Name(s): Armored Trooper Votoms: The Last Red Shoulder. / Soukou Kihei Votoms: The Last Red Shoulder. / 装甲騎兵ボトムズ　ザ・ラストレッドショルダー.
Format(s): Original video animation [OVA] (1 50-minute episode).
Genre(s): Action / Mecha.
Studio(s): Sunrise.
Release Date(s): August 21, 1985.
Related: Armored Trooper Votoms (1983). / Big Battle (1986). / Red Shoulder Document – Roots of Ambition (1988). / Brilliantly Shining Heresy (1996).

Unlike Red Shoulder Document, The Last Red Shoulder feels like a totally necessary part of the Votoms series. I can’t imagine it not being a part of the story. Seriously, it’s odd everything in this wasn’t in the actual series, as it’s pretty important. Regardless, watch Red Shoulder Document first, as this has an important connection to information only shown in that OVA. This OVA takes place between the Woodo and Kunmen arcs (episodes 13+), and I’d recommend it be watched between them. The story adds additional context and weight to events that happen in the series without spoiling anything or requiring knowledge of what happens later.

For starters, there are more significant plot developments here than most episodes of the Votoms series, which is a huge plus. We see the origins of Ypsilon and learn that he didn’t just come out of nowhere for the Kunmen arc. We get to see more insight into Chirico‘s past and some greater detail on the characters that make it up, as well as some closure that even makes Red Shoulder Document a more worthwhile watch. The animation isn’t as good as the aforementioned OVA, but is still superior to the series. Recommended.