Mars of Destruction is perhaps the Ed Woodiest of any anime production. (Either that or Musashi Gundoh.) Whether that’s a compliment or not depends on who you are, I guess.
It’s a thoroughly incompetent production, but definitely not for lack of trying — it’s a clear case of ambition vastly outstripping talent and/or budget. In fewer than 19 minutes, Mars of Destruction attempts to tell the story of a special alien fighting force doing battle with a group of monsters called Ancients that have begun appearing in Tokyo. After one of the special fighters has her head replaced with a bad Photoshop effect, it is so totally on, and there is much poorly-animated violence done to the tune of haphazardly-selected classical music. This is how you can tell what is happening onscreen is Important and A Big Deal.
But that’s not the best part. No, the actual best part is at the end when a scientist calmly tosses out a plot twist or two relating to an expedition to Mars humanity did that ended in disaster before the beginning of the series. Basically they found some Mars rocks that have traces of DNA that belong to humanity . . . which means that humans originated from Mars!!!!! As if he is aware that this bombshell has been dropped on the viewer, one of the Ancients the special team fights suddenly speaks up and confirms that, yes, humans are the true invaders (de geso), and the Ancients are the actual Earthlings.
Then the special team blows him away. There is much confusion over this shocking revelation. Then the OVA ends. Bye!
Look, I can’t do anything to make Mars of Destruction seem any crazier. It’s truly inexplicable. Just watch it. It’s 20 minutes that will enrich your life as it simultaneously sucks those minutes away.
