Summary
AnimEigo's re-release of Riding Bean stays true to the classic 1980s action anime. The OVA features gorgeous animation and action scenes that draw viewers in. While the film has dated elements and fan service, it's a fun watch for fans of classic anime.
Acclaimed OVA of 1989 Riding Beans is back with a new release from AnimEigo, and it's a classic anime that action fans should check out. The 1980s were an incredible time for anime, with classics like My Neighbor Totoro and Akira becoming cultural touchstones that are still discussed to this day. In addition to the acclaimed films, the 80s also saw the rise of OVAs that continue to impress. One of those is Riding Bean, and while this 48-minute anime is dated in some ways, it's still a thrilling ride.
Riding Bean re-release on September 10 from AnimEigo The OVA is expected to be available on Blu-ray and on-demand video services like the Google Play Store and Amazon Video. The OVA is written by Kenichi Sonoda, the man behind classics like Otaku no Video and Riding Bean's follow-up, Gunsmith Cats.
Taking place in Chicago, Riding Bean follows the adventures of Bean the Bandit and his partner in crime, Rally. With his excellent driving skills and tough attitude, Bean is willing to take on almost any job as long as it pays well. All of this is put to the test when Bean and Rally are hired to protect Chelsea Grimwood, the daughter of a prominent company president. From there, the plot continues as Bean, Rally and Chelsea are pursued by the police and thugs to kidnap Chelsea.
Riding Bean is the classic 1980s anime action movie you didn't know you needed
AnimEigo's re-release stays true to a true classic
Action movies have never been as popular as they were in the 1980s, and Riding Bean makes it clear why. Bean himself is clearly modeled after classic 80s stars like Sylvester Stalone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, with his do-nothing attitude and brimming confidence. What sets Bean apart from his American contemporaries, however, is that, as an animated film, he is allowed to be more expressive and exaggerated. That, combined with his collaboration with Rally, makes the film's hero incredibly likeable despite his apparent amorality.
The real reason why fans are drawn to Riding Bean is the gorgeous animation. While modern anime has produced some of the best animated series ever, there is something undeniable about the classic animation. The style used in Riding Bean is impressive, with the action scenes and car chases being particularly captivating. Unfortunately, while the animation is a marvel at times, there are times when it is clear that not much effort was put into it, resulting in a bit of inconsistency.
Despite its strengths, Riding Bean is definitely not for everyone. There are some dated elements and fan service scenes that may feel off to some modern anime fans. Aside from some questionable creative choices, the OVA also feels like a pilot episode for a larger series. It feels like just another day in the lives of Bean and Rally, which results in the OVA not having as much impact or closure as it could have.
OVA fans should check out Sonada's Gunsmith Cats, which clearly borrowed some characters and ideas from Riding Bean.
At the end of the day, there's never been a better time to be a fan of classic anime, and re-releases like Riding Bean are proof of that. Fans of 1980s action movies bursting with masculinity certainly have reason to be excited, but so do fans of hand-drawn animation. Look for the re-release from AnimEigo Riding Beans when it launches on September 10!
