Ranked #466

Chrome Shelled Regios

*Disclaimer* This is my first anime review, so if I have done anything wrong please feel free to send me a message telling me. Also, even though my username is Sharnid, I have tried to write this article without taking sides or with bias. Lastly, please rate this anime review on how informative it was (helpful or not helpful) rather than your opinion about the anime. Thank you.

Story/Plot – 6.7
The Overall plot is about Layfon Alseif, a person who has potential for being in Military Arts, but is reluctant because of his past. However, he still becomes part of the military academy, and finds himself in the 17th platoon fighting in Platoon matches, or against filth monsters and slowly revealing his past as he fights along.

Yes this deserves a low score of 6.7, why you ask? First of all Regios can get VERY VERY confusing. (almost as confusing as Lost) This is a show that demands you to either pay attention to almost everything they are showing you, or go back and rewatch a couple episodes. Even then, you still won’t understand some of the parts of the story, which suggests that this show is going to receive another season such as a prequel, but as of now, I have heard no news about it. Secondly, I have noticed the storyline follows a particular pattern, Fight Filth Monsters->Reveal a little bit of Layfon’s Past->Fight in Platoon Matches->Reveal a little more of Layfon’s Past->Fight someone Layfon knew before [spoiler] (Haia, Gorneo) [/spoiler] -> Reveal his past some more->Then, Bam, Fanservice episode. Then maybe, they would add an episode to show that Felli, Nina, Leerin, or Meishen likes Layfon. However, the show does make up for it with the twists in the plot, and still the story does proceed, although it may be slow. The show gets docked a few points though especially at the end where they absolutely rush the whole thing. Even rewatches of the last episode and of previous episodes will not explain everything in the end and viewers may feel unsatisfied, almost like watching the second season finale of Lost.

Characters – 7.4 (this will be done with overviews with characters that have high to medium importance)
The biggest flaw with the characters is that they never actually change their personalities or anything throughout the whole show.

Layfon: is always reluctant to fight, and wants to do something else than fighting, but doesn’t , Layfon also doesn’t notice that Felli, Leerin, Nina, or Meishen likes him, and does not notice this for the whole season. However, he does have a hidden past, which means he is different from the other characters and kind of makes the viewers want to know his past. I have also noticed that layfon had 2 personalities, 1 where he was super nice, and then a more serious one. He is basically could be in a platoon by himself and still win.

Felli: also wants to do something else besides being in the military academy, but doesn’t. However, Felli is one of the most likeable characters, and she herself adds a lot of comedy to the show, her kicks are more deadly than one by Chuck Norris or Bruce Lee (and also very funny), and when they draw Felli in an angry state, it is quite enjoyable. Felli also does change her personality a little to show that she likes Layfon. [spoiler] This is shown near the end of the season, where she is exhausted due to fatigue, and yet would still go on if Layfon required it. Which shows that she has changed, if even just slightly. (yay felli!) [/spoiler] Felli uses Psychokinesis to support the 17th platoon.

Nina: always wants to become stronger, but no matter what she does, she doesn’t really get much better, although she trains a lot of the time. She also gets mad at Layfon a lot, but she always forgives him later on anyways. She is also the leader of the 17th Platoon, but for a leader, she really isn't particularly strong and takes a backseat to Layfon.

Sharnid: Carefree attitude, and like Layfon had a sort of mysterious hidden past. Although Sharnid acts carefree about almost everything, things are revealed about his past, and he actually takes it very seriously. However, many things are still not explained about him, such as his origin, and that can be good or bad, depending if there will be another season. He is currently the sniper for the 17th platoon, and if you need a reference, think of Kurz Weber from Full Metal Panic, except maybe 1000 times cooler.

Sound/Music -8.7
I mean I really can’t find big enough flaws for the music or the sound. During some extreme fight scenes, [spoiler] such as the one where Layfon fights with Haia to save Felli[/spoiler] the background music is amazing, and deserves high marks. The ending songs for the show are also very good in my opinion and they do change the ending song after the halfway point in the anime. Also if you listen carefully, each time they have different voice actors sing the ending theme song which is nice. For example, Felli sings a duet with Sharnid, along with other combinations. However, I just don’t like the beginning theme song, and they don’t change the song after the halfway point, which leaves me to skip the beginning theme song. They also repeat a generic BGM sometimes when layfon is fighting, and that becomes annoying after a couple episodes, and docks the anime some points.

Animation-7.6
There is really nothing special about the animation, except the fight scenes and the fan service scenes. However, when they draw Felli at times, and even Sharnid (when he is sprayed with water by Nina at the pool) it is quite comical, and brings up the score.

Enjoyment- 8.2
This anime was actually very enjoyable in my opinion, the mix between action, comedy, and fanservice kept me watching the anime to the end, and many of the characters are quite enjoyable to watch, particularly Felli. The fan service scenes also help with putting the anime in a more relaxed have fun state, instead of action and fighting all the time. Also this anime had better comedy scenes that some of the anime I have seen that were only about comedy.

Overall – 7.6 (7.6+8.7+7.4+6.7+8.2=38.6/5=7.72)
Only 7.72 on an anime I based my username off of? how come? Although I truly enjoyed this show especially the action and a little bit of the more relaxed episodes, the ending to the season really severely docked this show some points. After reading all the released manga that have been translated, I have noticed that they explain a lot more with the manga than with the anime, which means if you truly want to know everything you have to read the manga also. That shouldn’t be the case. They need to pace this anime a lot better than they did, have bigger changes with the characters, besides Felli, and explain the story more, [spoiler] especially Saya choosing Layfon as the “chosen one”, and Leerin being related to Queen Alsheyra,[/spoiler] along with other story problems. Some people also tell me, don’t worry there is definitely a second season! But how can you be so sure? They haven’t announced it or anything which suggests they are just leaving the anime as is. Hopefully, they do release another season, and explain all the holes in the story, which will definitely lead to a better score in the next season.

In the end, If you are looking for an anime that has good fighting scenes, relaxed scenes with the 4 girls that like Layfon (fanservice), and some comedy, then you should definitely take, a look at Chrome Shelled Regios or atleast just try a few episodes. This show offers a nice balance of action/seriousness to comedy/fanservice, so many viewers might like this particular anime.
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**As of Episode 11**

Regios is a show i really didn't pay any attention to until finally 2 weeks ago, and i'm glad i gave it a chance. The anime producer, ZECXS, hasn't done some good animes (Last one being Rental Magica), but i think this one can really blossom into something good.

Story - 7.9/10 (C+)
Filth monsters? lol. But seriously, it's not as boring as it sounds. How about "cleaning" these filthy monsters with magical swords and wizardly staffs? Now that's more interesting. The story centers on Layfon (Or as Felli calls him Fon-Fon), a young kid who has hidden potential while looking like just the opposite. Klutzy and Humorous, Layfon manages to join the 17th Squad (16th?) under Nina Antalk, a spirited and focused young girl who works her hardest to achieve success. The plot so far is okay, but i'm docking points for coining the term "Filth" monsters and a really lackluster beginning.

Animation - 7.6/10 (C)
The animation is mostly bland and standard, except when it comes to flashbacks and fight scenes and fanservice scenes. Can anyone say, Felli Meido?

Sound/Music - 10/10 (A+)
I got hooked on the OP song, Brave Your Truth (lol engrish) just from hearing 5 seconds of it. That never happens for me. The same applies to the ending as well, "Yasashii Uso". Both fit PERFECTLY for Regios, One starting the show with a techno rock beat, and ending it with a gentle, soothing slow ballad. Each episode has a different ending version, and i'm most fond of Felli's version and Nina's version the most. The voice actors, while not ultra popular (See: Aya Hirano, Mamoru Miyano), have as much talent (even more, in some cases) as the populars. Episode 4 and Episode 5 treated us to some english, i dunno what's up with those 3 people in that car, but the english is so lol.

Characters - 9/10 (A)
Layfon is NOT the typical idiotic shounen lead character. He's likable from the very beginning, along with Nina and Felli. The rest of the cast i don't really pay attention to, but don't worry it's all good. Layfon's past is now catching up to him, and each episode he goes from "Typical Anime Shounen lead" to "Really Interesting and Evil"

Enjoyment - 10/10 (A+)
Watch Kokaku no Regios! Really, it's got a bit of everything: Fanservice, Ugly monsters, RPG-ish characters and excellent theme songs. What else would you want?

Overall - 9/10
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~~The Good: OP/ED, Characters (Except the Engrish People (See episodes 3-5), Shante), Excellent BGM
~~The Bad: A bit fast at first, slightly annoying fanservice

~~Strong Points: BGM and OP/ED, Characters
~~Weak Points: Animation read more