100%

Here we have the story of a girl who decides to become a journalist in a big television network. Considering that is a ova created in the early 90s, I think the story, although it´s not very large, has plenty of creativity. Throughout history, we can see the natural way the main character develops a fondness colleagues from their place of work, to the point of creating some rivalry with other journalists to get the best place alongside the company director. The quality is very nice and it is strongly recommended.

This OVAs captures a very specific slice of life—this time focusing on journalism and the struggles of being a media or TV personality. For its time, the anime was nice in showing how journalism works and how tough it can be to make a name for yourself in such a competitive industry. It gives a grounded look at the challenges, dedication, and passion that go into pursuing a career in the media world.

That being said, the title of the anime feels a little strange. I honestly don’t get why it was called A Hundred Percent. The only real connection seems to be the theme song, ... which sings about “100%.” While the protagonist certainly gave her all—her 100%—to chase her dream as a journalist or TV personality, the title doesn’t exactly rhyme with the story itself. It feels like the name was chosen more for the theme song than the actual plot.

Still, despite that little disconnect, this OVA has its charm. The animation and tone reflect the era it was made in, and the message about hard work and determination resonates. It may not be groundbreaking, but it’s a nice watch for what it is and a solid representation of anime storytelling from its time.

"Journalism will kill you, but keep you alive while at it". How accurately does this quote from Horace Greeley characterize 100%, under its runtime of 53 minutes? Pretty well, actually. Yet, the first impressions aren't particularly rosey after looking at the hideous cover art of the VHS. While its art style is representative of what you see in the OAV, the composition is strangely off the beam. There, an unexplainably blonde Kazuyo Atta looks more like a pin-up than an announcer, glared by who seem to be a lineup of serial offenders washed away in creepy seafoam tones. As a result, the cover looks ... like a faux Pop Art advertisement poster trying to sell you pair of tights, rather than an animated work.
I assume the other visual from Pack-in-Video, you can see on anidb, was created to address this marketing issue. Kazuyo Atta's profession is properly highlighted and the more sympathetic secondary characters are all shown in Yanagizawa's detailed manga style. Intriguing detail, there is the photography collage of a woman at the center. Interestingly, her real life occupation mirrors the main character's. She is Yuki Nagamine, a popular announcer who was working at Tokyo Broadcasting System at the time and made into Kazuyo's voice actress for the occasion. In my view, this promotional piece is much superior and should replace the one shown in Myanimelist's profile page, because it perfectly sums up visually what this anime has in stock for you.

100% opens rather cleverly to an establishing shot, quickly dispelling any of these mixed initial feelings. Almost trying to emulate a Musical affect as you see the main character, daydreaming on a deserted news studio set. The opening's name itself is the OAV's title which is a nice touch. This scene does a good job of telling the spectator what the OAV is all about: the rocky but quixotic start of an up and coming televison announcer. It is a nifty creative find from Ike Taiki, delivering a linear, but efficient screenplay. Sadly, that competent man didn't get many credits in the industry despite his craft. Under 53 minutes, you properly get exposition, disruptive elements, funny mishaps, the major conflict with a seedy collaborator and its final resolution. Journalism may be literature in a hurry, but the plot was not handled as such, fortunately.
As appropriately concise as Taiki's script is, he probably mostly followed the main line of Kimio Yanagizawa's manga. You perhaps know that creator for his other production, "Aoki Honoo", a properly disagreeable work set around a strikingly believable sociopath, using his acquaintances as stepping stones towards his way to the top. This one is far from a pleasant watch, but demonstrates that Yanagizawa has a sharp mind as he is able to unsettle his audience through harsh realities. While 100% has a more positive outlook on life than Aoki Honoo, its dramatic tension is still teased at points. Indeed, Kazuko's romantic rival, Terakawa, schemes to take advantage of the main character's cheery innocence to send her to a potentially dangerous assignment. Show-business is a ruthless world and I am sure the OAV would have fully explored this avenue, was it was given a full series. Yet, the intent is primarily to endear and, admittedly, sometimes arouse the imagination of the spectator, so 100% ends not to be the utterly slimy experience I thought it would be. However, the awkward sound selection does the work disservice, mostly in the part where Aburai attempts to rape Kazuyo. This wince inducing scene is strangely dismissed with a doo-wop riff, which has more its place on a goofy skit of a gurentai anime than as a disapproving critic of sexual harrassment in the journalistic profession. Thankfully, Aburai is absolutely ineffectual as an abuser, thus defusing the uneasy nature of this plot twist. Indeed, if she was a news anchor in the US of A, Kazuyo Atta would have been more likely to experience the same fate than Jodi Huisentruit.

Aside from these foot faults, and perhaps strange reverse harem undertones that may make some watchers groan, there is little negative reproach to make to 100%. Kazuo Iimura's chara-design is not particularly flashy or appealing to the eyes, but the fullness of facial contours successfully conveys that the cast is made of adult characters. And comic relief characters like Edogawa, the star host on the show Kazuyo is assigned to, is recreated with the convincing impression that he is a mischievous octopus who took on a human form. The major crack on the armor shows when characters are presented in profile, an angle that doesn't really compliment their appearance at all. Thankfully, the storyboard artist doesn't overuse this type of framing of shot, probably aware of JC Staff's limits in animation expertise. As for costume design, it aims for believability over fantasy, as the cast is wearing what you would expect to see in the small screen business.
Animation-wise, 100% is purely functional, not particularly driven by action. At place, the edit is still choppy, as you can see during this talk in the rooftop terrace between the main female character and Kuwata, who obviously has a crush on her since the start.

All in all, this OAV isn't a thought provoking piece but isn't truly supposed to be one. It is just a quick cash-in vehicle to capitalize on Yuki Nagamine's popularity. As modest of a goal, it does this job very well. As foreshadowed by her job, Nagamine is solid at her role, pinning down the endearingly clumsy yet energetic willpower of the main protagonist. I assume her fans were also very pleased to imagine her in their fantasies as she emotes Kazuyo in more saucy scenes. Little emphasis is put into the TV news setting, but as I foresaid, it flashes tidbits of potential from Yanagizawa's planning. The setting is still recreated in a believable way, so, you have to commend the effort put into it. Research or first hand knowledge was put into it and it talks between the spoken lines.

From Sorcery-Party, this was Ziusudra, your anime media reporter, signing out.

..| Colophon |..

This section is dedicated to content indication in order to inform audience in a practical way, about the usual objectionable content.

.. Ketchup meter: Violence is bound to happen, such as when one of the main characters is pushed into the traffic and ends shortly in the hospital. None of these scenes are presented under a voyeuristic or sadistic lens, still. It evidences that Yanagizawa is not creepily fascinated by physical and psychological violence, despite being the author of Aoki Honoo. So, nothing too objectionable.
.. xXx meter: This anime is not without short bursts of fanservice, as you can see mild nudity with bathing scenes. Or perfectly needless bits of Kazuyo swimming for lengths and a quick glimpse of her upskirt as she slips on a glassy floor. Nothing so scandalous it would rile up a baptist church congregation, though.