List of The Big O media

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Below is the list of The Big O media, consisting of twenty-six anime episodes, eight manga volumes, two soundtracks, an artbook, and one Drama CD. The Big O (THE ビッグオー The Biggu Ō?), based on a concept by Keiichi Sato, follows Roger Smith, The Negotiator of Paradigm City.

Contents

[edit] TV series

The first season of the series premiered on October 13, 1999 on WOWOW with the episode "Roger the Negotiator" and concluded with "R.D." on January 19, 2000. The English-language version premiered on the Cartoon Network on April 2, 2001.

Originally a thirteen-episode series, positive fan response internationally resulted in a second season co-produced by Cartoon Network, Sunrise, and Bandai Visual. The Big O: Season Two premiered on January 2, 2003 on SUN-TV with the episode "Roger the Wanderer" and concluded with "The Show Must Go On" on March 27, 2003. The American premiere took place seven months later.

[edit] Season One

Starting on April 2, The Big O aired two times on the Cartoon Network. Once during the afternoon Toonami block at 5:30 PM and at 12:30 AM during Toonami:Midnight Run, making the 12:30 AM showing the premiere and, the more publicized, 5:30 PM showing a rerun.[1] Even at its late hour, The Big O was shown in edited form.[2] In anticipation to the premiere of The Big O:Season Two, the first thirteen episodes were re-aired on the adult swim block, this time completely un-cut.

Screenshot Title Original
air date		 Toonami
air date		 Act
To Be Continued "Roger the Negotiator"
 1999-10-13 2001-04-02 01
Roger Smith, Paradigm City's top Negotiator, is hired to oversee the retrieval of Dorothy, the kidnapped daughter of the wealthy scientist Miguel Soldano. But in the City of Amnesia, things are not always what they seem. 
We have come to terms "Dorothy Dorothy"
 1999-10-20 2001-04-03 02
What started as a routine negotiation for a simple kidnapping case exploded into an ugly ordeal. Continuing from the previous episode, Dorothy's secret is revealed and her relationship to the man she calls "Father" explained. 
We have come to terms "Electric City"
 1999-10-27 2001-04-04 03
Recently, there's been a number of power outages in Paradigm. Roger is hired by Paradigm Power Management to go to the Electric City and negotiate with the locals the reactivation of the hydroelectric power plant. They say a god lives in the water. 
No side "Underground Terror"
 1999-11-03 2001-04-05 04
Journalist Michael Seebach has gone missing for three months, and has taken his latest manuscript with him. Paradigm Press hires Roger to retrieve that manuscript and give Seebach his severance pay. In his search for Seebach, Roger discovers the reporter had been leading a double life... 
We have come to terms "Bring Back My Ghost"
 1999-11-10 2001-04-06 05
They say when the fog is thick enough, a ghost appears by the Hudson River. Three of the top brass of the Military Police have already died after seeing it. Menwhile, Roger is hired by a wealthy old woman to help find her son, despite the fact he is known to be deceased. 
No side "A Legacy of Amadeus"
 1999-11-17 2001-04-09 06
Sick and tired of waking up to the banging of piano keys, Roger makes Dorothy take piano lessons with R. Instro. Instro's a very gifted concert pianist, but when an old colleague of his father's pays him a visit Instro questions his father's legacy to him. 
We have come to terms "The Call from The Past"
 1999-11-24 2001-04-10 07
While working separate cases, Roger and Angel wind up trapped together underwater, with only a little amount of air left. It all started three days before... 
No side "Missing Cat"
 1999-12-01 2001-04-11 08
In Paradigm City, cats are rare creatures. So, naturally, when Dorothy brings one home Roger has his doubts. But when the cat's owners show up, things do not get much clearer. 
We have come to terms "Beck Comes Back"
 1999-12-08 2001-04-12 09
Beck busts out of jail and has a new scheme up his sleeve. Roger's brought in to negotiate in the kidnapping of the son of the Wise Group, but there's one problem: Mr. Wise will not listen to Roger! At this rate, negotiations will not conclude in time. 
Fin "Winter Night Phantom"
 1999-12-15 2001-04-13 10
"Vous si gentil," she whispers. Dan Dastun has been dreaming of a foreign woman for quite some time now. But when he meets the woman of his dreams on the streets of Paradigm, he has to wonder: Are imagination and memory but one thing? 
Merry Xmas "Daemonseed"
 2000-01-05 2001-04-16 11
A threat has been received on the main offices of Paradigm. "In seven days, the world will be reborn." The date: Heaven's Day, the day of Paradigm's founding. With only two days left, Roger and the Military Police scramble to nullify the threat by Heaven's Day Eve. 
To Be Continued "Enemy Is Another Big!"
 2000-01-12 2001-04-17 12
Schwarzwald returns. His search for the truth leads him to a weapon powerful enough to defeat Roger and The Big O. It's heavy metal action when Big O battles Big Duo! 
To Be Continued "R.D."
 2000-01-19 2001-04-18 13
A killer stalks the streets of Paradigm. A series of seemingly unrelated murders has the Military Police stumped as to the motive and the only clue is the killer's calling card: "Cast in the Name of God, Ye not Guilty." 

[edit] Season Two

The Big O: Season Two premiered every Sunday on adult swim until October 19, 2003. On the night the final episode was to air, October 25, the viewers were treated to a rerun of episode 20, "Stripes." This resulted in the adult swim boards being flooded with complaints by fans. After an apology from Kim Manning, programming director for adult swim, the final episode of The Big O was aired on November 2 at 11:00 pm.[3]

Screenshot Title Original
air date		 adult swim
air date		 Act
To Be Continued "Roger the Wanderer"
 2003-01-02 2003-08-03 14
Picking up from the previous season, three foreign megadeuses arrive in Paradigm City. In the midst of battle, Roger gets a burst of Memories: a town without domes, where its citizens have not forgotten who they are and The Negotiator is not needed. 
To Be Continued "Negotiations with the Dead"
 2003-01-09 2003-08-10 15
Phantoms of the past emerge, for it is so destined. The word on the streets is the members of Paradigm's Senate know something from before 40 years ago. Kelly Fitzgerald, wife of Senator Fitzgerald, hires Roger to negotiate with the assassin targeting her husband. 
To Be Continued "Day of the Advent"
 2003-01-16 2003-08-17 16
Something, shrouded in light, has come to the City of Amnesia. Like a thief in the night, a Paradigm investigation team recovered it before too long. Now the locals hire Roger to negotiate with Paradigm to hand it over, pinning their hopes in whatever it is. 
To Be Continued "Leviathan"
 2003-01-23 2003-08-24 17
Schwarzwald is attempting to spread terror in Paradigm. His latest work foretells the coming of a dragon, a Leviathan. It is up to Roger to stop the impending doom that awaits the City of Amnesia. 
To Be Continued "The Greatest Villain"
 2003-01-30 2003-08-31 18
Beck busts out of jail again and has another scheme up his sleeve. But when The Negotiator himself is the target of Beck's kidnapping, who will negotiate the ransom? 
To Be Continued "Eyewitness"
 2003-02-06 2003-09-07 19
With the case of the android crusher still unsolved, Paradigm HQ takes drastic measures by assigning a new inspector, R. Frederick O'Reilly, to the case. The android and Colonel Dastun form an uneasy partnership to catch the criminal. 
To Be Continued "Stripes"
 2003-02-13 2003-09-14 20
Roger's nightmares return and the doubts concerning his role in Paradigm drive him towards Ailesberry, to the one man who may know the truth. The stage is set and the players are ready. The War of Paradigm City will soon begin. 
To Be Continued "The Third Big"
 2003-02-20 2003-09-21 21
The Union's attack on Paradigm continues. Dorothy's in danger and the Big O concedes the fight, so now it falls to another the task of saving the city. 
To Be Continued "Hydra"
 2003-02-27 2003-09-28 22
The Military Police is rounding up citizens suspect of being Union sleeper agents. Meanwhile, Alex Rosewater looks for the means to reactivate the Big Fau. 
To Be Continued "Twisted Memories"
 2003-03-06 2003-10-05 23
If the Union takes the memories, hellfire will burn down Paradigm once again. Before this happens, Roger must find Angel. 
To Be Continued "The Big Fight"
 2003-03-13 2003-10-12 24
Paradigm takes the fight to Roger. Aided by the greatest villain of all, Paradigm mounts an army of spider robots and resurrects Big Duo. 
To Be Continued "The War of Paradigm City"
 2003-03-20 2003-10-19 25
The mysteries of the event 40 years ago are unlocked. 
Final Stage! "The Show Must Go On"
 2003-03-27 2003-11-02 26
The curtain falls on Paradigm City. 
Theme music

The first two episodes had no title sequence. Instead, the opening showed the Big O's head emerging from a pool of lava and a disembodied voice saying: "Cast in the name of God, Ye not guilty." From Act:03 onward, the first season opening featured the Queen-inspired song "Big-O!"[4] composed by Rui Nagai.[5] The title sequence was an homage to the Ultraseven TV series, featuring black silhouettes of the eponymous Big O and his operator, among others.[6]

For its second season, the show sported a brand-new opening sequence, this one an homage to Gerry Anderson's UFO,[7] right down to the song "Respect" composed by Toshihiko Sahashi. For the American broadcast, the original opening was used.[8]

The closing credits present Roger and Dorothy sitting atop an hourglass while a slow love ballad, "And Forever," plays. The song was produced by Victor Entertainment and performed by Robbie Danzie with Naoki Takao.[4] For the Toonami broadcast it was changed for the battle theme "Stand a Chance" and shots of the giant city-smashing robot, Big O.[9]

[edit] Manga adaptation

The serialization of The Big O manga began in 1999 on Magazine ZKC. The manga was an adaptation of the anime series, written by Hitoshi Ariga. Hajime Yatate was given a creator byline. The issues were later collected over six tankōbon published by Kodansha. The English version of the manga is published by VIZ Media.

Cover Japanese release English release
Date ISBN Date ISBN
Volume 1
 1999-12-16 ISBN 4-06-349005-X 2002-11-05 ISBN 1-59-116039-1
  • Chapter 00: "Prologue"
  • Chapter 01: "Take Back a Memory"
  • Chapter 02: "Electric Bug"
  • Chapter 03: "Thy Name is Dorothy"
  • Chapter 04: "Making of The Big O"
Volume 2
 2000-03-23 ISBN 4-06-349014-9 2003-05-07 ISBN 1-56-931806-9
  • Chapter 05: "Sisters Dorothy"
  • Chapter 06: "A Ghost Ship & A Fallen Angel"
  • Chapter 07: "No Name No Memory No Future"
  • Chapter 08: "Tief Im Schwarzwald"
  • Chapter 09: "Paradigme Gallery"
  • Making of The Big O
Volume 3
 2000-10-23 ISBN 4-06-349033-5 2003-07-02 ISBN 1-56-931827-1
  • Chapter 10: "Big O Vs. Big O"
  • Chapter 11: "My Sweetheart Dorothy"
  • Chapter 12: "I Wish Have a Monster"
  • Chapter 13: "Drinks, Oldster & Memory"
  • Chapter 14: "Paradigme Gallery"
  • Making of The Big O
Volume 4
 2001-03-23 ISBN 4-06-349047-5 2003-10-01 ISBN 1-56-931977-4
  • Chapter 15: "Remember Me"
  • Chapter 16: "Godhead"
  • Chapter 17: "The Sun Will Rise"
  • Chapter 18: "Paradigme Gallery"
  • Making of The Big O
Volume 5
 2001-08-23 ISBN 4-06-349065-3 2003-12-31 ISBN 1-59-116108-8
  • Chapter 19: "Another Face"
  • Chapter 20: "Inside of Darkness"
  • Chapter 21: "A Former Life"
  • Chapter 22: "Paradigme Gallery"
  • Making of Big O
  • Bonus Comics
Volume 6
 2001-12-21 ISBN 4-06-349079-3 2004-04-07 ISBN 1-59-116219-X
  • Chapter 23: "R-Dorothy"
  • Chapter 24: "Angel"
  • Chapter 25: "Core"
  • Chapter 26: "Roger"
  • Chapter 27: "Paradigme Gallery"
  • Making of Big O
Lost Memory

To coincide with the release of the second season, a new manga series was produced. The Big O: Lost Memory was collected into two volumes, written by Hitoshi Ariga. The story takes place between volumes five and six of the original manga. As of January 2007, it has not been translated into English.[10]

[edit] Soundtrack

Like the series itself, the music of The Big O is an electic mix of styles and homages.[11] The composer, Toshihiko Sahashi, was chosen because of his "frightening amount of musical knowledge about TV dramas overseas," which worked well with Keiichi Sato's "love of all things nostalgic."[12]

[edit] Original Sound Score

The Big O
Original Sound Score
The Big O Original Sound Score cover
Soundtrack by Toshihiko Sahashi
Released January 05, 2001
Genre Jazz, Electronica, Orchestral
Length 45:18
Label Victor Entertainment

Track listing

  1. Stoning – 1:42
  2. Big O! [TV edit] – 1:11
    Vocal: Rui Nagai
  3. Stand a Chance – 2:09
  4. Name of God – 1:46
  5. The Storm – 1:20
  6. Spirit – 1:42
  7. Servant – 1:20
  8. Apologize – 2:03
  9. Apparel – 1:13
  10. The Great – 1:46
  11. Apostle – 2:26
  12. False – 1:26
  13. Sleep My Dear – 2:15
  14. Sure Promise – 1:58
  15. Touch – 1:17
  16. Weep For – 1:25
  17. Nature – 1:41
  18. The Words – 1:32
  19. Run Down – 0:32
  20. Tears – 1:15
  21. The Process – 1:09
  22. Sin – 1:32
  23. A Vision – 1:17
  24. Procrastination – 1:02
  25. Freedom – 1:40
  26. The Holy – 2:08
  27. Evolution – 1:23
  28. Eternal Live – 0:45
  29. And Forever... [TV edit] – 1:27
    Vocal: Robbie Danzie with Naoki Takao

[edit] Original Sound Score II

The Big O
Original Sound Score II
The Big O Original Sound Score II cover
Soundtrack by Toshihiko Sahashi
Released January 22, 2003
Genre Jazz, Electronica, Orchestral
Length 46:23
Label Victor Entertainment

Track listing

  1. Sure Promise - Union Sq. – 1:57
  2. Brick Ballades - Houston St. – 2:26
  3. Respect - Upper West Side – 2:23
  4. Apologize - Bleecker St. – 1:55
  5. Painful Dream – 1:40
  6. Respect - Lower East Side – 1:45
  7. Distance – 2:07
  8. Solitude – 1:51
  9. Dreadful – 1:54
  10. Before Dawn – 1:43
  11. Prayer - 50th St. – 2:12
  12. Token – 0:58
  13. Divine – 2:12
  14. Chain – 2:37
  15. Painful Dream - Spring St. – 1:39
  16. Prayer - 14th St. – 2:11
  17. Centenary – 1:08
  18. Perverse – 1:06
  19. Obfuscate – 1:26
  20. Prayer - WTC St. – 2:12
  21. Flag – 1:52
  22. And Forever - Grand Central – 1:41
  23. Legend of First Memory – 5:28
    Bonus track

[edit] Miscellaneous media

[edit] Artbook

The Big O Visual: The official companion to the TV series (ISBN 4-57-529579-5) was published by Futabasha in 2003. The book contains full-color artwork, character bios and concept art, mecha sketches, video/LD/DVD jacket illustrations, history on the making of The Big O, staff interviews, "Roger's Monologues" comic strip and the original script for the final episode of the series.[13]

[edit] Drama CD

Drama CD cover
Drama CD cover

"Walking Together On The Yellow Brick Road" was released by Victor Entertainment on September 21, 2000. The Drama CD was written by series head writer Chiaki J. Konaka and featured the series' voice cast. An English-language translation of the script can be found at Konaka's website.[14]

Track listing
  1. "Brick Hall" – 1:16
  2. "Stand on Memory" – 11:00
  3. "A Spirit of the Past" – 16:13
  4. "Memory of the Truth" – 9:34
  5. "Forever and Ever" – 5:18
  6. "Brick Ballades" – 2:29
  7. "The Holy Remix" – 2:09

[edit] Computer and video games

Super Robot Taisen D boxart
Super Robot Taisen D boxart

Big O is featured in Super Robot Taisen D for the Gameboy Advance. Along with the eponymous black megadeus are: Dorothy-1, the Eel, Beck Victory Deluxe, and Big Duo. In true Super Robot Taisen-fanshion, the megadeuses were re-designed chibi-style, while the human characters stayed in their regular full detailed form.[15]

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ Big O Reruns. Anime News Network (2001-03-19). Retrieved on November 29, 2006.
  2. ^ For details on the cuts made, see The Edit List by Kyle Pope at Anime News Network.
  3. ^ Adult Swim Goofs with Big O. Anime News Network (2003-10-27). Retrieved on December 6, 2006.
  4. ^ a b McCarter, Charles. The Big O! CD Single. EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga. Retrieved on December 8, 2006.
  5. ^ On his website, Rui Nagai names Queen as one of this favorites bands.(Japanese)
  6. ^ The Big O. Shoujo & General: Anime & Manga Reviews. Retrieved on December 8, 2006.
  7. ^ Anime Central 2003 Panel. A Fan's View. Retrieved on November 23, 2006.
  8. ^ What's new?. UFO series home page (2003-09-08). Retrieved on December 8, 2006.
  9. ^ All the opening and closing sequences can be found at the Paradigm City website.
  10. ^ The Big O section at Hitoshi Ariga's site (Japanese). Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
  11. ^ McCarter, Charles. The Big-O Original Sound Score. EX: The Online World of Anime & Manga. Retrieved on December 15, 2006.
  12. ^ Shimura, Shinichi. (2004). Anime rebel with a cause: The Big O's Keiichi Sato. AnimePlay, 5, 22-26.
  13. ^ The Big O Visual. Animebooks.com. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
  14. ^ The drama script was translated by David Fleming of ZRO Limit. Fleming also translated the TV scripts.
  15. ^ Super Robot Taisen D at GameFAQs.

[edit] External links

Official sites

Unofficial sites

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