Rage of Bahamut

Genesis – 85% – While from a distance I saw an incompatible combination of crazy escapades, steampunk, zombies, dragon fantasy, divine and demonic creatures, and Joan of Arc, up close it was much better. And surprisingly much calmer. The adventures of Favaro, Kaisar, and Amira, after the fast-paced introduction, shift to a pleasant journey of (anti)heroes, during which they encounter either a welcome ally or a formidable enemy. With inventive action scenes, grand war scenery, and an excellent soundtrack, the twelve episodes are truly desperately insufficient, which not only results in the fact that I would very much like to see an explosive continuation soon, but also that this world needed to be portrayed even more. There are embarrassingly many minor characters who can barely interfere with the plot before disappearing again. However, this does not change the fact that Rage of Bahamut deservedly became a hit and that despite its highly exaggerated setting, it combines humor, romance, and action incredibly well. And if you look in my eyes, you'll see I'm not lying! Virgin Soul – 100% – I won't deny that giving the maximum rating to this long-awaited sequel is perhaps a little exaggerated, but because it is quite possibly the best anime series in a long time, I won't resist such generosity. I was afraid of the ten-year time jump, the new protagonist, and that the old familiar characters would either play minor roles or be completely absent, but fortunately, nothing is as hot as what's cooking in this flying carriage. Everyone the audience eagerly awaits will eventually appear and cause exactly the chaos they desire, and perhaps even more. Despite the fact that the entire series universe is based on a game, it has many realms, rules, and moods. From action to melodrama, from religious paraphrases to straightforward silly humor. For some, it may be a confusing headache, but for me, this magnificent and at times excessive world of angels, demons, knights, and dragons is a paradise. (02.02.2015)

Very often I find myself disappointed by the drawn-out and empty plot of an anime series, the lack of character development, and the uninteresting characters. So, it was quite surprising to discover that Rage of Bahamut is the complete opposite in this regard. The plot here rushes along, desperately trying to fit into twelve episodes. However, the season would have greatly benefited from being twice as long, allowing for more room to develop the characters and the captivating fantasy world setting, showcasing their full potential. After watching the twelfth episode, it feels like we've only scratched the surface of a universe with so much more to offer. For comparison, let's take a look at Chaika: The Coffin Princess, which came out the same year. It also features a fantasy world in which it seems like the producers randomly mixed together various ideas and elements, almost as if they had invited the ghost of Tristan Tzara into their creative process. Nevertheless, both series have created interesting worlds, with Chaika: The Coffin Princess being more imaginative and eccentric, while Rage of Bahamut adheres more closely to the fantasy canon and takes itself slightly more seriously. In Rage of Bahamut, all four main heroes have their own unique charm and depth, unlike Chaika: The Coffin Princess, where only Chaika herself stands out as a truly intriguing character. Now, when it comes to the audiovisual experience, Rage of Bahamut takes the imaginary winning prize. I haven't seen better and more visually stunning artwork and animation in a long time. Even the inclusion of CGI characters was executed quite well (except for the forest dragon). Additionally, the soundtrack frequently and successfully enhances the scenes, adding to the overall enjoyment. However, the biggest flaw lies in the rushed nature of the series. It leaves us feeling like we're merely skimming the tip of an iceberg, missing out on the full potential of the story, the fantasy world, and the characters. Viewer is left with the feeling that this fantasy world and its characters have so much more to offer and instead of a strong catharsis at the end, we're left with a sense of something unsaid or incomplete, like the creators didn’t tell us everything they wanted. Nevertheless, this doesn't change the fact that after a long time, I've finally come across a well done fantasy anime that doesn't rely on unnecessary fanservice, ecchi elements, or convoluted plot twists. What this anime offers are genuinely interesting characters and an excellent audiovisual experience. If a sequel were to be released, you can count me in for the watch. I'll give it a solid three-star rating. (14.02.2015)