In 1993, Ryusuke Mita’s Dragon Half got the anime treatment, albeit in a mere two-episode OVA that barely established the series’ protagonists before the credits rolled their final scroll. It was more proof-of-concept than a serious venture—an extended pilot of sorts hoping to both find a potential audience and convince some skeptical Japanese execs. This meant seriously trimming the manga’s opening story arc, barely introducing the cast before warping them to the series finale. Not surprisingly, it failed to garner the necessary interest for a longer run.

And that’s unfortunate considering how entertaining these two teases prove to be. The story centers on Mink, a fiery red-head who also happens to be a “dragon half,” a being born of a human and dragon pairing. Which means, in this case, Mink’s dad is a human (and ironically, a dragon slayer) while her mom is the real, fire-breathing deal (although she can conveniently take the shape of a human waif whenever she chooses). In the manga, they're slightly better developed, but here, they barely appear before the plot shifts again, bringing Mink to the dreamy Dick Saucer--a pop star dragon killer who leaves her completely smitten. Then enter Vina, a temperamental princess-sorceress who also has a mad crush on the stud; King Siva, her devious father; Damaramu, a dim-witted assassin; Dug Finn, a pint-sized but dangerous demon…and numerous others. The show never spares on the characters, and somehow, deftly juggles them all in its limited minutes.

Though the manga slowly embarks Mink and her companions on an epic journey, the anime does what it must, narrowing the heroine’s adventure to zany interactions and some wacky battles. Perhaps this egregious simplification is what disenchanted fans back in the day, but it also grants the tale a zippy feel as gags and punchlines come and go. It’s two episodes compressed with the energy of four…

The art is serviceable, with the animators finding a happy medium between the chibi (super-deformed) art often favored in the manga and the more mature style usually reserved for battles and moments of fan-service. And yes, the latter is everywhere, although (usually) implemented with a certain class and craft that prevents too many guilty feelings. Dub-wise, the cast does a commendable job, offering a level of versatility English-speakers often lack when trying to duplicate their Japanese counterparts. Indeed, the actresses bounce between chirpy, scowling, and sultry rather deftly with only minor inconsistencies, and not to be outdone, the male actors also have fun sounding ridiculous in their overwrought roles. And while purists may object, the dub is full of added jokes and one-liners that truly enrichen the already absurdist proceedings. Whether these liberties are the product of localizers having their fun or voice actors daring to share their improv skills, dub-snobs are encouraged to at least give the English-track a try.

Dragon Half, in short, feels like a sweet, limited-time beverage that was really tasty, but then disappeared without most ever noticing. It’s hard not to like Mink and her world of anachronistic hijinks, but at only two shows, it can’t avoid feeling a little disposable. One hopes the series may one day get a second chance; as it currently stands, this is little more than a fascinating, wistful, maybe painful flirt with a lost opportunity. It’s like meeting a cute girl while on vacation, playing with her around town for a few days, but then having to go home…never to see her again.

Oh Mink…what could have been.--D

The art switches between chibi and "mature" at an almost capricious rate.

Mink's mother (on the right): Effortlessly switching between her two forms.

Princess Vina's mother...the once plump, love-struck slime who became the lithest of human hotties.

Vina shares a strange relationship with her father, one of mutual abuse.

Despite the scant number of episodes, the goofy Damaramu somehow manages "recurring villain" status. The dub has him shout his name out before everything (such as "screaming Damaramu light beam!"), making him goofier still.

The "People Potion," a magic elixir that can turn the humanly-challenged into a full-fledged man or woman, is called the "Pido Potion" in the manga.

Fan service is plentiful but usually restrained.

Gaming references were common in the manga, but scarcely appear here. Oddly, the dub removes even more, ignoring the "hit point" joke seen in this subtitle.