Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works (2010)

Heroic Spirits from every age are summoned to Japan by magi who participate in a modern day war for the Holy Grail. Legend claims that the Holy Grail has the power to grant any wish a person may desire; whether it's conquering the world or even changing the course of history. This is the story of Emiya Shirou, a typical high school student who is pulled into a war the likes of which few have ever seen. The battle for the Holy Grail will force Emiya to come into conflict with supernatural enemies, the longings of his heart, and the very personification of all his beliefs. The plot is relatively the same as the anime, video games, and novel. That being said not only is the story top notch but Type Moon has seen fit to introduce new elements into the foray, elements that make Unlimited Blade Works seem like a brand new creation even if you're already familiar with Fate/Stay: Night.

Unlimited Blade Works retains the essence of the basic formula of the series but places a greater emphasis on the duality between our main character Emiya Shirou and the Heroic Spirit Archer. Rather than have Shirou as the main actor on this stage, the screen time is largely split between Emiya and Archer. In this movie we see Shriou's beliefs tested by the events surrounding him and questioned by Archer. Shirou believes that he can save everyone and he will put his life on the line without hesitation to prove it. Archer on the other hand believes that it is impossible to save everyone because life is never that simple and there is no such thing as a hero. These and other ideologies shared and contrasted between the two, forces them to re-evaluate their own beliefs and even how those beliefs affect their personal realities.

The presentation is not entirely flawless. If you've seen Fate/Stay Night you will immediately notice something amiss when you watch Unlimited Blade Works; pacing. For the first 20 to 30 minutes of the movie, Unlimited Blade Works is all over the place. At the risk of spoiling anything let me give you the bare bones. The movie opens up with Tohsaka Rin summoning Archer just like in the anime. The scene then jumps to Archer and Lancer fighting. Then the scene jumps to Emiya getting injured and Tohsaka saving him. Then the scene jumps to Lancer attacking Emiya again. Then out of nowhere Saber shows up and then we're suddenly outside the church. What's even more jarring is that there are no transitions between any of these scenes. It just jumps from one clip to another. With that said, long-time fans of the series should have an easy time keeping track of the movie but it may be tougher for newcomers in the early going.

It should be noted that once the pacing catches up with plot, the anime is brilliant.  The events in the movie play out in a way you wouldn't expect and there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Still, if you're not at all familiar with the Nasuverse, you may wish to watch the Fate/Stay Night series to get the most out of the movie, but there's no real need to get that heavily involved if you're just looking for a good watch.

Where animation is concerned, Studio Deen went all out. Watching Unlimited Blade Works is like watching an animated painting. The clothing and hair on the characters move with life-like fluidity, much like the characters themselves. Even with regards to the fight scenes, the artists and animators really take animated battles to another level. The speed at which these blows are struck and the rapid pace of the fight scenes are impressive, especially because there is no animation slow-down nor any drop in quality. In Unlimited Blade Works every scene is stunning.

However, I do have two minor gripes. The environments, while beautifully drawn could have used more detail. If we look at Einsbren Manor, it's an impressive spectacle: we see rubble left over from battles, destroyed banisters, torn curtains, light streaming in through broken windows, etcetera, but no other environment is this detailed so while the anime is gorgeous some might wonder why aren't all the environments as detailed as they could have been. In any case the anime is definitely a feast for the eyes. It's no Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust but it's very good.

Fans might be disappointed that Type Moon doesn't spend much time shipping ShirouxSaber but given that some 20 episodes of the anime did that already I think a change of pace is fine to say the least, so this time around the movie spends a fair amount of time building the relationship between Shirou and Rin. This works really well because the two characters have viewpoints that are diametrically opposed to the other and this provides an ideological dichotomy between the two which is not compromised by differences but enhanced by them. For example, Shirou clearly has a savior complex which almost seems to stem from a reaction to childhood trauma. Rin drags these issues out into the open and which makes Shirou re-evaluate himself and his life.  A very believable undercurrent of affection flows beneath the surface of Shirou's and Rin's relationship. What is great about this is that even though the movie is very fast paced, this relationship doesn't feel underdeveloped.  Despite knowing the ins and outs of this relationship courtesy of previous series and all its scenarios, I found myself riveted by the growing bond between Shirou and Rin.

Also of note is the animosity between Shirou and Archer that is always there in the background during their interactions. During the anime, there was always venom between the two due to their different beliefs. In Unlimited Blade Works, the tension between the two explodes in no fewer than two violent confrontations between the pair. These fights are interesting because Shirou and Archer aren't operating within the confines of a good versus evil dynamic per se. Instead both characters are dealing with a reality they refuse to accept.

Music is perhaps the only area where Unlimited Blade Works fumbles and never recovers. Anyone who has seen Fate/Stay Night is probably familiar with the ambient music that sets the tone for suspense in many of the scenes as well as the pulse pounding tempos throughout the battles. Here that isn't the case.  The opening does have its fair share of drums and chanting that set the tone for the movie but the score isn't exactly epic. It's not bad but it's subpar compared to the scores used in the series.

As an aside where the fight scenes are concerned, it's a given that Saber knows how to lay the smackdown, but long-time fans will appreciate the fact that Rin has stepped her game up. Nothing this reviewer likes more than strong independent females so while it's expected that a hero like Saber can bring the hurt, it's more impressive to see such power come from Rin who is mortal and thus normal by comparison. Also, despite the dark tone, there is some humor here. When Assassin fought Saber he had this to say, "I thought she was a beautiful little flower but she turned out to be a ferocious lion."  Apparently Assassin's talent for analyzing women hasn't improved since the anime. In the series, Shirou was both the leading male and the damsel in distress. In Unlimited Blade Works, it seems that Shirou went to the school for Badass Normals and graduated valedictorian.

Unlimited Blade Works is a very good animated movie. While fans of Type Moon will likely receive the film with a high level of esteem, I can also recommend it for fans of anime in general even if they aren't familiar with the Nasuverse. Sure the movie has it's weaknesses in areas of pacing and the score, but it's a very enjoyable anime to watch. When it comes to Type Moon you'd better believe the hype.

I am the bone of my sword

Steel is my body and fire is my blood

I have created over a thousand blades

Unknown to death

Nor known to life

I have withstood pain to create many weapons

Yet these hands will never hold anything

So as I pray

Unlimited Blade Works

Immortal Regis (2006)

Immortal Regis tells the story of Jae Hyuk, a high school student struggling to take care of himself and his ailing brother. One night when Jae Hyuk's brother falls ill, our hero tries to take him to the hospital when he encounters demoness Serin, a resident of Chaos. Jae Hyuk gets killed in the battle between Serin and a random demon. This would be a short story for sure but Serin resurrects Jae Hyuk with the powers of her clan. Now an Undead, Jae Hyuk can no longer remain in the human world and is forced to travel to Chaos. While there, Jae Hyuk learns that if he can acquire the fire spirit he may be able to return home to watch over his little brother. But he'll have to contend with vicious monsters, a corrupt political system, and even the very laws of Chaos itself which are all tied to the apocalypse.

Immortal Regis is an intensely satisfying read for many reasons. The manga has layer upon layer of narrative including: myths, lineages, relationships between clans, and even science. It's difficult to discuss the finer details of the plot without spoiling some of the numerous plot twists, a few of which left this reader stunned. What starts as a simple shonen-esque tale of heroism quickly turns into something darker and more mature. Immortal Regis doesn't immediately seem like it's aiming for a piece of popularity pie, rather it emulates ancient myths to create its own and expand upon the themes and tropes therein. On top of that, the manga does a great job in leading the reader on and making one think it's going in a particular direction when a plot twist or new development within the narrative makes a hard right into something amazing.

Immortal Regis is remarkably refreshing because despite it's imaginative story and fantasy setting, the developments within this world are grounded in reality. Power dominates Chaos and it's the common end of whatever means our characters might employ. The cast is considerably more mature than what you find in other titles and they're fully aware that the tropes you see hammered in other manga such as friendship and hugs doesn't actually get things done. We see characters cutting deals, stabbing each other in the back (literally), and trying to take control of ancient powers and prophecies to fulfill their own ambition, while the people of Chaos are largely ignorant of what is actually going on behind the scenes. There is social commentary here in a way.

The characters in Immortal Regis are deep and varied. In a way it seems as though they're not characters but people placed in fantastic situations. What this means is that you have your Machiavellian types, agents of chaos, and pawns in political chess games which includes innocent people like Jae Hyuk and Serin who become guilty by associating with the wrong clans or worse yet, happening upon ancient powers which are the key to someone else's grand conspiracy. Speaking of our main characters, Immortal Regis does an amazing job of centering its plot around a pair of protagonists whereas most manga have trouble dealing with one. In a sense, Immortal Regis serves up helpings of tragedy, drama, and political intrigue in fashions Shakespeare himself would applaud.

Serin is our heroine in this story. She has all the earmarks that you'd expect of a badass. She's powerful, cunning, knowledgeable about the social and political structure of Chaos and the field of battle, but she also has a compassionate side and a very strong sense of duty. After Jae Hyuk is killed when Serin's fight with a demon got out of control, she takes it upon herself to save Jae Hyuk's life and watch over him even though she has no obligation to do so except that which she placed upon herself via her moral code.

Jae Hyuk is a complex character as well. He has the tragic flaw that you'd expect from a tragic hero but this isn't a spoiler per se. It is true that Jae Hyuk's loyalty and devotion to his younger brother is his driving force. The crux of loyalty in the world of Chaos is that it may very well get you killed, but as Jae Hyuk becomes more and more driven to return home he becomes the beneficiary of great and in some ways terrible power - power which appears to be driving him insane at certain points with his madness only being quelled by Serin's compassion. Not only that but as Jae Hyuk becomes more and more involved with the world of Chaos, he does recognize that the duty to save this world may be more important than returning home. It is that recognition of duty, how it conflicts with loyalty, and the influence of power which complicates Jae Hyuk's character and the events that stem from his decisions.

The environments of Chaos blend ancient structures sporting a mix of European and East Asian architecture alongside futuristic laboratories. Modes of transportation include dragons, horses, and carriages. There are large satellites, meticulously detailed holograms, and beautiful hanging gardens. Usually when creators try to mash so many anachronisms together it comes off as garish but in Immortal Regis the artist makes it work. From the standpoint of the character design, the characters do look oddly proportioned for the first volume but that's par for the course where manga is concerned. There is a gradual but very noticeable evolution of art which sees our characters transition from odd to being artistically breathtaking - even more so in the sequel manga Cavalier of the Abyss.

Immortal Regis is epic, beautiful, and incredibly well put together. To say it is unlike any manga out there would be a very good approximation of how different and how good it truly is. It doesn't aim to be like the big three or fit the needs of one particular audience. The aim of Immortal Regis is to weave an epic tale of complex characters set in a world of paradoxical aesthetics and it succeeds. Immortal Regis delivers in dividends and somehow, it's sequel piece actually improves upon the groundwork laid down by this manga. To say Immortal Regis is a must read is something of an understatement as it is absolutely amazing. If you've never read this title you're missing out.

Digital Devil Saga (PS2)

Digital Devil Saga is set in post-apocalyptic future where rival gangs: Embryon, Vanguards, Maribel, Solids, Wolves, Brutes are locked in a constant battle for supremacy. Only the last remaining gang will be allowed to enter into Nirvana. Our story centers on the Embryon, who despite being the smallest gang has proven themselves to be a formidable operation thanks to their leader Serph. While locked in combat with the Vanguards, the two gangs encounter a strange obelisk not of their world. Beams of light burst from the strange object and pierces the bodies of Embryon, rendering them unconscious. After awakening, Serph is relieved to find that he and his friends are in good health but the enemy is nowhere to be seen. Even more unsettling are the strange brands that adorn the bodies of Serph and his friends, and a mysterious girl found within the obelisk itself. Not long after, Embryon discovers their brands have cursed them with the power to transform into demons, a power that is not unique to them alone. Serph and his friends must unravel the mysteries of this strange condition that has overtaken them and their enemies, completely unaware that their descent into madness is only beginning.

"Welcome to the human race."

As expected from a Megaten game, the story in Digital Devil Saga hooks you right from the beginning. Breaking from tradition is what the franchise is known for and Digital Devil Saga does a fantastic job of using the opening exposition to lay down the rules of the world and explaining the status quo, and then turning it upside down before you even pick up the controller. Some might see this as the narrative being too loose but in reality, the game does an effective job of using this plot device to put you in the same position as the characters that – much like the player – has to break away from the typical approach to combat. The mysteries here build a compelling narrative but as is the norm, certain aspects of the plot or aesthetics may be off-putting to those who are hardline anti-religious. The game borrows heavily from Hinduism and other eastern religions but this is not done in an overtly offensive manner. The only negative thing I can say about the games plot is that apart from establishing this world and its characters it doesn't build on many of the concepts for which it laid the groundwork. This is somewhat understandable as this is part one in a two part series, but I felt that there were just one too many loose ends that the writers left for the sequel.

Embryon

Digital Devil Saga is filled with rich cast of colorful characters. By default, the characters we meet approach life and death from an almost Spock-like mindset heavily steeped in the rational. After the characters get their brands, their personalities change – and for some the change is dramatic. Early on, Heat was the model right-hand man for Serph but after he is branded and his personality is made manifest, Heat lives up to his namesake; acting irrationally, questioning orders, and putting the team in danger. The personality changes are subdued for some characters like Gale for instance who by nature emphasizes the Vulcan approach to just about everything.

Where gameplay is concerned, Digital Devil Saga sticks the tried and true turn based battles.  You have five characters but only three are allowed into any given encounter, but you can swap them in and out at any time and as many times as you wish so long as that character is alive, similar to FFX. This adds a bit of strategy because although every character can learn every technique, they cannot equip all of them at once. Furthermore, certain characters are stronger when using their element and weak to said elemental opposite. For example, Heat is a fire attribute party member. Although he can learn to use almighty and ice magic, he’ll never be good as say Serph or Cielo respectively. Most enemies have elemental weaknesses that the player can exploit to score a critical hit, paralysis, and even get an extra turn. Bear in mind, your characters also have weaknesses which the enemies will exploit at every opportunity once you beat the first dungeon.

There are dozens of different techniques that your characters can learn. By defeating your enemies, you will acquire Atma Points (AP) which can be used to purchase a variety of techniques in the forms of new attacks, tag team moves, magic, support skills and feeding techniques which allow you to devour your enemies for more AP and even health buffs. There are also skills which can make you impervious to various attacks such as those of a physical, magical and status based nature. You will find that by equipping enough of these skills, you will be able to effortlessly negate your enemy’s attacks, cost them a turn and make your characters almost invincible. This player actually buffed Serph to the point where only almighty spells had any effect on him.

I do have some complaints. The battles are much too frequent (every two-to-five seconds), the game is extremely linear, there are only a small handful of side-quests, for an RPG the game is rather short, and as with most RPGs once you reach level 99, you can mop the floor with your enemies, rendering the need to learn most skills unnecessary. And as for the skills you did learn, you can plow through just about every enemy using brute force.

However, if you’re not at level 60 before you hit the half-way point you’re in for a world of pain. I cannot stress enough that this is a difficult game and the dramatic leap in difficulty after the first dungeon may turn some players off immediately. However, if you’re at all familiar with games from the Shin Megami Tensei universe then you know this is par for the course.

From a graphics standpoint the game is smooth. There are no jerky animations the characters move with a life-life fluidity. The character designs themselves are imaginative as are the environments. The only real knock I have against the game is that the environments themselves are not rendered with the same level of detail as the characters. The music is also very good. While this is no Persona soundtrack the themes certainly standout – particularly Danger by Etro Anime and several of the boss themes. It’s definitely a soundtrack worth owning.

Overall Digital Devil Saga is an amazing, must-have RPG. It does have a few hiccups and the fact that it’s part one in a two part series means that you won’t get the complete story without also playing Digital Devil Saga 2, but for Shin Megami Tensei fans it’s a no-brainer. I would also highly recommend this game for RPG fanatics, just know what you’re getting into because the Shin Megami Tensei franchise isn't known for pulling its punches.

Black Rock Shooter (2010)

Black Rock Shooter started out as a video created Ryohei Huke and Alternative band Supercell. The music, imaginative character designs, and colorful environments was enough to make the video the talk of many anime forums. As with typical hype fests since the 2000s, it was picked up by a studio and given the animated treatment.

The OVA takes place on two worlds: Earth and Other World. Our main character is a middle school girl named Mato Kuroi. The new girl in town, Mato quickly makes friends with her new classmates including a quiet girl named Yomi Takanashi who later convinces Mato to join the volleyball team. As time passes, Yomi starts to change in such a way that she appears to have a split personality. Yomi is eventually spirited away and no one can find her. Wishing to save her friend, Mato merges with a mysterious apparition that suddenly appears before her to offer her aid, becoming Black Rock Shooter. This new entity sets off on a quest to save Yomi from a similar entity known as Dead Master.

The issue with Black Rock Shooter is that there are certain aspects of the anime where the work excels such as animation and art style, while lacking in other areas such as plot and character development. Two girls become friends, one disappears, and her friend goes to save her. That's the entire plot of this anime. Black Rock Shooter tries to keep things interesting by centering the subplot around the events in Other World but the setting itself nor the characters therein get the exploration they deserve which is a shame because while Earth has typical cliche anime environments such as classrooms, houses, city streets, schools, and so forth, Other World has striking visual aesthetics, and unique architecture that really builds an atmosphere of foreboding and at times epic.

Other World has a visual aesthetic that is abundantly empty. To explain, the environments are monstrous in size and have unique trappings such as chains and grave stones. Abandoned towers, shear cliffs, and mountains overlook vast landscapes of total desolation. The fact that there are no people or even remains of people gives the environments an even more oppressive identity adding untold horrors which weave oblivion into the apocalyptic setting so well it forces us to re-evaluate how we judge beauty. The character designs are interesting as well given that Black Rock Shooter, Black Gold Saw, and even Dead Master are all drawn with great artistic flourish and imagination.

At this point you may have noticed that the only images I used have been from Other World and this is done by design as Other World contains the aesthetics that make this OVA (and its anime, manga, and video game counter-parts) stand out. The character designs and environments on Earth are so drab and uninspired that in addition to actually detracting from the visual appeal of the anime it's no wonder you don't find much in the way of wallpapers or even screen caps of it online. If Other World is a feast for the eyes, Earth seems like stale bread by comparison.

The music is another place where Black Rock Shooter falters. While the music isn't terrible, it fails on an artistic level because the music doesn't do anything to stimulate the the viewer. The music in Black Rock Shooter should have been used to enhance the drama, action, and suspense but it's hardly noticeable at any point but during the fight between Black Rock Shooter and Dead Master, and even the score for that battle is bland just not to the same of extent of the rest of the soundtrack. Given the amazing scale of Other World it makes little sense that the creators didn't put any effort whatsoever into providing this OVA with a soundtrack that would do it justice. Sugizo, Dir en Grey, and most notably HYDE could have provided an amazing score for this OVA and if the budget was an issue (doubtful given the animation) any one of them could have provided an OP or EP far superior to what we have here.

Because of the appeal of its characters and universe, Black Rock Shooter has spawned a PSP game, two manga, and an anime series. That doesn't mean much for several reasons. Most anime either stem from or spawn a manga or two as well as video games. Secondly, from an economics standpoint Japan emphasizes production over consumption so its easy for the manga, anime, and game industries to flooded with a number of works and spin-offs from those works. Also keep in mind the fact that popularity is not always an enduring quality. (How many people are watching SAO today?) I understand that a lot of work went into this title but Black Rock Shooter doesn't do anything that separates it from any other anime on the market.

The story is cliche, our lead characters are not endearing, and the plot contrivances here are borderline insulting. When Yomi disappears, Mato wishes upon a star that she could bring her back. Turns out this star was an apparition called Black Rock Shooter who grants her wish. Not only that, but the defeat of Dead Master happens in such an absurd way you just have to see this. The worst offense is that while Other World is a very impressive setting which has all the action and intrigue, less than half the OVA takes place there. In the span of say 50 minutes, 15 of those (at the most) takes place in Other World, meaning that the majority of your time is spent watching a slice of life anime with the least interesting cast of characters this side of Tenchi Muyo. The conceit of the OVA and some defenders thereof is that it explores existentialism, but I recall Angel's Egg doing that in 1985, and it did it much better.

Every once in awhile there comes an anime that stimulates our senses and forces us to look at story telling in a different way. This is not one of those anime. It's not awful, but there are better things you could be watching.

Escaflowne: The Movie (2000)

Bordering between life and self-annihilation, Hitomi Kanzaki is tired of living. One day on her way home from school, she is transported to another land. A land called Gaia. Gaia has been ravaged by war and the world is in constant turmoil as Lord Folken, leader of the Zaibach empire aims to bring about the end of all things. Hitomi is believed to be the ancient Wing Goddess who has the power to summon the dragon Escaflowne which will carry out Gaia's destruction. The only thing standing between Folken and the Wing Goddess is Van Fanel, the young king of Fanelia. When faced with the full might of the Zaibach empire what hope does Van have in protecting Hitomi when he may not be able to protect himself?

Escaflowne: The Movie is an original story based off of the anime series of the same name. Since the movie is a stand alone story, it is very easy for long-time fans, as well as newcomers to get into. You don't need to be familiar with the characters or the world of Gaia in order to understand everything that goes on, but long-time fans will probably have a greater emotional return and appreciation of the liberties that were taken with the original series. However, subject matter here is something most audiences can appreciate. Themes such as family and honor are touched upon, as well as love, but not in a cliche sense of romance but rather, accepting others and sometimes doing what's right for yourself out of love for another person. It sounds somewhat inaccessible but only because few if any anime tackle themes of this nature in such a profound way.

There is a subplot revolving around the relationship between Van and Hitomi but not in the sense that they are star-crossed lovers. Our two main characters both have self-destructive tendencies and under normal circumstances, they would actually be dangerous toward one another. However, they exist in such a manner because due to their inability to form close bonds with others, they don't have the benefit of having someone in their lives who can show contrast. While Hitomi in the original series had many friends, in the movie even her closest friend feels like a stranger to her. This is also true of Van who had many friends and allies in the anime, but in the movie one of the characters goes so far as to state, "Lord Van fights alone. He's always alone." It is only after Van and Hitomi meet one another and witness each others self-destructive nature do the two of them find the motivation to change.

Escaflowne: The Movie is a lot darker than Escaflowne the series, so we don't get to see much of the "beauty" of Gaia this time around. The environments are a lot harsher, there is an abundance of dark shades, and the locations are a lot more industrial in nature. It's fascinating in many ways because while the movie and the anime take place in the same world, their respective settings are as different as night and day. If you're familiar with the series and were a big fan this actually might take you out of the movie, but that's ultimately a call made by your own aesthetics. Gaia and Earth (for the little time we're there) are all meticulously designed and the artists didn't skimp on the details. Escaflowne is revered in both Japan and America for having lush fantasy environments, and remarkable art and animation. This reviewer has been watching anime for twenty years and the only title that surpasses Escaflowne: The Movie in terms of visual quality is Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

One question you might be asking is how is the soundtrack? The soundtrack is composed by the legendary Yoko Kanno, with the ending theme performed by Maaya Sakamoto. In plain English: 'nough said.

When it comes to the voice acting I don't have much to say other than stellar. It was a very good idea on the part of the creators of Escaflowne to reassemble the original cast. Fans can expect the same quality of talent they're used to while newcomers don't have to worry about anyone phoning it in. The movie explores several social problems including colonialism and primogeniture. While the latter is of so-so importance in today's world, the former is still an issue as superpowers tend to prosper at the expense of weaker nations. While Escaflowne doesn't drive this point home, the Zaibach empire - with its industrial power and advanced weaponry - seems like it was modeled after the west, at least to this viewer.

If there is one moral lesson that Escaflowne does drive home it's enjoy the time you have with the one's you're with. Very rarely do we contemplate that a conversation we have with someone could be the last and you can't predict what's going to happen tomorrow. Throughout the movie we see Van and Hitomi form a uniquely powerful bond despite the fact that they come from two entirely different worlds. It eventually becomes clear that no matter how this ends they won't forget each other.

Three (3) Disc Ultimate Edition

Escaflowne: The Movie is a phenomenal anime! The creators really put a lot of effort into making this movie and it shows. The ending, as with the rest of the movie is unforgettable.  It will be even more special for long time fans of the series. Whether you watch anime or never even cared for it, Escaflowne: The Movie isn't just a fantastic addition to anyone’s library but it's the inspiring creative work of highly evolved imagination.