Like many of its cyberpunk counterparts, it's a rather brazen series, yet it is able to steer clear of becoming pretentious for the most part. It strikes a beautiful balance between the existential questions it asks and progression of its story, characters and world. Texhnolyze doesn’t pander to its viewer, nor does it stop to let you catch up or explain every single one of its actions in detail. In fact, a lot of questions aren’t answered until the final episodes. It is by no means flawless and it certainly gets muddled up in trying to do too much. Because of this there is an air of ambiguity throughout a large portion of the series which often impacts on what it’s trying to say. In spite of this Texhnolyze still says something and as it comes full circle it undoubtedly answers its questions.
It's an exceedingly costive series that initially focuses more on the world, its atmosphere and tone rather than progressing the story itself. The inception highlights this largely through its tedious pacing, character interactions and sound rather than its sparse words. Texhnolyze gradually picks up momentum as Lux - the crucible of humanity, their home - is thrown into disarray. Rising tensions between differing philosophies spiral into violence and civil war.
It’s worth noting that a common theme of cyberpunk is the dehumanization of humanity through the futuristic technology they generally play off. That is not necessarily the case here which is why as I referenced earlier, the series is not without its warmer moments. While there are certainly doctrines within that support the dehumanization of humanity, there are also those that see texhnolyzation as a means to further humanity. A mechanism of hope rather than destruction.
Boasting some of the most impressive art and animation of its time, Texhnolyze puts large emphasis on its visuals to establish and develop its characters and brutal world. Though few and far between, the fight scenes are animated flawlessly and smoothly, similarly the palette of colors is both aesthetically pleasing whilst also highlighting the dystopian nature of Lux and the surface world. The art truly stands out as one of its focal points, and it’s for good reason. The series uses a plethora of techniques and pays significant attention to even the smallest details. The use of grainy scenes often compliments what the story is trying to project, depicting a savage and unforgiving world. The art style simply reflects what it's trying to say. The juxtaposition of warm colors on the surface further proves this. Furthermore the surface world references a number of Edward Hopper’s paintings - a man who is known for his depiction of stark and barren landscapes - through color and content alike. Texhnolyze and Hopper mirror each other both visually and thematically. The art and its detail adds a level not many series can compare to, just as well given how much of a visual experience it truly is.
The sound compliments its art and world masterfully. The interplay between the two is refreshing and ultimately what makes it such a sensory and memorable experience. The voice acting speaks volumes whilst ironically, little is said. The heavy breathing of Ichise emphasizes this more than anything, highlighting how much of an arduous struggle it is to simply live. The sound effects are clear and relevant; footsteps, trains, the mechanical eyes of its Texhnolyzed patients and gunshots come alive heightening the series as a whole. As with the grainy animation technique, static sound is used to project the point further. But most importantly, Texhnolyze’s soundtrack is the greatest score of any anime I have watched to date from both an external and internal perspective. Over forty tracks allow for a diverse yet distinct soundtrack that always compliments its visuals and world. The music dredges all sorts of emotion and the sheer pathos provided by the combination of its moving and excellently placed music provides an experience few anime can compare to.
Texhnolyze offers a heterogeneous ensemble of characters each with their own philosophies and it’s these beliefs that separate the citizens of Lux and conflict with one another. Ultimately, Texhnolyze leaves a number of characters underdeveloped and fails to fulfill the potential for some. Understandably so, the characters may be one of the biggest factors of deterrence. Some characters don’t get the screen time they deserve, some don’t get the development they deserve. In spite of this, there is still plenty of character development for the more focal characters. Ichise’s development - largely standing out - over the course of his plight is remarkable if not poetic. Characters develop in both a positive and negative light, realistically so, and while in some cases the series leaves development to be desired, it’s forgivable given the respectable amount of characters it explores and its emphasis on the world rather than its characters.
Texhnolyze is not without its flaws, yet in the end they are easily accepted. As a whole, it is something truly great. The amalgamation of even the finest details creates a series that’s merit is comparable only to few. Whether it’s sheer patience and willpower, or its philosophical questions of existentialism, Texhnolyze not only asks a lot of its viewer, but respects them. If you’re able to answer its call, Texhnolyze is something truly rewarding and memorable. Texhnolyze is truly a masterpiece.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
