Blue Submarine No. 6

Blue Submarine No. 6 was released as a four-part original video animation series by studio GONZO beginning in 1998. It was adapted from a 1960s manga by Satoru Ozawa and stands as a significant milestone in animation history for being one of the first major Japanese productions to heavily integrate 3D computer-generated imagery with traditional hand-drawn cel animation. The project was intended to push the technical boundaries of what could be achieved in home video formats during the late nineties.

The series is noted for its distinctive visual style, characterized by a fusion of digital depth and stylized artistic flair that defined the 'GONZO look' for years to come. Directed by Mahiro Maeda, the production sought to modernize the narrative themes of the original source material while showcasing the studio's ambition in digital compositing. Upon its release, it was received as a stylistic bridge between the classic era of anime and the emerging digital age, garnering attention for its experimental aesthetic and high-concept maritime combat sequences.