I wanted to take some time to talk about the new anime series, Guilty Crown, whose third episode just aired in Japan. While this little review doesn't contain much in the way of spoilers, I suppose it's geared toward those who have already seen an episode or two. For those who haven't, here's the synopsis, straight from Wikipedia...
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Guilty Crown's setting begins in 2029 when an unidentified "Apocalypse Virus" spreads and plunges Japan into a state of emergency in an chaos known as the "Lost Christmas". An international organization known as the GHQ intervenes with martial law and restores order to Japan at the cost of its independence. |
Watching the first couple episodes I felt that the show had a Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex feel to it, and no wonder. Guilty Crown is another beautiful looking series by Production I.G. Thus far the episodes have been featured incredibly detailed designs, most noticeably the backdrops. It’s almost oppressive and distracting in a sense. While Tiger & Bunny’s detailed backdrops faded into the background those in Guilty Crown seem to lack that same sort of depth.
Thought beautiful, the potential for overwhelming is not my main concern when it comes to the animation. Instead, it’s the sustainability. The third episode seems to show the structure crumble just a bit. Random shots here and there come off as pretty plain in comparison to highly detailed shots just few seconds prior. Maybe it’s just me, but I wonder how long it can last (Tiger & Bunny hasn't left a good mark).
Shu’s general nature seems to shift radically from one extreme to another. For most of the first three episodes he’s incredibly pessimistic, shy, and a loner. Your typical reluctant shonen archetype. Then, quite randomly, be comes off full of confidence alongside unexpected, unexplained skill. Could it just be a side effect of the “power of kings?” Possibly, but but the way that they jump between these two personalities seems more like bad writing.
With respect to the rest of the plot, there's a lot of potential here for a great storyline. Thus far they've done a solid job laying the base work for the series and some of the odd characters involved. As the series progresses I'm hoping they fully flesh-out the back story. While it would be nice, and mostly unnecessary, I don't expect them to dive into any of the technological aspects (such as the remotely piloted mecha).
The ability to reach into someone and pull out a weapon, however nonsensical, works really well. In the second episode they showed the tactical benefits of being able to pull different tools from different people. That Shu can only pull out weapons from those younger than 17 sounds more like a gimmick to keep the series focused on the mid teen demographic. At some point I'm sure that they'll flesh out an explanation but even so it's an excuse to keep a 'relatable' cast present. Same goes with the awful high school element they've stepped back into (Inori moving in... do I sense some Evangelion influences?). I think most western viewers will agree that the series would have been more interesting if he had just joined the terrorists. Granted, most of this only takes place in the third episodes, which by the end they completely remove any reason for staying at the school. Time will tell.
As with most shonen anime programs the fan service is there in full force. What’s odd is that instead of the usual exaggerated physical traits the designs are rather realistic. Instead they make up for it by taking long shots of breasts, asses, etc. and throw in additional unrealistic events and suggestive positions to compensate. I will say though that Ayase, and her pilot suit, easily outclass Asuka’s Rebuild uniform.
A bit has been discussed regarding Guilty Crown’s relation to Code Geass. There are a lot of shared elements, such as Japan’s political state, a random rebel group seeking freedom for the country, and the main character getting a mysterious power in the first episode. It stands to reason that that Production I.G. took a look at Code Geass’s [unjustified] success and pulled in some elements as influence. While a relationship between the two series’ can easily be drawn, even regarding the similar name (CG v. GC), there’s not a lot there. There are just as many other influences, such as Inori’s robot sidekick, Funnell, which comes off as a mix of Gundam’s Haro and Ghost in the Shell Tachikomas.
When it comes down to it, should you give Guilty Crown a chance? Absolutely. While thus far the show may not be as memorable as the series' it pulls from, it's definitely an enjoyable watch. At this point Guilty Crown is one of those shows where it either clicks with you or doesn't. If after there episodes you don't enjoy it, then no harm no foul. While it hasn't resonated with me just yet I plan on sticking around for a bit to see where it goes. Plot wise, there's a fair amount of potential.
