Maze☆Bakunetsu Jikuu (TV)

Maze is one of those animes that feels like you've seen it before already. A series that is reminiscent of other works that you've already experienced. That is because Mazze is wholly unique. One of the many, many animes that came from the 90's anime boom, one that disappeared right as it was rushed out of the door. Despite having a movie made for it, Maze has disappeared from the anime consciousness almost entirely.

Why is that? Well, the simple fact is Maze has nothing original going for it. Everything has been done better by other anime. But what's interesting about Maze is that it's ... not just a carbon copy. The things that it does, it does so strangely that it leaves the viewer baffled at just why the series does what it does. From the plot to the characters, not really makes sense from the viewer's perspective of just why these things are happening.

Story:
The story of Maze is interesting, to say the least. We follow our main protagonist, Maze, a young woman who has been transported to a foreign land along with losing her memories. Maze finds herself embroiled in a holy war after meeting the young princess Mill. Together, the two can combine forces to summon and operate a powerful bio-mecha. With this, along with Mazes' powerful "Phantom light power", the two set off on a journey to stop the Gaina holly empire along with a cast of friends they make along the way.

Oh, and Maze transforms into a man at night.

You may notice just how many elements this plot is throwing at you right from the get-go. Mechs, magic, fantasy party, save the princess, gender-swapping. It's all just so, strange. These elements don't mesh very well right from the get-go and the series feels no need to try and make them work. This is before the elements of time travel and universe jumping are introduced later on.

The thing about all of these elements is they feel lifted directly from other, more successful anime at the time. These plot points were all incredibly popular at the time. And it's obvious that Maze tried to shove all of them into one story. Unfortunately, none of them mesh. The story does not work. It switches from comedy "enemy of the week" type tails to a serious mecha holy war to time travel to, well, you get the point.

Overall, a mixed bag of ideas that do not work together. 3/10

Art & Sound:

Nothing much is to be said about Maze in this area. It is the most generic 90's style you can imagine.

But I do want to give a special mention to the dub.

The dub is everything wrong with 90's anime dubs. Bad voice acting. Annoying high-pitched girl sidekick, awful mixing, horrible fight sounds, Engrish songs.

Overall, I'll give it a 6/10 as it is at least ok for when it came out. But the dub is a special treat that cannot be rated.

Characters:

Now here is where Mazes true problems shine. The characters of Maze are awful.

Maze herself is a flat protagonist who does not develop at all throughout the series. Both the male and female versions stagnate throughout the series. Staying as the reserved confused magic using girl and the brave perverted male.

The rest of the supporting cast as well are nothing more than flat tropes who only exist to fill their role in the "fantasy party".

Well, that is for everyone but Mill.

Mill is one of the most confusing characters too me. She's incredibly annoying and unbearable but painted as the likable younger sister character with everyone wanting to protect her. She orbits Maze and will actively try to mess with her relationships with other characters, yet this is treated as endearing.

Speaking of Maze's relationships.....

Everyone is horny for Maze. That's it. All of Maze's relationships, outside of a few, are others lusting after male or female maze. There is nothing more to say here...

Overall, 2/10.

Enjoyment:

If you think Maze is one of those 90's anime's you can put on with friends and take the shit out of, you're not wrong but you're very not right.

The series starts off as one you can enjoy ironically but quickly becomes nothing more than a slog as it quickly loses whatever 90's charm it had.

As a legitimate offering, Maze is mediocre at best. Everything that it provides is done better by other anime. It's action scenes can be enjoyed if you turn off your brain and can put up with Mill's constant whining.

4/10

In closing:

Maze is an interesting anime. An interesting anime that deserved to be forgotten. It is a time capsule of the 90's anime boom. With all its tropes and problems wrapped up into a single package.

Maze did not stand the test of time well. And unearthing it today is not a recommendable experience.