Tetsujin 28: Tetsujin vs the Mafia (vol. 2)

DVD (Single Disk) Geneon

Based on episodes 6-10

Reviewed by Andrew Kaplan

What it’s (basically) all about: The remake of classic “boy and his robot” series Tetsujin 28/Gigantor continues, telling the tale of the US mafia arriving in Japan to try to take control of the giant robot. 

Nitty Gritty: Like the first volume, the five episodes on this DVD straddle the line between an older juvenile audience (middle school) and a younger teen audience.  For the most part, this series isn’t any more intense than a film like The Iron Giant or a television series like Batman: The Animated Series or Teen Titans.  It isn’t a bright and sunny tale, but neither is it The Sorrow and the Pity.

Ultimately, any determination about placement will come down to details, rather than the broad strokes.  So, here are some things a librarian should probably know before purchasing this DVD:

• A character says “shit” in the subtitled dialogue, but not in the English dub.
• Characters fire machine guns, not fantasy weapons.
• In a discussion of postwar politics, Japan is referred to as “America’s dog.”
• Characters are seen drinking and say things like “Let’s get back to drinking,” and “Let’s get wasted.”
• At one point, the gangsters torture young boy hero Shotaro by pouring liquor on an open wound.
• A US Army soldier is burned alive.  (We don’t see this in graphic detail, but it still happens onscreen.)

And while the above items would probably raise stronger objections, I have to point out the treatment of the sole female character, Miss Takimizwa.  When she sees Tetsujin’s control box disguised as a makeup case, she comments that with it, she would be able to put on her makeup at crime scenes.  And that’s about as deep as her character gets.

Extras include:

Clean closing animation

Trailers for:

ROD the TV

Doki Doki School Hours

Viewtiful Joe

All of which are appropriate for a YA audience.

Survey says: While generally suitable for sixth-grade viewers and up, this DVDs PG rating and darker tone place it most appropriately in young adult collections.  Some of the more violent scenes and language in the subtitles tips the balance in favor of young adult.

Personal Ad: What I said in my review of Disc 1 holds true here; still lovin’ the retro action and aesthetic mixed with a darker, more mature story.  It can be a fine line, maintaining the sheer charm and whimsy of the “boy and his robot” concept while making it interesting to anyone above the age of ten who will be watching for more than simple wish-fulfillment, but this series maintains that balance nicely.