You're Under Arrest

You’re Under Arrest is based off of a manga created by Kosuke Fujishima. The franchise started in 1994 with a four-episode OVA produced by Studio Deen and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. The first season of the television anime, which ran for fifty-one episodes, was produced by Studio Deen, and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and Shougo Kawamoto. It aired on TBS from October 5, 1996-September 27, 1997. The You’re Under Arrest mini-specials were on OVA releases between March 29 and April 29, 1999; these specials were directed by Junji Nishimura.

You’re Under Arrest: The Movie was also directed by Junji Nishimura, and it was released to Japanese theaters on April 29, 1999. Kazuhiro Furuhashi and Shougo Kawamoto returned to direct the twenty-six episodes for the television anime’s second season; these episodes aired on TBS from April 7-September 29, 2001. Shougo Kawamoto directed another OVA release (You’re Under Arrest: No Mercy), which was released on April 25, 2002. You’re Under Arrest: Full Throttle, the most recent television anime, was directed by Koichi Ohata. It ran for twenty-three episodes, and aired on TBS from October 4, 2007-March 27, 2008.

In the United States, AnimEigo licensed the original OVA series, the first season of the television anime, and the only full-length episode included with the You’re Under Arrest mini-specials OVAs. ADV Films licensed the remaining mini-specials, as well as the feature film. The remaining television anime episodes and the last OVA have not been licensed for release in the United States.

You’re Under Arrest revolves around Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa, two female members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. They are stationed at the fictional Bokuto Police Precinct. Natsumi is outgoing and laid back, and has an appetite for food and alcohol; in fact, Natsumi has been known to arrive at work with a hangover. Natsumi also has superhuman strength, and is a motorcycle enthusiast. Although Natsumi may be a late sleeper and come to work with a hangover, she is a capable police officer and can do her job seriously when she is needed. Miyuki is not as physically strong as Natsumi, but she is smarter and more polite. Miyuki is a technical genius, and performs custom vehicle modifications for her co-workers at the precinct. Miyuki is punctual, shy, and diligent. However, she is fearful of anything that can’t be explained by science and is also afraid of reptiles.

You’re Under Arrest revolves around Natsumi and Miyuki dealing with their personal lives and their jobs. The series also shows the human side of the Bokuto Station’s various police officers. You’re Under Arrest is mainly episodic, and focuses on the interactions between the main characters and the supporting cast. Other characters in the cast include: Ken Nakajima (the strong, tough, handsome, and shy motorcycle patrol officer), Yoriko Nikaido (the gossipy dispatcher at Bokuto Station), Aoi Futaba (a cross dressing man who is more feminine in appearance and personality than the women at the station), and Kachou (the stern, but fair section chief of Bokuto Station’s Traffic Control Department).