The fate of man is not predetermined. Very unexpectedly for me, this anime turned out to be very high-quality and adult. From Sunrise Studio, known primarily for the endless string of mecha-series “gandam”, of varying degrees of success, before watching you expect something similar. And indeed, in “gasaraki” there are many of the “gandams” of different years, including those shot much later than this anime. However, there are motives from other successful anime (for example, a coup d’etat from the “future police 2” or the “philosophical” ending from the “evangelion”), but, most importantly, the idea and staging are distinguished by seriousness, some austerity and brutality and even prophetic motives.
Each series is preceded by a poem written in traditional Japanese style, figuratively describing the content of this series and including its title.
The main theme of the anime connects the samurai past of Japan and its modern state. Here you will find arguments about the exceptional qualities of the Japanese sword, the meaning of the traditional “but” theater, get acquainted with the struggle of the samurai clan with the imperial power, and see the problems of the modern political system, the excessive influence of large corporations, the fragility of the global economy, illegal mass migration, etc. But, of course, meha anime involves, first of all, action, giant robots, war and relationships between people (traditionally, mech pilots).
So what do you think of the 1991 Desert Storm operation in Iraq? Could it be the invasion of Iraq in 2003 or Afghanistan in 2001 or a possible ground operation by international forces in Syria now? Choose to your taste, because it is against this background that the initial events in the anime unfold. The Japanese corporation decides to test in this war its ultra-modern weapon - furs. However, the U.S.-declared constitution after the defeat in the WWII prohibits the use of Japanese self-defense forces abroad. Well, why not go first to violate the Constitution, then to change the political system in Japan, then to war with the United States, then to the United States. Yes, you can do anything, after human ambition and thirst for power!
In one series, the operation in the "Bay of Pigs" is mentioned. It was the US-Cuban landing in Cuba in 1961 to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro.
Nothing is new in this world! And a thousand years ago, ancient clans fought and killed endlessly. The most powerful of them had giant warriors sent down by the gods. The horrors of war eventually prompted a voluntary refusal to use these monsters, but after some time there were always new adventurers and everything began anew. And only the feelings that accidentally flared up between two people capable of operating the tools for murder, were a fragile obstacle to a new war.
When viewing the first half of the anime, several times there was a fear that I was skillfully led by the nose: the storyline was so qualitatively filmed, logically and interestingly developed. But as long as I have seen anime, where the second half was turned into “snot”, then the crumpled ending was thrown into the trash. Fortunately, most of the fears were not justified.
Separately, I will highlight the graphic component. As you understand, in 1998, the use of computer graphics is minimal, almost everything is hand-drawn (very high-quality), but this (by current three-dimensional standards) only adds value to the anime: for example, the old-school appearance of the operating system on ultra-modern fur.
Of the minuses, I note, except that, sad opening and ending. Although, on the other hand, they are maintained in the general ascetic style of the entire anime.
8 out of 10