The damsel in distress offered up for sacrifice by the forces of evil is a stock element of fantasy stories. This is, of course, followed by the just as customary final romantic embrace between the victim and her hero. But, when Lilith, shrine maiden to the Mamamega (short for "Mama Megami" or "Mother Goddess"), is captured by the Dark Goddesses at the outset of MEGAMI PARADISE 2, there is no heartwarming romantic interlude because her rescuers are her fellow shrine maidens, all female. In fact, all the characters are female.
So it is no surprise that this all-female series should become an AD Vision acquisition. But, this is not just a simple fanboy's fantasy. There is less fan service here than one would expect from either a stock title with this premise or an AD Vision title. Of course, this will not stop the marketers from making it look otherwise. While the plot is admittedly stock, it is not wholly pedestrian, and, when combined with popular seiyuu and excellent artwork, MEGAMI PARADISE turns out better than expected.
MEGAMI PARADISE found its way to OVA status not by the traditional manga route, but by a more recent trend that began a few years ago, as an adaptation to a popular video game. Birthed as a PC Engine game by a production team which included Gainax, MEGAMI PARADISE stars Lilith, a "summoning witch" goddess who has been selected by the new Mamamega to be her first shrine maiden . Her fellow shrine maidens are Stasia, a reticent magical harpist; Rurubell, a young, energetic magician, for who Stasia is guardian; and Julianna, the best swordswoman in all of the Megami Paradise.
This second volume opens with the coronation ceremony for the new Mamamega, which is disrupted by the Dark Goddesses, who steal the Astrostar, a powerful jewel which absorbs all the evil from the land and makes the existence of the MEGAMI PARADISE possible. With surprise on their side, the Dark Goddesses quickly defeat the shrine maidens and kidnap Lilith. Since the Astrostar absorbs evil, the Yamimama (Dark Mother) cannot even touch it, much less destroy it. But, by sacrificing a goddess of light, she can call upon the forces of darkness to push it into an alternate dimension. What follows, then, is the typical fantasy fare: rescue the maiden, fight the forces of evil.
Compared to the first, this is no better and no worse. There is arguably less fan service, but there is also less plot. The first OVA combined a gather-the-troops story with a coming-of-age focus on Lilith. Unfortunately, there is no secondary focus with the second. It is a strictly linear stock plot with very little increase in character development.
So, what is the attraction? MEGAMI PARADISE simply looks great. Factor in the voice talent and it sounds great, too. The animation is not particularly cut-rate or ground-breaking, but the base artwork is exceptional. Vibrant colors splash across the screen; the MEGAMI PARADISE is not unlike the beautiful world of EL HAZARD. Yamauchi Noriyasu's character designs are a celebration of the beauty of woman without being gratuitous or exploitative.
Seiyuu fans should relish the opportunity to hear Lilith's Shiratori Yuri in a lead role. (Yuri's voice credits are heavily peppered by roles as animals and small children, notably Mokona from MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH.) Inoue "Belldandy" Kikuko is ever delightful as Stasia. Shiina Hekiru as Rurubell is not unlike her debut role of HUMMINGBIRD 's Mina. And Julianna's Ogata Megumi is the 1995 Seiyuu Grand Prix winner, which also happens to be the original Japanese release date for MEGAMI PARADISE
A stock plot is not necessarily a bad plot. It is just an unoriginal one. Call it mediocre. But, throw in great artwork and top acting into the mix, and MEGAMI PARADISE comes out looking not so bad. This is certainly not a great title. But, it is not a throwaway title either.

Creator and Story Concept: Yoshizane Akihiro
Megami Tengoku Kensetsu Iinkai / Media Works / King Records / Movic, ¥5800
Released in North America by AD Vision
VHS / 30 min / one vol. per tape, both vols available, $29.95
Article Copyright © Roderick Lee / HardKOR Vision-ary Publications, 1996
All rights reserved.