Dark Soldier: D

Kawamata is a psychotic soldier who fell in with the Russian Special Operation Forces. It was at this time that Kawamata became the guinea pig for this secret scientific research organization. The Russians wanted to ensure that they were ahead of the U.S. in the arms race, and used this organization to develop a mobile combat suit, armed to the teeth with all kinds of weapons imaginable. During his tenure on the project, Kawamata met Matsuzaki, a twisted scientist who was kicked out of Japan for unscrupulous practices. Matsuzaki became lead engineer on the combat suit project and coded Kawamata’s thought impulses into the control mechanism, so only he can operate the walking arsenal. But when Communist Russia collapsed, Kawamata and Matsuzaki stole the armored battle suit and snuck it into Japan.

Directed by Junya Okabe, Dark Soldier: D leans on a strong ensemble — Daisuke Nagakura, Masanori Machida, Hiroshi Shimizu — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about action & adventure titles of 1998.