FINISHED
Key the Metal Idol
15 Episodes
25 min each
WINTER 1994
Synopsis
Her classmates at school called her Key, as in the "key" to a strange mystery. Key's "grandfather" was a kindly old scientist wanting to use his skill in robotics to create peace and love in the world. But when that kindly old scientist passed away, poor Key was left behind, lacking even the ability to smile. There still is hope, however a message left behind for Key suggests a fantastic possibility. Could it really be possible for Key to become a real, live human, if she can only win the love of 30,000 people? A dark, haunting tale of cybernetic sci-fi dreams, spiritual visions, and the turbulent world of Japanese pop music. Note: The two last episodes have a duration of ~98 minutes
Action
Drama
Mecha
Music
Sci-Fi
Format
Unknown
Episodes
15
Per Episode
25 min
Source
Unknown
Episodes
15 / 15 Episodes
1
Episode 1
Startup
As you might imagine, an innocent like Key gets into trouble pretty much the moment she arrives in Tokyo. Aimlessly wandering the streets, she's picked up by a 'photographer' for a 'model agency'... whose main line of business actually seems to be making adult videos. Luckily for her, she's rescued by a chance encounter with a childhood friend of hers, Sakura – who holds down three different part-time jobs but hasn't really decided what she wants to do with her life yet.
2
Episode 2
Cursor (1)
As Key settles in as Sakura's temporary houseguest, we get to see a bit more of the other lead characters in action. There's Sakura's friend Shuichi, fan club president for the famous pop idol Miho Utsuse... who herself seems somehow connected to Jinsaku Ajo, the megalomaniac CEO of Ajo Heavy Industries. Also lurking in the background is Tomoyo, Dr. Mima's old lab assistant, who has followed Key to Tokyo in order to keep an eye on her.
3
Episode 3
Cursor (2)
Key begins to fixate upon the idea of becoming a pop idol herself as the surest way to making 30,000 friends. In the meantime, Ajo's team are trying to determine whether she might be where Dr. Mima cached his last technological secrets before dying. When Key's presence (care of Shuichi) disrupts Miho Utsuse's latest concert, the company sends out two PPORs to hunt Key down, remotely controlled by a dangerous operative known only as 'D'.
4
Episode 4
Access
As if to confirm earlier hints that Key possesses a phenomenal power whose exact nature is hidden even from herself, this episode sees her disabling both PPORs and rescuing their secondary target from certain death. However, this display is witnessed by hundreds of passers-by... including Prince Snake-Eye, a spiritual leader who sees in Key a way to revitalise the faith of his cult followers.
5
Episode 5
Scroll (1)
As Ajo and his cronies conspire, Sakura and Shuichi discuss Key ... and why she thinks she`s a robot. Meanwhile, Prince Snake-Eye tries to convince Key that religion is the only path to making the 30,000 friends she needs.
6
Episode 6
Scroll (2)
Prince Snake-Eye convinces Key to visit his temple, where the child of two of his followers is near death, in hopes that she can cure the boy with her "powers". But Ajo`s lead soldier `D` has finally tracked her down!
7
Episode 7
Run
After their first big showdown, everyone—good, and bad—are busy regrouping and deciding what their next moves will be. Where does this leave Key?
8
Episode 8
Go To
An apparently selfless Sakura creates an agency dedicated to helping Key reach pop idol status. While Sakura`s busy hitting Shuichi up for his connections in the music business, he is preoccupied with finding the connection between Ajo and Miho Utsuse.
9
Episode 9
Return
While `D` recovers from his last battle, Ajo leaves him locked up in a cell with only a computer terminal ... and a mission. Meanwhile, Sakura and Key are thrilled to learn that Shuichi`s connections are paying off.
10
Episode 10
Bug
While Ajo does his best (worst?) to exploit Miho, Prince Snake-Eye threatens anyone considering giving Key an audition. Then Shuichi decides it`s a good time to play private investigator in Mamio Valley—Key and Sakura`s hometown.
11
Episode 11
Save
The story machinery starts grinding down towards the last of the TV-length Key episodes. Shuichi catches Prince Snake-Eye in the act of sabotaging Key's 'career', but this really isn't nearly as important as what 'D' has managed to do back at the ranch. (No, I'm not going to tell you.) Key – having heard about Miho's concert from Sakura of 'Shuichi only gave me the one ticket and you can't bloody well have it' fame – tries to convince Tsurugi to get her in.
12
Episode 12
Virus (1)
The story machinery starts grinding down towards the last of the TV-length Key episodes. Shuichi catches Prince Snake-Eye in the act of sabotaging Key's 'career', but this really isn't nearly as important as what 'D' has managed to do back at the ranch. (No, I'm not going to tell you.) Key – having heard about Miho's concert from Sakura of 'Shuichi only gave me the one ticket and you can't bloody well have it' fame – tries to convince Tsurugi to get her in.
13
Episode 13
Virus (2)
Much like the first in this set, everything is geared to reach a climax of sorts in this last episode of the disc. Again, it would be rubbish of me to ruin all the fun for you. Let's just say that everyone who's anyone makes it to Miho's concert. And yes, mayhem obligingly ensues. Oh, and you finally get to properly hear the 'lullaby' song that Key's author has been teasing the audience with for a while now.
14
Episode 14
System
It`s the big reveal, with the meaning of the photograph found in Tomyo village deciphered, Doc`s life story finally told, and Tokiko and Key`s connection ultimately revealed.
15
Episode 15
Singing
As the season comes to a gripping end, Key`s friends gear up for the final battle, but Ajo is clearly a formidable enemy. As Key is faced with the ultimate choice—to live as a human ... or as a robot.
Characters
Voice Actors
Junko Iwao (japanese)
Tokiko Mima
Main
Voice Actors
Miki Nagasawa (japanese)
Sakura Kuriyagawa
Main
Voice Actors
Kouichi Kitamura (japanese)
Murao Mima
Main
Voice Actors
Toshiyuki Morikawa (japanese)
Shuuichi Tataki
Supporting
Voice Actors
Shou Hayami (japanese)
Jinsaku Ajou
Supporting
Voice Actors
Kenichi Ono (japanese)
Senichi Tamari
Supporting
Staff
Kunihiko Tanaka
Original Character Design
Hiroaki Satou
Director
Jun Kamiya
Assistant Director
Keiichi Ishikura
Character Design
Tamiya Terashima
Music
Takashi Watanabe
Episode Director
Comments
Information
Aired
Dec 15, 1994
to Jun 17, 1997
Season
WINTER 1994
Source
Unknown
Format
Unknown
Studios
Studio Pierrot
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