Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis, by all accounts, should have been a completely forgettable and mediocre show having the pretense of being a teaser anime for Cygames and their mobile card game. The source material has the plot of a piece of cardboard and is little more than a collection of conceptual artwork. With all those things in mind, Studio MAPPA rises to the challenge and completely shatters my non-existent expectations as they set the standard for a promotional show.
Taking place within a fantasy setting where the combined efforts of mankind, gods and demons have successfully sealed away the world-destroying Bahamut, the world of
...
Mistarcia enters into an era of peace. To insure that Bahamut would be forever encaged in its prison, the seal's key was split into two pieces and given to the gods and demons respectively. Two thousand years, a women named Amira manages to steal the gods' half of the key and that where the show chooses to kick off its epic adventure. Caught up in Amira's quest to reach the land of Helhelm are two bounty hunters with clashing sets of personalities and values.
The plot is simple enough and easy to follow but Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis's strength lies in its brilliant execution and ever-escalating set pieces. Human, monsters, gods and demons of all different shapes and sizes come in for a battle royale that never fails to disappoint because the action is paced to be fast and furious which leaves little room for exposition. This actually works in the show's favor because it let the viewer's knowledge of other fantasy shows fill in the gaps instead of piling on explanations that would only get in the way. Fights takes place in varying degrees of captivating environments as the show overwhelm the viewers with its extravaganza displays. It does fall victim to losing momentum towards the middle portion as a dreaded recap episode shows up and the political maneuvering is less interesting than the hordes of monsters and soldiers duking it out with each other. Fortunately enough, it does manage to pick itself up to throws everything and everyone into speculate of the grand finale.
Characters
Having nothing but character illustrations as their starting point, the production staff MAPPA have crafted some very lovable characters that are all distinct in their attributes and eccentric personalities. It's not all about the action as the main characters are given fleshed out
backstorys and motivations rather than being Amria is actually a very strong demonic melee fighter capable of tearing apart much larger monsters with ease but acts very much like a child in spite of her terrifying power and outward appearance. She is quite endearing and the focal point of which the show drives itself.
Smitten by her looks and misguide notions, Kaisar Lidford is one the two bounty hunters accompanying Amria on her quest to reunite with her mother. A former knight that was disgraced, he still retains his code of honor in every fiber of his being and that extends to his fighting style, hair, and upkeep of his promises. He was overly the knight-in-shining-armor to a fault but I did warm up to him as the series went on as his character dynamics complement the other members of main cast.
This brings me to my two favorite characters of Favaro Leone and Rita. To start off, Favaro is nothing like your conventional hero as his goal in life is to loudly indulge in life's guilty pleasures of women, money and booze while. As a red-headed bounty hunter, he is selfish, crass and utterly underhanded when it comes to fighting while wielding a revolver crossbow.
How awesome is that?
Equally fabulous is Rita, who joins up with the main cast a little further down the story. She may look like loli bait but never adheres to the stereotypical template that her appearance suggested. Her character interactions and contributions made the show that much more enjoyable on top of what was already offered.
There is a myriad of other supporting characters from all the different race who don't really get or need character development but make the most of their limited screentime in just being plain awesome. Some standouts include Jeanne D'Arc of the humans, Bacchus, a god who manages the bounty system and Azazel of the demon faction.
Visuals
Animated by the Studio MAPPA, the very same team who created Kids on the Slope and Zankyou no Terror, the amount of quality put into this series places it among the best looking shows of the 2014 fall season. Drawing inspiration from Western fantasy aesthetics, the art style is atypical of the standard Japanese anime look and has that classic Dungeons and Dragons vibe to it. The attention to detail to the various locales and props really help immerse the audience into the world of Rage of Bahamut: Genesis and that not even mentioning the stellar cinematography which lends itself to be more of a Hollywood film than standard anime show. There are small amounts of 3DCGI and for the most part, it looks all right as it doesn't distracts from the pretty 2D visuals.
Sound
Yoshihiro Ike, who scored the soundtrack to Ergo Proxy and Tiger and Bunny, comes in with a full orchestra and choir to deliver something that didn't really live up to the epic action on the screen. His work, by all means, was well-composed and of high quality but I couldn't help but feel that the music was rather uninspired and lack the punch to bring the show to the next level. More specifically, it may be due to the lack of variety when it comes to just relying on strings and vocal as I found hard to recall anything memorable. Perhaps, if he had used more instruments in his ensemble, it would be an given the visuals the accompaniment and energy it deserves. In contrast, the opening credits, "EXiSTENCE” performed by SiM, was one of my favorites of the fall season with it rock music and awkward Engrish. It does what every opening should do and that is to be extremely metal and awesome in priming the viewers for each weekly installment.
Game Adaption
If Studio MAPPA had the goal of making me try out whatever they were advertising for,
they succeeded.
Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis was amazing enough that I simply wanted more and what better way to do so than to download the game it's based off of. However, upon seeing the chunky dated interface, confusing bland gameplay and obvious microtransactions, I promptly deleted it off my machine. I'm grateful that aspects of the trading card game were integrated quite well in the framework of the show of which was the bounty system and I never felt it was overbearing or obnoxious. It was just a small reminder of what the show's roots are and just how vastly difference they are in terms of quality.
Conclusion
Coming completely out of the left field, Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis is the surprise hit of the 2014 fall season. I simply cannot give enough praise to Studio MAPPA for their creativity and talent in creating a show that defies all expectations. There were a few small things that held it back from being a masterpiece, but nevertheless it was still one hell of a ride.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Alternative Titles
Japanese: 神撃のバハムート GENESIS
More titlesInformation
Type:
TV
Episodes:
12
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Oct 6, 2014 to Dec 29, 2014
Premiered:
Fall 2014
Broadcast:
Mondays at 23:30 (JST)
Licensors:
Funimation
Studios:
MAPPA
Source:
Card game
Duration:
24 min. per ep.
Rating:
R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
Statistics
Ranked:
#15732
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity:
#582
Members:
429,845
Favorites:
1,706
Available AtResources | Reviews
Filtered Results: 62 / 66
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Your Feelings Categories Dec 29, 2014
Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis, by all accounts, should have been a completely forgettable and mediocre show having the pretense of being a teaser anime for Cygames and their mobile card game. The source material has the plot of a piece of cardboard and is little more than a collection of conceptual artwork. With all those things in mind, Studio MAPPA rises to the challenge and completely shatters my non-existent expectations as they set the standard for a promotional show.
Taking place within a fantasy setting where the combined efforts of mankind, gods and demons have successfully sealed away the world-destroying Bahamut, the world of ... Dec 30, 2014
In depth review #2 - Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis
Shingeki no Bahamut was exactly what i wanted it to be. An epic battle fantasy anime with good characters and a unique universe that blended everything together. And DRAGONS, beautifully animated hardcore FUCKING DRAGONS! Most shows with dragons in it makes their dragons look like shitty play-doh statues but this show did i right. All you need to do is see the first scene of the show and you'll know what I'm talking about. If there are any gamers reading this, imagine the game Darksiders mixed with the opening cinematic trailer of Final Fantasy XIV and that ... Dec 29, 2014
If the word ‘adventure’ is part of your daily vocabulary, then Shingeki no Bahamut is definitely something to consider watching. Based off a card game franchise, the series takes place in some sort of alternate medieval universe starring a group of young adventurers. The catch though is that the story is clouded by a dark past relating to a source of power threatening to destroy the world. That source (known as the Bahamut) was sealed away some 2000 years ago but has recently been broken and split into two in the form of keys. A cat and mouse-like game ensures now as to find the
...
Mar 16, 2015
First, I have to say that this is one of the best anime I've ever watched... It starts with the fact that it contains more than one mythological belief (Gods, Evil, Dragons, Legendary Heroes...) and further more they are fused in one story, when I read the synopsis, I thought that this is another anime with cliches about gods, humans, and evil fighting and shit, but then I was so glad I watched the first episode cause the characters were so good actually and since the beginning there was major events in the story.
Second, the plot is good, I mean, combining stories already known and ... Jan 16, 2015
"Which way does the wind blow? To tomorrow!"
Shingeki no Bahamut is a pre-apocalyptic show about fate, destiny and what it means to change your fate, thrown into a cast of very unique characters and a power struggle between angels, humans and demons. The show is very promising from the beginning, builds up a lot of excitement in the middle, but ultimately ends in a rather anti-climactic fashion with insufficient resolution. TL;DR Story: 5/10 Art: 7/10 Sound: 5/10 Character: 7/10 Enjoyment: 6/10 ... Jan 10, 2015
Shingeki no Bahamut is a series that I don't seem to love as much as others, which I will explain in detail while trying not to spoil too much.
First of all, the music and art is great, presenting the show in a spectacular package. Even the occasional CGI monsters works for the most part, sticking out yet without looking lazy. I was drawn in by the idea of bounty-hunting and the refreshing design of our swashbuckling main character, Favaro, who brings in just the right balance of charm and goofiness. The conflicting relationships he shares with everyone around him is also an unending spring of entertainment. ... Jan 4, 2015
**SPOILER FREE REVIEW**
Every now and then, an anime comes along that is so remarkably charming, entertaining, and fun that you just completely forget about the rest of its flaws. Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis, is the epitome of this kind of anime. It’s 100% “rule of cool”; a million things are going on at the same time, ridiculous amounts of insanity are crammed into short intervals of time, the characters and plot events are totally over the top, and yet all you can do is smile while watching it. SnB is undoubtedly the pleasant surprise of the season, considering that it’s based on, of all things, ... Jan 3, 2015
Please be warned that this review may contain stuff that by some may be considered as spoilers even though no specific scenes of events of the show are described.
As far as the story goes, this anime has just another anti hero wannabe guided by fate and poorly developed emotions to save the girl and the world plot. It has no innovations whatsoever and in it's short 12 episodes it develops, in my opinion, even that poorly. The main character is way outclassed by the world and the happenings around him, never really displaying either the physical strength or the strength of character one would expect a ... Dec 29, 2014
Here are the three things that made this anime so wonderful:
1) It created the sense that the world was expansive and filled with mystery and potential adventure, which is something that many other anime have tried to do and failed miserably at. 2) The characters (for the most part) weren't cutouts of what is so easy to find in anime. The main character, Favaro, was intelligent and adroit, but he wasn't without his faults. He wasn't just some guy that was fighting for peace for no other reason than peace. He has more depth than that, he can be selfish and cold, as ... Jan 10, 2015
Another anime that prove MAPPA’s technical capability, after the success of Zankyou no Terror. We received another amazing anime. So let’s start.
Bahamut starts with the most enthralling beginning that makes us all excited. We get the usual adventure-slash-fantasy vibe executed in the best way possible. But the problem is, as we get closer to the midway of the show, the mood of the show toned down. I now realized that Bahamut is becoming more boring and dull. It is losing its charm. It becomes less entertaining. For the reason, that Bahamut is not even “trying”. It is not that ambitious of a work to become ... Apr 19, 2015
Story: 8/10
I like the story because it was like something typical, something cliche at the start, but later, by watching, you realize that it's going away from this cliche like story and gets actually a really nice short story with some mythology influence in it, many monsters, magic and fantasy. Maybe it was a bit too short, maybe they just rushed it a bit...maybe making 25 episodes would made the anime better, but only maybe, who knows. I can only tell that i really enjoyed watching it because it was a bit....well, yeah, different :D Characters: 7/10 Oh god, there are characters i really hated at the start, ... Jan 3, 2015
Shingeki No Bahamut: Genesis/ Rage of Bahamut: Genesis Spoiler Free Review
First I would like to state that prior to watching this series I had no idea that it was intended to be a promotional series for a mobile card game, however, taking that into account it only adds to my appreciation for the series. I will sometimes just abbreviate the series as SBG to keep things simple, and I will be breaking down this review into a few components: Story, Art/Animation, Sound, Character and overall feelings. SBG is a series I had high hopes for and was waiting in anticipation to finish. I took up the ... Dec 29, 2014
Bahamut, a feared silver dragon, has been inert for two thousand years thanks the gods, humans and demons managed to win him. To keep him away of the world gods and demons have a seal they keep in their worlds.
One day a girl call Amira who only knows she has to find her mother on a land called Helheim arrives to Earth, she brings a amulet which is damaged and she can’t go there, but one night in a tavern she hears a bounty hunter called Favaro saying he’s going to Helheim and he knows an short cut. Amira proposes Favaro a deal who accepts ... Jan 6, 2015
(This has been adapted from my reddit thread)
One of history's defining features is the men and women who were willing to take a chance. Concepts such as traversing the Atlantic for colonization, migrating across the western half of North America, or scouting Europe for a new trade route sound fantastical. During the "Age of Discovery," embarking on an adventure was the norm, with riches and prospects the rewards. Nowadays, an "adventure" usually consists of driving the car to the local toy store. But suppose an opportunity presented itself. Would you shy away from what lie before you, or would you follow your destiny? As Shingeki ... Jan 5, 2015
Shingeki No Bahamut:
MINDSET: Cool, fun and epic-ish action adventure show that should not be taken seriously. Only watch it for the woeful and charmful rather than OMG! I'm f**king crying bruv! SYNOPSIS: Afro Ginger Bounty Hunter/Asian skinned protagonist encounters a demon girl, in which he became a demon in the next day. After that, we found out that she has some flipping item inside her body that is really important according from the fantasy realm she lives in, and now they want it back. Without question, Afro Ginger decides to venture with the demon named Amira to rid his curse for having a tail. REVIEW: This show is more like ... Dec 30, 2014
Having randomly stumbled upon this Anime, I didn't know what I'd get. All I knew about it was that it was a Fantasy Anime, which I've seen a lot. So I thought it'd be some generic Anime which I'd forget about in a heartbeat. But I'm happy to say that that's not the case here. So, on to my review.
... Mar 15, 2015
Okay so it's a pretty terrible show.
The scenario is uninteresting as fuck (it's basically Diablo 3), the characters are full cliché, the universe has been seen a thousand time. But OH. MY. GOD. THIS. ANIMATION. This is simply stunning. It has been a bit eclipsed because of Unlimited Budget Works but this is simply one of the most beautiful anime I've ever seen in term of animation and art (but not the most original). It's like the creator of the card game went to MAPPA with a bag of gold without having any idea of how much an anime cost normally and asked them ... Dec 29, 2014
It's always rather interesting to see what sort of direction a new animation studio takes. Being fresh onto the anime landscape gives you a ton of options to choose from. Will you take the easy path of cute girls and slice of life, or will it be the hard road of heavy action and grandly designed set pieces? As of now, after the three main titles from our latest studio to be born, I'm very happy to say that Studio MAPPA has chosen to take the high road, and the possibilities for their future are
...
Jan 4, 2015
A fun, action fantasy adventure with gorgeous visuals and a charming cast.
★★★★ Rage of Bahamut isn’t the most amazing or original show out there, but it’s without a doubt thoroughly enjoyable. It doesn’t try to be deep or complex. It has a Pirates of the Caribbean feel of fun and adventure. It’s a story about a bounty hunter helping a girl get to her destination, but they get swept up in the bigger picture involving humans, angels, demons, and a world destroying dragon. The first thing you’ll notice about Bahamut is it’s a very good looking show. The fantasy setting is a breath of fresh air from ... Mar 21, 2015
Another review enjoy. Gonna try my best to fully remember have been watching alot of anime back to back recently so im just hoping the important stuff stick with me for this review.
Story- A medieval type of feel and look, The story consists of 2 guys who are bounty hunters and a girl whos half demon and half who is looking for her mother.... basically thats it. I liked the story although my description wasnt really giant im keeping it as basic as possible i really liked the story mainly because of the girl main character because of how Bad*** she was. Humans, Gods and ... |


