This 1985-86 series follows the 22nd-century adventures of Kei and Yuri, a pretty pair of young operatives from the World Welfare Works Association. Despite its benevolent name, the agency is an intergalactic private police force, and while Kei and Yuri are code-named “Lovely Angels,” their penchant for violence has earned them the “Dirty Pair” nickname. Because this is anime, Kei and Yuri eschew standard law enforcement clothing in favor of apparel designed to celebrate their fine physiques; but frankly, this retro cheesecake display is more than a little stale today, with episodes that are either silly (especially the pursuit of a steroid-pumped pink cat) or just plain dull. All of which is a shame, since the tough-talking Kei and the more stereotypically feminine Yuri are fun characters. But the novelty (for its time) of having two gorgeous but mismatched futuristic lady crime fighters is wasted here in predictable situations with cliché villains. Compiling the first 13 episodes on two discs, in Japanese with English subtitles, suitable for 13-up, this classic series may appeal to those with comprehensive anime collections, but is optional elsewhere. [Note: Dirty Pair, Part Two is also newly available.] (P. Hall)
Dirty Pair, Part One
(1985) 3 discs. 325 min. DVD: $49.99. The Right Stuf International (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-57032-701-7. Volume 26, Issue 2
Dirty Pair, Part One
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