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R.O.D.: The TV (2003) is a 26-episode TV anime series about the adventures of three paper-using sisters, Michelle, Maggie and Anita, who became the bodyguards of Sumiregawa Nenene, famous Japanese writer. The series is a sequel to the Read or Die OAV. Its official title, written precisely, is "R.(period)O.(period)D the TV". likely a catch-all acronym referring to the inclusion of the three paper sisters, characters from the somewhat unrelated Read or Dream manga.
Background
The series starts in 2006, four years after Yomiko Readman (AKA The Paper, agent of British Royal Library Task Force) went missing. Nenene Sumiregawa, her former student and best friend, is still searching for her. The main reason is their bond; without her sensei, Nenene is unable to write new novels.
During Nenene's trip to Hong Kong, Nenene meets the three sisters, Michelle, Maggie and Anita, who become her bodyguards. Each sister has similar paper manipulation skills as Yomiko, although significantly less powerful. The first several episodes are an odd-couple comedy format that focuses on the tension between Nenene and the sisters, who move into her apartment and mooch off her, all while dealing with various crazies and psychos in their everyday lives. The sisters also perform odd jobs as agents of the Dokusensha (ostensibly a Chinese publishing company, but seems more like a shadow government/Illuminati-type organization), which eventually puts them and Nenene in direct conflict with the British Royal Library (the protagonists from the OVA series).
Things become a bit more serious as the series progresses as, in typical anime fashion, atrocities are commited by both sides, forcing the main characters to re-evaluate their alliances. Ultimately, Nenene and the sisters go independent and embark on a search for Yomiko, thrusting them into the middle of a conflict between literary superpowers, the British Royal Library and Dokusensha, who are both trying to collect ancient artifacts (books, of course) to control the entire world and even rewrite history.
Characters
The Four Principles
- Nenene Sumiregawa (菫川ねねね Sumiregawa Nenene), a.k.a. 'Sensei,' Nene-neesan: A prodigy novelist in her high school years, usually referred to as sensei and originally featured in the Read or Die manga as a teenage friend of the older Yomiko. She is often frustrated with Yomiko's obsession with books -- and later the Paper Sisters' when they move into her home -- and chides her for being absentminded, and often leaves post-its in her room. Due to the disappearance of Yomiko, she has become very self-sufficient but unfortunately wistful and bitter at times. She remained in Japan despite her parents' wishes in order to housekeep and tend to Yomiko's personal effects until her (assumed) return. Along with two characters within the series, many fans argue Nenene's dedication to Yomiko borders on the romantic, and the series has a strong yuri fandom.
The Paper Sisters' names are derived from names of 3 real Hong Kong action stars.
- Michelle Cheung: (ミシェール ・チャン Mishēru Chan), a.k.a. Mi-nee: The oldest sister, generally considered the leader and strategist of the three. She has a cheerful, ostensibly ditzy personality. Her favorite books are the Harry Potter series and she has a soft spot for cute things and small children.
- Maggie Mui (マギー・ムイ Magī Mui), a.k.a. Ma-nee: A tall, boyish, quiet wallflower, her power tends to be manifest as animal-like paper projections. She’s known for being easily embarrassed, blushing frequently., and enjoying tight cozy spots to relax in.
- Anita King (アニタ・キング Anita Kingu): The youngest sister, a spitfire who specializes in using her paper offensively, but also uses her physical agility as a fighter. She loves frogs, yet ironically dislikes books. She is well liked in her class, and especially admired by classmate named Hisa. Also she sometimes acts bratty and self-important she deeply loves her sisters. One of her closest friends is Hisa, who compares the two to characters with an extremely close friendship in Anne of Green Gables.
- Yomiko Readman (読子・リードマン Yomiko Rīdoman): Does not appear for much of the early run, with only the vague suggestion something terrible happened at her former employers. She is a much more powerful Paper User than the other characters, roughly similar (but on a much smaller power scale) to the Green Lantern's ability to create objects with his ring.
- Nancy Makuhari (ナンシー・幕張 Nanshī Makuhari): She is the surviving "Ms. Deep" clone from the Read or Die anime, now with no memory of her previous life. She has a much gentler, less overtly sexy personality and has been living with Yomiko during her disappearance.
- Drake Anderson: An American soldier and one of the B.R.L.'s main field agents. Anderson has no superpowers, but he is a pretty tough guy and is also good with weapons. He is sarcastic realist who tries to keep situations calm and professional, although sometimes he is overwhelmed by the eccentric, super-human people around him. He has a young daughter named Maggie, but with no relation to the aforementioned Paper User. Probably because of his daughter, he's more soft-hearted and less ruthless than his fellow B.R.L. agents (i.e. when he fights the three sisters he doesn't try to murder them, and he refuses to kill children, such as Anita).
- Joker (ジョーカー Jōkā): The head of the B.R.L. and Yomiko's former boss. Took control of the organization after the death of the Gentleman, and is now referred to as Mr. Carpenter. His face seems a bit more lined from stress, and now walks with the assistance of a cane. As always, Joker smiles all the time and initially appears as calm, reassuring, and easy-going as ever, as the series progresses he gets more violent and high-strung and is also revealed to be an elitist who holds the same "human selection" principles as the I-Jin (the villains from the OVA). Disappointed by the decline of British global influence following the Gentleman's death, Joker implements a scheme to regain control of the world, no matter the human cost.
- Wendy Earhart (ウェンディ・イアハート Wendi Eahāto): Seen in the OVA as Joker's office secretary, she now serves as his right hand henchwoman. Wendy's character has matured radically from the typical anime bumbling but dedicated ditz into your typical anime ruthless, sociopathic domme (apparently in the manga she's always been competent and serious). She hates Yomiko, and is also one of the few B.R.L. personnel in on Joker's scheme.
- The Gentleman: Seen in the OVA, now deceased. He was the head of the B.R.L. and the true source of Britain's secret power over global affairs (i.e., it was because of Gentleman that Joker had the authority to order around the U.S. President in the OVA).
New, Major Characters
- Junior (ジュニア Junia): A mysterious, effeminate boy with the power of intangibility (the same power possessed by Nancy in the OVA) who befriends the Paper Sisters. Later in the series, he is revealed to be a tool of Joker's.
- Mr. Lee: Sumiregawa Nenene's editor, and go-between for the Paper Sisters and Dokusensha. Usually very calm, despite apparently having recently given up smoking (evidenced by constant, nervous pencil-chewing). Seemingly minor at first, he plays a bigger role as the scope of Dokusensha's plans is revealed.
- John Woo: A carrier pigeon used by Mr Lee to send messages and assignments to the Sisters. Named after the famous Chinese film director, one of whose trademarks is the use of doves to highlight dramatic moments.
Fandom
Nenene once mocked Anita’s suggestion at having a codename (‘The Bodyguard,’ in heavily accented English) Some fans think this is a self-referential joke to Yomiko’s own codename (‘The Paper’) sounding awkward to native Anglophones.
Maggie also had a strong female admirer in the Read or Dream manga, although this is likely not canon for the animated series.
The frogs seen on and about Anita are possibly a reference to Gero-chan/Lt. Frog, a popular character among the younger set in Japan.
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