As far as RPG console games go, many will argue that Chrono Trigger is simply the best. However, nearly everyone that's played it can agree that it was one heck of a great game. Well, needless to say, I couldn't contain my excitement when I first discovered the Chrono Trigger OVA episode that was shown at FITcon 2003. I could only imagine what the game would be like in anime form.

Unfortunately, the OVA episode (which is also called "Time and Space Adventures: Nuumamonjaa") didn't deliver like I had hoped it would. However, rating an anime based on how well it lived up to how highly I hyped it is just something that I don't do. On the other hand, it's fairly obvious that this OVA episode was created solely for people who had played the game like many manga tribute OVAs (i.e. Time Stranger Kyoko). Out of fairness, I'm going to avoid letting my own personal bias get in the way and review this OVA in as much of a fair and objective way as I can.

For an OVA shown in 2003, the artwork quality is somewhat subpar. Luckily, the animation is fluid enough to make up for it, and all of the designs are pretty much ripped straight from the game itself. Another thing that's ripped straight from the game is the music, which is played rather irregularly throughout the episode and...

ARGH! Fairness and objectivity stinks!

In my opinion, the Chrono Trigger OVA was a big disappointment that only became better after I lightened up before watching it a second time. I loved the way the creators played the music in the episode, even though it was obviously only to produce some sort of nostalgic feeling in me. Each musical piece lasts for about five seconds, which, instead of nostalgia, produces an awkward feeling.

It's usually not my policy to review an OVA that is nothing more than a tribute to the game/OVA that it's based on (see the above example of Time Stranger Kyoko). However, since Chrono Trigger has such a massive following, I'm pretty much obligated to review the OVA. However, there is one thing missing from the OVA, something extremely important: the characters from Chrono Trigger. Oh sure, we can see the back of Crono and Lucca's heads, but that just wasn't enough to justify wasting 15 minutes of my time.

Although the two main characters in the OVA had a moment or two where they were enjoyable, the one that stole the show was Gonzalez, or Gato in the U.S. version of Chrono Trigger. Listening to his emotional song about the triumphs of warriors, his own personal strength - both physical and mental - and, of course, his awarding of silver points, brought a tear to my eye.

"Ah, Gonzalez! I am strong! Beat me up and get silver points!"