Well, so this is why, at the start of this contest, I only limited the series that you could force me to blog to 14 episodes: so that I wouldn’t be stuck with 60 unblogged episodes of Monster, in the case that it turned out to be a bad idea. I really apologize: with my current schedule, I just can’t watch and blog older series at a consistent pace, like I do with the currently airing series. Because of that, I just ended up marathoning the rest of this series, and here are my impressions on the entire series.
Seikai no Monshou is yet another one of the series that reinforces my beliefs that the Sunrise of around ten years ago rocked beyond belief: they consistently brought out interesting, daring, exciting and innovative science-fiction mecha series with great premises. Seikai no Monshou at first sight is another science fiction series, but it sets itself apart by its imaginative and especially very detailed execution.
The central focus is the chemistry between the two lead characters. Coming from two completely different backgrounds, this series shows both of their backgrounds, and tells in great detail about the history of the universe they’re set in, especially on the race called the Abh. The gem of this series lies in its dialogue: the dialogue between the two lead characters is direct, straight to the point it forces you to confront difficult issues, rather than jumping around them. The difference in their upbringing is shown subtly but powerfully throughout this dialogue.
The battles in this series are also often very down to earth, and focused more at skill rather than just going over the top with explosions. Unfortunately, there are times at which this series does forget that and turns into an action flick. The final episode, instead of closing off with a powerful climax instead just opts for the kind of battle in which the enemy soldiers (both well-trained police and military officers) conveniently miss every shot they fire, yet get killed off instantly when the lead characters shoot at them.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t ruin the rest of the series that leads up to it, which is an exceptionally written science fiction story that puts a lot of emphasis on the characterization and dialogue between the two lead characters.
| Storytelling: | 8/10 – Realistic, down to earth and yet powerful, though the final arc isn’t the best. |
| Characters: | 9/10 – |
| Production-Values: | 8/10 – Solid, but surprisingly dated at this point. |
| Setting: | 9/10 – Well detailed, realistic and imaginative back-stories, both for the characters and the world that this series is set in. |
I’m just wondering if you plan to watch the sequels at some point in the near future.
Sunrise just needs to make more good novel adaptations, since that’s where this entire franchise came from.
It’s not anime original. They didn’t come up with the premise or any of the main characters, though I would give them credit for a great execution overall. That much is fair.
That said, I mostly agree with your review. It’s true that the final episode was underwhelming, but I’m generally a pretty forgiving guy and the excellent characterization more than made up for it.
Yeah, yeah, all that praise, and he still slapped his neverchanging 85/100 on it. Well, it was to be expected, i guess.
Why do you even bother to put the numbers ? We already know what they are, and will be for pretty much any and every anime that was, is, and will be.
You still haven’t tried DT Eightron, psgels. The art was crappy but the story and the characters more than make up for it. I doubt, though, that you can download it anywhere.
Don’t blame psgels. It is I, Mr. 85/100, who is 85% responsible for the score. I’ve got this blog haxx0red, and 85% of the times psgels enters a different score, my v.85.100 r0b0ts change it to 85/100, the perfect score for 85% of the anime out there.
Yea I can’t really offer a suggestion or anything, and I’m really not trying to get on your back or bag on you or anything but the 85 is starting to seem quite tedious now.
I’m glad that you really liked this series. I love this series.
Maybe one day my wish comes true that you start to blogging Legend of Galactic Heroes.
another space opera you might like alot is Infinite Ryvius, the emphasis is totally on the characters and interactions there aswell.
seikai no monshou/senki, Starship operators and Infinite Ryvius are my top 3 Sci-fi anime.
A fun comment Mr. 85/100. Good that you, psgels, enjoyed the series. I haven’t really thought the rating here but 85/100 sounds suitable score for this series.
What! Only 85/100?! Definitely a 100/100. ^__^
I liked this series, but for god sake, blog Legend of Galactic Heroes, I would love to hear your thoughts about this show…