Megazone 23 (1985)
A landmark cyberpunk anime OVA in which a young biker uncovers a prototype motorcycle hiding the terrifying secret behind his entire world.
Megazone 23 - Movie Information
- Original Title: Megazone 23
- Release Year: 1985
- Directed by: Noboru Ishiguro, Ichiro Itano et al.
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Action, Sci-Fi, Romance, Music
- Runtime: 1h 21m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 9, 1985 (Canada - 18A)
- Alternative Titles: Megazone Two Three (JP), Megazone 23 Part I (US), 無限地帶23 Part 1 (CN)
- Production Companies: Idol Company, Victor Entertainment, Tokyo Laboratory, Mushi Production, Seion Studio, Tatsunoko Production, Artland, ARTMIC, Anime International Company
- Production Countries: Japan
Megazone 23 - Plot
A young biker stumbles onto a prototype motorcycle with a hidden function that has a link to the true nature of his world.
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Megazone 23 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Noboru Ishiguro
- Ichiro Itano
- Yasuo Hasegawa
Main Cast
- Maria Kawamura
- Masato Kubota
- Kaneto Shiozawa
- Katsumi Toriumi
- Mina Tominaga
- Kumi Miyasato
- Mayumi Shou
- Daisuke Gori
- Hiromi Yokoi
- Hisashi Katsuta
Writers
- Hiroyuki Hoshiyama
Producers
- Hideaki Suda
- Suichi Onodera
- Tooru Miura
Megazone 23 - FAQs
What is the true nature of the world in Megazone 23?
In Megazone 23, the city is revealed to be an enormous space colony ship — not Earth. The government conceals this truth from its citizens using a simulated environment and a virtual idol named Eve. The protagonist Shogo discovers this secret after obtaining a mysterious prototype motorcycle.
Where can you stream Megazone 23 online?
Megazone 23 is available on several streaming platforms in the US, including Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Retrocrush, Night Flight Plus, and Hoopla at no cost. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main voice actors in Megazone 23?
The principal voice cast includes Masato Kubota as protagonist Shogo Yahagi, Maria Kawamura as Yui Takanaka, Kaneto Shiozawa as the antagonist BD, Katsumi Toriumi as Chombo, Mina Tominaga as Tomomi Murashita, and Kumi Miyasato as the virtual idol Eve Tokimatsuri.
Is Megazone 23 based on a true story?
No, Megazone 23 is an entirely original science fiction story. It was conceived as an original video animation (OVA) project by writer Hiroyuki Hoshiyama and the creative team at ARTMIC, drawing on cyberpunk themes and the emerging Japanese pop culture of the early 1980s rather than any real-world events.
What genre is Megazone 23?
Megazone 23 blends Animation, Action, Sci-Fi, Romance, and Music genres. It is widely regarded as a pioneering cyberpunk anime OVA, combining mecha and transforming robot elements with a dystopian narrative, pop idol culture commentary, and motorcycle-fueled action sequences.
How long is Megazone 23?
Megazone 23 has a runtime of 81 minutes (1 hour and 21 minutes). As one of the earliest direct-to-video anime OVAs, its feature-length format was notably ambitious for the format at the time of its release in March 1985.
Did Megazone 23 influence later cyberpunk anime?
Yes, Megazone 23 is considered a foundational work in cyberpunk anime. Its themes of simulated reality, corporate control, and hidden truths prefigure landmark titles such as Ghost in the Shell (1995) and are frequently cited as an early influence on the genre's visual and narrative conventions.
What are similar movies to Megazone 23?
Viewers who enjoy Megazone 23 often appreciate Ghost in the Shell (1995), Vampire Hunter D (1985), Babylon A.D. (2008), and Freejack (1992) for their shared cyberpunk or dystopian science fiction themes. Megazone 23 II (1986), the direct sequel, is also a natural follow-up watch.
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