Sorcerer on the Rocks - DVD

Chivas Scotch is an exceptionally talented magician of thoroughly questionable character. As a bounty hunter for hire, he eliminates rogue sorcerers and dangerous monsters — for appropriate compensation only, of course. Perpetually broke despite his skills, he owes an enormous sum to the loan shark Million Dollar and takes any job that might pay it down. Accompanying him is Gin Fizz, a voluptuous Sister of the Golden Cross who suspects Chivas has a good core beneath his mercenary exterior and has appointed herself the person who will bring it out — a project he does not encourage, as he treats her more like an accessory than a partner. Rounding out the group are Kiss, a small werewolf elf, and Genmi, a young warrior with an extremely devoted attitude toward Lord Chivas. Count Cuttlefish provides the contracts. Million Dollar provides the pressure. The monsters provide the mayhem.

Sorcerer on the Rocks — known in Japan as Chivas 1-2-3 — is a two-episode OVA spin-off of the Sorcerer Hunters franchise, directed by Kazuhiro Ozawa — the same director as the Battle Athletes OVA and the Tenchi Muyo! Mihoshi Special — produced by Studio Daume, and based on a spin-off manga by Satoru Akahori and Miku Yuki serialized in Monthly Dengeki Comic Gao!. Released in Japan on August 21 and September 21, 1999. The series uses the tone and comedic register of Sorcerer Hunters — amoral protagonist, slapstick fantasy violence, fan service — while featuring an entirely new cast of original characters with no connection to the Hunters themselves. The English dub was produced by ADV Films in Houston. The original ADV Films DVD was released in North America in 2001 collecting both episodes on a single disc; a planned Essential Anime Collection reissue was announced for February 2005 but was indefinitely delayed and never released.

Notable Staff & Voice Talent

Director: Kazuhiro Ozawa (Battle Athletes OVA, Tenchi Muyo! Mihoshi Special, El-Hazard: The Wanderers)
Original Manga: Satoru Akahori & Miku Yuki (Sorcerer Hunters, Knights of Ramune, Maze; serialized in Monthly Dengeki Comic Gao!, MediaWorks)
Studio: Studio Daume
Music: Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor 1 & 2, Jin-Roh, Sorcerer Hunters TV)

Japanese Cast:
- Takehito Koyasu as Chivas Scotch (Slayers, Escaflowne, Gate Keepers, Fushigi Yugi, Z.O.E. Dolores I, Spriggan, Witchblade, Sorcerer Hunters TV — Marron, Gundam SEED Destiny — Durandal)
- Yuko Miyamura as Gin Fizz (Evangelion, Apocalypse Zero, Rurouni Kenshin, Sorcerer Hunters TV — Tira, Hyper Police)
- Megumi Ogata as Genmi (Evangelion — Shinji, Cardcaptor Sakura, Vampire Princess Miyu TV)
- Kotono Mitsuishi as Kiss (Dragon Half, Sailor Moon, A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, Noir, Maze, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Alien Nine)

English Dub Cast (ADV Films — Houston):
- Jason Douglas as Chivas Scotch (Sorcerer Hunters TV & OVA, Arc the Lad, City Hunter, Dragon Ball Super — Beerus)
- Tiffany Grant as Gin Fizz (Evangelion, Nadesico, Sorcerer Hunters TV & OVA, Burn Up Excess, Noir, City Hunter)
- Spike Spencer as Genmi (Evangelion, Nadesico, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen, Spriggan, Legend of Crystania)
- Sandy Fox as Kiss (Ninja Cadets, Knights of Ramune, Steel Angel Kurumi, Love Hina Again)

DVD Features (ADV Films Original Release)

- Both Episodes on Single Disc — Complete OVA (~60 min)
- ADV Films Previews
- Note: Planned Essential Anime Collection reissue (February 2005) was indefinitely delayed and never released

Spoken Languages: English & Japanese Audio, English Subtitles

Edition Details

Japanese Title: 妖術者 オンザロック (Mahotsukai on za Rokkus / Chivas 1-2-3)
Runtime: ~60 Minutes (Complete OVA, 2 Episodes)
Director: Kazuhiro Ozawa
DVD Release Year: 2001 (U.S. Release — ADV Films); Essential Anime Collection reissue announced 2005 but cancelled
Original Release Date (Japan): August 21 – September 21, 1999
Publisher: ADV Films
Rating: 17+
Region: Region 1 (U.S. / Canada)
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy
Themes: Mercenary Sorcerer, Perpetually Broke Protagonist, Sorcerer Hunters Spin-off, New Cast New World, Satoru Akahori Comedy

Media assumed VG+ unless otherwise noted.