Hell Target [Episode 1]

Hell Target Episode 1: A Retro Sci-Fi Horror Trip That’s Equal Parts Cool and Confusing

Let’s cut to the chase: Hell Target Episode 1 is like finding a dusty VHS tape in your cousin’s closet—you know it’s gonna be cheesy, but you can’t help hitting play. This 1987 OVA from Nakamura Production throws you straight into space chaos: a spaceship crashes on the forbidden planet Inferno II, leaving Makurou Kitazato as the sole survivor. His mission? Stop a shape-shifting monster before it attacks a third ship en route. Sounds simple, right? But as any ’80s sci-fi fan knows, nothing’s ever that easy.

First off, let’s talk vibes. This OVA is pure retro nostalgia. Fans on MyAnimeList are calling it a “space horror B-movie,” and they’re spot-on. Think Alien meets Galaxy of Terror (a 1981 Roger Corman flick with a shockingly similar plot about a killer alien on a distant planet). The monster itself is wild—it’s like a mix of a Metroid boss and a ghost that can create holograms, zombies, and insect-like minions. One fan joked, “That monster does too much—holograms? Zombies? Pick a lane!” But honestly, that over-the-top chaos is part of the fun. It’s not trying to be a masterpiece; it’s trying to be a good time.

Now, let’s get to the elephant in the room: the sex scene. Oh, that sex scene. Halfway through the episode, after watching their friends get torn apart by the monster, two characters decide to… well, hook up. And not in a “we’re bonding through trauma” way—more like a “we’re gonna die, so why not?” way. Fans are losing it over this. One user ranted, “‘Everyone’s dying! Let’s fuck’—the most retarded sex scene I’ve seen in an OVA.” Another laughed, “I came for the space horror, stayed for the random makeout session.” Even if you find it cringey (and let’s be real, it’s very cringey), you can’t deny it’s memorable. It’s the kind of WTF moment that makes you text your friend, “You won’t believe what just happened.”

But here’s the thing: Hell Target has heart. The animation, while not top-tier, has that gritty ’80s charm. The action scenes are surprisingly tense—especially when Makurou is running through dark corridors, flashlight shaking, as the monster closes in. The ending is a total cliffhanger, too. After Makurou sends a warning to the incoming ship, the screen cuts to black… and then a random Spanish song starts playing. Wait, Spanish? One fan wrote, “I didn’t expect the Spanish song at the end. It’s okay for a boring Saturday night.” It’s weird, it’s out of left field, and it’s perfect.

Is Hell Target Episode 1 a masterpiece? No. The pacing is off, some scenes are way too dark to see what’s happening, and the character development is basically nonexistent. But that’s the point. It’s a 50-minute OVA—short, sweet, and unapologetically silly. As one fan put it, “It’s like a B-movie, but anime. I liked it.” If you’re into retro sci-fi, over-the-top monsters, or just want to laugh at something that doesn’t take itself seriously, this is for you.

So grab some popcorn, turn off your brain, and enjoy the ride. Hell Target Episode 1 isn’t perfect, but it’s a wild trip back to a time when anime was all about bold ideas and even bolder choices. And hey, where else are you gonna see a space monster fight a guy with a laser gun one minute, and a random sex scene the next? Exactly.

Final Verdict: 6/10. It’s cheesy, it’s confusing, but it’s fun. Just don’t think too hard about that sex scene. You’ll hurt your brain.

P.S. Stick around for the end credits—you won’t regret the Spanish song.