Zaion: I Wish You Were Here

Zaion: I Wish You Were Here (Japanese: あなたがここにいてほしい, Hepburn: Anata ga koko ni Itehoshii) is a four-episode Japanese science fiction original net animation (ONA) released by Gonzo in 2001.^[1] The story is set in the near future, when a spaceborne virus threatens Earth by turning humans into violent creatures. Enhanced soldiers fight a losing war against these creatures to ensure the survival of the human race. The series was directed by Seiji Mizushima and written by Natsuko Takahashi. Music for the series was composed by Kenji Kawai.^[2] Zaion was licensed for an English language release in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Plot

In the year 2000, the American CDC discover a meteorite-introduced virus that irreversibly alters the molecular structure of the human body and turns its victims into violent creatures. In an effort to eradicate the infestation, which has claimed 3 percent of the human population, the World Health Organization of the United Nations establishes a secret internal organization, the Committee of the Universal Resolution of Ecocatastrophe (CURE) in 2002 with several international branches, and creates a unit of soldiers whose bodies have been infected with nanomachines. These soldiers, wearing Nano Osmolar Armor (NOA), engage the victims in direct combat. They also establish units of unmanned, remote mech units known as Multi-purpose Operative Beings (MOB) to assist the NOA. In 2004, as the missions begin to take a toll on NOA's ranks, NOA soldier Yuuji Tamiya (田宮 ユウジ, Tamiya Yūji) (voiced by Joe Odagiri in Japanese and Joey Hood in English) becomes angry at learning that CURE has been working on a secret weapon project, known as UNIT, and not employing it. The Japanese Branch's weapon, UNIT-i, is a girl named Ai (アイ) (voiced by Yukari Tamura in Japanese and Christa Kimlicko Jones in English) who is able to create a projected being that can destroy the creatures. During the next outbreak, several victims of the virus fuse together into a larger creature and overwhelm the soldiers. CURE decides to put Ai's ability to the test, and the projected being destroys the creature.

Yuuji is quarantined after coming in contact with one of the creatures but is released when he recovers from his injuries. However, his blood tests later indicate that the virus has evolved and is attacking the nanomachines in his body. CURE orders Yuuji's arrest, but he escapes and takes Ai hostage. When his condition worsens during the journey, Ai heals him with her powers. Other NOA soldiers catch up to the two and help them escape, but are soon found by CURE units. Unwilling to see Yuuji and the others hurt, Ai decides to leave with the CURE soldiers. At the NOA facility, the infected soldiers become victims of the virus as the nanomachines are destroyed. Yuuji is forced to fight them and the CURE units sent to kill them at the same time. Ai finds out that Yuuji is in danger and asks that she be taken to the facility. She realizes her feelings for Yuuji and projects them with her powers to eliminate the virus. A larger outbreak occurs elsewhere in the city, and the virus further evolves to mimic the nanomachines' abilities. Yuuji delays the creatures' advance as Ai creates the projected being once again. She uses all her power to purge the infected area of the virus. In an epilogue, both Yuuji and Ai are discharged from CURE and spend time together, happy to be free from their duties at last.

Media

The first episode of Zaion was published on the Internet on October 4, 2001. It was one of the few instances of a new series being introduced on the Internet before it was broadcast on television. The first two episodes aired later that day on the Kids Station television network. The network also aired the final episodes of the series on November 3, 2001.^[3] The ending theme song for the series is "Lunatic Trance: Shizuka naru Zekkyō" (Lunatic Trance～静かなる絶叫～), which was released as a maxi single on November 21, 2001.^[4] The song was later included in Gonzo's compilation release of music from its anime works in 2006.^[5] The series did not have an opening theme.

Each episode of Zaion was released monthly on DVD by Japanese distributor Media Factory. The first episode was released on February 22, 2002,^[6] and the final episode was released on May 31, 2002.^[7] ADV Films licensed the series for the English language and released the episodes in pairs in 2003.^[8][9] It then repackaged the series into one set, released on February 3, 2009.^[10] Madman Entertainment licensed Zaion for distribution in Australia and New Zealand and released its boxed set on July 26, 2006.^[11]

Reception

Remote controlled robots, drawn with 3D computer animation, defend against victims of the epidemic. Gonzo has been criticized for the low quality rendering of 3D graphics.

Critical reception of Zaion: I Wish You Were Here was mixed. "On the surface, it may appear to be merely another sci-fi mecha action show", Patrick King of Anime Fringe wrote. However, Zaion introduced apocalyptic themes similar those found in Michael Crichton's novel Andromeda Strain and the film 28 Days Later. According to King, the real story of Zaion occurs when Yuuji and Ai develop their relationship, and "we begin to think less of the nanomachine technology and viral invasion of the planet and focus more upon the potential love between these two lonely people, trapped in a labyrinth devoid of an exit".^[12] The series was produced with high audio and visual qualities and was designed with "plausible technical details". King also praised the fitting soundtrack, which was composed by Kenji Kawai and incorporated the sounds of progressive rock.^[13] On the contrary, Jason Bustard of THEM Anime rated the series one out of five stars and accused Gonzo of attempting to "rip off Power Rangers as a last resort". He also pointed out the seemingly oblivious general population of the world in Zaion that are not at all concerned about the invasion. "If they were trying for some sort of grand social statement here, they succeeded instead in making the vast majority of Japan simply look stupid", Bustard charged.^[14]

Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network also rated Zaion below average. Although he criticized the series as a "woefully undercooked and dull bit of science fiction claptrap", he also admitted that it "wouldn't be quite so miserable if the design wasn't as poorly handled as it is". Gonzo, which was known for incorporating experimental animation into its productions, mismanaged the show's 3D computer animation and produced a result that "could have been rendered many years ago in some ancient MS-DOS modeling program". Despite his criticisms, Bertschy called the soundtrack "a truck stop of pleasure on the highway of pain" and praised the professional English-language dub released by ADV Films.^[15] Mania.com's Chris Beveridge noted that character development between Yuuji and Ai was not consistent. "Yuuji comes across as little more than a blank sheet for the most part with just the scribble of 'angst' on him", Beveridge observed. Overall, Gonzo's experimentation with computer animation "look highly fake and out of place".^[16]

References

External links

• Zaion: I Wish You Were Here (OVA) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

Works by Gonzo
Television series	Gate Keepers (2000) Vandread (2000) Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School (2001) Final Fantasy: Unlimited (2001–2002) Hellsing (2001–2002) Vandread: The Second Stage (2001) Full Metal Panic! (2002) Tai Master of Characters (2002) Saikano (2002) Kiddy Grade (2002–2003) Gravion (2002) Digigirl Pop! STRAWBERRY&POP MIX FLAVOR (2003) Kaleido Star (2003–2004) Last Exile (2003) Gad Guard (2003) Peacemaker Kurogane (2003–2004) Chrono Crusade (2003–2004) Gravion Zwei (2004) Ragnarok the Animation (2004) Gantz (2004) Burst Angel (2004) Samurai 7 (2004) Desert Punk (2004–2005) Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004–2005) Basilisk (2005) Speed Grapher (2005) Trinity Blood (2005) Transformers: Cybertron (2005) G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 (2005–2007) SoltyRei (2005–2006) Black Cat (2005–2006) Glass Fleet (2006) Witchblade (2006) Yoshimune (2006) Welcome to the N.H.K. (2006) Red Garden (2006–2007) Pumpkin Scissors (2006–2007) Ani*Kuri15 (animated sequence) (2007–2008) Afro Samurai (2007) Getsumento Heiki Mina (2007) Romeo × Juliet (2007) Bokurano: Ours (2007) Kaze no Stigma (2007) My Bride Is a Mermaid (2007) Dragonaut: The Resonance (2007–2008) Rosario + Vampire (2008) The Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk (2008) S · A: Special A (2008) Blassreiter (2008) Strike Witches (2008) Rosario + Vampire Capu2 (2008) Linebarrels of Iron (2008–2009) The Tower of Druaga: The Sword of Uruk (2009) Saki (2009) Shangri-La (2009) Slap-up Party: Arad Senki (2009) Nyanpire (2011) Last Exile: Fam, The Silver Wing (2011–2012) Ozuma (2012) Leviathan The Last Defense (2013) Dog & Scissors (2013) A Town Where You Live (2013) Blade & Soul (2014) Seiyu's Life! (2015) Aokana: Four Rhythm Across the Blue (2016) Akiba's Trip: The Animation (2017)
Films	Origin: Spirits of the Past (2006) Brave Story (2006) Kiddy Grade -Ignition- (2007) Kiddy Grade -Maelstrom- (2007) Kiddy Grade -Truth Dawn- (2007) Afro Samurai: Resurrection (2009) Bayonetta: Bloody Fate (2013)
OVAs/ONAs	Blue Submarine No. 6 (1998–2000) Melty Lancer THE ANIMATION (1999–2000) Zaion: I Wish You Were Here (2001) Vandread Integral (2001) Gate Keepers 21 (2002–2003) Yukikaze (2002–2005) Vandread Turbulence (2002) Kaleido Star: New Wings Extra Stage (2004) Legend of Phoenix ~Layla Hamilton Monogatari~ (2005) Good da yo! Goood!! (2006) Burst Angel - Episode Zero: Infinity (2007) Strike Witches (2007) Red Garden: Dead Girls (2007) My Bride Is a Mermaid (2008–2009) Copihan (2011) A Town Where You Live (2014)
Video games	Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete (1996) Silhouette Mirage (1997) Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete (1998) Radiant Silvergun (1998) Gensō Suikogaiden (1999–2001) SkyGunner (2001) Suikoden III (2002) Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (2003) BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (2009) Super Street Fighter IV (2010) BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (2010)
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