Long ago I reviewed the TV Series of Xabungle, #6 in fact, and maybe I wrote that one a little too soon after the start of CAM? But it was still fresh in my mind after viewing and I have since moved on, much like all my others postings to build up what is here today. I debated a follow-up as I missed the hijinks of this comedic mecha show, but I have to plow forward right? Maybe… In the end I edited it as it was a bit sloppy in a lot of areas, but… but… I wanted another shot at it… and then I remembered… 1983… compilation movie… Xabungle Graffiti. Let’s GO!!
Welcome once again to the planet Zola, a world with a western, or steampunk vibe. A world where you have three days to avenge wrong doing then it is forgiven by the law. A world where physics and a sense of humor can be on par to that of the Looney Tunes… <3. This is a cartoon being a cartoon, no need to take everything to seriously because this is anime! A character even says this near the end of the film when attempting to make the giant Iron Gear (explain what this is later) fly even though it more than likely can’t… we can break all kinds of rules 😀
You want to see some mecha battles while surfing the waves of the deep blue sea? You got it! What about a mecha catching an intercontinental ballistic missile bare handed only to toss it off to the side? Heck YES! Even an instruction on how to make your own Xabungle robot… and even a moment of key animation in place of the final cel-shaded artwork… yes indeed! It’s fast paced, seemly appearing random, but it follows the plot of the original TV version almost verbatim just in a trimmed down fashion. And as a note here, this movie is not a substitute for the original! View it more as supplementary. Even the running sequence at the end is included… and expanded. And as a reminder, this anime, or another example if you wish, for many of us, is artwork that brings joy and happiness and can be a comfort during the rougher times of life. That final running sequence expresses this perfectly.
Xabungle Graffiti is, was, as stated before, a compilation movie, so nothing new in terms of plot though there are moments of deliberate addition to help move the plot along faster, like including tons of chapter bumpers usually reserved for commercial breaks to section segments. All the cast are back, especially those aboard the once upon a time trading flagship, the Iron Gear (see I keep my promise), which now serves as our home to our dysfunctional family of heroes. We again have our humble hero Jiron, brash Rag, smart-ass Blume, adorable Chill, bossy and sweet Elchi and even the loyal and sort of mute Fatman (yes that’s the dude’s name) and the ever handsome Arthur Rank (‘Oh Arthur-sama’ scream all the girls) to name a few. The villains are back as well and badder than ever, including the ever vile Timp Sharon.
Commonplace before the invention of the direct to video OVA was the release of longer compilation movies, or shorter, 15–20 minute clip films. Xabungle Graffiti would be part of this trend along with The Ideon movies and the original Mobile Suit Gundam Trilogy. All of which, including Xabungle Graffiti, would be helmed by the infamous Yoshiyuki Tomino. Goes to show Kill ’em All Tomino can actually be funny and lighthearted too! These films are more of a lost aspect of anime now that we have a variety of physical and digital media at our disposal. A different time perhaps, but these films still survive on today, tomorrow and… who knows? I’ll part ways by leaving my personal one word description of Xabungle Graffiti… joy! It’s been fun.
… by the way, catch the small reference to Aura Battler Dunbine if you can!
The Classic Anime Museum 
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