Afro Samurai: Resurrection Anime Movie Review

Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Afuro Samurai
Funimation
Movie - 90 mins. - 1 disc
$39.98 (2010) Complete Murder Sessions w/First Season Blu-Ray
$34.98 (2009) Complete Murder Sessions w/First Season
$34.98 (2009) Director's Cut
$39.98 (2009) Director's Cut Blu-Ray
$29.98 (2009)
ISBN 704400079924
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Fuminori Kizaki/Jamie Simone
Studio - Gonzo

Synopsis: Afro has found his revenge and claimed the Number 1 headband from the man who killed his father.  His fight is over, but he languishes with no purpose and no friends.  It seems he is just marking time while his life slowly continues.  He has made too many enemies along the way to have any chance at a peaceful life and a new enemy soon appears.

Afro languishes after finally getting revenge for his father's murder

It's his old friend, Jinno, and his sister, Sio, who easily defeat Afro, take the Number 1 headband, and steal the remains of Afro's father, Rokutaro.  Sio is working her own revenge angle on Afro because he destroyed her brother's life.  She plans to resurrect Rokutaro and torture him.

Sio and her brother Jinno return to seek their revenge on Afro

Once again Afro is set into motion as he must track down the Number 2 headband to challenge Jinno and Sio.  She uses an evil scientist to maintain Jinno's upkeep and sets him to resurrecting Rokutaro with the goal of setting him against Afro.  He faces his greatest challenge yet as he wades through another eclectic set of warriors on his path to confront Sio, but will he be able to face his resurrected father?

Sio's creepy henchmen (and woman)

Pros: Stunning visuals (on par with the first series), great soundtrack, Samuel L. Jackson is the voice of Afro (and the annoying Ninja Ninja) along with Lucy Liu as Sio, tons of hardcore action, nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, art director Shigemi Ikeda won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation

Afro challenges the man who has the Number 2 headband

Cons: Plot is weak and predictable, less character and feeling than the first series, suffers from typical sequel curse of not being as good as the first, Ninja Ninja is still in the story

Not too happy to see this guy again - he's super annoying and apparently
a figment of Afro's mind (maybe his inner monologue or something)

Mike Tells It Straight: I watched the first series of Afro Samurai and reviewed it here.  It was a slick Japanese anime blaxploitation film with great visuals and action, but lacking a solid story.  The sequel is more of the same and didn't go anywhere new.  It still looks cool with neat character designs (a fusion of futuristic technology, modern hip-hop, and feudal Japan) and great animation.  The story is still very simple and predictable.

Gonzo gives us some truly stunning visuals

While I was glad to see Jinno return since I thought he was the best supporting character of the first series (it's the giant bear mask).  I was disappointed in his role in this sequel.  Sio runs the show and she's a truly bland villain.  I didn't think the plot could get any weaker, but I was wrong.  This movie is all about action and looking cool.  It worked for the first series after all.

Afro and Jinno in younger, happier days

This movie was nominated for an Emmy and the art director won one.  Not bad for this popular sequel although a surprise to me due to the lack of solid story.  I'd say watch this show if you liked the first one and/or want to find out what happens afterwards.  It's got all the same action and a little less story to get in the way.

Can Afro confront his resurrected father who is little more than a killing machine?

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Welcome to the N.H.K. Anime Review

Welcome to the N-H-K
N.H.K. ni Yokoso
Funimation
Complete Collection - 6 discs
600 mins. - 24 episodes
$29.98 (2010) S.A.V.E.
$69.98 (2009)
$59.98 (2008) Parts 1-2/ea.
$39.98 (2007) Vol. 2 w/artbox
$29.98 (2007-08) Vol. 1-6/ea.
ISBN 704400096662
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Yusuke Yamamoto
Studio - Gonzo

Synopsis: Tatsuhiro Sato dropped out of college and now seldomly leaves his apartment.  He spends time on his computer, watches anime, and reads manga.  His parents support him from overseas and he hasn't had a job in years.  Sato is a NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and is slowly turning into a hikikomori (a person who doesn't leave their home for many months). He's a total recluse and has developed a conspiracy theory that the Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai (NHK) is purposely causing people to become hikikomori for their own nefarious ends.

Sato is a complete slob and has sequestered himself in his apartment

Despite Sato's best efforts he still comes in contact with people that want to pull him out of his hikikomori state.  An odd girl, Misaki Nakahara, takes an interest in him and claims she has developed a program to cure him of being a hikikomori.  She convinces him to sign a contract for the program and he tries to downplay his recluse lifestyle.  He discovers his next door neighbor (who keeps bumping the incessant theme song for Puru Puru Pururin 24-7) is actually a former high school classmate,  Kaoru Yamazaki, who Sato rescued from some bullies.  The bullies later kicked Sato's ass.

Sato's neighbor Yamazaki is a complete otaku and animation student

Yamazaki is an animation student and Sato ends up working on an erotic computer game to prove to Misaki that he's actually working on something.  Sato drives Yamazaki crazy because he gets distracted so easily (like spending an entire night downloading porn for 'reference material').  Yamazaki is a hardcore otaku and introduces Sato to all of the standard material - manga, doujinshi, erotic manga/doujinshi, erotic computer games, massively multiplayer online role-playing games, and anime.  Yamazaki wants to unveil their game at Summer Comiket to impress his classmates and especially the cute girl, Nanako, who he has a major crush on.

Sato is approached by this cute girl named Misaki.  Huh!?

We learn about Sato's past before he was a hikikomori when he runs into another old classmate, Hitomi Kashiwa.  She appears to be a successful government worker, but learn her life is less than perfect.  She's the one who first introduced Sato to the idea of a big conspiracy working behind the scenes to manipulate people's lives.  When these two get together anything can happen and it puts Sato's relationship with his friends (and his very life) in jeopardy.

Sato spends an entire night looking up online porn, ahem,
'researching' for the gal-game he's writing for Yamazaki

Misaki and Sato meet every night to work on her curriculum and he is a semi-willing student.  Why is a cute girl like her spending time with an obvious loser like Sato?  Misaki's past is a mystery and contrasts greatly with her innocent demeanor.  Is she part of the NHK conspiracy?  What happens when Sato's parents finally pull the plug on his solitary lifestyle?  Can he possibly shed his hikikomori ways and rejoin society?  Why bother?

Sato becomes obsessed with playing an online RPG game after
meeting a cute cat girl who partners with him

Pros: Explores a lot of interesting themes relevant to the Japanese and society in general - hikikomori, NEETS, otaku culture, pyramid schemes, online gaming, and internet suicide pacts (yeah, that one was unexpected), Gonzo does some decent animation, good opening/ending theme songs (although ending theme is a bit frenetic)

Sato dreams he has an affair with former senpai Hitomi

Cons: Sato has a weak character and can be pretty mean to Misaki, the little NHK conspiracy goblins are kind of lame, no real resolution to the story at the end, this series is actually kind of depressing as it progresses

Hey, why are those people holding hands and walking toward a cliff?

Mike Tells It Straight: Welcome to the N.H.K. was completely unexpected and fairly interesting.  I was expecting something completely different after seeing the DVD covers and preview.  These prominently featured scantily clad women and manic comedy, but the show was a lot deeper.  The subject matter is slowly unveiled from beneath the comedy and concerns deep psychological problems among the main characters.  Each one has something they are dealing with like Sato being a hikikomori, Misaki's past, Hitomi's desperation, and Yamazaki's avoidance of responsibility with childish pursuits.  What I thought was going to be a satirical comedy (like Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, although that had a serious side as well) ended up being a serious show.

Misaki pretends to be Sato's girlfriend in front of his Mom, but
is he really falling for her?

Don't get me wrong, it has a lot of comedy elements and Sato/Yamazaki are complete spastics.  As the story progresses however and we really get to know the characters and their pasts it becomes clear this is not merely a comedy.  Sato has removed himself from regular society and gets nervous in crowded places.  He doesn't quite fit in with regular people and is easily influenced.  It's fun to watch him cycle through addictions to anime, erotic computer games, online porn, and get caught in the web of a pyramid scheme.  He's truly pathetic and the viewer can enjoy watching his prat falls with the smug certainty that they would never fall prey to these petty traps.  NHK was originally a light novel and then a manga series with a decidedly mature tone to it.  The anime is a much more toned down version than the manga, but I wouldn't mind checking out the manga some time.

Misaki and Yamazaki try to save Sato from a pyramid scheme

I enjoyed the slice-of-life aspect of the show and learning about Japanese culture.  That part of anime is always fascinating to me because it differs greatly from American culture.  The concept of a hikikomori sounds exotic until you consider how many shut-ins and adults still live with their parents.  This show veers off in some strange directions (like the internet suicide pact thing) which kind of lost me for a minute.  It's character-driven and we learn about a group of dysfunctional young adults who have generally lost their way in society.  Each must overcome their own personal obstacles and it gets a little depressing.  I generally recommend this show, but you need to know what you're getting into first (and it has some instances of mature subject matter).  Although I laughed out loud at many parts (the cat girl from the MMORPG is hilarious), it's not just comedy and fan-service you'll be watching.  Be ready for some serious subject matter by the end.

Welcome to the N-H-K!

TO BUY and Recommendations:
 

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo Anime Review

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
Geneon (Pioneer)
Complete Collection - 6 discs
600 mins. - 24 episodes
$29.98 (2009) S.A.V.E.
$69.98 (2009)
$149.98 (2007)
ISBN 704400011306
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Mahiro Maeda
Studio - Gonzo

Synopsis: It is the year 5053 and humanity has settled the stars.  In the region called Eastern Space where many alien races live there has been a war raging for many years.  Paris is the center of the universe with an incredibly rich aristocracy ruling the vast expanse of colonized space.  We accompany two young aristocrats, Viscount Albert (pronounced Al-bear) de Morcerf and Baron Franz d'Epinay, on a trip to Luna (Earth's moon) during a grand festival (very much like Carnival in Rio de Janeiro).  Both young men are approximately fifteen years of age and engaged to wealthy young ladies in upcoming arranged marriages.  The two visit Luna to 'sow their wild oats' and gain exciting experiences.  While on Luna they meet an enigmatic nobleman from Eastern Space called the Count of Monte Cristo.

Albert and Franz living it up on Luna

Albert is particularly drawn to the Count's charismatic sophistication and participates in a particularly grave wager during a public execution at the festival.  Franz immediately sees the Count's dangerous mystique luring in his best friend and warns Albert to be wary.  It's too late as Albert ends up alone in the late evening of the festival and falls in with a lovely, but counterfeit young beauty.  He is kidnapped and ransomed.  The Count manages to rescue Albert from the kidnappers and this is the first time we hear the term Gankutsuou.  Albert is tremendously grateful and promises the Count he will be welcome in Paris anytime he visits.

The Count of Monte Cristo's intriguing visage

The two youths return to their opulent lifestyles in Paris, but Albert is unsatisfied with his life.  He feels forced into the arranged marriage to his childhood friend, Eugenie Danglars, who shared a privileged upbringing with him and Franz.  Her father is the most powerful banker in Paris.  The three were best friends, but their relationship strains as Albert seems to have changed after his exposure to the Count.  Albert longs for excitement and passionate love which seems out of reach under the stern gaze of his parents.  His father is the most powerful general in Paris and aspires to gain the presidency in the upcoming election.  Franz is completely indifferent to his arranged marriage and fiancee, Valentine de Villefort, the daughter of the most powerful magistrate in Paris.

The Count becomes Albert's mentor and confidante

Arriving in Paris, the Count quickly ingrains himself with the leading aristocratic families through Albert.  Each of the families harbor deep, dark secrets.  Albert's mother was in love with a man named Edmond Dantes who died in prison before marrying Albert's father.  Eugenie's mother beds young men while her husband ignores her in favor of amassing an even greater fortune.  Valentine's father remarried a gold-digging woman who is fiercely jealous of Valentine's inheritance status.  The young group of friends are pawns in their parents' machinations for wealth and power.  Albert becomes more starstruck towards the Count and blind to the true motives which slowly manifest themselves.

The Count visits Albert in Paris and is introduced to his friends

The Count has returned to Paris for one thing - revenge!  He wields an incalculable amount of wealth and a supernatural power called Gankutsuou.  The Morcerfs, Villeforts, and Danglars are the target of the Count's plotting and Albert is the catspaw to his plan.  Hidden secrets are dredged up from their graves and lives are ruined under the Count's relentless vendetta.  Both parents and children are ground upon the stern resolve of the unliving personage calling itself the Count of Monte Cristo.  What is the unnatural force called Gankutsuou?  Can Franz uncover the secret of the Count in time to save his best friend?  All of their lives will be torn asunder as the Count reaps his revenge!

Character relationship map - thanks to Gonzo and the translators!

Pros: Visually striking animation style (unique use of complex, bright patterns), CGI (computer generated image) elements were good (particularly the mecha battle suits), surprisingly decent dub, excellent adaptation of the classic story by Alexandre Dumas, addition of Gankutsuou to the story makes this adaption quite unique, won Best TV Series award at the Animation Kobe Fair in 2005, awesome ending animation and theme song (heavy metal)

The three old friends who are the subject of the Count's revenge!
Danglars the banker, Villefort the judge, and Morcerf the general

Cons: Opening theme song (although it grew on me by the end), you will love or hate the animation style, deviates from the original story by using the perspective of Albert to tell the story (in case you're expecting it to follow the book exactly, it doesn't in a lot of ways), original series was 6-discs long and the newer collection consolidates down to 4-discs - some image quality is sacrificed for lower price, ending could have been more brutal in regards to the comeuppances of despicable characters, Albert was annoyingly naive (on purpose however - and it worked!)

A duel fought with giant mecha battle suits

Mike Tells It Straight: Gankutsuou is a visually unique and striking adaptation of the classic novel Le Comte de Monte-Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.  First and foremost, the animation style is quite prominent as complex, brightly colored patterns are used instead of traditional filler/shading to the characters/backgrounds. I have not seen another anime use this style anywhere near as heavily and it immediately drew my attention.  While I enjoyed the style tremendously, it can be distracting and easily a make-or-break issue among viewers.  Gonzo did a wonderful job building the futuristic backgrounds and rendering the CGI elements.

The three childhood friends - clockwise from top
Eugenie, Franz, and Albert

The story itself is an adaptation and not completely faithful to the original.  Those expecting an exact replica of events from the original work will be sorely disappointed, but we must accept anime is a far different medium of expression (plus the book is from 1844).  I could tell the writers/director were very deferential to the original story walking the fine line of respectfully portraying the story and adding their own unique touches.  Their finished product was impressive.

Haydee the Count's servant, the Count of Monte Cristo, Mercedes
and General Morcerf, Baron Danglars, Crown
Prosecutor Villefort, Franz and Albert

I found myself drawn into the story and eagerly awaiting the next episode.  The Count of Monte Cristo is a classic story and known by almost all Western readers, but the writers managed to infuse some mystery by adding the supernatural element of the Gankutsuou aspect of the Count.  The biggest difference from the original is telling the story from Albert's perspective.  He's the naive kid the Count uses to get close to his enemies and begin destroying their lives.  It's a tale of betrayal where the Count becomes as evil as those he seeks revenge against and the message is soundly delivered.

Gankutsuou manifests in the Count's body

The Count of Monte Cristo is easily one of the most dramatic classical Western stories.  I felt the anime adaptation was suitably noteworthy and loved the mature tone (without a heavy dose of over-the-top violence or nudity/fan-service).  It's an anime meant for adults and left a lasting impression.  The ending theme song was perfect (the opening theme far less so).   Although the ending was toned down considerably and I would have preferred much crueler fates for the guilty, it was still a dramatic conclusion.  I'll give this show a high recommendation (if you can get past the visuals) and my greatest possible compliment - I'm keeping it in my collection.  Check it out (and read the original story)!

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Blassreiter Anime Review

Blassreiter
Funimation
Complete Collection - 4 discs
576 mins. - 24 episodes
$29.98 (2011) S.A.V.E.
$49.98 (2010)
$59.98 (2009) Part 1
$59.98 (2009) Part 2
ISBN 704400098529
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Ichiro Itano
Studio - Gonzo

Synopsis: A mysterious and terrifying plague has broken out in Germany which reanimates corpses into frightening techno-organic monsters called 'Demoniacs'.  These creatures can fuse and control mechanical objects like cars, motorcycles, and weapons.  They typically go on berserker rampages leaving a bloody trail  of death and destruction in their wake, but without any real purpose.  The government forms a task force to counter the Demoniac outbreaks called the Xenogenesis Assault Team (XAT).  The XAT use advanced motorcycles and weapons to fight the Demoniacs.

Don't worry, it's just a naked woman's corpse

During a motorcycle race featuring Gerd Frentzen, the greatest motorcyclist in the world, a Demoniac begins a rampage endangering the crowd and seemingly targeting Gerd.  Another Demoniac appears to dispatch the first and then disappears.  This mystery Demoniac is codenamed 'Blue' by the XAT as they attempt to pursue it after the incident.  Unfortunately, Gerd is paralyzed in the attack and can never race again.

A Demoniac interrupts Gerd's race and 'Blue' comes to his rescue

Leading the XAT is Wolf Goring and his team consists of:

• Amanda Werner - partner to Hermann, she adopted a young boy named Malek as her little brother, a strong fighter she spends too much time working to stop the Demoniacs and Malek is often left to fend for himself
• Hermann Saltza - partner to Amanda, former racing partner with Gerd, hot-blooded and fiercely loyal, he is often reckless and charges into a fight without a second thought to help his friends
• Brad Guildford - partner to Al, skilled XAT anti-tank sniper, stoic individual with a lot of combat experience
• Al Lutz - partner to Brad, skilled XAT sniper, more laid-back and carefree than his partner

XAT members Al, Amanda, and Hermann

Gerd is depressed about being paralyzed and not being able to race. He meets a mysterious doctor who gives him a pill to walk again in a new powerful form - as a Demoniac!  His desire to race again is so fierce he accepts, but must fight back the raging bloodlust threatening to consume his soul.  Hermann attempts to help his friend and Blue reaches out to Gerd in an attempt to get him to control his transformations.  Amanda and the rest of the XAT try to hunt him down.  The mysterious doctor infiltrates the XAT compound and corners Wolf.  What is her hidden agenda which endangers the XAT?  Can Gerd harness his violent transformations into a Blassreiter?

Malek meets his motorcycle racing hero Gerd

Malek is tormented by bullies at school because he is a foreigner.  They mercilessly pick on him and his friend Johann. Amanda is consumed by her work and never around to protect Malek from the constant onslaught of physical/emotional abuse.  Malek befriends the enigmatic Blue and witnesses the transformation of his hero Gerd into a powerful Demoniac.  When Malek meets the mysterious doctor will he be tempted to become powerful like Gerd in order to fend off his tormentors?

Beatrice, the mysterious doctor offers a pill to solve all your problems

What is Blue's origin and why does he fight against the Demoniacs when he is one himself?  Who is the clandestine organization Zwolf?  Most Demoniacs are mindless monsters lashing out at their surroundings, but some become Blassreiters. What is the purpose of these fearsome beings and will the world be consumed by their fury?

Gerd in his Demoniac form

Pros: Good animation and complex CGI, each main Demoniac has a unique look, lots of fast-paced action, many plot twists and character shifts, depressingly dark, some good moral messages like 'bullying can get you killed', 'remember your friends after they've been brutally murdered', and 'take care of the poor by developing nanomachine technology', opening/ending themes are okay

Joseph Jobson aka 'Blue' - that's one depressing dude

Cons: Plot is convoluted mess which first appears religious (i.e. Demon-iacs, like demons from hell) and then technological, characters are annoying - all of them, just a bunch of action and no real story (besides Blue's depressing origin), too much CGI (computer generated images) for my taste, action is too fast and Demoniac character designs way too complicated/busy, lame ending (although somewhat touching), hair styles for Beatrice and Wolf are fugly

Joseph in his Demoniac form

Mike Tells It Straight: I found Blassreiter to be all flash and no real substance.  The story attempted to be grand and sweeping, but didn't deliver a powerful, coherent message.  The story focus shifted to several different characters over the course of the series:

1. Gerd's transformation into a Demoniac and his fight to maintain his identity instead of giving in to mindless rage
2. Malek's battle with his bullies, friendship with Blue, and temptation to become a Demoniac in order to get revenge
3. The origin of Blue and the Demoniacs - get a box of tissues ready for this one
4. Hermann tries to liberate Amanda and Malek from the Zwolf organization, but runs afoul of the Demoniacs
5. Final battle with the secret leader of the Demoniacs and a high character death count

Gerd skewers a Demoniac in mid-air

The character relationships were the best part of the show as the XAT and Zwolf members exhibit great camaraderie/honor as they battle the Demoniacs.  I felt the character animation was good, but the CGI was too much - character designs were too busy or action was too fast to really enjoy.  CGI movement doesn't look natural or real to the naked eye - speeding it up in action scenes amplifies the 'fakeness' ten-fold and I didn't like it.  

Joseph in his berserker state after Zwolf's enhancements

This show reminded me of Dragonaut: The Resonance (another Gonzo show) due to the heavy use of CGI effects (dragons there vs. Demoniacs here), but I liked Dragonaut far better - must have been all the fan-service.  Watching Blassreiter felt like watching a CGI version of Power Rangers (albeit a much darker version).  I enjoyed some aspects of the show, but overall it felt like Gonzo was trying too hard.  The final battle between 'Blue' and the main bad guy didn't live up to the hype.  The ending was pretty weak/sappy and I left feeling disappointed.  Only recommended if you're more interested in flashy CGI action scenes and can live with the mediocre story.

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Zaion: I Wish You Were Here Anime Review

Zaion: I Wish You Were HereADV Films
Complete Collection - 1 disc
120 mins. - 4 episodes
$29.98 (2009)
$24.98 (2003) Vol. 1 Epidemic
$29.98 (2003) Vo1. 1 w/artbox
$24.98 (2003) Vol. 2 Devastation
ISBN 702727175022
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Seiji Mizushima
Studio - Gonzo

Synopsis: It's been four years since a mysterious virus carried by a meteorite started infecting humans and transforming them into super-powerful, mindless monsters.  The virus has claimed 3% of the world's population, but remains a well-kept secret by CURE (Committee of the Universal Resolution of Ecocatastrophe). 

In order to battle the virus CURE has developed remote-controlled mecha units (called MOB units) and nanomachine-enhanced super-soldiers (called NOA).  The MOB units are the first line of defense during an outbreak, but the virus has evolved to a point where the infected can easily overcome the robots.  Only the NOA super-soldiers have become truly effective, but they suffer from a high mortality rate and are extremely costly to replace.

NOA soldiers battle an infected human

Yuuji is a talented NOA soldier who becomes disillusioned with CURE after a particularly rough mission.  He dislikes CURE's view of the NOA casualties as acceptable losses after witnessing many comrades killed in action.  He hears about a newly developed weapon which could save lives and becomes angry because it hasn't been deployed yet.

Yuuji stews after losing more comrades on another mission

That weapon is a young psychic girl named Ai.  She is little more than a test subject to the researchers and higher ups at CURE.  Her abilities have a profound counter-effect on those infected by the virus when used with enhancing technology provided by CURE.  Lacking any emotional support Ai has no confidence and cannot function as a reliable counter-weapon.

Troops look on in horror at a massive amalgamated
infected monster

She meets Yuuji and they both share a moment together talking under the moonlight.  Yuuji does not know Ai is the new secret weapon yet and is nice to her.  Things change once he discovers Ai's inaction is costing the lives of his friends.  Another mission gone awry intensifies the dilemma for Ai as the virus mutates once again and poses an even deadlier threat. 

Yuuji and Ai under the moonlight

Now Ai is the last hope for humanity, but her fragile emotional state has rendered her helpless.  Can Yuuji get past his frustration and form a connection to support Ai? 

Ai's astral projection takes on a giant infected monster

Pros: Decent animation, okay soundtrack, budding love story between Yuuji and Ai is touching, some good action scenes, liked the nanotechnology/super-soldier concept, tons of extras - sketches, promotional clip, and half a dozen creators/staff/cast interviews

At first Yuuji is very cold to Ai

Cons: No opening sequence or theme song (had an ending sequence/theme though), MOB units (mecha) CGI was clunky and didn't mesh well with the traditional-looking animation (kinda typical of Gonzo), seems implausible that 3% of the world's population could be infected/killed by an extraterrestrial virus without a major media break (not to mention all the property damage when the things run amok), protagonists are not very endearing

A NOA soldier juggles a MOB unit

Mike Tells It Straight: Zaion's premise sounded interesting and I've enjoyed a lot of Gonzo's other works (Speed Grapher, Desert Punk, Yukikaze), but the show had a lot of negatives and didn't make a great impression.  I didn't initially like Yuuji and thought he was just another annoying anime hot-head main character.  Ai's character was pretty standard as well - she really didn't have much personality, but the pair won me over in the end with their ill-fated love (call me a romantic).

Yuuji and Ai form a strong bond in the face of adversity

My main gripe was the brief, implausible storyline and goofy characters.  The NOA team were color-coded like a group of super-sentai (i.e. Power Rangers, Kamen Rider).  Keeping the virus under wraps with 3% of the world's population wiped out didn't seem possible when infected humans turn into raging monsters.  Entire hospitals are destroyed during an outbreak - try keeping a secret like that after the third or fourth hospital is trashed.  Not gonna happen.  

The Power Rangers prepare to fight for and protect Ai

The other gripe (with Gonzo overall at this point) is the CGI for the MOB units and how poorly it contrasted with the rest of the visuals.  The rendering was blocky and movements were terrible.  I've seen a lot of other Gonzo shows with CGI figures that just don't move properly (organically) and kind of ruin the show for me (Dragonaut, Blassreiter).  Might just be a preference from this old otaku (me) who grew up with fully rendered mecha and can't wrap his brain around all this newfangled tech-no-lo-gy.

SYou never feed them after midnight!!

Overall Zaion was a somewhat mediocre watch despite some potential.  I got the message the creators were trying to send, but it was too late for me to care.  The animation was good, but the CGI pieces were downright bad.  Too many story flaws killed it for me.    

TO BUY and Recommendations: