Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01

About Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01

If you are hunting for a new action series, Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (メタルスキンパニック ＭＡＤＯＸ－０１) deserves a look (1987). The setup goes like this. The setup: In the first test of a revolutionary personal fight-suit, the MADOX-01, Ace female test-pilot Elle Kusomoto smashes an attacking tank force and humiliates Lt. Kilgore, Japan's most-macho tank-jockey, in the process.

Also worth knowing: Kilgore swears he'll get even, and he gets his chance when the prototype MADOX literally falls off the back of a truck in the middle of Tokyo. Meanwhile, the MADOX, which fell off the back of one truck, off a bridge, and into the back of another truck, has found its way into the hands of college pupil Koji Sujimoto. Intruiged by the MADOX, Koji makes the big mistake of fooling with it without reading the manual first, and soon stumbles on himself locked in the suit and zooming around downtown Tokyo.

As an action title, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Kouji Sugimoto (Yasunori Matsumoto) and Ellie Kusumoto (Harumi Ichiryuusai) are two of the characters you will meet early. If you count yourself among viewers who like fast, high-impact fights, put it on your list. The run is 1 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with AIC, which means the visual identity of Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 follows that studio's craft. The action focus matters here: fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. With a 5.9/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. On the casting side, Yasunori Matsumoto voicing Kouji Sugimoto gives the lead role a recognizable voice. It aired in 1987, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.