OBSCURE O.V.A.S, *Sol Bianca

Studio AIC started what was supposed to be a multi-episode OVA series titled Sol Bianca in 1990 which was another one of the staples "chicks in space" anime. This was only followed up with a second episode that ended on a continuation for an implied third episode, but because of low sales, the original series never concluded. AIC instead crafted a complete 6-episode remake OVA in 1999 titled Sol Bianca: The Legacy which was one of their first productions to mix in 3D and 2D animation. The remake was fortunate enough to get all the episodes dubbed into English from Geneon as well as a DVD/VHS release, whereas the original OVA received VHS releases from ADV Films with only the first episode getting a dub. ADV did however manage to produce a line of American-created comics based on their existing anime catalog under their Graphic Visions label, even though that was for a single issue that ended on a cliffhanger. Katsuhito Akiyama of Armitage III and Hiroki Hayashi of Tenchi Muyo both directed the initial Sol Bianca OVA that offered plenty of outer space action and fan service.

Set several centuries in the future, a band of all female space pirates set several centuries in the future use their advanced starship called the Sol Bianca to plunder space truckers of their latest haul. The crew consists of Jan, Feb, April, May, and June who use their ship's ability to hide in subspace like a submarine appearing under the waves in their endeavors. The girls find a stowaway upon their first chapter who leads them to an adventure freeing twin planets from the tyrannical grip of an evil emperor. The second chapter highlights more on June's relationship with Sol Bianca's main computer who shares an empathic link to the ship while a hidden enemy of April appears with his own claims on the titular ship. A third chapter was hinted, but never materialized in this run.

The original OVA had potential that was frustratingly cut short despite the numerous made-for-video productions of the time that managed to get a complete series. AIC had a brilliant idea for its original take on it, but their unwillingness to see it all the way through forced them to restart it years later. Only the first episode was available in dubbed and subtitled VHS, with the second getting a subtitled-only release under ADV, so you will have to fasten your pith helmet when you go hunting for a hard copy of this hidden gem.