» too hot for tv

There are slight differences between the broadcast and DVD versions of Dragonaut. Some 3DCGI scenes have been amended, sketchy animation fixed, and images that had to be "covered" for television have been unsheathed on video. This is not at all uncommon for anime and live action television series alike — some things just don't make it on screen. Two of the more noticeable edits in the series involve Kitajima, so I've pieced together some comparative content for you to enjoy.

» Episode one (censorship steam)

After coolly dismissing Yonamine's smooth moves (and potential Album photographs) at a café, Kitajima heads back to the ISDA research facility to observe Ravum's body. Upon entering the facility, she must decontaminate before slipping into her biohazard suit. What follows, predictably, is a shower scene — featuring a pan shot that travels from her thighs to the top of her head as she bathes. In the TV broadcast version of this segment, almost all of Kitajima's body is obscured by thick steam. In the DVD version, the steam is almost nonexistent. We can see a considerable amount more of the good doctor on DVD — including her hand (which is placed thoughtfully over her pubic region). Thanks, Gonzo!

Edits like the one above are very common in broadcast anime series. Fanservice scenes considered a little too risqué for television (particularly bath, shower and beach scenes) are covered up with whatever is available (in this case, steam). On DVD there is no need for the same level of censorship so the additional filters are usually dropped, leaving fans with what they paid for — titties.

» episode six (edited kiss scene)

In a scene far more elaborate than the one noted above, Kitajima is accosted by Yonamine inside the ISDA. In both versions, he forcefully kisses her while she struggles against him. The tryst ends with a flushed Kitajima punching her ex in the face. Both versions are the same length and involve almost identical animation, except for one notable difference.

In the TV edit we see Kitajima drop her collection of files before Yonamine pins her against the wall with a kiss. The shot then switches back to Kitajima's files sitting on the ground, before cutting to the kiss-in-progress. In the DVD version of this scene, there is no cut to Kitajima's files on the ground — instead, we are shown a rather racy shot of Yonamine's leg between her thighs. It's difficult to express the sheer sauciness of the scene without animation, but Yonamine essentially struggles to keep her legs parted as he pushes his knee further and further up between them. You know what I mean.

This scene was clearly a tad too spicy for television broadcast, what with its rather blatant display of sexuality between the characters (hint: he's getting her off with his knee). While the dialogue and suggestive sound effects are identical in both versions of the scene, the animation is different. In a move common to the industry, sexually charged contact in this scene was dropped in favour of a cut-away to an inanimate object. Nothing explicit is shown on television, but the intact moans and groans make the nature of the "hidden" shot fairly obvious. The DVD version returns the leg-shot to the scene and gives the DVD buying fan a little more bang for their buck.

"Push It" by Salt 'n Pepa is now playing manually in your head.

 

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