逮捕 しちゃうぞ (You're Under Arrest)
Creator: 藤島康介 (Fujishima Kosuke)
At the Bokuto Police Station, 2 well-known policewomen are stationed there. Natsumi the brute, and Miyuki the mechanic wiz. Together with their fellow officers, they will clean up the streets of Tokyo full of traffic violators. This is their story.
First appeared in 1987 as manga, 逮捕 しちゃうぞ has become a successful anime series with 2 OVAs, 2 TV series, as well as one movie. Its popularity in Japan is no less than Fujishima's famous work, ああっ女神さまっ.
Oh yeah, if you like car chases, this is a must watch!
Links:
You're Under Arrest Official
Website (Maintained by Deen, in Japanese)
You're Under Arrest TBS Official
Website (in Japanese)
You're Under Arrest TV
series Hoempage (Region 1 license holder)
You're Under Arrest (1987-1992)
6 volume manga series (or 7)
This manga series is used as a basis for the first TV series, which I will cover next. Same with Ah! My Goddess, the characters also under went some "refinements" during the course of the publications, and in the end their looks are quite similar to what you will see in the first OVA. While the story is not bad, it cannot be consider excellent. However, plenty of laughs will get you through.
Note 1: I believe Dark Horse has the license for the manga in North America, however, if you want to own the whole series, good luck on that. As far as I am aware of, Dark Horse no longer publish them. My own copy is a Hong Kong version, which is no longer in print. It casue me a grand $70 Canadian from a local Chinese comic store in Richmond to obtain a slightly used copy of 7 of them. Ouch!!! Ouch!!! Ouch!!!
Note 2: I mentioned by Hong Kong copies have 7 volumes, while I listed it as a "6 volume" above, because the reissue of the Japanese version by Kodansha is 6 books only. So originally it should be 7 volumes.
Dino's Rating: 7
Will Girls Like It: Not likely, unless they want a "role model"
You're Under Arrest OVA (1994)
4 episodes OVA
The first entry of the anime version. The only problem with these 4 episodes are that the storyline for each one is independent of the other. Other than that, it establish how the 2 policewomen first got together, which is not done in the manga. For the last episode, you may find the pace rather odd. (Something big comes up.)
The opening and ending songs are performed by the 2 policewomen (er... I mean the character voice people). Anyway, those songs are ok, but not great.
Dino's Rating: 8
Will Girls Like It: Possible
You're Under Arrest TV (1996-1997)
52 episodes TV series
Before you read on, you should take this note: the first 4 episodes are the OVA. Just don't ask me why the staff at TBS did that. Also, the last episode (#52) is a special with different opening and ending than the regular episodes.
At episode 5, Aoi Futaba (a character introduced later in the manga series) made "her" debut in the anime, and "she" will make things at Bokuto Station very interesting. (Why do I keep quoting "her"?? That's for you to find out ha ha ha!)
Most of the stories in the first half of the series are based on the manga, so all characters that had made appearance in the manga will be in the anime. In the second half, a new character will be introduced, and there will be sparks flying in the air (or love? That's for you to find out too). In episodes 48-51, another big event will occur, and what will happen to the best duo at Bokuto? (You have to find out yourself...)
On the opening and ending songs, there are 2 verions each. I personally love both opening songs so much I bought the soundtrack. The endings are not bad, either.
Dino's Rating: 8
Will Girls Like It: Possible
You're Under Arrest Specials (1999)
21 mini-episodes OVA (or TV)
Now that is something I am not sure about. I cannot confirm it is OVA or TV. However, each episode runs only about 7 minutes, so they are pretty mini.
Interestingly, these episodes are supposed to occur after the end of the TV series, however, if you have read the manga, you will notice most of the stories are "recycled" from the first manga volume. Anyway, a nice treat for fans wanting more...
Note: This one is licensed by ADV
Dino's Rating: 8
Will Girls Like It: Possible
You're Under Arrest the Movie (1999)
The only movie for the series (you only make one if it is popular enough), the story is a fresh change from what you will expect from the TV series. Throw in a bunch of terrorists and prepare for some super car chases!!
Character Design goes a long way from the TV series (that is a must!), now Aoi Futaba is looking much better as a "woman" (he he).
Interesting note: The main song "Calling", is performed by a group called "Nitro", which did not last very long (not unexpected given the 4 girls are not "real singers"). One of the girls is Yuka, the famous "former" bikini girl.
Note: This one is also licensed by ADV
Dino's Rating: 9
Will Girls Like It: Possible
You're Under Arrest 2nd Sesaon (2001)
26 episodes TV series
Probably the last one for the series, the story follows a new policewoman being transferred to Bokuto Station. (Who is she? If you watch the first TV series you will know ha ha!) More cameo for most of the characters from the first TV series, and more fun to watch, as well as more mess for Natsumi and Miyuki to clean up (or cause them...)
This time though, the duo may break up finally for good... and will Nakajima Ken have the guts to finally pop the question to Miyuki? (Who is Nakajima? the cool guy with the sunglass in the pic ha ha, I never mention about him, but he is there from the start in the anime, so you cannot miss him, that's not the case for the manga though ha ha!)
The only noticable change is Aoi Futaba, who got a complete "redesign". Now "she" looks even more gorgeous (HA HA!!!)
Note: Currently there is no one holding the license for this series in North America, that means if you wanna watch this one, you have to settle for "Asian verison" or fansub.
Dino's Rating: 9
Will Girls Like It: Possible
You're Under Arrest 2nd Sesaon Special: No Mercy (2001)
1 episode TV special
A small spin off for the 2nd Season series. This time Natsumi and Miyuki are assigned to LAPD (That's right, Los Angeles). With the same bunch of look-alike characters (with different names and slightly different personality). They will patrol the street of LA and rid of those low-class criminals. No Mercy!!
Pretty fun to watch, and please note that it is only available on fansub only.
Dino's Rating: 9
Will Girls Like It: Possible