OVA
Description
Leon McNichol is a central figure in the original video animation AD Police Files, which depicts his early years as a member of the Advanced Police force in the MegaTokyo of 2027. Before joining the AD Police, he served in the Normal Police, where a violent encounter with a rogue Boomer—a type of advanced android—prompted his transfer to the specialized unit that handles crimes involving Boomers. Leon begins his AD Police career as a rookie, gradually exposed to the daily horrors and moral complexities of a city where the boundary between human and machine grows ever thinner.

Personality-wise, Leon is characterized by a strong sense of justice and a dedicated, if sometimes impulsive, nature. He has a tendency to rush into situations without fully thinking them through, a trait that often puts him at risk but also reflects his earnest desire to protect the citizens of MegaTokyo. Despite his frustrations with the system and the difficult cases he faces, he remains committed to his duty. His motivations stem from a genuine wish to uphold order and safeguard human life, though the cases he handles repeatedly force him to confront uncomfortable questions about humanity, identity, and the place of humans in a city increasingly populated by artificial beings.

In the story of AD Police Files, Leon serves as the main protagonist. The three-episode OVA follows his growth from a relatively inexperienced officer into someone who must grapple with the ethical and existential dilemmas posed by Boomer-related crime. His role is to investigate and neutralize Boomer threats alongside his veteran partner, Gina Marceau. Their partnership is central to his development: Gina’s experience and steady demeanor balance Leon’s impulsiveness, and through their work together he learns about the ever-fading line separating man from machine. Leon also maintains a connection to his past in the Normal Police through his acquaintance with officer Iris Cara, whose own story in the second episode highlights Leon’s concern for preserving humanity in the face of increasing cybernetic augmentation.

Leon’s development in AD Police Files is marked by a growing awareness of the ambiguous nature of his world. Early on, he is shown questioning whether humans still have a place in MegaTokyo or whether the city truly belongs to the Boomers. By the end of the series, he has witnessed the tragic consequences of both unchecked technology and the dehumanization that can result from excessive cybernetic replacement. These experiences lay the groundwork for his later appearances in the broader Bubblegum Crisis continuity, where he becomes a recurring figure.

Notable abilities include his skill as a powered armor pilot. Among the AD Police, Leon is considered an ace operator of the K-11 and K-12S powered suits, which are used to combat Boomer threats. He is also proficient in firearms and hand-to-hand combat, having demonstrated his ability to fight and survive dangerous encounters with multiple Boomers. His dedication and physical courage, though sometimes reckless, make him a capable officer in the field.