battle Angel Alita is notable for its fluidity and attention to detail. Each frame is meticulously crafted and the fight scenes are particularly well choreographed. The character designs are unique and memorable, with Alita's trademark "doll face" becoming iconic in the annals of anime history.

The series boasts a strong cast of voice actors as well. Miki Itō delivers an incredibly nuanced performance as Alita, imbuing the character with an infectious sense of curiosity and determination. Kappei Yamaguchi also delivers a standout performance as Yugo, bringing a rough-edged charm to the character.

Overall, Battle Angel Alita is a masterpiece of anime storytelling. The action is thrilling, the characters are complex, and the animation is breathtaking. Its influence can be seen in the works of many other anime creators, and it stands the test of time as a true classic of the medium.

The OVA series is a must-watch for fans of the manga, as well as for anyone looking for a gripping action-adventure story. While it covers only the first two volumes of the manga, it provides a compelling introduction to the world of Alita and leaves viewers eager to learn more about this fascinating character and the world she inhabits.