Futuristic post-war Japan is divided into four military regions, each led by conflicting nations trying to gain complete control over the country. While the Boundary War—fought with the help of humanoid mecha weapons called AMAIM—has long been over, the rivalry between these factions is still ongoing, and, as a result, the Japanese are heavily oppressed.
Amou Shiiba, a 16-year-old orphan boy who is secretly rebuilding an abandoned AMAIM named Kenbu, stumbles upon Gai, an autonomous AI in need of battery power. By choosing to help one another, Amou and Gai find themselves at the center of a disaster, and Amou is labeled a terrorist and cast out of society. Even so, Amou refuses to remain idle in the face of injustice, and he embarks on a long journey rife with struggle and companionship. His aim transitions from leading a peaceful life to liberating the Japanese people.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
KANLen09
To the folks over at Sunrise: We know, we know. The Gundam franchise that started way back in 1979, that was a massive success of a franchise that tied in all the anime, movies, Gunpla merchandise, video games, heck even the long-lasting relationship and sponsorship with Bandai, that spawned THE generation of what the mecha genre should be defined as. Years later, with the many iterations of Mobile Suit Gundam, and with the recent purchase and closure of defunct studio Xebec to turn that around as yet another subsidiary studio of yours by the name of Sunrise Beyond, the Gundam franchise continued from there with theinherently bad Gundam Build series that only serves as fodder for more of your advertisement for Bandai Gunpla merch.
The problem right now is, with Kyoukai Senki a.k.a AMAIM: Warrior at the Borderline, while the attachment to Bandai Spirits is the only notable thing that connects it to the Gunpla merch world, who is your target audience exactly? And what is it that you want to achieve with creating yet another standalone product that has no connection to Gundam (other than the robots that's uniquely designed by the one and only Kanetake Ebikawa), even at the mere slightest?
My reply to you:
Kyoukai Senki is just yet another disappointment of anime looking to fill the ropes of a Gundam-esque spin-off, filled with too much overbearing political BS, that the story's concept and execution is even more pathetic than the worst that Code Geass has to offer. For someone that wants to get into the Gundam franchise but doesn't want to go through the intricacies of starting from scratch, please, just watch any good Gundam show (that literally has Gundam in the title) that holds up as its own source material. You'll spend your time better that way than to watch this bastardized uninspired boring mish-mash of a show.
If you've haven't already caught my message, Kyoukai Senki is just a mess of a boredom show that's awaiting your attention, then beckoning you to fall asleep more quickly as soon as it starts going deep. The story of a futuristic post-war Japan that sees it divided into military regions like World War III is happening in the modern age to see which one stands supreme. To counter this Boundary War of sorts, the destruction mechs called AMAIM are once weapons to the cause, but not solutions to the oppression of ordinary Japanese citizens. And all it takes is for an orphaned boy, dawned with his sense of justice, coincidentally find an abandoned AMAIM with an autonomous AI embedded in it, to get it juiced up and fight for his own independence together with his friends and comrades ready to fight for a Japan that's liberated from military prowess. Thanks to the MAL Rewrite team for the synopsis to which I counter-wrote here for this review, because I could not be bothered to add more stuff from what the anime presented, so much that it hurts me deep inside.
Kyoukai Senki (or AMAIM which I'll refer from here on out) is just plain bad. Mecha shows have a standard story formula to go by, and as much as the predictability can set in quick, it's the execution which defines the experience. And that experience is set by scriptwriter and series composer Noboru Kimura, which looking at the hit-and-miss work resume that he has, I'd fathom why he chooses to play mindgames with people about the shows that he's written for, especially originals (see Gundam Build Divers, Skate-Leading☆Stars). Not even acclaimed Xebec director Nobuyoshi Habara whom directed beloved series such as Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor a.k.a Fafner of the Blue Sky and Broken Blade a.k.a Break Blade could ever be enough to save the horrific writing that Noboru Kimura has conceptualized for AMAIM.
If the story wasn't enough to save the anime, then the characters will be the judge of that. And yep, just as you'd expect, all the characters are one-note mutes, only there to service the "huge" plot that covers the span of the entire post-war Japan and basically having less or even no character development at all. For the first "homecoming" of an MC, 16-year-old Amou Shiiba isn't the type of character to lead that calvary charge, as much as his character feels like the exact opposite of that: a teenager who's just beginning to grow up into the face of reality shoved in his face, being ignorant and disillusional of his surroundings when faced with injustice, only to then be forced to act when the going gets tough. This is not how you want to paint your character being a person that's clouded in his own claustrophobia, and unfortunately all the character development that Amou got feels very forced and intertwined to the central plot. Like come on, have some backbone, will ya? Inject some sense into your head! The other AMAIM pilots of of Gashin Tezuka and Shion Shishibe are only as good as side-by-side comrade complements will get in battle, and have the same or slightly better backbone than Amou himself. Weakness is not a bad thing, but meekness is not weakness, and this kind of behaviour just isn't excusable.
The cast of characters are just far too much, most of the majority being a blip of cameo scenes when the show actually calls for it. From the best to the worst, the AI companions of Gai, Kai and Nayuta are good companions which both aid and power the AMAIM mechs for the respective pilots, and also serve as their stratagems when things are looking hot in heat. But Gai is just too talkative and loud to the point that it can get annoying at times. The branded terrorist group Yatagarasu, made up of people whom want to see the dream of a fully-liberated Japan, I do have some compassion for people fighting for independence, and most of them serve fairly to the plot in a good way. But when it comes to the various military groups (the Confederation of Oceania, the North America Coalition, the Asian Free Trade Entente, and the Eurasian military, like who is gonna remember each and every group), that is when the show banks hard into showcasing that the military is milking Japan for their own gain. And with that many groups, it tries too hard to exemplify that a war is ravaging, but why do you need THAT many people in the first place? Military is military, geddit? You're one entity, not segregated forces.
The two complements that I can give to AMAIM is that "the old has gone, the new has come". Xebec died and rebirthed into Sunrise Beyond is by no means a consolation to expect that there'll be good production values, and AMAIM just comes of as being decent at best. At least this show has Gundam mech designer Kanetake Ebikawa, so the AMAIM mech designs look unique and sleek to give it the fresh appeal. The OST is near-bangin' good with the mysterious new band that is Blank Paper's debut with the OP "enemy", and newbie singer Yu-Na Fukinbara's ED "You're my perfect mirror" is a solemn, yet melancholic song that speaks deeply to the heart, and has undoubtedly risen to become one of my top favourite EDs of the season. If there's one thing that Sunrise can be good at, is nurturing new talent for the company's music department.
But overall, even with decent animation, rather boring visuals and a good OST, art/animation and music aren't enough to save the clusterfish of a by-product that's looking to mime the success of the many iterations of Gundam, its settings and all that are sorely "founded" on the basis of Code Geass, and failing yet so spectacularly. Even yet another mecha show in the same season like Megaton-kyuu Musashi, I would definitely recommend that over this. But thankfully this is just Part 1, so Part 2 is coming soon in Spring next year to continue this as a split-cour.
Just stop using anime to farm for more merch, Sunrise. Even as a business entity, you're more than this, and definitely can produce better IPs than something of a non-canon like AMAIM.
Spirit_Chaser
Kyoukai Senki is so painfully bland I had to drag myself to finish it. The constant "Amou saves the day" and slice of life like episodes dragged it down too much. The plot progresses so slowly, and though I tried to be patient and give it a chance, it just wasn't done well at all. It was exciting to see a mecha series that would focus on 2D animation and completely ditch CGI, but it did an awful job in doing that. Lots of times the animation is Scarlet Nexus tier bad in that it uses still frame fights with flashy lights and cheap effectsto make it look like animation. You can tell some episodes threw the animation completely out the window while only a few were consistent.
Amou is in that pile of boring protagonists. He hardly felt memorable and his character barely progressed anywhere. Yes, he wants to be a hero and save people, but the writing is so shallow and hollow about it. To fix him, the first thing I would do is change the hideous yellow shirt he wears. For being a political series, that was done awful and underwhelming. Some of the main characters barely even got any development, and they can't cheap out on me and say to wait for the 2nd cour where it could get better because the 1st cour should be strong as well.
Shion had potential to be a great character but the series would rather focus on her making clay pots than fighting for the resistance.
Brad Watt is a cocky and smug high IQ individual that can scientifically breakdown a mecha fight for you just by staring at the dirt they fought on which I found hilariously absurd.
I understand Gashin's struggle under the context his father, but his character mostly felt annoyingly bitter.
The Pokemon were annoying, especially Gai. How could they reduce Violet Evergarden's voice actor down with a minor role voicing a hideous white blob with a boomerang mouth.
This all ties into many of the characters, the heroes and villains, in that they did not have anywhere near enough screen time to be relevant, and many just disappeared since the staff figured they'd just come back in the second cour.
Ghost is the only part of Kouykai Senki that I enjoyed. It's a learning AI that is so advanced it should have learned to jump out of the series and go after the writers before they can think of a cheap way to write him off since it is so obscenely strong. The main cast decide that in order to beat it, they have to do the same thing that doesn't work over and over again. Still, I enjoyed the type of destructive force Ghost can be.
With a second cour over the horizon, the suffering will continue. Still, the staff got carried away and left far too much unanswered and unresolved. At least the ending song and last episode were nice, though the episode was all action and nothing more.
i-like-this
Sir Killalot’s Japan. I was surprised at how hyped I felt by the end of the first episode of AMAIM. It establishes it's world and military problems well, Amou and Gai, a super AI meeting and helping each other even under the reality of becoming terrorists was well set up and animation seemed to be pretty good. The real problem with AMAIM is it’s pacing. After around the 5th episode the story hops from mecha, military action to a strange mesh between a slice of life and boy scouts genre… thing. It doesn’t really work. Amou is a pretty okay lead protagonist. He’s shy and indecisive, buthe’s not an insufferable idiot like most teen protagonists caught the centre of a military war anime. He’s not Shuu from that piece of shit Guilty Crown is what I’m saying. Amou feels like a typical teenager who has gotten into something way over his head with no way of turning back and he has real flaws to back up those feelings. By the end of the season his character arc is actually quite satisfying. That said, he’s not a particularly interesting character to watch which is the problem. That could be said for the other two lead AMAIM pilots. Gashin is the dark, brooding type who's father was killed by war and blah, blah, blah you’ve seen the archetype a million times before in other, better (and worse) anime and Shion likes to… make pots? Well it’s original at least.
The AI’s can range from silly too annoying. Nayuta is definitely the worst offender, but I actually really liked the chemistry they shared with their respective pilots, especially Amou and Gai. They act like real buddies and it’s kind of cute watching them joke around and support each other.
The animation is pretty good. When the action is low it can get a bit distractingly sloppy especially in the faces, but when the action is happening the show can get fucking awesome! I found myself surprising invested whenever the mysterious, rouge mech Ghost was fighting and the last episode was an absolute blast.
It’s unfortunate that the whole show couldn’t have been as engaging as the final episode of the season. Sloppy pacing, cliche villains and inconsistently interesting main leads means theres a lot holding this show back from being good, but I do think it’s an okay show. When the show hits, it fucking hits and, I mean I watched the whole thing so… there is a lot to like about it too if you’re willing to give it a go.
6/10 It’s Okay *Thumbs up*
Captain110
Kyoukai Senki was very enjoyable for me. I found that it wasn't the Gundam series that I love. Sunrise did a great job taking this anime in a different direction. The fact is getting a season 2 which is solid. It was very boring starting episodes but it did pick up as went on. The final episode was well done left a lot of questions about what's coming in season 2. Kyoukai Senki mechs had total different looking like Gundam rip offs the AI were funny each one was unique. Kyoukai Senki is solid anime something you can watch in day. Slow beginning but thesolid ending for the first cour.
yxaraxy
People are weirdly salty about this show, idk why. There's nothing wrong with this anime. It's a solid 7/10. It's entertaining, has decent mech designs, the characters don't act ridiculous, and the plot is coherent and simple. It's not a deep show. It's not an amazing show. But I certainly can't think of anything I didn't like or anything that makes it a bad show. I respect small, contained anime that don't try to be something they are not and don't have a wide-sweeping plot they aren't ready to handle. Just because it's a mecha show doesn't mean it should be compared to Gundam. The plothere is much "smaller" / more containe, less complex than your average Gundam series. This show is also significantly less dramatic than a Gundam series.
If you just want to watch an entertaining, coherent, self-contained, decent mecha anime then this is a great pick for that. I would only not watch this show if, for some strange reason, you are expecting a Gundam show. Then no, absolutely do not watch since this is much smaller, simpler story.
amf85
The animation is fine, the voice acting is fine. It looks and feels very Gundam-ish. Where is all falls apart is the plot and the characters. The characters are annoying and one-dimensional. Honestly, the best characters are the AIs, but the writer decided to make them glorified virtual secretaries for the teenage pilots, despite it being incredibly clear that the AIs are far more capable than humans. The main character is a whiny, crying idiot for most of the show. He's in the middle of a war, yet he doesn't actually want to fight or hurt anyone and cries constantly any time they take evenminimal losses. Ironically, there is a short period where he gets pretty gloomy, which the show tries to portray as a bad thing, but that's the only time he actual stops being terrible.
Probably the worst, however, is the combination plot/character which is "the resistance." The entire show revolves around the struggle of the resistance to free Japan from the oppression of the poorly written, ludicrously over-the-top evil foreigners. Except...it doesn't really. Sure, the show constantly TELLS you that's what the resistance is doing...but it's not. The ENTIRE SHOW, the resistance doesn't do a SINGLE THING to overthrow foreign rule. Instead, they run around playing hero and acting like a glorified relief organization. There are entire episodes devoted to helping 5-10 refugees at a time with their daily lives. Most of the show is just them "rescuing" one group of refugees after another from conflict zones, every time spending valuable resources and combat-trained lives to protect helpless civilians who contribute nothing to the war effort (and who in fact constantly are draining them of food and slowing them down). Animes LOVE those scenes where heroes act like crossing guards, telling witless civilians to continue going in the direction they were already going. Now imagine that, but in a giant mech, instead of using the mech to actually fight. No, I'm not kidding, they actually do that. This idiotic hero complex the entire resistance seems to have is made even worse by their reluctance to kill anyone, even enemy combatants during active combat. They want to fight a war without hurting anyone. It's ludicrous...except they aren't actually fighting a war at all, because...
You know what the resistance DOESN'T do? Actually attack the foreign military forces or do literally anything to throw them out of Japan. Not. Even. Once. Not ever.
The combat is also super lazy. Sure every anime gives main characters plot armor, but this show literally just makes main characters invincible until it's time for them to lose, and then the exact same attacks that previously didn't even scratch them suddenly chop through entire mechs with not explanation or justification.
This anime feels like it was written by a child. Not FOR children, BY a child.
CombustibLemon
Basically, it's like someone described to the writers some core elements from Gundam, using Twitter's character limits, and the text went through Google translate. Oh, and they based it on Gundam SEED. You know how in Gundam, the MC is usually forced to pilot the main machine and they usually can barely move it at the start (Amuro, and Judau, for example)? Here the dude just finds an abandoned, state-of-the-art automated facility that is still fully operational, drawing power, within walking distance from the city yet no one knows it exists. Inside is an advanced military weapon, one-of-a-kind mech based on a completely different technology from whatis wildly used (most mechs are remote piloted, this one has a cockpit) Yet this child can build it almost completely all on his own. Then, completely unrelated, he finds an AI in the woods that helps him complete and pilot that mecha. This AI, despite being military and not showing any signs of commercial use, is basically a Digimon with no explanation as to why he needs to use a cute avatar. He knows how to operate the facility and the Kenbu, but nothing else related to the plot, like let's say where all this came from, who created it or why it was abandoned.
Meanwhile, and again completely unrelated, a local commander from the occupying forces decided he need some war achievements before he returns home. So he declares a group of kids as terrorists for no reason, SWAT the MC's house and when they can't find him, they use the rest of the group as hostages to draw him out of the factory, armed with multiple mechs. Against what they believe is an unarmed kid, mind you.
That's just the first episode, and it gets even worse from here.
Nothing makes sense, nothing is explained, no one has any motivation for what they do. Hell, the main villain is a murderous AI robot with no voice, motives, background or even a name. he just appears out of nowhere, progresses the 'plot' by killing someone we met 2 seconds ago and leaves. And the human bad guys aren't any better. One of them, upon immobilizing our 'hero' and his mech - may I remind you, a one-of-a-kind and shown to be extremely powerful - decide to order his soldiers to mag dump onto the cockpit area, fully prepared to destroy this priceless military technology and knowing full well the pilot is a child.
Usually, when anime doesn't make sense, it's fully on purpose (FLCL or Gurren Lagann, let's say) and the characters are still, well, characters. With motives, reasons, and internal logic we can follow even in a mad universe.
Here, the world is nonsensical, the politics are BS, the technology isn't consistent with itself, and no one does anything reasonable or even charming.
And they had the audacity to end this part on a pathetic cliffhanger that was not only transparent to anyone who read any book longer than two pages, but rendered moot by them announcing updated model kits for part 2 even before the last episode aired.
So, the 'plot' is beyond saving. What about everything else? Character and mecha design is not to my taste, but at least competently made. Bonus points for fully 2D mecha, even if some of the fights are basically slideshows as a result. The art style and animation are really similar to Gundam IBO, just a few levels below. Like they had the same team but only half the budget (which is probably not far from the truth). Fights choreography, logic and power levels are bad as expected from this level of writing. Expect your regular levels of plot armor, new powers out of nowhere and everything you know and loves from the blandest of Shonen jump tropes.
Needless to say, I won't be back for part 2. Really struggling to remember anime that bad in a long time.
mechachungus
So in essence a wannabe Code Geass, but given its a sci-fi war story.. it's so watered down and bland it'd make oatmeal sound exotic. The static art is ok, mechanical designs seem rather nice, but when you see the animation.. most of the time, it could be done on PowerPoint. Music in the show is ok, despite being the technical highlight of things I can rate about, it's rather meh. Plotwise, it's poorly written and frankly seems to stem from the mind of a socially conservative who just discovered a how-to-write-an-ad. After a whole series, I'm still not sure why Japan was invaded.. no mentionof compelling motivations is ever explored and still not sure how Japan in this show managed to burn so many of its international relations that no one would step in on an invasion.
Characters themselves seemed ok, but their AI partners seem to take centre-stage and we don't really see what they're like other than some very bare-bones character motivations... sort of, the main character just seems to go with the flow which is not very engaging. It's technically watchable during the actual fights, but so far this series is a hard pass in my opinion.
kottadragon
It's like a solid 8.5/10. It fluctuates between a 9 and soft 7s. Really nice visuals, the music choices are good and add to scenes without overshadowing them, the mech action is intense and does a perfect job of drawing in the viewer, and the animation is consistent (for the most part). The AIs avatars feel a bit on the goofier side and out of place, but that's not really too big a deal. Most of the enemy commanders were shown to be fairly competent and arrogant at worst; most of their slip-ups come from actual outmaneuvering. The villains never devolve into 2d territory either (otherthan that one deputy governor) and I appreciate they didn't go the easy route of totally treating their enemies like evil incarnate. They're usually corrupt and imperialistic when you get to the goons, but they don't really feel like charactures divorced from reality either. It's a fairly refreshing and grounded take on occupying forces when many shows easily fall into the trap of making them pretty one-dimensional invaders.
Most critiques I have seen of the show have to do with the political side of things, which is absolutely not what the show is about. AMAIM is not Gundam, it is not trying to be Gundam, and people who think it is are missing the forest for the trees. AMAIM is not a political war drama with mecha action. AMAIM is a mecha action anime that uses its in-universe politics to form the driving motivations of the characters so it can achieve that.
Gen_Lma00
Its...ok, it does not try to re-invent the wheel or anything, its a very enyobale show with some nice character interactions and some mecha designs, that are probably the high point of the anime overall. The setting is very interesting altough not new, but leaves to some good interactions between each different military and serves to make the world feel lived it. On the counter, this setting makes a lot of the conflict about japanese pride and at times it feels almost like propaganda. Amo as a main characters works, not the most interesting mecha MC ever (that title goes to Amuro or Lelouch) but he isnot an empty shell to put yourself into, he has convictions and even guilt. Gashin is probably the best character out of the three main ones, with an internal conflict full of self-doubt but still determined to help Japan.
The concept of a rouge mecha in Gosth its pretty good and the mysticism sorrunding it makes it the better.
Probably one of the lowest points for me is the AI, Gai, Kei and Nayuta, they feel somewhat out of place in this type of story, serving as comedic relief but overall failing at it since its feels kinda forced, they feel like were made just to sell plushies (probably true lol)
Overall a good 8/10, i can see it in a channel like Cartoon Network, it has that same vibe of Bakugan, a good kids show not only made to sell toys.
Tactician
Kyoukai Senki, or AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline is another one of those Anime I have stumbled upon just by listening to one of my friends rant about something in the Mecha modeling world ironically. While I wouldn't consider this one of those hidden gems as I did for the likes of World Trigger, I am happy I came across it and I look forward to watching the second season. As with any Mecha themed show it has what you would expect. BIG robots piloted by humans with the action that is generally coupled with it. As a casual Mecha watcher I can say I enjoyedsome of the aspects of this show compared to other shows I have seen before. One aspect that I enjoyed a lot is explained instantly at the very beginning. It's more connected to the activities of a planets civilization and the different nations and their goals that go along with that. I totally understand that while most people would want to use the Mecha fantasy aspect of things to see more space themed stuff I quite enjoy occasionally running into something that's more stationary on a planet and not scattered across a galaxy or three. If you also enjoy then you should also expect to see some political aspects mixed in as well.
As for the characters, don't expect a ton of development considering what area the Anime itself tries to fill. I do happen to like Amou a whole lot and that's because his character is one that goes through it a bit (Like almost anyone else would in these types of shows) and does not sit around feeling bad or cursing inadequacies for 25 episodes, or never getting over them in some cases. He handles his stuff to the best of his ability and moves on. The same can certainly be said for Gashin which is great and I like him too but Amou being the main man gets him more screen time thus more impactful by default.
After getting to the end of the first season I am super happy I can just start the second season without a wait. I don't believe the end of the first season will stick as shown. (Trying to not spoil here)
For what it's worth I think Kyoukai Senki while not a blistering 11/10 in the Mecha world is certainly a good quick watch if you like Mecha and don't mind the political nature of the scenario.
Deago
The mecha genre has undergone significant evolution, raising questions about its current relevance. While some detractors dismiss AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline as a cheap Gundam knockoff, a closer examination of modern mecha titles, including Gundam itself, reveals how the genre has transformed to cater to the preferences of a new generation. Traditional tropes and elements have been reimagined and reshaped, aligning with the changing tastes and demands of contemporary anime audiences. This observation is not solely based on personal claims; even Takuya Okamoto, the producer of Witch from Mercury at studio Sunrise, acknowledges that classic Gundam titles no longer resonate with modern viewers.This phenomenon extends beyond mecha alone and can be seen across various subgenres.
Many long-time fans and seasoned mecha enthusiasts have understandably grown disenchanted with the genre, shifting their attention to alternative forms of entertainment. Mecha anime has become inundated with tired elements and tropes, including school settings, waifu-baits, edgy immature presentation, otaku culture, horny fanservice, and moe character designs. These prevailing trends have alienated the older generation of mecha fans who yearn for a departure from the modernised and formulaic aspects prevalent in contemporary mecha titles.
However, in this landscape of fatigue, a handful of lesser-known titles, such as AMAIM, have boldly reintroduced old-school political mecha tropes into the modern era. Regrettably, due to its departure from conventional elements, the series has largely escaped the notice of both traditional mecha enthusiasts and contemporary audiences. The veterans have grown disillusioned, hesitant to venture into new mecha titles, while fans of the modern approach find AMAIM unappealing compared to their usual fare. Consequently, the series finds itself trapped in a paradoxical position, failing to capture the attention of either group.
That being said, while AMAIM successfully avoids employing tropes that don't belong in a political mecha, and that retro mecha fans, including myself, have grown weary of in anime, it is crucial to note that the mere avoidance of these tropes does not automatically make an anime exceptional. It takes more than the absence of undesirable elements to create a truly remarkable and memorable work.
AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, another production from Sunrise and helmed by the veteran director Habara Nobuyoshi, renowned for his niche 'cult classic' mecha anime like Fafner (dubbed a 'discount Evangelion') and Broken Blade (labelled a 'discount Gundam'), offers a simple yet intriguing premise rooted in political war drama. The story unfolds in a world where four rival nations, where not America, not Russia, not Australia, and not China, vie for control over Japan. Concurrently, a Japanese resistance military faction named Yatagarasu, fights to reclaim their homeland, joined by unexpected allies from not Germany (and not Italy, if this is going where I think it's going), adding another layer of complexity to the conflict. This multi-faceted setup presents a stage populated by at least five different nations, turning Japan into a war-torn battleground.
What sets AMAIM apart from the two abovementioned titles is its ability to strike a delicate balance; rather than strictly focusing on angsty teenagers battling monsters with giant robots or delivering a run-of-the-mill political war drama with a fully adult cast. It features fewer emo kids fighting in a war that involves a dangerous and enigmatic entity—an unmanned robot called 'Ghost' which is scary and nearly invincible.
The anime begins by immersing viewers in a dystopian future where Japan teeters on the edge of collapse due to economic failures, an aging population, and low birth rates. This setting effectively establishes the dire state of the country and the need for external assistance. The audience is introduced to a Japan on the brink of societal breakdown, where powerful nations and allied forces respond to the crisis by deploying highly advanced humanoid war machines called AMAIM. This deployment aims to 'aid' Japan during this tumultuous time but ultimately leads to the Boundary War. The anime successfully establishes a dystopian narrative that delves into profound themes such as identity, nationalism, and personal connections within a struggling Japan. By providing a vivid depiction of a society on the verge of collapse, it introduces viewers to a diverse cast of characters who navigate this complex and hostile environment.
The narrative follows Amou Shiiba, a young scavenger who navigates the divided landscape of Japan, scavenging discarded AMAIM parts. Through Amou's experiences, the anime prompts viewers to contemplate the consequences of external intervention and occupation on a nation's identity and the lives of its individuals. The tension between Japanese locals and foreign forces highlights the cultural and social divide within a multicultural society. It raises questions about the clash of values and power dynamics in a world where occupation and resistance exist side by side. The presence of Japanese terrorists and extraterritorial jurisdiction hints at a complex power dynamic and foreshadows potential conflicts that arise from the occupation.
The anime explores themes of hopelessness and limited prospects within a struggling society through Amou's introspective monologues. The socio-economic challenges facing Japan, including high unemployment and a declining GDP, permeate the narrative, creating an atmosphere of despair and frustration. For Amou, his connection with machines becomes a form of escapism and a coping mechanism in a world where he can exert control and agency. It also touches upon the concept of identity and the anonymity of online relationships. Amou's interactions with his online friends, whose true identities and locations remain unknown, underscore the significance of shared interests and virtual communities as sources of support and camaraderie.
Amou, the central protagonist, after becoming a fugitive, finds himself taken to the base camp of Yatagarasu, where he is exposed to the operations and ideals of the resistance group. The base camp serves as a central hub for individuals who are dedicated to fighting for Japan's independence. It is here that Amou is given an opportunity to align himself with a cause greater than himself and become part of the struggle. Amou, who was previously focused on personal survival and evading capture, is now faced with a decision that will shape his future. The leaders of Yatagarasu present Amou with 'compelling reasons' and motivations to join their fight; they even have Risa try hard to convince Amou to join their group; she even strips her shirt for Amou so that the young teenage boy knows if he joins the Yatagarasu, he will get to hang out with some hot chicks...what? 'That scene was not sexualised', you say? But, in-universe, it's still sexy; I mean, it may not be sexy to us, but it was sexy for him, you know what I mean? Anyway, jokes aside, Amou was still hesitant and reluctantly joined, only to leave them and then rejoin, lol. What an obnoxious, indecisive sucker Amou was. But at least the Yatagarasu respected his choice, even though they were fine with the idea of recruiting child soldiers, right?
The anime continues to depict intense action sequences and emotional character development as the team faces challenges and confronts the enemy. The importance of teamwork and the resilience of the human spirit are highlighted throughout the battles. The narrative also delves into themes of revenge, loss, and the complexities of decision-making in times of war. It introduces the central conflict between the Japanese resistance and the occupying forces, showcasing the bravery and sacrifices made by the young characters involved in the resistance movement. The story sets the stage for political maneuvering, as well as the introduction of the Ghost robot as a formidable threat. It reveals further political complexities and introduces a neutral country such as Brenson Corp, expanding the scope of the conflict and highlighting the multi-layered nature of the war.
While some may dismiss the premise as mere Japanese nationalism propaganda, which holds some truth, it is essential to recognise that the quality of a story extends beyond its thematic exploration. Even if it were propaganda, it would not automatically render the story bad. The key lies in providing engaging storytelling while subtly critiquing the political themes at play. Unfortunately, one of the weaknesses of AMAIM is its lack of moral ambiguity. The series leans towards a blatant and preachy narrative in favour of nationalism, presenting anti-nationalist characters as either selfish and power-hungry or simply dim-witted, pathetic pacifists. This oversimplification robs the story of the potential for a nuanced exploration of complex political ideologies and the shades of grey within them.
Moreover, the credibility of the war setting is another point where AMAIM stumbles. In a genre centered around mechanised warfare, it becomes crucial to maintain a level of realism and believability in the strategic aspects of the conflict. While AMAIM isn't pretentious and doesn't try to be strategically complex, or involves chess in its battles, it is still important to show plausible strategies and tactics in war. AMAIM often falls into the trap of employing contrived plot points to drive the war forward. The war loses its meaning when a few giant robots easily overpower entire armies or launch sudden attacks on supposedly secure cities without enemies' prior knowledge. This diminishes the effectiveness and credibility of other units, undermining the tension they should bring to the story. When a single giant robot can effortlessly destroy not just one, but two military platoons, it becomes more akin to a battle-shounen disguised as a political war mecha.
Some may criticise the anime for glorifying war, and they are not wrong based on what the anime has presented in this installment. Amou, the protagonist, acted like a 'wuss' and refuses to 'get in the damn robot' to fight alongside the Japanese resistance military. Meanwhile, his angry and vengeful partner, Gashin, constantly urges Amou to join them and fight the invaders. Eventually, Gashin is proven right: 'You can't protect those you love without fighting, you can't stop war without engaging in it, you must wage a war to end wars; you must crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women! Where is your sense of patriotism and nationalism?! Yes, you must murder people to reclaim former glory of your homeland!' Except you don't, 'cause you're fighting unmanned robots, well, most of the time. It's still dull! The futuristic sci-fi setting, with highly intelligent artificial intelligence, may excuse the absence of traditional war drama tropes, but can we consider it an intriguing war drama when there are minimal civilian casualties and enemy soldiers barely get killed? I wanted to see more murdering and explosions goddammit! So, here you go, anti-war literature lovers who dislike war glorification. You somewhat got what you wanted with the pacifist 'wuss' excuse of a protagonist, even though the show consistently calls out his lack of 'solid practical principles'.
While the storytelling in question may draw criticism for its perceived glorification of war and departure from classical war drama tropes, it offers thought-provoking elements that delve into deeper themes. The anime dares to question the necessity of violence as a means to achieve goals, challenging the protagonist's pacifist stance and exploring the profound consequences of colonisation on culture. In this regard, it presents a morally grey landscape that encourages viewers to ponder the practical principles and ethics guiding the characters' actions.
The narrative raises pertinent inquiries regarding the motivations behind warfare and the vested business interests at play. It underscores how war serves as a catalyst for the proliferation of weapons and resources, creating a lucrative ecosystem that satisfies the ambitions of profit-seeking individuals. The cycle of war drives the demand for more weapons and war-related resources, perpetuating a circle of commerce that brings satisfaction to greedy businessmen.
The anime also deserves credit for its skillful development of the side characters, especially the American military, most notably Captain Brad Watt. Through their portrayals, the anime conveys a significant message about the importance of nationalism and the quest for independence. It highlights the potential loss of Japanese culture in the absence of resistance against colonisation and emphasises how the destructive force of colonisation erodes cultural identities. The concept of 'cultural suicide' emerges during a conversation between Captain Brad and his comrade, where the captain, despite being an adversary to the Japanese nationalists, raises this point. This exchange not only serves as a commentary on anti-colonial nationalism but also helps create sympathetic antagonists, challenging the notion that every soldier is inherently driven by nationalist fervour.
One plot point that perplexes me is how the Americans managed to gather data and create simulations of MAILeS-type AMAIM from the incident at Yatagarasu's base. They had no direct involvement in the battle and were unaware of the terrorists' location prior to the attack, ruling out the possibility of espionage or having a mole within Yatagarasu. Although they eventually discovered the enemy's base after the sudden assault and arrived at the scene later, it was after Yatagarasu had supposedly destroyed evidence, and the Asian military had already cleared the area before the Americans. The notion that detailed data about the three giant robots was obtained solely through the captain's examination of the aftermath seems implausible to me. It feels forced and unconvincing, given the weak explanation provided.
Furthermore, the narrative includes infodumps that present crucial information and raises important questions that should have been addressed earlier in the story, such as the origins of Yatagarasu's MAILeS-type AMAIMs and i-LeS. These revelations contribute to the story's depth and draw attention to significant aspects that warrant earlier exploration. The anime could have integrated these details more seamlessly into the narrative to avoid the feeling of delayed exposition.
In terms of tone, AMAIM skillfully blends elements of gloominess with occasional childish humour. Characters like Gai, the AI 'Digimon', offer comic relief without undermining the serious nature of the anime. This contrast provides hope for the emotionally broken teenage protagonists who lack nurturing parents and emotional support. This balance of light-hearted moments with the darker themes adds layers to the characters' emotional journeys.
Visually, AMAIM skillfully portrays a post-apocalyptic landscape characterised by dilapidated cityscapes and war-torn environments. The deliberate use of contrasting colour palettes, with vibrant hues for the AMAIM machines juxtaposed against desaturated tones for the surroundings, reinforces the sense of a bleak and divided world. This visual dichotomy underscores the stark contrast between the advanced technology of the AMAIMs and the crumbling state of society, further emphasising the themes of hope versus despair and technological advancement versus societal decay.
The animation quality of the show avoids the common modern anime reliance on CGI, although it remains at an average level. While the character designs may not be excessively appealing, they are also not off-putting. One commendable aspect is that the girl in the team isn't sexually designed, and it's refreshing to see a respectable and modest female character design in a time when sexualised designs have become the norm in anime.
Additionally, the mecha designs effectively convey their respective attributes without relying on excessive plot explanations. For instance, you can easily discern the specialisation of the main three mecha robots through their shapes, weapons, and maneuvering. Kenbu is specialised in defense, featuring larger shields and a balanced offensive capability. On the other hand, Jogan is clearly designed for long-range combat, equipped with firearms, a sniper, and grenades. Finally, Reiki is purely offensive, exhibiting agility, speed, wings for flight, and a spear as its weapon.
Overall, AMAIM's journey was a mixed bag: a strong start, a weak middle, and a mediocre conclusion. AMAIM may not reach the pinnacle of excellence in the mecha genre, but hey, it is still better than most 2020s anime and far superior to the majority of modern anime offerings. Strong introduction, captivating world-building, and intense mecha battles. Then it drops into a shaky middle—pacing issues, characters on life support. The plot loses stream. Conclusion is mediocre, but it tries. Doesn't always deliver, but has flashes of brilliance on occasion. Ambitious themes, thought-provoking moments, and flashy mecha battles—a treat for mecha fans. Consider it, but keep your expectations in check!
