Towers-of-Obscure

You ever wonder why fighting games tend to have such forgettable, and sometimes lousy animated adaptations? Of course, there are some exceptions - like Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (as well as the Warner Bros. produced movies, including Joel McHale as Johnny Cage and Gilbert Gottfried's last performance), the Darkstalkers: Night Warriors OVA (not to be confused with the lame 1995 animated series), and of course, the most underrated pick in my book, Power Stone. But what about titles certain fighting game fans tend to forget? Like for example, take Battle Arena Toshinden, which had its first game in 1995 to compete with the success of the new 3D arena fighter physics of Tekken. Even though it was one of the first arena fighters to feature weaponry, it only lasted for four games before being eclipsed by Soul Calibur and MK's Deadly Alliance trilogy. Don't feel bad for it even though it now can cry on Bloody Roar's shoulder as long as it likes - at least it got a pretty decent

In case you can't get enough fisticuffs from the beginning of OVApril with Baki, we're going back into the ring for another round! This sporty comedy is the most recent OVA in the collection, released in 1997. As Pat Benatar would say "Put up your dukes and let's get down to it!" Meet Ayane Mitsui: full-time high school student and part-time hand to hand combat specialist! Exams? Homework? Does she really need those when she has an endless pursuit to become a pro wrestler?! Ayane has what it takes - skill, determination, a lethal high kick, and even a cool wrestling mask! She also has her best friend Kayoko to keep her down to earth and out of too much trouble... for the most part. But after being rejected from a wrestling audition, who will pick up Ayane's pieces and guide her? Enter Kunimitsu Tangay: a veteran trainer who is prepared to mold young Ayane into a championship caliber fighter. Little did Ayane know about the rigorous regimen he had planned for her. Kayoko noticed

Five OVAs to go in this special occasion, and you know? I'm afraid it might as well be all downhill from here. Not only is this next 1991 OVA a bit on the negative side (the average rating says otherwise), it's also based off the VERY FIRST manga produced by CLAMP! As everyone knows, the all-female publisher who also made the 90s classics Magic Knight Rayearth and Cardcaptor Sakura. The threads for this tale spin like this: 300 years ago, a ferocious warlord called Taishakuten rebelled against the Heavenly Emperor, the god of gods. After killing the previous emperor, Taishakuten crowned himself the new emperor, starting a cruel reign. But there is a prophecy, foretold by the blind prophet Kuyou: Six Stars will one day assemble and overthrow his tyrannical rule. Having found Ashura (Rachel Lillis), the last of the Ashura clan marked with their pointed ears and golden eyes, the robust warrior Yasha (along with fellow Stars Karura and Ryu) each of the Stars prepare for the oncoming war