Now that every show has put out three episodes, I think I’ve found my three favorites of the season so far: Un-Go, Chihayafuru and Last Exile. Un-Go for its storytelling, Chihayafuru for its characters, and this series for its setting.
Because seriously man, is there any limit to the creativity here? Compared to this show, Un-Go seems like a collection of cliches. The background art isn’t just gorgeous here, it’s full of all kinds of original ideas and the architecture in this series is some of the best I’ve seen in years. What’s most important though: the setting here feels alive.
This episode really convinced me that the creators know what they’re doing. On top of showing the main characters mourn about what happened, they also show how the people who live in the same city deal with the recent attacks. The ritual of letting balloons fly upward with candles underneath it was also a really nice touch, but also the way in which the debris of last episode was salvaged was a great addition.
I also have to say kudos to the characters for bringing this all out. This episode showed that the creators know when to be serious and when to be light-hearted. There was not a hint of the creators wanting to downplay the loss of Turan’s family, while at the same time they also didn’t try to make it melodramatic or way too angsty for its own sake.
Good Gonzo, it’s great to see you back again!
Rating: ** (Excellent)]]>
Last Exile – Ginyoku no Fam – 03
I have to love the costume designs too. Look kinda Asian, kinda European, but nothing like typical East-West fusion designs.
Background Art, Costume designs, Character designs, mecha design… for all that, you have to thank Murata Range, my all time favourite designer and drawer. This guy is a genius.
Same here Immelman.
No love for Mirai Nikki, PSGels? 🙁
Good to see one of my favorite studios (yes, GONZO) back from the brink, and doing good work.
Oroboros: I like Mirai Nikki, but I don’t consider it to be the best of the season. The three I mentioned above are really doing something to stand out, while Mirai Nikki is just a good over the top suspense show.
my top 3 are the same as Psgels
if it was top 4, then yeah, Mirai Nikki would be there. I just love animes that aren’t overly dark, and has time for the ‘lighter’ side.
“Good to see one of my favorite studios (yes, GONZO) back from the brink, and doing good work.”
Well said. 🙂
Solid episode.
I love the borrowing of the kilt, I don’t know why I didn’t notice it the last two episodes? Though they shouldn’t be wearing trousers underneath!
I think this episode was really good in giving a lot of background information,
but wait, was Fam found at the same time as when the last Augusta died? is that a hint that she may be related to someone really important?
The helicopter thing that the kid was riding looked so cool
And.. was I the only one who saw the candlelit balloons and went
FIRE HAZARD
and got worried.
But yes agree with psgels, the world building is top notch.
It’s not often that we get stories that are so expansive.
It doesn’t excite me in the same way as chihayafuru, where I feel personally invested in the characters, but it’s still very good.
My top three of the season are the same as yours and I think for the same reasons. There are plenty of good shows this season, most of which I look forward to each week, but those three are the ones that I want over so I can marathon them all right now.
I think that this series its not in the same level that the original Last Exile, but its a good one.