Legend of the Four Horsemen/Blue Wolves (OVA) Hot

This OVA is dark and quite disturbing, but handled realistically, which is not the case with most darker-themed anime. It is a mecha, but it seems to me that the focus is really on the relationships between the characters, and the giant robots are more a side-plot, so you've got to be in this for the boys.

That said, there is nothing 'cute' about this one. It is quite graphic in terms of sex, especially when you consider that it is an older production. Nothing is censored, and while you don't get pornographic shots for long periods at a time, there isn't a lot of guesswork as to what's happening.

The OVA is very short for kind of story it is, which is slightly disappointing because I feel they could have put more into expanding on the relationship between Jonathan and Leonard. Regardless, nothing seemed rushed, and I'm quite pleased with the ending as well. The only thing I can use to describe it is "suiting". I can't think of a way I'd change the ending, and that doesn't happen often.

The most rewarding part of this is that the rapist is properly punished and no one falls in love with him. He has to live with the reminder of what he has done, and what he will never be able to do again. It's not particularly gorey, but I've only seen castration in one other OVA, and that one was more implied than shown.

All in all, I really enjoyed this, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants something with a satisfying but not-happy ending.

I found out about this series when I heard people comparing it to the likes of Ai no Kusabi (and some misguided individuals said it was even better than AnK). Know that this story is a tragedy, and that there is rape and castration. If that kind of stuff bothers you, then don't bother watching. It'll really disturb you.

I think the summary is pretty spot-on as to the plot of the story. I'm a super mecha fan so I was looking forward to watching this one, but actual mecha goodness is not that plentiful.

Despite the OVA being pretty short, the progression between Leonard and Jonathan's relationship was well-paced and totally plausible.

So now, let's talk rape.

I'm not squeamish towards things like rape in yaoi, and this one didn't knock me off my chair either, but I figured I'd delve into it a little in case you're on the fence as to whether or not you should watch this. The rapist fellow is morbidly obese, which is something I've never seen elsewhere in yaoi. I mean, props to them for being a little more realistic (your rapist is not always going to be a remotely good-looking fellow in good shape), but the guy is ugly as f***. The actual act itself is so...detached and depraved that I think that's what makes it a bit difficult to watch. This isn't one of those, "Ah, I hate this but why does it feel so good?" type of scenarios. This is literally, "Oh god, make it stop, kill me please, this is horrible, please someone, anyone, HELP" type of scenarios. Cringe-inducing.

I found the infamous castration scene a little comical.

What's commendable however is how realistic Leonard's fate is. This isn't a matter of defacing your superiors and tossing your hair over your shoulders with a smirk and an, "I showed you. Don't you ever touch him again," kind of thing. Nope, this is more like a, "Yep. I just screwed myself over big time." Morbidly obese guy may be a sick bastard, but revenge is simply a matter of pulling rank. I think everyone knew what was going to result from Leonard's actions, and that's what makes it all so tragic. Could it really have ended any other way?

The smex is quite detailed, especially for an older OVA. I agree with the other reviewer who commented on how distracting Jonathan's blush is. I neither love nor loathe bara, but I appreciate that these certainly look like the bodies of soldiers (morbidly obese guy aside). And the smex between Jonathan and Leonard is truly bittersweet and passionate.

The ending hurts, but it wasn't a tear-inducer for me. You feel for them, but I really wish I could have seen more of the events leading up to Leonard's ultimate fate.

I'm not sure if this series would have been better had it continued. When I saw the preview for the second OVA (shown at the end of the first), it seemed completely unrelated to the first OVA.

Ultimately, this series is ok. Although this endeavor in storytelling was admirable, it feels a little lacking when it comes to connecting plot with emotion.

Firstly, I have to say I'm a huge mecha fan, so my bias towards this series is rather obvious. It's very rare that the mecha (giant robot) genre gets a yaoi series of any sort, and to get one that portrays relationships realistically is a bonus in its own right. Secondly, I'm a huge fan of bara, so my statement previously applies here as well.

If you're a fan of neither, then you may have some difficulty watching this OAV. The relationships between the characters is more mature and very rarely falls into the stereotypes of most one-shot yaoi OAVs. It attempts to show the transition between friendship and love - something that either gets glossed over entirely, or is handled shoddily. In this case, it was handled beautifully. They didn't suddenly turn any manly men into emotionally insecure ukes that questioned their love for the seme; in fact, you end up seeing a much more raw, powerful emotion that conveys heaps more meaning than a good chunk of yaoi series out on the market. That raw passion is something that stands Legend of the Blue Wolves apart from the rest, in my opinion. It shows a different side to male on male love that, for some ungodly reason, isn't explored enough.

The dated art style holds up well despite being made over fifteen years ago. The animation itself is well done, with some sticky transitions in between scenes withstanding. I almost wish they showed more of the mecha, since for a yaoi series they looked quite sexy in their own right.

If you've read all of this and are thinking to yourself "I might give this a try!"... do be warned, it's not for the weak. As stated in previous reviews, there's rape and amputation - and neither of them are censored. They're brief instances, but enough to turn people away from finishing this series. If you're against on viewing both, then either avoid it like the plague or skip over the scenes. Both are very easy to do. Personally, I watched it myself and came out of it fine, albeit a bit disturbed for a couple hours.

So, to be brief:

If you're looking to get into a gritty mecha series with a good dash of sex on the side, then I highly recommend this series to you. If you're squeamish at the sight of rape and amputation, then avoid it - despite, in my own opinion, you'll be cutting off a great series. (and that was a horrible, horrible pun. I'll take my leave now.)

OK I think that everyone was a bit disgusted by him, but the main character was nice looking, and the roommate was better. I think that the story was really reliant on past or future episodes of which there were none. SUCKY. I thought the characters and their relationship had real potential, but alas there is no more show to .... well, show it.
OK I'll be honest. I cried. I thought that the sacrifice that Leonard made was the most selfless act, and one I think anyone can relate to.
OK I cried twice, because Megavideo cut out just when it showed Leonard's fate, you know when you first see him again, and then I had to replay it ( I admit, I started the video again where Leonard plays the hero, because I loved that, he was so noble, and since I don't have a penis, it didn't bother me that the fat guy lost his.)
I found their love scene really tender. It was really a display of the two characters' feeling things they did not think they would... or maybe could.
So then I cried again when it ended again, and I'm crying as I write my review. I thought it was a touching story, not at all believable really, but if I wanted believable, I would be watching some crap on network TV.
I think I would definitely have rated a five if there had been more explanations in other episodes. Like, what was that about Leonard's brother? It just looked like the writers had written a scene, then deleted it, and then later there was a conversation pertaining to the deleted scene...sorta disjointed.
Overall, I think really good. At least I could relate to the main character's experiences and feelings, though maybe that's because I'm a girl, I don't know. I liked it, and would recommend it.

Okay, for those who have a weak stomach, cannot stand really big men squeezing their weiner into someone, rape, and the like, should back off NOW. However, if you're a brave soul, you may proceed. There's Corruption, rape, torture, and abuse of power, and some unpleasent things to look at. :)



Unlike the usual Yaoi Anime with the usualy pretty boys finding attraction, fall in love, it's not quite like that. Judging by the style and theme, it would seem like it was aim towards gay men, with the thought of "Bara" in mind. Not that all gay men would like this, it's a certain genre in the Yaoi series, where it's muscle-bound men over a skinny pretty boy. While the characters in this Anime are not exactly muscled up, they certainly aren't thin.



When I was watching the Anime, I felt like I was watching one of those older Mecha Anime series, that is, until I reached a certain point of the OVA. Johnathon and Leonard are friends in arms, and eventually are attracted to each other. But Jonathan, does something that the big bad boss didn't like, and does "punishment" on along with another boss in a high position. Oddly enough, I really enjoyed it, that is, until something was cut off, literally. Be prepared for that. After that, the two comrades finally decide to do their own bonding before Leonard is sent out, it was sweet.



The quality of the Animation's not so bad for something made in 1996. I would've loved to see more myself, the story really drew me in. In the end, it was a tragic story that will never be continued, see the reason above.